Patents by Inventor Eddie Kimbrell

Eddie Kimbrell 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).

  • Patent number: 9360635
    Abstract: A fiber optic termination includes a homogeneous flexible body comprising a first polymer comprising a plurality of grooves defined therein, each groove configured to receive a corresponding filament of the fiber optic ribbon; each groove carrying a coating comprising a second polymer, each coating forming a melt-bond adhesive for attaching the associated groove to a first portion of a corresponding filament while leaving a second opposing portion of the corresponding filament and lateral side portions of the corresponding filament between the first and second portions substantially accessible for connection to a mating component; wherein the first polymer has a first melting point that is higher than a second melting point of the second polymer causing the second polymer to melt to bond the filaments to the grooves without melting the first polymer when the second polymer is heated to a temperature between the first and second melting points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignees: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION, AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 9291790
    Abstract: A fiber splice enclosure is provided. The fiber splice enclosure includes an enclosure, a cover, a chassis, and a cable port mounting plate for allowing entry and exit of cables. The cable port mounting plate is removably fastened to the enclosure and the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, Roger Vaughn, Ray Mouhot, Rich Cubala
  • Patent number: 9285542
    Abstract: A fiber optic interface for a fiber optic ribbon includes a homogeneous flexible body comprising one or more grooves defined therein, each groove configured to receive a corresponding filament of the fiber optic ribbon. Each groove is further configured to receive an adhesive to attach the groove to a first portion of a corresponding filament while leaving a second, opposing portion of the corresponding filament and lateral side portions of the corresponding filament between the first and second portions substantially accessible for connection to a mating component. An overflow port for each groove provides an opening extending from a corresponding groove through the body of the interface for draining excess adhesive from the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Publication number: 20160054535
    Abstract: A pressure housing apparatus including a first cable termination shell, a housing connected to the first cable termination shell, a pressure vessel slide shell provided to the hollow housing, a cable termination assembly oriented within the housing, a plurality of pass through widows provided from the interior of the housing to the splice trays, and a plurality of circumferentially oriented splice trays provided to the cable termination assembly configured for receiving fiber tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: John TOTH, Eddie KIMBRELL, Ted LICHOULAS
  • Patent number: 9264786
    Abstract: Provided is a network module, the module including a base unit, wherein the base unit includes at least one mating element that couples to a corresponding mating element of a network interface device; at least one connector element that couples to an add-on module; and the add-on module, wherein the add-on module includes at least one mating element corresponding to the connector element of the base unit, wherein the base unit is configured to interface with the add-on module and wherein the base unit is electrically connected to the add-on module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell, David Halverson
  • Publication number: 20160011372
    Abstract: A fiber optic interface for a fiber optic ribbon includes a homogeneous flexible body comprising one or more grooves defined therein, each groove configured to receive a corresponding filament of the fiber optic ribbon. Each groove is further configured to receive an adhesive to attach the groove to a first portion of a corresponding filament while leaving a second, opposing portion of the corresponding filament and lateral side portions of the corresponding filament between the first and second portions substantially accessible for connection to a mating component. An overflow port for each groove provides an opening extending from a corresponding groove through the body of the interface for draining excess adhesive from the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Publication number: 20160011373
    Abstract: A fiber optic termination includes a homogeneous flexible body comprising a first polymer comprising a plurality of grooves defined therein, each groove configured to receive a corresponding filament of the fiber optic ribbon; each groove carrying a coating comprising a second polymer, each coating forming a melt-bond adhesive for attaching the associated groove to a first portion of a corresponding filament while leaving a second opposing portion of the corresponding filament and lateral side portions of the corresponding filament between the first and second portions substantially accessible for connection to a mating component; wherein the first polymer has a first melting point that is higher than a second melting point of the second polymer causing the second polymer to melt to bond the filaments to the grooves without melting the first polymer when the second polymer is heated to a temperature between the first and second melting points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Tymon Barwicz, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 9134497
    Abstract: An optical module is provided. The optical module includes a base module and a cable management bracket removably attached to the base module. The base module includes a first adapter configured to interface with a first cable. The base module further includes a plurality of second adapters configured to interface with a plurality of optical fibers and a plurality of second cables. The cable management bracket includes a plurality of cable routing slots for routing the plurality of second cables. A fiber optic panel is also provided. The fiber optic panel includes a base, a plurality of module guides removably attached to the base, and a plurality of the optical modules slid between the module guides. A fiber management system is further provided. The fiber management system includes a rack and the fiber optic panel mounted on the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Lou Guzzo, Ted Lichoulas, Chris Donaldson, Chuck Turner, Run Ron, Matthew Johnston, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Publication number: 20150219857
    Abstract: A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to run cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a connector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, two seal nuts, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, the seal nut and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the snap finger on the sealing boot and the receiving catch on the connector housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell, Chuck Turner, Steve Polidan
