The present invention relates to a flexible sealing assembly (100) for an optical fiber draw furnace (500) comprising a first plurality of curved ring sections (110) arranged in a circular arrangement and a plurality of tension loaders (114) exerting continuous radially inward force on at least one curved ring section. Each curved ring section of the first plurality of curved ring sections (110) is separated from each other and defined by the same radius of curvature. Further, the first plurality of curved ring sections (110) is radially movable such that the first plurality of curved ring sections (110) creates a seal between a glass preform (504) and a vertical hollow body (506) in the optical fiber draw furnace (500). The diameter of the glass preform (504) varies.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of forming a fiber-shaped structure is provided. The method includes subjecting a precursor material arrangement to a thermal drawing process to form the fiber-shaped structure, the precursor material arrangement including a preform of a first material having a first melting point, and a second material in an interior space of the preform, the second material having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the thermal drawing process includes subjecting the preform and the second material to a heating process to heat the preform to a molten state for forming the fiber-shaped structure, wherein the second material that is heated remains in a solid state, and wherein the fiber-shaped structure that is formed includes the first material and the second material.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a method of forming a fiber-shaped structure is provided. The method includes subjecting a precursor material arrangement to a thermal drawing process to form the fiber-shaped structure, the precursor material arrangement including a preform of a first material having a first melting point, and a second material in an interior space of the preform, the second material having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point, wherein the thermal drawing process includes subjecting the preform and the second material to a heating process to heat the preform to a molten state for forming the fiber-shaped structure, wherein the second material that is heated remains in a solid state, and wherein the fiber-shaped structure that is formed includes the first material and the second material.

The fabrication of sleeveless canes utilizes a preform with an array of glass canes in the preform. At least one tube-sleeve encircles the array of glass canes and is secured to the array of glass canes. The array of glass canes is moved into a furnace wherein the array of glass canes is heated. The furnace is maintained at a furnace temperature within the range of 2000° C. to 1700° C. and the array of glass canes is drawn from the furnace. The drawing of the array of glass canes both scales down the glass canes and elongates the glass canes. Maintaining the furnace at a furnace temperature within the range of 2000° C. to 1700° C. assures that the array of glass canes and the glass canes maintain their original shape.

The fabrication of sleeveless canes utilizes a preform with an array of glass canes in the preform. At least one tube-sleeve encircles the array of glass canes and is secured to the array of glass canes. The array of glass canes is moved into a furnace wherein the array of glass canes is heated. The furnace is maintained at a furnace temperature within the range of 2000° C. to 1700° C. and the array of glass canes is drawn from the furnace. The drawing of the array of glass canes both scales down the glass canes and elongates the glass canes. Maintaining the furnace at a furnace temperature within the range of 2000° C. to 1700° C. assures that the array of glass canes and the glass canes maintain their original shape.

A method is disclosed of making a coated optical fiber. The method may involve drawing a preform through a furnace to create a fiber having a desired diameter and cross sectional shape. The fiber is then drawn through a slurry, wherein the slurry includes elements including at least one of metallic elements, alloy elements or dielectric elements, and the slurry wets an outer surface of the fiber. As the fiber is drawn through the slurry, it is then drawn through a forming die to impart a wet coating having a desired thickness on an outer surface of the fiber. The wet fiber is then drawn through an oven or ovens configured to heat the wet coating sufficiently to produce a consolidated surface coating on the fiber as the fiber exits the oven or ovens.

An optical fiber draw system and method of operating thereof. The method includes positioning a downfeed handle for supporting an optical fiber preform within a furnace such that the downfeed handle is movable within the furnace. The method further includes operating one or more heating elements to thermally heat at least a portion of an upper muffle extension disposed within the furnace, the one or more heating elements being moveable with the downfeed handle.

A wire-drawing optical fiber base material manufacturing method of heating an optical fiber base material by a heater and forming a drawing shape portion at an end portion. The manufacturing method includes: forming, by a flow-regulating member disposed adjacent to the heater, a gas flow such that formation, along a surface of the optical fiber base material, of a flow of a gas containing a Si compound generated from the optical fiber base material heated by the heater is inhibited; and forming, while maintaining the gas flow, the drawing shape portion by pulling part of the optical fiber base material softened by being heated by the heater.

A system for precoating a preform for drawing optical fiber including a diameter sensor to determine a diameter of pulled optical fiber, a cooling system to cool the optical fiber once it is pulled from a furnace, a coating system to apply a coating to the optical fiber once it has cooled and an ultra-violet lamp to cure the coating.

A wire-drawing optical fiber base material manufacturing method of heating an optical fiber base material by a heater and forming a drawing shape portion at an end portion. The manufacturing method includes: forming, by a flow-regulating member disposed adjacent to the heater, a gas flow such that formation, along a surface of the optical fiber base material, of a flow of a gas containing a Si compound generated from the optical fiber base material heated by the heater is inhibited; and forming, while maintaining the gas flow, the drawing shape portion by pulling part of the optical fiber base material softened by being heated by the heater.