Patents by Inventor Ben H. Wells
Ben H. Wells has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20240027714Abstract: An exemplary optical cable includes a first type of ribbon bundles, a second type of ribbon bundles, a third type of ribbon bundles, a plurality of strength rods, and an outer jacket. Each of the first, the second, and third type of ribbon bundles includes a first, a second, a third flexible ribbon with corresponding optical fibers disposed within a ribbon bundle jacket. The first type of ribbon bundles is arranged in an interlocking pattern in a central region of the optical cable. The second type of ribbon bundles and the third type of ribbon bundles are disposed around the first type of ribbon bundles in a peripheral region of the optical cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2022Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Clint Nicholaus Anderson, Jeffrey Scott Barker, Brian G. Risch, Ryan Truong, Ben H. Wells, Gavin Lin, Donald Ray Parris
-
Publication number: 20240012216Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes and an outer jacket surrounding the plurality of buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes includes a buffer tube jacket surrounding a plurality of flexible ribbons. The buffer tube jacket includes a first deformable material that has undergone deformation during formation of the optical cable to conform to an irregular axial cross-sectional shape of each respective plurality of flexible ribbons. Each flexible ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers and a first longitudinal length. For each flexible ribbon, each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is attached to an adjacent optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers along a bond region comprising a second longitudinal length that is less than the first longitudinal length. The cable has a fiber density between about 5.0 and about 10 fibers/mm2.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, Brian G. Risch, Clint Nicholaus Anderson, John R. Sach, Jeffrey Scott Barker
-
Patent number: 11796750Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes and an outer jacket surrounding the plurality of buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes includes a buffer tube jacket surrounding a plurality of flexible ribbons. The buffer tube jacket includes a first deformable material that has undergone permanent plastic deformation during formation of the optical cable to conform to an irregular axial cross-sectional shape of each respective plurality of flexible ribbons. Each flexible ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers and a first longitudinal length. For each flexible ribbon, each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is attached to an adjacent optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers along a bond region comprising a second longitudinal length that is less than the first longitudinal length.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: PRYSMIAN S.P.A.Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, Brian G. Risch, Clint Nicholaus Anderson, John R. Sach, Jeffrey Scott Barker
-
Publication number: 20220155541Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes and an outer jacket surrounding the plurality of buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes includes a buffer tube jacket surrounding a plurality of flexible ribbons. The buffer tube jacket includes a first deformable material that has undergone permanent plastic deformation during formation of the optical cable to conform to an irregular axial cross-sectional shape of each respective plurality of flexible ribbons. Each flexible ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers and a first longitudinal length. For each flexible ribbon, each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers is attached to an adjacent optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers along a bond region comprising a second longitudinal length that is less than the first longitudinal length.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, Brian G. Risch, Clint Nicholaus Anderson, John R. Sach, Jeffrey Scott Barker
-
Patent number: 11262516Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of deformable buffer tubes and an outer jacket surrounding the plurality of deformable buffer tubes. Each deformable buffer tube of the plurality of deformable buffer tubes includes a single flexible ribbon including a plurality of optical fibers. Each deformable buffer tube further includes an axial cross-section of the deformable buffer tube that includes the single flexible ribbon. The axial cross-section comprises an irregular shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: PRYSMIAN S.P.A.Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, Brian G. Risch, Clint Nicholaus Anderson, John R. Sach, Jeffrey Scott Barker
-
Patent number: 11131816Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon assembly comprising* a plurality of adjacent optical fiber ribbons extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in a plane, each of the optical fiber ribbons comprising a plurality of optical fibers mutually bonded by a matrix material, the fibers extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged in the plane; said plurality of adjacent ribbons forming at least one set of two adjacent ribbons having an interstice between said two adjacent ribbons and * a bonding material, forming intermittent bonds at the interstice between the two adjacent ribbons of a set, thereby bonding the two adjacent ribbons of the set. The invention also relates to a method of producing such an optical fiber ribbon assembly.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Prysmian S.p.A.Inventors: Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, John R. Sach, Ben H. Wells