  • Publication number: 20150212284
    Abstract: A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to nm cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a convector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the interference lip on the sealing boot and the interference lip on the connector housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 9051153
    Abstract: A spool including a barrel extending up from a bottom portion, a plurality of flanges extending from an outer circumferential surface of the barrel, a plurality of retaining arms extending up from an annular portion of the bottom portion, the annular portion extending radially away from the outer circumferential surface of the barrel, engagement mechanisms on at least one of the plurality of flanges and the plurality of retaining arms, wherein the engagement mechanisms cause the plurality of flanges and the plurality of retaining arms to become engaged, and a hinge on each of the plurality of retaining arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 9020318
    Abstract: A conductor packaging assembly for packaging a plurality of conductors is provided. The assembly includes a housing and a plurality of connectors organized in the housing. The housing includes a first half and a second half hingedly attached with each other at one ends thereof and configured to removably attach with each other at their other ends to allow an open and closed position of the housing. Further, an inner strip is attached to the first half and/or the second half, a connector organizer is removably attached to the inner strip, and the connector organizer includes a plurality of connector mounting portions for removably attaching the plurality of connectors to the plurality of connector mounting portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donaldson, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Publication number: 20140360777
    Abstract: A conduit fitting for connecting a conduit to a NID. The fitting includes a tube with an inner diameter and an outer diameter, and a flange at one end of the tube. The inner diameter is configured to provide a tight fit over a piping and the outer diameter is configured to provide a tight fit in a conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 8858092
    Abstract: Provided is an inner module for holding a plurality of connectors. The inner module includes a first cylindrical portion having a first outer wall spaced radially from a first inner wall to form an annular volume and a second cylindrical portion having a second outer wall spaced radially from a second inner wall to form an annular volume. The inner module also includes a connecting portion to connect the first cylindrical portion to the second cylindrical portion. Each of the first and second cylindrical portions have an opening in an axial direction having a width that is narrower than a distance between the first inner wall and the first outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donaldson, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 8831394
    Abstract: Provided is a fiber management spool, the spool including a barrel extending up from a bottom portion. The spool further includes at least one outer fiber retaining arm extending up from an annular portion of the bottom portion and the annular portion extends radially away from an outer circumferential surface of the barrel. The at least one snap finger extends downward from a central portion of the bottom portion, wherein the snap finger is configured to engage a panel to releasably secure the spool to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Wilfred Courchaine
  • Publication number: 20140248024
    Abstract: A pressure apparatus including a first end cap, a second end cap, a hollow housing connected to the first and second end caps, a locking ring connected to the second end cap, a first termination connected to the first end cap, and a second termination connected to the second end cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: TGS GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY (UK) LIMITED OF MILLBANK HOUSE
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, John Toth
  • Patent number: 8821030
    Abstract: Provided is a fiber packaging module that contains a plurality fiber optic connectors. The module includes an outer shell containing a plurality of fiber optic connectors connected to respective fiber optic cables. The module also includes a body comprised of a low density material disposed within the outer shell, the body having an outer side surface and an inner side surface. Also, a plurality of receiving portions are formed on the body to hold the fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Donaldson, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, Kyle Marchek
  • Publication number: 20140233898
    Abstract: An armored cable termination/fiber-optic seal which connects a fiber optic cable—the fiber optic cable including one or more armor wires and one or more cable tubes—to a pressure housing, the armored cable termination/fiber-optic seal including: an armored termination which locks the one or more armor wires in a conical cavity; sealing paths which block water from traveling in the interstitial space between the one or more armor wires and the one or more cable tubes into the pressure housing; and fiber feed-through tubes which block water from traveling in the interior of the one or more cable tubes into the pressure housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: TGS GEOPHYSICAL COMPANY (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, John Toth, Ted Lichoulas, Lou Guzzo
  • Publication number: 20140167411
    Abstract: A tube seal includes a tube through hole, a pressure housing tube seal penetration cavity for an elastomeric interference seal, a ferrule sealing surface for a ferrule, and an internal channel for a backing nut. A tube penetrates through the backing nut, the ferrule, the elastomeric interference seal and the tube through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: AFL TELECOMMUNICATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, John Toth
  • Patent number: 8693836
    Abstract: A packaging apparatus for packaging a bundle of conductors, such as optical fibers, includes a housing having two U-shaped halves that attach to one another wherein at least one of the halves includes connecting portions that each retain a connector of the conductors. The method includes attaching the connectors of the conductors to the connecting portions of one half, gathering the conductors at a location beyond an end of the first half, and attaching the second half to the first half. The conductors extend through a conductor insertion hole formed in the housing when the two halves are attached to one another. A plurality of packaging apparatuses can be flexibly attached to one another in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Kyle Marchek, Ted Lichoulas