Optical fiber cooling device
The invention relates to a device ( 1, 1′, 1″ ) for cooling an optical fiber ( 13 ), including two portions ( 20, 29 ), each of the portions ( 20, 29 ) including at least one receiving surface ( 204, 294 ) on which a half-channel ( 240, 2490 ) is provided, such that, once the two portions ( 20, 29 ) are placed in contact at the receiving surface ( 204, 294 ) thereof, the two portions ( 20, 29 ) form a main through-channel for accommodating the passage of the optical fiber ( 13 ), characterized in that each of the portions ( 20, 29 ) is a block of a thermally conductive material and in that at least one ( 20 ) of the portions includes a cylindrical secondary channel ( 209 ), which is in fluid connection with a plurality of openings ( 2046 ) distributed along the half-channel ( 2040 ) of said portion ( 20 ), in order to form a heat-transfer fluid distribution chamber for the plurality of openings ( 2046 ).
1. A cooling device for optical fiber, comprising two portions, each portion comprising at least one receiving surface on which a half-channel is arranged so that once the two portions are contacted at their receiving surface the two portions form a cylindrical main through-channel intended to receive the passing of the optical fiber, wherein each of the portions is a one-piece block of heat-conductive material and wherein at least one of the portions comprises a cylindrical secondary channel in fluid connection with a plurality of openings distributed along the half-channel of this portion to form a distribution chamber for heat-exchange fluid distributed to the plurality of openings, a main axis of the secondary channel being parallel to a main axis of the main-through channel and not coincident with the main axis of the main-through channel.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the secondary channel is connected to the main channel via a plurality of passages, each connected to an opening of the main channel.
3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the ratio between the diameter of the secondary channel and the diameter of the plurality of openings is chosen so that the secondary channel forms a distribution chamber allowing the heat-exchange fluid to be injected in parallel into all the openings.
4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the ratio between the diameter of the secondary channel and the diameter of the plurality of openings is between 3 and 100.
5. The device according to claim 2 wherein the ratio between the diameter of the secondary channel and the diameter of the plurality of openings is between 3 and 100.
6. The device according to claim 1 comprising an inlet for heat-exchange fluid in fluid connection with the secondary channel.
7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the heat-conductive material comprises aluminum.
8. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a cooling duct of the device.
9. The device according to claim 1 wherein the openings are spaced apart by a distance ranging from 5 mm to 200 mm.
10. The device according to claim 1 comprising at least one seal allowing the perimeter of the main channel to be hermetically sealed.
11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the main channel is coated with a radiation absorption layer.
12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the block forming the other of the portions also comprises a secondary channel and cooling ducts that are symmetrical relative the plane of contact of the receiving surfaces.