Europa,schesP_ MM M II M M M Mill M MM M I II

J European Patent Office

Publication number: 0 4A7 9 120 B1
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Office europeen j ^ .
brevets

EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

Date of publication of patent specification: 05.07.95 Int. CI.6: G01 L 5/04, G01M 1 1 / 0 0

Application number: 91116406.9

@ Date of filing: 26.09.91

Method for monitoring fiber tension.

Priority: 05.10.90 US 593204 Proprietor: Corning Incorporated

Houghton Park
@ Date of publication of application: Corning
08.04.92 Bulletin 92/15 New York 14831 (US)

Publication of the grant of the patent: @ Inventor: Smith, Gregory Eugene

05.07.95 Bulletin 95/27 Corning Inc.,
Patent Department,
Designated Contracting States: SP FR 02-12
AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI NL SE Corning, NY 14831 (US)

References cited:
EP-A- 0 226 396 Representative: Boon, Graham Anthony et al
Elkington and Fife
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 11, no. Prospect House
109 (P-564)(2556) 7 April 1987 & JP-A-61 259 8 Pembroke Road
133 (HITACHI LTD) 17 November 1986 Sevenoaks
Kent TN13 1XR (GB)
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 10, no.
254 (P-492)(2310) 30 August 1986 & JP-A-61
82 128 (DAINICHI NIPPON CABLES LTD.) 25
April 1986

00

CM

Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person
may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition
shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee
has been paid (Art. 99(1) European patent convention).
Rank Xerox (UK) Business Services
(3. 10/3.09/3.3.3)
 EP 0 479 120 B1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

5 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to optical waveguide fibers and, in particular, to a method for monitoring fiber
tension during the drawing of such fibers.

io 2. Description of the Prior Art

In the manufacture of glass optical fiber, the fiber is pulled from the end of a glass preform or draw
blank which has been heated to a sufficiently high temperature. One of the more important process
parameters in the production of optical waveguide fibers is the tension within the fiber during the drawing
75 process, and, in particular, the tension within the fiber in the region between the hot zone and the first
coater. The magnitude of this tension affects the final properties of the fiber, including the fiber's diameter,
ultimate strength and, through a stress optic effect, its optical properties.
From a process point of view, the tension in the fiber also affects the overall stability and throughput of
the drawing process. Excessive tension leads to rapid necking and ultimate rupture of the fiber in the hot
20 zone region. If not carefully controlled, increasing the temperature of the hot zone to reduce fiber tension
can result in draw resonance and root oscillation, which in turn can result in oscillatory variations in fiber
diameter which are difficult to control with conventional fiber diameter monitoring equipment. Oscillation of
the fiber during drawing can also adversely affect the fiber coating process.
Fiber tension is related to the viscosity of the glass in the root portion of the preform from which the
25 fiber is being drawn, and to the speed with which the fiber is being drawn. Since the viscosity of the glass
is a function of temperature, draw tension can be controlled by adjusting the temperature of the furnace.
The temperature of the furnace itself can be measured and controlled using conventional temperature
detection techniques such as pyrometers or thermocouples. However, due to the thermodynamics of the
draw process, this control does not provide adequate control of the root temperature. The part of the
30 preform above the root acts as a heat sink which reduces the temperature of the root. If the furnace
temperature remains constant, the root becomes hotter with a decrease in the size of the preform. A
constant temperature furnace will therefore result in a lowering of the draw tension as the preform is
reduced in size during the fiber draw process.
Draw tension can be controlled by measuring the draw tension at various times during the draw
35 process, and then modifying furnace temperature to compensate for a reduction in preform length. As the
preform size is reduced and the heat sink becomes smaller, the furnace temperature is lowered.
Fiber tension has been monitored mechanically by measuring the deformation of the fiber in response
to a force applied transversely to the direction of motion of the fiber. U.K. Patent Application GB 2,179,339A
discloses a three wheel device wherein two wheels are applied to one side of the fiber and a third wheel is
40 applied to the other side of the fiber. The location of the third wheel relative to the first two wheels is used
as a measure of the tension in the fiber. Application GB 2,179,339A teaches that the measurement is made
below the coater, and that the signal from that tensiometer is used to control the temperature of the draw
furnace only during the initial set-up procedure when no coating is being applied to the fiber.
The three wheel approach has numerous disadvantages. It is difficult to precisely align the device with
45 the fiber so as not to change the original path of the fiber. Contact of the three wheel device with the fiber
affects the on-line fiber diameter feedback loop so as to reduce fiber draw speed. Also, the moving fiber
can break when contacted by the three wheel device. A tensiometer is preferably mounted just below the
furnace when a coated fiber is being drawn. A break in this location results in lost production since it
necessitates the re-starting of the complete draw process.
50 U.S. Patent No. 4,692,615 discloses a non-contact method and apparatus for measuring tension in a
moving fiber by sensing the motion of the fiber; analyzing that motion to determine at least one of its
frequency components; and monitoring the frequency component or components so determined so as to
monitor the tension in the fiber. That method is based on the fact that, at least to a first approximation, the
vibrational behavior of an optical fiber during drawing corresponds to the vibrational behavior of a string
55 under tension which has been fixed at both ends. The fiber forms a stretched string between the root and
the first coating applicator.
The wave equation of the stretched string is:

2
 EP 0 479 120 B1

F = u.(2v5)2 Eq. 1

where F is the force on the fiber, u. is the linear density of the fiber, v is the principal harmonic frequency,
and S is the suspended length of the fiber. If the principal harmonic frequency of vibration is measured, then
5 the force, or tension can be calculated. Occasionally, the frequency peak of maximum magnitude results
from noise caused by rotating machinery or other periodic vibration sources rather than the fundamental
fiber vibration frequency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

