Patents by Inventor Russell W. Gowan

Russell W. Gowan 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).

  • Coated central strength member for fiber optic cables with reduced shrinkage
    Patent number: 7346244
    Abstract: A foam polymer jacketed rigid strength member for a fiber optic cable is disclosed, as is the method for its production. The foam jacket is made by feeding into an extruder a base polymer material, preferably a resin, such as polypropyene. The base material is melted in the extruder and a blowing agent is admixed. As the mixture exits the extruder, the polymer is expanded into a cellular foam. The polymer is foamed onto a rigid strength member by means of a crosshead. The resulting jacketed rigid strength member demonstrates improved resistance to thermal contractions reducing the contribution of stresses in the fiber optic cable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Draka Comteq B.V.
    Inventors: Russell W. Gowan, Brian Risch, Wayne Cheatle
  • COATED CENTRAL STRENGTH MEMBER FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLES WITH REDUCED SHRINKAGE
    Publication number: 20080013899
    Abstract: A foam polymer jacketed rigid strength member for a fiber optic cable is disclosed, as is the method for its production. The foam jacket is made by feeding into an extruder a base polymer material, preferably a resin, such as polypropyene. The base material is melted in the extruder and a blowing agent is admixed. As the mixture exits the extruder, the polymer is expanded into a cellular foam. The polymer is foamed onto a rigid strength member by means of a crosshead. The resulting jacketed rigid strength member demonstrates improved resistance to thermal contraction, reducing the contribution of stresses in the fiber optic cable components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Russell W. Gowan, Brian Risch, Wayne Cheatle