Claims
- 1. A fiber coil subassembly comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a known coefficient of thermal expansion;
- a coiled tubular holder having first and second ends, constructed of a material which has a coefficient of thermal expansion approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the optical fiber, and is capable of repeatedly withstanding temperatures of at least 1000.degree. C. for at least 5 hours, said coiled tubular holder having an inner diameter which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of said first optical fiber, and said first optical fiber being formed into a coil, threaded in said coiled tubular holder and annealed in said coiled position, said annealed fiber coil having first and second ends exiting said first and second ends of said holder, respectively;
- a second optical fiber attached to said first end of said fiber coil at a first splice;
- a third optical fiber attached to said second end of said fiber coil at a second splice;
- first tube means for protecting said first splice; and
- second tube means for protecting said second splice.
- 2. The fiber coil subassembly of claim 1 wherein said first tube means comprises:
- a tube member, said second optical fiber extending through said tube member, and said tube member being located proximate said first splice; and
- a first sleeve member having first and second ends, said first end of said sleeve member being secured to said first end of said coiled tubular holder, and said second end of said sleeve member being secured to said tube member.
- 3. The fiber coil subassembly of claim 1 wherein said second optical fiber is a pigtail fiber, and said second tube means comprises:
- a ferrule, said second end of said fiber coil terminating in said ferrule, and said ferrule being located proximate said first splice; and
- a sleeve member having first and second ends, said first end of said sleeve member being secured to said second end of said coiled tubular holder, and said second end of said sleeve member being secured to said tube member.
- 4. The fiber coil subassembly of claim 2 wherein said third optical fiber is a pigtail fiber, and said second tube means comprises:
- a first ferrule, said second end of said fiber coil terminating in said ferrule, and said ferrule being located proximate said first splice; and
- a second sleeve member having first and second ends, said first end of said sleeve member being secured to said second end of said coiled tubular holder, and said second end of said sleeve member being secured to said tube member.
- 5. The fiber coil subassembly of claim 4 further comprising:
- a second ferrule;
- a fourth optical fiber having one end terminating in said second ferrule; and
- plate means for securing said first and second ferrules in forcible abutment.
- 6. The fiber coil subassembly of claim 4 wherein said coiled tubular holder, said tube member, said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member are all constructed from silica.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/205880 filed Mar. 3, 1994 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,552.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0044572 |
Jan 1982 |
EPX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
205880 |
Mar 1994 |
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