10
In view of the foregoing state of the art, it is evident that an improved method for monitoring fiber
tension during the drawing of optical fibers is needed. It is the object of the present invention to provide
such an improved monitoring system.
More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide an automated, non-contact optical fiber
is tension monitoring method which can be used to monitor fiber tension in an on-line, continuous manner.
Another object is to provide an improved method for monitoring optical fiber tension in the region between
the hot zone and the first coater. A further object is to provide a non-contact fiber tension monitoring
method that produces an accurate indication of tension even though fiber vibration includes components
that are caused by vibrations from rotating machinery and the like.
20 To achieve the foregoing and other objects, the invention in accordance with certain of its aspects
provides a method for monitoring the tension in a moving fiber comprising the steps of:
(a) sensing the motion of the fiber in a direction transverse to the direction in which the fiber is moving;
(b) analyzing the sensed motion to determine a plurality of frequency components thereof, each
frequency component having a magnitude, one of the components constituting the maximum magnitude
25 component;
(c) doubling the frequency of the maximum magnitude component to obtain a doubled frequency 2(fm1);
(d) ascertaining the presence of a frequency component near frequency 2(fm1) to verify that the
maximum magnitude component is the principal harmonic frequency of motion of the fiber; and
(e) determining the tension in the fiber from the verified principal harmonic frequency component.
30 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second highest frequency compontent,
fm2, is also analyzed to determine if there is a frequency component which is near twice the frequency fm2 -
(2(fm2)). The component near 2(fm1) is designated 1st second harmonic, and that near 2(fm2) is designated
2nd second harmonic. If 2nd second harmonic is closer in frequency to 2(fm2) than 1st second harmonic is
to 2(fm1), then fm2 is considered to be the principal harmonic frequency of motion of the fiber.
35 A signal indicative of the fundamental fiber vibration frequency can be utilized in a feedback circuit to
control the temperature of the draw furnace, thereby controlling the tension of the drawn fiber.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate
the preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
40
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a fiber drawing apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the fiber position monitor of Fig. 1.
45 Fig. 3 shows a typical position versus time waveform produced by the bandpass filter of Fig. 1
Fig. 4 shows the Fourier transform of the fiber position signal of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 shows a unit pulse function utilized to digitally smooth the waveform of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 shows the smoothed Fourier spectrum.
Fig. 7 shows a modified unit step function utilized to obtain the derivative of the spectrum of Fig. 6.
50 Fig. 8 is a flow chart depicting the computer aided process for determining the principal harmonic
frequency of motion of a fiber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

55 Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown an optical fiber draw system wherein glass preform 10 is disposed
vertically in muffle 11 of the draw furnace. Heating element 12 supplies heat to at least the bottom portion
of preform 10. After a known start-up procedure is employed, fiber 14 is pulled from root portion 13 of
preform 10 by tractor 20. After leaving muffle 11, fiber 14 encounters diameter monitor 15 which provides a

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 EP 0 479 120 B1

signal that is used in a feedback control loop that regulates the speed of tractor 20 to maintain a constant
fiber diameter. Fiber 14 then passes through position monitor 16, cooling tube 17 and coater 18. The coated
fiber may also pass through a coating curing apparatus and, if desired, additional coaters (not shown). The
feedback control of the preform downfeed drive and the tractor drive can be implemented by control
5 algorithms in accordance with application GB 2,179,339A.
In accordance with the present invention, the following steps are performed to avoid the generation of
false tension signals while determining the tension of moving fiber 14:
(a) The motion of fiber 14 in a direction transverse to the direction in which the fiber is moving is sensed
at position monitor 16. Any known position monitor, including the reticon system disclosed in U.S. Patent
io No. 4,692,615, can be employed, a preferred device being shown in Fig. 3.
(b) The detected motion is analyzed to determine its frequency components as well as the magnitude of
each frequency component.
(c) The frequency component, fm1, having the maximum magnitude is selected.
(d) The remaining frequency components are analyzed to ascertain whether there is a second harmonic
is of frequency fm1. This step is performed to verify that the maximum magnitude component is the
principal harmonic frequency of motion of the fiber. A second harmonic is defined as a frequency
component appearing within a given range above or below 2(fm1), i.e. twice the frequency fm1.
(e) The tension in the fiber is then determined from the verified principal harmonic frequency component.
Steps (b) through (e) can be performed by separate processors, a digital computer, an array processor
20 or the like. Step (b), for example could be performed by the spectrum analyzer disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
4,692,615.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the second highest frequency component, fm2, is also
considered as a possible candidate for the principal harmonic of the motion of the fiber. The remaining
frequency components are analyzed to determine if there is second harmonic near 2(fm2), i.e. twice
25 frequency fm2. The component near 2(fm1) is designated 1st second harmonic, and that near 2(fm2) is
designated 2nd second harmonic. If 2nd second harmonic is closer in frequency to 2(fm2) than 1st second
harmonic is to 2(fm1), then fm2 is considered to be the principal harmonic frequency.
It could similarly be determined whether there is a frequency component near 2(fm3), twice the
frequency of the third highest frequency component, fm3.
30 A draw-control computer 47, which may comprise a Digital 11/73, contains algorithms for controlling
tractor speed, preform downfeed and furnace temperature. The diameter of fiber 14 is measured by monitor
15 which provides the draw-control computer with a signal that allows the linear density of the fiber to be
calculated dynamically. The characteristic length of the vibrating portion of the fiber can be measured from
the actual equipment dimensions, but it is preferably determined experimentally. The characteristic length
35 can be determined together with the calibration of the system by measuring the principal harmonic
frequency and then using a three wheel contact tensiometer to periodically measure the actual tension. This
calibration step need be done only during the initial installation of the equipment unless there is a change in
equipment configuration. As a precaution, the calibration step could be performed occasionally, for example,
annually.
40 A signal proportional to the principal frequency component is sent to the draw-control computer which
then calculates the fiber tension T by combining the frequency together with the current fiber diameter in a
calculation utilizing the equation

