DESC:The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of optical fibre ribbon and, in particular, relates to a method for performing curing during manufacturing of an optical fibre ribbon. The present application is based on, and claims priority from an Indian Application Number 201911035651 filed on 4th August 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein

BACKGROUND
[0002] Optical fibres are widely used for communication over long distances. An optical fibre is a thin flexible fibre with a glass core through which light signals can be sent with very little loss of strength. Generally, the optical fibre consists of a core, a cladding and coating layers for protection. The optical fibres are combined together using a matrix material in the form of an optical fibre ribbon. The optical fibre ribbon is not flexible and require curing using ultraviolet light. Conventionally, the optical fibre ribbon undergoes single stage curing which is capable of making only the matrix material over the optical fibre ribbon flexible. The optical fibre ribbon remains brittle and variations in width of the optical fibre ribbon may be observed after the single stage curing.

[0003] In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for method of curing which can overcome the above stated disadvantages.

OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for performing curing during manufacturing of an optical fibre ribbon.

[0005] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fibre ribbon that is easily bendable in non-preferential axis without any fragility.

[0006] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fibre ribbon with improved flexibility and resilience.

[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to maintain width and height of the optical fibre ribbon without any variations.

SUMMARY
[0008] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for performing curing during manufacturing of an optical fibre ribbon. The method performs a first stage curing on a matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. In addition, the method performs a second stage of curing on the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. The first stage of curing is performed using a ribbon die and one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units. Further, the second stage of curing is performed using a source of the one or more ultraviolet lamps (UV lamps) in an UV chamber.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) performs 80 percent of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon in the first stage of curing.

[0010] In an embodiment of present disclosure, the ultraviolet chamber (204) performs 20 percent of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon in the second stage of curing.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units emit electromagnetic radiations towards the optical fibre ribbon to perform the first stage of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the source of the one or more ultraviolet lamps (UV lamps) emits electromagnetic radiations towards the optical fibre ribbon to perform the second stage of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, power output in the second stage of curing is in range of about 1000 watts to 1300 watts.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units emit electromagnetic radiations of wavelength in range of about 365 nanometer to 450 nanometer in the first stage of curing.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units are situated at a distance in range of about 5 millimeter to 40 millimeter from head of the ribbon die in the first stage of curing.

[0016] In an embodiment of present disclosure, the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units produce power output based on operating wavelength in range of about 1200 watts to 10000 watts in the first stage of curing.

[0017] In an embodiment of present disclosure, each lamp of the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units is incident on the optical fibre ribbon at an angle in range of about 35 degrees to 80 degrees in the first stage of curing.

STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0018] The present disclosure provides a method for performing curing during manufacturing of an optical fibre ribbon. The method performs a first stage curing on a matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. In addition, the method performs a second stage of curing on the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. The first stage of curing is performed using a ribbon die and one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units. Further, the second stage of curing is performed using a source of the one or more ultraviolet lamps (UV lamps) in an ultraviolet chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0019] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view for performing first stage of curing during manufacturing of the optical fibre ribbon, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view for performing second stage of curing during manufacturing of the optical fibre ribbon, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to selected embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with accompanying figures. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described. This disclosure may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying figures are intended and provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure described below and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for providing better clarity and ease of understanding.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the like, herein do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view 100 for performing a first stage of curing during manufacturing of an optical fibre ribbon, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cross sectional view 100 includes a ribbon die 102, and one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (hereinafter UV LED) units 104.

[0026] The ribbon die 102 and the one or more UV LED units 104 collectively performs the first stage of curing. The first stage of curing is performed on a matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. In general, optical fibre ribbon includes a number of optical fibres arranged together within matrix material. In general, matrix material is made up of UV curable acrylate based resins. In addition, matrix material provides optimal handling characteristics such as superior heat strip, encapsulation, easy peel and breakout, good fibre geometry and robustness to optical fibre ribbon. Further, each optical fibre ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibres. In general, optical fibre refers to a medium associated with transmission of information over long distances in the form of light pulses. Moreover, optical fibre uses light to transmit voice and data communications over long distances.

[0027] The ribbon die 102 is utilized to hold the optical fibre ribbon. The optical fibre ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibres. In general, die is a specialized tool used in manufacturing industries to cut or shape material mostly using a press. In addition, dies are generally customized to the item they are used to create. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ribbon die 102 is a junction where grouping of the plurality of optical fibres takes place. In addition, the ribbon die 102 is used to group each of the plurality of optical fibres with facilitation of the matrix material. Further, the matrix material flows inside the ribbon die 102 that results into first stage of curing. Furthermore, the first stage of curing is pre-curing followed by post-curing of the optical fibre ribbon.

[0028] In general, a light emitting diode lamp is an electric light source for use in light fixtures that produces light using one or more light-emitting diodes. In addition, a light emitting diode is a semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it. Further, UV lamp stands for ultraviolet lamp. In general, ultraviolet lamp is a device for producing electromagnetic radiations in the wavelengths between those of visible light and X-rays. In addition, UV lamp is a lamp that emits electromagnetic radiations that makes black-light posters glow.

[0029] The one or more UV LED units 104 are situated directly after the ribbon die 102. The one or more UV LED units 104 are configured to emit electromagnetic radiations towards the optical fibre ribbon to perform curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fibre ribbon is placed stationary between the one or more UV LED units 104. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fibre ribbon passes through the one or more UV LED units 104.