-
Publication number: 20210141179Abstract: The invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon assembly comprising* a plurality of adjacent optical fiber ribbons extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in a plane, each of the optical fiber ribbons comprising a plurality of optical fibers mutually bonded by a matrix material, the fibers extending in the longitudinal direction and arranged in the plane; said plurality of adjacent ribbons forming at least one set of two adjacent ribbons having an interstice between said two adjacent ribbons and * a bonding material, forming intermittent bonds at the interstice between the two adjacent ribbons of a set, thereby bonding the two adjacent ribbons of the set. The invention also relates to a method of producing such an optical fiber ribbon assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2017Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, John R. Sach, Ben H. Wells
-
Patent number: 10983297Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon, comprising a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; and a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly; each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units; wherein a first bead forming a first bond connects a first pair of adjacent optical fiber units while the successive bond formed by the successive bead, connects a further pair of adjacent optical fiber units, wherein at least one optical fiber unit of the further pair differs from the optical fiber units of the first pair; wherein atType: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Prysmian S.p.A.Inventors: Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, John R. Sach, Donald Ray Parris, Ben H. Wells
-
Publication number: 20200271879Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber ribbon, comprising a plurality of adjacent optical fiber units extending in a longitudinal direction and arranged in parallel forming an optical fiber assembly having a width, each of the optical fiber units comprising either a single fiber or a group of at most three optical fibers, preferably two optical fibers, encapsulated with a matrix material; and a plurality of successive elongated rectilinear beads of a bonding material being arranged along a length of said assembly; each of said plurality of beads being configured to form an elongated bond between two adjacent optical fiber units of the plurality of optical fiber units; wherein a first bead forming a first bond connects a first pair of adjacent optical fiber units while the successive bond formed by the successive bead, connects a further pair of adjacent optical fiber units, wherein at least one optical fiber unit of the further pair differs from the optical fiber units of the first pair; wherein atType: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2017Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, John R. Sach, Donald Ray Parris, Ben H. Wells
-
Publication number: 20200026015Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of deformable buffer tubes and an outer jacket surrounding the plurality of deformable buffer tubes. Each deformable buffer tube of the plurality of deformable buffer tubes includes a single flexible ribbon including a plurality of optical fibers. Each deformable buffer tube further includes an axial cross-section of the deformable buffer tube that includes the single flexible ribbon. The axial cross-section comprises an irregular shape.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2018Publication date: January 23, 2020Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, Brian G. Risch, Clint Nicholaus Anderson, John R. Sach, Jeffrey Scott Barker
-
Publication number: 20200012059Abstract: An optical cable includes a plurality of deformable buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of deformable buffer tubes includes a plurality of flexible ribbons, and each of the flexible ribbons includes a plurality of optical fibers. Each of the plurality of deformable buffer tubes has a non-circular cross-section. An outer jacket surrounds the plurality of deformable buffer tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2018Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Ehsan Fallahmohammadi, Brian G. Risch, Clint Nick Anderson, John R. Sach, Jeffrey Scott Barker
-
Patent number: 9110265Abstract: A splittable optical fiber ribbon has a decreased propensity for fiber fallout along a longitudinal split. Fibers adjacent to a split location, called border fibers, have increased bond strength between their ink-coating and a surrounding matrix material. The bond strength is increased by first partially curing an ink that covers the border fibers, coating the partially-cured fibers with a matrix material, and then substantially fully curing the ink and the matrix material substantially simultaneously. The ribbon may include one or more grooves to enhance splitting the ribbon into subsets.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: PRYSMIAN COMMUNICATION CABLES AND SYSTEMS USA, LLCInventors: Ben H. Wells, Grant M. Davidson, John Sach
-
Publication number: 20130279866Abstract: A splittable optical fiber ribbon has a decreased propensity for fiber fallout along a longitudinal split. Fibers adjacent to a split location, called border fibers, have increased bond strength between their ink-coating and a surrounding matrix material. The bond strength is increased by first partially curing an ink that covers the border fibers, coating the partially-cured fibers with a matrix material, and then substantially fully curing the ink and the matrix material substantially simultaneously. The ribbon may include one or more grooves to enhance splitting the ribbon into subsets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Prysmian Communications Cables and Systems USA, LLCInventors: Ben H. Wells, Grant M. Davidson, John Sach