T = a + /3d2v2 Eq. 2
45
where d is the fiber diameter, v is the principal harmonic frequency, and a and /3 are experimentally
determined constants representing bundled parameters from Equation 1. As shown in Fig. 1, a signal from
control algorithm 48 is fed to temperature control circuit 49 (which may be a part of draw computer 47)
which, in turn, controls the temperature of heating element 12. The furnace temperature could be controlled
50 so as to maintain draw tension substantially constant, for example.
The following system was employed to implement the present invention.
The measurement of fiber vibration was performed by the optical device shown in Fig. 2. Light from
laser 24 is spread in the horizontal axis by cylindrical lens 26 to provide a relatively large area over which
fiber can move and be illuminated. Dashed lines 27 illustrate the extent of light spreading. The light strikes
55 fiber 14 and is both reflected and refracted in all directions; it is mostly refracted in the forward angles.
Since the fiber is relatively small compared to the dimensions of the remainder of the system, the fiber
effectively appears as a point source of spread light. Lenses 30 and 31 are positioned about 30.5 mm (1 .2
inches) away from the fiber to refocus the image of the illuminated fiber to points on the surface of

4
 EP 0 479 120 B1

detectors 32 and 33, respectively. The distance of the fiber from the lenses, the distance of the detectors
from the lenses, and the focal length of the lenses determine the magnification of the system. The
magnification is the ratio of fiber movement normal to the central axis of a lens to the movement of the
refocused spot on the respective detector. Detectors 32 and 33 are commercially available lateral effect cell
5 of the type disclosed in the publication, L.S. Watkins, "Laser Beam Refraction ... Gradient Profile", Applied
Optics, vol. 18, No. 13, 1 July 1979, pp 2214-2222. Each of these detectors is a single element silicon
detector having two anodes and one cathode. The relative difference between potentials at the two anodes
and the common cathode is a measure of the position of the light focused on the detector. As the light spot
moves along the length of the detector, the potential difference between the anodes and the common
io cathode will also change. If the spot is centered on a detector, the potentials will be equal. Since the lens
refocuses the image of the illuminated fiber onto the detector, the potential difference can be related to the
position of the fiber. Two detectors are used to simultaneously measure the position of the fiber in two
perpendicular planes. The signals from both detectors are used in a feedback loop to position of the
preform in the x-y (horizontal) plane.
is Since the output signals from only one of the detectors is needed to supply vibration information, the
output circuit of only detector 33 is illustrated. In a specific embodiment, vibration was measured in a plane
normal to the face of the draw tower. The two output signals from detector 33 are amplified by amplifiers 34
and 35 and the amplifier outputs are subtracted in circuit 36 to obtain the difference signal at output 37. A
commercially available amplifier was used to perform the amplification and subtraction functions. The
20 resulting amplified/difference signal at output 37 is representative of instantaneous fiber position.
Similar amplifier/subtractor circuitry was employed in conjunction with detector 32 to obtain the
additional signal required to position preform 10 in the x-y plane.
The fiber position signal appearing at terminal 37 is coupled to analog-to-digital converter 41 by
bandpass filter/amplifier 39. In addition to providing an amplification of 50 times, circuit 39 couples only
25 frequencies between 1 and 40 Hz to A/D converter 41. The filtering is necessary to remove the nominal
fiber position signal and leave only the vibrational information, as well as remove any high frequency noise
that could be aliased in the resulting calculations. A typical position versus time waveform produced by
circuit 39 is shown in Fig. 3.
The amplified fiber position signal is converted to a digital signal by analog to digital converter 41 which
30 samples the position signal 100 times a second, with a resolution of 12 bits. The period between samples is
assured since a high resolution electronic clock, that is internal to converter 41, is used as a reference.
During a time period of 10.24 seconds, 1024 data points are collected. The sample time and number of
data points determine the resolution and operating range of the device.
The actual tension of the fiber is constantly changing by several grams. The greatest contributor toward
35 this tension variation is the fiber diameter control circuit. Tractor speed is adjusted periodically, e.g. once
per second. As the diameter becomes greater than or less than the setpoint value, the tractor pulls the fiber
faster than or slower than some average pull rate. Fiber tension varies since it is a function of pull rate. For
this reason the magnitude spectrums are averaged as discussed below in calculation step 3. The fiber
movement also contains many components that are not part of the standing wave system. Algorithms were
40 developed for the purpose of determining an accurate, reliable, and stable reading of tension in the
presence of this noise. In the nine calculation steps described below in detail, steps 1 through 5 were
performed by array processor 45, a Model 7020 data translator, and steps 6 through 9 were then performed
by supervisory computer 46, an 80386 microprocessor based computer. In order to perform calculation
steps 1 through 9, these commercially available computers were programmed in accordance with conven-
45 tional programming techniques.
Fig. 8 depicts the computer aided process for determining the principal harmonic frequency of the
motion of the fiber as detected by position monitor 16. The specific calculation step number is indicated in
the appropriate function block or blocks of the flow diagram. As indicated below the box labelled "start",
computer 46 initializes array processor 45 and A/D converter 41 and also starts the operation of those
50 devices. The step of initializing the array processor comprises loading the operating sequence and initial
data values in its memory. The step of initializing the A/D converter comprises providing it with initial data
values such as operating speed and gain.