[0030] The one or more UV LED units 104 are situated at distance in range of 5 millimeter to 40 millimeter from the ribbon die 102. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, distance of the one or more UV LED units 104 from the ribbon die 102 may vary. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the LED segment of UV LED unit 104 has a width ranges in between 50 mm to 120 mm. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the width range of the LED segment of UV LED unit 104 may vary. In addition, power output emitted by the one or more UV LED units 104 decreases exponentially as distance of the optical fibre ribbon from the one or more UV LED units 104 increases. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, light emitted from each lamp of the one or more UV LED units 104 is incident on the optical fibre ribbon at an angle in range of about 35 degrees to 80 degrees. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, angle of incidence of light emitted from each lamp of the one or more UV LED units 104 may vary.

[0031] The one or more UV LED units 104 emit electromagnetic radiations to perform pre-curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. In addition, pre-curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon is performed to maintain a fibre spacing between each of the plurality of optical fibres. Further, the matrix material present in between each of the plurality of optical fibres is cured. Furthermore, the matrix material present between each of the plurality of optical fibres is placed at top surface and bottom surface of the ribbon die 102. The one or more UV LED units 104 emit electromagnetic radiations of wavelength in range of about 365 nanometer to 450 nanometer. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wavelength of electromagnetic radiations emitted from the one or more UV LED units 104 may vary.

[0032] The one or more UV LED units 104 produces a power output. In general, power is rate of doing work or transferring heat. In addition, power is amount of energy transferred or converted per unit time. The one or more UV LED units 104 produce the power output in range of about 1200 watts to 10000 watts based on wavelength on which the one or more UV LED units 104 operate upon. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power output of the one or more UV LED units 104 may vary. Further, the power output corresponds to illumination intensity. In general, illumination intensity or luminous intensity is a measure of wavelength-weighted power emitted by a light source in a particular direction per unit solid angle.

[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross sectional view 200 for performing second stage of curing during manufacturing of the optical fibre ribbon, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The cross sectional view 200 includes a source 202 of the one or more UV lamps in a UV chamber 204.

[0034] The UV chamber 204 is required for second stage of curing. The second stage of curing is post-curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. In addition, the UV chamber 204 cures 20 percentage of curing.

[0035] The UV chamber 204 performs second stage of curing during manufacturing of the optical fibre ribbon. The second stage of curing is post-curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon. The source 204 of the one or more UV LED units 104 emits electromagnetic radiations towards the optical fibre ribbon to perform the second stage of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon.

[0036] The power output from the second stage of curing is in range of about 1000 watts to 1300 watts. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power output from the second stage of curing may vary.

[0037] The UV lamp of UV chamber 204 has a width ranges in between 30 cm to 100 cm. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the width of the UV lamp of UV chamber 204 may vary. Further, the UV chamber (204) includes UV lamp, quartz tube, reflector plates, filtering system, etc.

[0038] The first stage of curing and the second stage of curing facilitates bending of the optical fibre ribbon in non-preferential axis without any fragility. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units 104 performs 80 percent of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon in the first stage of curing. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ultraviolet chamber 204 performs 20 percent of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon in the second stage of curing.

[0039] The first stage of curing and the second stage of curing during manufacturing of the optical fibre ribbon has numerous advantages over the prior art. The first stage of curing and the second stage of curing increases flexibility of the optical fibre ribbon. The first stage of curing and the second stage of curing facilitates to improve resilience of the optical fibre ribbon. The first stage of curing and the second stage of curing maintains width of the optical fibre ribbon without any variations.

[0040] The foregoing descriptions of pre-defined embodiments of the present technology have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present technology and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation.

,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A method for curing during manufacturing of an optical fibre ribbon, the method comprising:
a first stage curing on a matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon, wherein the first stage of curing uses first one or more ultraviolet LED unit (104), wherein first stage of curing performs partial curing; and
a second stage of curing on the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon, wherein the second stage of curing uses second one or more ultraviolet chamber (204), wherein second stage of curing performs complete curing.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) performs around 80 percent of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon in the first stage of curing.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet chamber (204) performs around 20 percent of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon in the second stage of curing.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet LED units (104) provides UV rays as a uni-directional beam which narrows down the light intensity in one direction and thus illuminates maximum intensity.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein UV chamber (204) includes UV lamp, quartz tube, reflector plates, filtering system etc.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LED segment of UV LED unit (104) has a width ranges in between 50 mm to 120 mm.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein UV lamp of UV chamber (204) has a width ranges in between 30 cm to 100 cm.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) emit electromagnetic radiations towards the optical fibre ribbon to perform the first stage of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet lamps (UV lamps) of the one or more UV chamber (204) emits electromagnetic radiations towards the optical fibre ribbon to perform the second stage of curing of the matrix material of the optical fibre ribbon.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein power output in the second stage of curing is in range of about 1000 watts to 1300 watts.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) emit electromagnetic radiations of wavelength in range of about 365 nanometer to 450 nanometer in the first stage of curing.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) are situated at a distance in range of about 5 millimeter to 40 millimeter from head of the ribbon die (102) in the first stage of curing.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) produce power output based on operating wavelength in range of about 1200 watts to 10000 watts in the first stage of curing.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each lamp of the one or more ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) units (104) is incident on the optical fibre ribbon at an angle in range of about 35 degrees to 80 degrees in the first stage of curing.