Patents by Inventor Robert F. Swain

Robert F. Swain 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).

  • Method and apparatus for removing polymeric coatings from optical fiber in a non-oxidizing environment
    Patent number: 7003985
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a non-oxidizing environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the non-oxidizing environment is inert gas and the heat is provided by resistive filament heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: Robert F. Swain, Andrew D. Yablon
  • Method and apparatus for removing polymeric coatings from optical fiber
    Publication number: 20030062070
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a low pressure environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the heat is provided by a resistive filament heater within a vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Robert F. Swain, Andrew D. Yablon
  • Method and apparatus for removing polymeric coatings from optical fiber in a non-oxidizing environment
    Publication number: 20030061837
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a non-oxidizing environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the non-oxidizing environment is inert gas and the heat is provided by resistive filament heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Robert F. Swain, Andrew D. Yablon
  • Method and apparatus for removing polymeric coatings from optical fiber
    Patent number: 6436198
    Abstract: In accordance with the invention, the polymeric coating is removed from a coated optical fiber by disposing the fiber within a low pressure environment and applying sufficient heat to volatilize at least a portion of the polymeric coating. The result is that the coating material bursts from the fiber, yielding a clean glass surface virtually free of surface flaws. In a preferred embodiment the heat is provided by a resistive filament heater within a vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventors: Robert F. Swain, Andrew D. Yablon