Calculations
55
1. The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is the first in a series of calculations performed to determine the
fundamental frequency of the fiber vibration. The FFT is calculated on the last set of digitized data which
comprises 1024 data points. This calculation yields 512 unique complex Fourier coefficients.

5
 EP 0 479 120 B1

2. The magnitude of the complex Fourier coefficients is determined by taking the square root of the sum
of the squares of the real and imaginary values of the complex Fourier coefficients. This yields 512 real
numbers (1/2 the number of data points), and is referred to as the magnitude spectrum. A typical result
of this calculation can be seen in Fig. 4.
5 3. The current magnitude spectrum is averaged together with the last 8 previously calculated magnitude
spectra (more or less than 8 can be used). The result here continues to be 512 real numbers.
4. The result of the averaging operation is digitally smoothed. This is accomplished by convolving the
result from step 3 with a unit pulse function. This operation is similar to "boxcar averaging". The unit
pulse function can be seen in Fig. 5. The array processor used to perform the calculations is incapable
io of performing a convolution operation, so in practice the FFT is calculated for both the unit pulse and the
average spectrum, and the two complex arrays are multiplied together. The inverse FFT of the result is
then calculated. This property of convolutions and FFTs is very common. The result of this step is again
an array of 512 real data points. To increase the amount of smoothing, the unit pulse function is made
wider. If a width of the unit pulse function is only 1, then no smoothing will take place. A typical result of
is this operation can be seen in Fig. 6 which resulted from a digital smoothing operation wherein the width
N of the unit step function was 6.
5. The result of step 4 is convolved again, but this time with the modified unit step function shown in Fig.
7 wherein the width N is 6. The actual calculation is performed as outlined in step 4 (multiplying FFTs).
That is, the array processor calculates the FFTs for both the modified unit step function of Fig. 7 and the
20 smoothed signal shown in Fig. 6, and the two complex arrays are multiplied together. The inverse FFT of
the result is then calculated. The result of this step is an array of 512 real numbers representing the
derivative of the result from step 4. The derivative is effectively the derivative over the width of the
modified unit step function used in the convolution. If the width of the modified unit step function is
increased, the result of this calculation is made smoother, but resolution is lost.
25 6. The result from step 5 is now scanned to locate all frequency "peaks", i.e. points where the slope of
the smoothed frequency spectrum is 0. This is found by locating all points in the array result of step 6
where the result was zero. In most cases, due to the number of finite points available, the exact location
of a zero derivative is not known since it does not lie on an exact point. Therefore, a peak is also defined
as being located between two points and as having positive slope on the lower (or left) side and negative
30 slope on the upper (or right) side. In addition, to prevent detection of points in the noise of the spectrum,
it is also required that the magnitude of the smoothed spectrum at the point of a proposed peak be
above a threshold. In summary, the result of this step is a list of all points in the result of step 5 where
the value is 0, or the adjacent values have opposing signs, and the magnitude at the same point, as
indicated from step 4, is greater than the noise threshold.
35 7. The frequency peaks obtained from step 6 are ranked according to magnitude. The peak with the
greatest magnitude is ranked first, etc.
8. The top 3 peaks are analyzed for the presence of a second harmonic. The peak with another peak
located nearest to the location of an ideal second harmonic is indicated as the fundamental frequency. If
none of the top peaks has another peak within 1.5 Hz of the location of an ideal second harmonic, then,
40 as a safety measure, no fundamental frequency is indicated.
9. Steps 1 through 8 could be repeated periodically. However, once a fundamental frequency has been
located, it is preferred that the calculations "lock" onto that frequency. For subsequent calculations of the
algorithm, only the frequency peak within the "lock range" of the previous calculation is considered in
steps 7 and 8. If no frequency is found within the lock range, then the full algorithm is evaluated. This is
45 used to prevent a false signal from being considered in the calculations. In practice, it is not possible for
the frequency to change very rapidly, so narrowing the range over which the algorithm looks for the
fundamental frequency provides a measure of reality to the algorithm. A useful frequency range in which
to look for the fundamental frequency is 2 Hz. The condition that a second harmonic exist is still required
even when a peak is within the lock range.
50 The following hypothetical example is typical of the operation of the method of the invention. The
performance of step 6 in computer 46 results in the generation of the following table of frequency peaks:

55

6
 EP 0 479 120 B1

Frequency (Hz) Magnitude

8.1 75
11.0 90
16.5 35
23.1 20
30.0 17

The performance of step 7 results in the following magnitude ranking:

Frequency (Hz) Magnitude

11.0 90
8.1 75
16.5 35
23.1 20
30.0 17

20 In step 8, the top three peaks are analyzed for the presence of a second harmonic.

Freq. (Hz) Freq. x 2 Frequency Closest to Freq. x 2 Difference

11.0 22.0 23.1 1.1
8.1 16.2 16.5 0.3
16.5 33.0 30.0 3.0

It is determined that 8.1 Hz is the principal harmonic, since another frequency peak exists only 0.3 Hz from
its ideal 2nd harmonic. The frequency component having the greatest magnitude is excluded since the
difference between 22.0 Hz (2 times 11.0 Hz) and the closest frequency peak is 1.1 Hz, a difference that is
greater than 0.3 Hz. The third highest frequency peak, 16.5 Hz, is excluded from consideration since the
closest frequency peak is 3.0 Hz from the ideal 2nd harmonic, a difference that is outside the 1.5 Hz
allowable difference. The peaks at 10.5 Hz and 16.5 Hz are therefore noise.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the tension in a moving fiber (14) comprising the steps of:
sensing (32, 33) the motion of the fiber in a direction transverse to the direction in which the fiber is
moving;
analyzing (46) the sensed motion to determine a plurality of frequency components thereof, each
frequency component having a magnitude, and selecting one of the frequency components, fm1,
constituting the maximum magnitude component;
further analyzing said plurality of frequency components to determine the presence of a harmonic
of fm1 to verify that the maximum magnitude component is the principal harmonic frequency of motion
of the fiber; and
determining the tension in said fiber from the verified principal harmonic frequency component.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of further analyzing comprises

