The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 04, 2001
Filed:
Sep. 28, 1999
Olivier Schuepbach, Hickory, NC (US);
Carlos Pedrido, Boudry, CH;
Alcatel, Paris, FR;
Abstract
An apparatus for curing a photocurable coating provided on a fiber, includes an irradiator tube having an upstream end on which an injection assembly is provided, and a downstream end on which an exhaust assembly is provided. The injection assembly receives an inert gas flow. The injection assembly includes a diffuser that splits the inert gas flow into a counter flow and a tube flow. The counter flow is directed counter to the travel direction of the fiber, and the tube flow is directed in a laminar fashion through the irradiator tube. The exhaust assembly has a vent though which the tube flow is drawn, and an air opening provided between a downstream end of the irradiator tube and the exhaust vent.