Patents by Inventor Don Hartman Smith

Don Hartman Smith 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).

  • Rod-in-tube optical fiber preform and method
    Publication number: 20040107735
    Abstract: An optical fiber preform includes a core rod and an overclad tube having an open, distal end dimensioned to enter the mouth of a vertical fiber draw furnace. A plug is fixed in the region of the distal end of the tube, and the core rod is disposed axially inside the overclad tube so that a distal end of the rod is restrained from downward movement by the plug as the tube enters and descends into a hot zone of the draw furnace. The distal end of the tube is heated in the furnace hot zone until the tube and the plug soften and fuse with one another. The tube then collapses onto the core rod to produce a drop from which an optical fiber having desired properties may be drawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Fitel USA Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Fletcher, Thomas Miller, John Ambrose Rennell, Don Hartman Smith, Peter Bauer, Norbert Cibis, Ralph Sattmann, Rene Sowa