doubling the frequency of the maximum magnitude component to obtain a doubled frequency, 2-
(fmi); and
ascertaining the presence of a frequency component near said doubled frequency, 2(fm1) , to verify
that the maximum magnitude component is the principal harmonic frequency of motion of the fiber.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein

the step of analyzing comprises selecting from said plurality of frequency components at least the
first and second highest magnitude frequency components, fm1 and fm2, respectively;
the step of doubling further comprises doubling
frequency component fm2 to obtain frequency 2(fm2); and the step of ascertaining comprises

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 EP 0 479 120 B1

checking said plurality of frequency components to determine the presence of a frequency

component near frequency 2(fm1) , a frequency component near 2(fm1) being designated the 1st second
harmonic,
checking said plurality of frequency components to determine the presence of a frequency
5 component near frequency 2(fm2) , a frequency component near 2(fm2) being designated the 2nd
second harmonic, and
selecting said 2nd second harmonic as the principal harmonic if said 2nd second harmonic is
closer in frequency to 2(fm2) than said 1st second harmonic is to 2(fm1).

io 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of sensing comprises

heating (12) an optical fiber preform in a draw furnace,
pulling an optical fiber from said preform,
passing said fiber through coating means where a coating is applied to said optical fiber, and
sensing the motion of said fiber at a location between said preform and said coating means.
15
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of controlling (49) the temperature of said draw
furnace in response to the ascertained fiber tension.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of controlling (49) the temperature of said draw
20 furnace in response to the ascertained fiber tension to maintain the tension of said fiber substantially
constant until the step of pulling has been terminated.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of sensing comprises

heating (12) an optical fiber preform in a draw furnace,
25 pulling an optical fiber from said preform,
passing said fiber through coating means where a coating is applied to said optical fiber, and
sensing the motion of said fiber at a location between said preform and said coating means.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of controlling (49) the temperature of said draw
30 furnace in response to the ascertained fiber tension.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of controlling (49) the temperature of said draw
furnace in response to the ascertained fiber tension to maintain the tension of said fiber substantially
constant until the step of pulling has been terminated.
35
10. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of controlling (49) the temperature of said draw
furnace in response to the ascertained fiber tension.

11. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of controlling (49) the temperature of said draw
40 furnace in response to the ascertained fiber tension to maintain the tension of said fiber substantially
constant until the step of pulling has been terminated.

12. A method for monitoring the tension in a moving fiber (14) comprising the steps of:
heating (12) an optical fiber preform in a draw furnace,
45 pulling an optical fiber from said preform,
passing said fiber through coating means where a coating is applied to said optical fiber, and
sensing (32, 33) the motion of said fiber in a direction transverse to the direction in which the fiber
is moving, said motion being sensed at a location between said preform and said coating means;
analyzing (46) the sensed motion to determine a plurality of frequency components thereof, each
50 frequency component having a magnitude, and selecting one of the frequency components, fm1 , as
constituting the maximum magnitude component;
doubling the frequency of the maximum magnitude component to obtain a doubled frequency, 2-
(fmi);
ascertaining the presence of a frequency component near said doubled frequency, 2(fm1) , to verify
55 that the maximum magnitude component is the principal harmonic frequency of motion of the fiber;
determining the tension in said fiber from the verified principal harmonic frequency component; and
controlling (49) the temperature of said draw furnace in response to the ascertained principal
harmonic frequency of motion of said fiber.

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 EP 0 479 120 B1

13. The method of claim 12 wherein

the step of analyzing comprises selecting from said plurality of frequency components at least the
first and second highest magnitude frequency components, fm1 and fm2, respectively;
the step of doubling further comprises doubling frequency component fm2 to obtain frequency 2-
5 (fm2); and
the step of ascertaining comprises
checking said plurality of frequency components to determine the presence of a frequency
component near frequency 2(fm1) , a frequency component near 2(fm1) being designated the 1st second
harmonic,
io checking said plurality of frequency components to determine the presence of a frequency
component near frequency 2(fm2) , a frequency component near 2(fm2) being designated the 2nd
second harmonic, and
selecting said 2nd second harmonic as the principal harmonic if said 2nd second harmonic is
closer in frequency to 2(fm2) than said 1st second harmonic is to 2(fm1).
15
Patentanspruche

1. Verfahren zur Uberwachung der Spannung in einer sich bewegenden Faser (14), welches die folgenden
Schritte aufweist: Abtasten (32, 33) der Bewegung der Faser in einer Rich
20 tung, welche quer zu der Richtung verlauft, in der sich die Faser bewegt;
Analysieren (46) der abgetasteten Bewegung zur Bestimmung einer Vielzahl von Frequenzkomponen-
ten der abgetasteten Bewegung, wobei jede Frequenzkomponente eine Amplitude besitzt, und Auswah-
len einer der Frequenzkomponenten, fm1,welche die Komponente mit der maximalen Amplitude bildet;
Analysieren der Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten zur Bestimmung des Vorhandenseins einer zu fm1
25 harmonischen Frequenz, urn zu bestatigen, dal3 die Maximalamplitudenkomponente die hauptharmoni-
sche Frequenz der Faserbewegung ist; und
Bestimmung der Spannung in der Faser aus der nachgewiesenen hauptharmonischen Frequenzkompo-
nente.