-
Patent number: 8565564Abstract: An optical fiber cable for bundled drop applications has a plurality of optical fiber sub-units stranded together in an S-Z lay configuration and a jacket surrounding and holding the sub-units in the S-Z configuration without assistance from binder threads. The jacket contacts at least some of the sub-units and has one, but preferably at least two, longitudinally disposed grooves on an external surface. With at least two grooves, the sub-units are accessed by bending the cable until the jacket buckles between the grooves, cutting the jacket at the buckle, and peeling back a portion of the jacket longitudinally between the grooves.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Prysmian Communications Cables and Systems USA, LLCInventors: Jonathan Gerald Fitz, Ben H. Wells, Mauricio Silva
-
Patent number: 8467647Abstract: A splittable optical fiber ribbon has a decreased propensity for fiber fallout along a longitudinal split. Fibers adjacent to a split location, called border fibers, have increased bond strength between their ink-coating and a surrounding matrix material. The bond strength is increased by first partially curing an ink that covers the border fibers, coating the partially-cured fibers with a matrix material, and then substantially fully curing the ink and the matrix material substantially simultaneously. The ribbon may include one or more grooves to enhance splitting the ribbon into subsets.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Prysmian Communication Cables and Systems USA, LLCInventors: Ben H. Wells, Grant M. Davidson, John Sach
-
Patent number: 8175434Abstract: An all-dielectric self-supporting optical fiber cable utilizes a single layer reverse oscillated lay (ROL) design and includes a fiber count of more than 288 fibers. By arranging buffer tubes in a single layer, the ADSS cable effectively isolates the tensile and thermo strain of the cable in central and outer strength members, thus preventing strain from aerial installation from impairing or otherwise inversely impacting the performance of the optical fibers. Moreover, fibers are loosely housed in bundles to permit fiber movement and further prevent strain on the fibers.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Prysmian Communication Cables and Systems USA, LLCInventors: Grant M. Davidson, William E. Wolfe, Ben H. Wells
-
Publication number: 20120063731Abstract: An optical fiber cable for bundled drop applications has a plurality of optical fiber sub-units stranded together in an S-Z lay configuration and a jacket surrounding and holding the sub-units in the S-Z configuration without assistance from binder threads. The jacket contacts at least some of the sub-units and has one, but preferably at least two, longitudinally disposed grooves on an external surface. With at least two grooves, the sub-units are accessed by bending the cable until the jacket buckles between the grooves, cutting the jacket at the buckle, and peeling back a portion of the jacket longitudinally between the grooves.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Jonathan Gerald Fitz, Ben H. Wells, Mauricio Silva
-
Publication number: 20110058779Abstract: A splittable optical fiber ribbon has a decreased propensity for fiber fallout along a longitudinal split. Fibers adjacent to a split location, called border fibers, have increased bond strength between their ink-coating and a surrounding matrix material. The bond strength is increased by first partially curing an ink that covers the border fibers, coating the partially-cured fibers with a matrix material, and then substantially fully curing the ink and the matrix material substantially simultaneously. The ribbon may include one or more grooves to enhance splitting the ribbon into subsets.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2007Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Ben H. Wells, Grant M. Davidson, John Sach
-
Publication number: 20090304338Abstract: An all-dielectric self-supporting optical fiber cable utilizes a single layer reverse oscillated lay (ROL) design and includes a fiber count of more than 288 fibers. By arranging buffer tubes in a single layer, the ADSS cable effectively isolates the tensile and thermo strain of the cable in central and outer strength members, thus preventing strain from aerial installation from impairing or otherwise inversely impacting the performance of the optical fibers. Moreover, fibers are loosely housed in bundles to permit fiber movement and further prevent strain on the fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2005Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Grant M. Davidson, William E. Wolfe, Ben H. Wells
-
Patent number: 6546176Abstract: An optical fiber cable core includes a buffer tube containing at least one optical fiber and reinforced by at least two substantially radially incompressible longitudinal strength members, each strength member having surface portions radially outermost with respect to the tube axis which are at or protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. If the strength members protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube, less than 50%, and preferably less than 20%, of the outer surface of the strength members protrudes from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. The positions of the strength members can be readily determined, can be visible and can be easily removed from the buffer tube prior to slitting the buffer tube to achieve midspan access.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2002Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Pirelli Cable CorporationInventors: Aaron M. Anderson, Ben H. Wells, Roger Vaughn