Importance

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Abstract

In one manufacture of a preform rod from which optical fiber is drawn, chemical materials are moved into a rotating preform tube to which is applied a moving zone of heat. Following a deposition mode, the tube is collapsed to provide the preform rod. Provisions must be made to supply the deposition materials from a rotating supply conduit into the rotating preform tube without leakage and without the ingress of contaminants while an end portion of the tube is gripped securely. This is accomplished by providing non-metallic ferrules about an end portion of the preform tube which are caused to be clamped against the end portion of the preform tube in sealing and gripping engagement therewith. Also, because of the differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion of the materials of the preform tube and of portions of the apparatus, and because of heat-induced creep of the ferrules, and of other portions of the apparatus, provisions are made to cause a sealing, gripping engagement of the ferrules with the preform tube to be maintained during the deposition and the collapse modes.

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First Claim