30 2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 der Schritt des weiteren Analysierens
aufweist:
Verdoppeln der Frequenz der Maximalamplitudenkomponente zur Erhaltung einer doppelten Frequenz,
2(fmi); und
Feststellen des Vorhandenseins einer Frequenzkomponente nahe der doppelten Frequenz, 2(fm1), zum
35 Nachweis, dal3 die maximale Amplitudenkomponente die hauptharmonische Frequenz der Faserbewe-
gung ist.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 der Analyseschritt das Auswahlen von
wenigstens der Frequenzkomponenten mit den jeweils erst- und zweithochsten Amplituden, fm1 bzw.
40 fm2, aus einer Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten umfaBt;
der Schritt des Verdoppelns ferner das Verdoppeln der Frequenzkomponente fm2 zur Erhaltung der
Frequenz 2(fm2) umfaBt; und der Feststellungsschritt enthalt:
das Prufen der Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten zur Bestimmung des Vorhandenseins einer Fre-
quenzkomponente nahe der Frequenz 2(fm1), einer Frequenzkomponente nahe 2(fm1), welche als die 1.
45 zweite harmonische Frequenz bezeichnet wird,
Prufen der Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten zur Bestimmung des Vorhandenseins einer Frequenz-
komponente nahe der Frequenz 2(fm2), wobei eine Frequenzkomponente nahe 2(fm2) als die 2. zweite
harmonische Frequenz bezeichnet wird, und
Auswahlen der 2. zweiten harmonischen Frequenz als die hauptharmonische Frequenz, falls die 2.
50 zweite harmonische frequenzmaBig naher an 2(fm2) liegt als die 1. zweite harmonische an 2(fm1).

4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 das Abtasten aufweist:

Erhitzen (12) einer optischen Faser-Vorform in einem Ziehofen,
Ziehen einer optischen Faser aus der Vorform,
55 Hindurchfuhren der Faser durch eine Ummantelungsvorrichtung, bei der eine Ummantelung bzw.
Umhullung auf die optische Faser aufgebracht wird, und
Abtasten der Faserbewegung an einer Stelle zwischen der Vorform und der Ummantelungsvorrichtung.

9
 EP 0 479 120 B1

5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 es ferner den Schritt der Temperaturrege-
lung (49) des Ziehofens abhangig von der festgestellten Faserspannung enthalt.

6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 es ferner den Schritt der Temperaturrege-
5 lung (49) des Ziehofens in Abhangigkeit von der festgestellten Faserspannung enthalt, urn die
Spannung in der Faser im wesentlichen konstant zu halten, bis der Ziehschritt beendet ist.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 der Abtastschritt aufweist:

Erhitzen (12) einer optischen Faser-Vorform in einem Ziehofen,
io Ziehen einer optischen Faser aus der Vorform,
Hindurchfuhren der Faser durch eine Ummantelungsvorrichtung, bei der eine Ummantelung auf die
optische Faser aufgebracht wird, und
Abtasten der Faserbewegung an einer Stelle zwischen der Vorform und der Ummantelungsvorrichtung.

is 8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 es ferner den Schritt der Regelung (49) der
Temperatur des Ziehofens in Abhangigkeit zu der festgestellten Faserspannung enthalt.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 es ferner den Schritt der Regelung (49) der
Temperatur des Ziehofens in Abhangigkeit zu der festgestellten Faserspannung enthalt, urn die
20 Spannung der Faser im wesentlichen konstant zu halten, bis der Ziehschritt beendet ist.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 es ferner den Schritt der Regelung (49) der
Temperatur des Ziehofens in Abhangigkeit zu der festgestellten Faserspannung enthalt.

25 11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 es ferner den Schritt der Regelung (49) der
Temperatur des Ziehofens in Abhangigkeit zu der festgestellten Faserspannung enthalt, urn die
Spannung der Faser im wesentlichen konstant zu halten, bis der Schritt des Ziehens beendet ist.

12. Verfahren zur Uberwachung der Spannung in einer sich bewegenden Faser (14), welches die folgenden
30 Schritte aufweist:
Erhitzen (12) einer optischen Faser-Vorform in einem Ziehofen, Ziehen einer optischen Faser aus der
Vorform,
Hindurchfuhren der Faser durch eine Ummantelungsvorrichtung, bei der eine Ummantelung bzw.
Umhullung auf die optische Faser aufgebracht wird, und
35 Abtasten (32, 33) der Bewegung der Faser in eine Richtung, welche quer zu der Richtung verlauft, in
der sich die Faser bewegt, wobei die Bewegung an einer zwischen der Vorform und der Ummante-
lungsvorrichtung gelegenen Stelle abgetastet wird;
Analysieren (46) der abgetasteten Bewegung zur Bestimmung einer Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten
der abgetasteten Bewegung, wobei jede Frequenzkomponente eine Amplitude aufweist; und Auswahlen
40 von einer der Frequenzkomponenten, fm1, welche die Maximalamplitudenkomponente bildet;
Verdoppeln der Frequenz der Maximalamplitudenkomponente zur Erhaltung einer doppelten Frequenz,
2(fmi);
Feststellung des Vorhandenseins einer Frequenzkomponente nahe der doppelten Frequenz, 2(fm1), zum
Nachweis, dal3 die Maximalamplitudenkomponente die hauptharmonische Frequenz der Faserbewegung
45 ist;
Bestimmung der Spannung in der Faser aus der nachgewiesenen hauptharmonischen Frequenzkompo-
nente; und
Regelung (49) der Temperatur des Ziehofens in Abhangigkeit von der festgestellten hauptharmonischen
Frequenz der Faserbewegung.
50
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal3 der Schritt des Analysierens das Auswahlen
von wenigstens den Frequenzkomponenten mit der erst- und zweithochsten Amplituden, fm1 bzw. fm2,
aus einer Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten umfaBt;
der Schritt des Verdoppelns ferner das Verdoppeln der Frequenzkomponente fm2 zur Erhaltung einer
55 Frequenz 2(fm2) umfaBt; und
der Feststellungsschritt umfaBt:
Prufen der Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten zum Bestimmen des Vorhandenseins einer Frequenz-
komponente nahe der Frequenz 2(fm1), wobei eine Frequenzkomponente nahe 2(fm1) als die 1. zweite

10
 EP 0 479 120 B1

harmonische Frequenz bezeichnet wird,

Prufen der Vielzahl an Frequenzkomponenten zum Bestimmen des Vorhandenseins einer Frequenz-
komponente nahe der Frequenz 2(fm2), wobei eine Frequenzkomponente nahe 2(fm2) als die 2. zweite
harmonische Frequenz bezeichnet wird, und Auswahlen der 2. zweiten harmonischen Frequenz als die
5 hauptharmonische Frequenz, falls die 2. zweite harmonische sich frequenzmaBig naher an 2(fm2)
befindet als die 1. zweite harmonische an 2(fm1).

Revendicatlons

io 1. Procede de surveillance de la tension dans une fibre en mouvement (14), comprenant les etapes
consistant a:
- detecter (32, 33) le mouvement de la fibre dans une direction transversale a la direction dans
laquelle la fibre est en mouvement;
- analyser (46) le mouvement detecte pour determiner une pluralite de composantes de frequence
is de celui-ci, chaque composante de frequence ayant une amplitude, et selectionner une des
composantes de frequence, fm1, constituant la composante d'amplitude maximale;
- analyser encore ladite pluralite de composantes de frequence pour determiner la presence d'un
harmonique de fm1 pour verifier si la composante d'amplitude maximale est la frequence
harmonique principale du mouvement de la fibre; et
20 - determiner la tension dans ladite fibre a partir de la composante de frequence harmonique
principale verifiee.

2. Procede selon la revendication 1, dans lequel I'etape d'analyser encore comprend les etapes consistant
a:
25 - doubler la frequence de la composante d'amplitude maximale pour obtenir une frequence
doublee 2(fm1); et
- verifier la presence d'une composante de frequence proche de ladite frequence doublee 2(fm1)
pour verifier si la composante d'amplitude maximale est la frequence harmonique principale du
mouvement de la fibre.
30
3. Procede selon la revendication 2, dans lequel:
- I'etape d'analyse comprend I'etape consistant a selectionner parmi ladite pluralite de composan-
tes de frequence au moins les premiere et deuxieme composantes de frequence d'amplitude la
plus grande fm1 et fm2, respectivement;
35 - I'etape de doublement de frequence comprend en outre I'etape consistant a doubler la compo-
sante de frequence fm2 pour obtenir la frequence 2(fm2); et
- I'etape de verification comprend I'etape consistant a: controler ladite pluralite de composantes de
frequence pour determiner la presence d'une composante de frequence proche de la frequence
2(fm1), une composante de frequence proche de 2(fm1) etant appelee "premier deuxieme harmoni-
40 que";
- controler ladite pluralite de composantes de frequence pour determiner la presence d'une
composante de frequence proche de la frequence 2(fm2), une composante de frequence proche
de 2(fm2) etant appelee "deuxieme deuxieme harmonique"; et
- selectionner ledit deuxieme deuxieme harmonique comme etant I'harmonique principal si ledit
45 deuxieme harmonique est plus proche en frequence de 2(fm2) que ledit premier deuxieme
harmonique est proche de 2(fm1).

4. Procede selon la revendication 3, dans lequel I'etape de detection comprend les etapes consistant a:
- chauffer (12) une preforme de fibre optique dans un four d'etirage;
50 - etirer une fibre optique a partir de ladite preforme;
- faire passer ladite fibre optique dans des moyens d'application d'un revetement ou un revetement
est applique a ladite fibre optique; et
- detecter le mouvement de ladite fibre a un emplacement situe entre ladite preforme et lesdits
moyens d'application d'un revetement.
55
5. Procede selon la revendication 4, comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a commander (49) la
temperature dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la tension verifiee de la fibre.

11
 EP 0 479 120 B1

6. Procede selon la revendication 4, comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a:

- commander (49) la temperature dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la tension verifiee de la fibre
pour maintenir la tension de ladite fibre sensiblement constante jusqu'a ce que I'etape d'etirage
soit terminee.
5
7. Procede selon la revendication 2, dans lequel I'etape de detection comprend les etapes consistant a:
- chauffer (2) une preforme en fibre optique dans un four d'etirage;
- etirer une fibre optique a partir de ladite preforme;
- faire passer ladite fibre dans des moyens d'application d'un revetement ou un revetement est
io applique a ladite fibre optique; et
- detecter le mouvement de ladite fibre a un emplacement situe entre ladite preforme et lesdits
moyens d'application d'un revetement.

8. Procede selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a commander (49) la

is temperature dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la tension verifiee de la fibre.

9. Procede selon la revendication 7, comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a commander la temperature

dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la tension verifiee de la fibre pour maintenir la tension de ladite fibre
sensiblement constante jusqu'a ce que ladite etape d'etirage soit terminee.
20
10. Procede selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a commander (49) la
temperature dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la tension verifiee de la fibre.

11. Procede selon la revendication 2, comprenant en outre I'etape consistant a commander (49) la
25 temperature dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la tension verifiee de la fibre pour maintenir la tension de
ladite fibre sensiblement constante jusqu'a ce que I'etape d'etirage soit terminee.

12. Procede de surveillance de la tension dans une fibre (14) en mouvement, comprenant les etapes
consistant a:
30 - chauffer (12) une preforme de fibre optique dans un four d'etirage;
- etirer une fibre optique a partir de ladite preforme;
- faire passer ladite fibre dans des moyens d'application d'un revetement ou un revetement est
applique a ladite fibre optique; et
- detecter (32, 33) le mouvement de ladite fibre dans une direction transversale a la direction dans
35 laquelle la fibre est en mouvement, ledit mouvement etant detecte a un emplacement situe entre
ladite preforme et lesdits moyens d'application d'un revetement;
- analyser (46) le mouvement detecte pour determiner une pluralite de composantes de frequence
de celui-ci, chaque composante de frequence ayant une amplitude, et selectionner une des
composantes de frequence, fm1, comme constituant la composante d'amplitude maximale;
40 - doubler la frequence de la composante d'amplitude maximale pour obtenir une frequence
doublee 2(fm1);
- verifier la presence d'une composante de frequence proche de ladite frequence doublee 2(fm1)
pour verifier si la composante d'amplitude maximale est la frequence harmonique principale du
mouvement de la fibre;
45 - determiner la tension dans ladite fibre a partir de la composante de frequence harmonique
principale verifiee; et
- commander (49) la temperature dudit four d'etirage en reponse a la frequence harmonique
principale verifiee du mouvement de ladite fibre.

50 13. Procede selon la revendication 2, dans lequel:

- I'etape d'analyse comprend I'etape consistant a selectionner parmi ladite pluralite de composan-
tes de frequence au moins les premiere et deuxieme composantes de frequence d'amplitude la
plus grande fm1 et fm2, respectivement;
- I'etape de doublement comprend en outre I'etape consistant a doubler la composante de
55 frequence fm2 pour obtenir la frequence 2(fm2); et
- I'etape de verification comprend:
I'etape consistant a controler ladite pluralite de composantes de frequence pour determiner la
presence d'une composante de frequence proche de 2(fm1), une composante de frequence

12
 EP 0 479 120 B1

proche de 2(fm1) etant appelee "premier deuxieme harmonique";

I'etape consistant a controler ladite pluralite de composantes de frequence pour determiner la
presence d'une composante de frequence proche de la frequence 2(fm2), une composante de
frequence proche de 2(fm2) etant appelee "second deuxieme harmonique"; et
selectionner ledit second deuxieme harmonique comme harmonique principal si ledit second
deuxieme harmonique est plus proche en frequence de 2(fm2) que ledit premier deuxieme
harmonique est proche de 2(fm1).

13
 EP 0 479 120 B1

48- DRAW - C O N T R O L
CONTROL COMPUTER 47
ALGORITHM
^ 11
i - i o TENSION
P ROCESSOR I
46 H
SUPERVISORY
TEMP COMPUTER
CONTROL t
1
| 14 ARRAY
49 45 H
15 PROCESSOR
DIAMETER
MONITOR
I
37 BANDPASS 41 ANALOG/
POSITION FILTER/ DIGITAL
MONITOR AMPLIFIER CONVERTER

39
h ! 7

F i g . I

COATER | - I 8

2 0 - 0 I 0
20

F i g . 2

14
EP 0 479 120 B1
 EP 0 479 120 B1

Executed on
START s Supervisory Computer 46
l - l ,
r
INITIALIZE ARRAY PROCESSOR
& A/D BOARD START FILLING FIRST INPUT
BUFFER WITH A/D CONVERSIONS

START ARRAY PROCESSOR &

CONTINUOUS A/D CONVERSIONS WAIT FOR CURRENT INPUT
BUFFER TO FILL

WAIT FOR ARRAY

PROCESSOR COMPLETION SWITCH CALCULATION
AND INPUT BUFFERS
I
Step #6 LOCATE
PEAKS FROM DERIVATIVE Step #1
DERIVATIVE OF SPECTRUM PERFORM FFT ON FULL BUFFER

HAS A PRINCIPAL Step | 2

HARMONIC BEEN TAKE MAGNITUDE OF
LOCATED BEFORE? FOURIER COEFFICIENTS
Yes
Step #7 Step 3
RANK ALL PEAKS AVERAGE MAGNITUDE SPECTRUM
BY MAGNITUDE WITH PREVIOUS N SPECTRA

Step #8 Step | 4
OF TOP 3 PEAKS, SMOOTH SPECTRUM WITH CON-
LOCATE PEAK WITH VOLUTION OF PULSE FUNCTION
CLOSEST SECOND
HARMONIC
Step |5 DETERMINE
DERIVATIVE WITH CONVOLUTION
OF MODIFIED UNIT STEP
Step | 9
LOCATE PEAK CLOSEST
TO PREVIOUS
PRINCIPAL HARMONIC SIGNAL MAIN PROCESSOR
COMPLETE

Step 19
IS A 2ND HARMONIC LOOP BACK TO WAIT FOR
PRESENT FOR MORE DATA
LOCKED FREQUENCY?
Executed on 7
Array Processor 45

F i g . 8

17