Patents Assigned to ACT Communications, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7402892
    Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly for coupling a plurality of surge protectors to multi-line communication cables includes a multi-layer printed circuit board, to which has been mounted at least two cable connectors, having multiple female sockets for receiving standard surge protector modules. The multi-layer printed circuit board includes traces on multiple layers in a manner that a unique signal path exists between each lead in each connector and a predetermined one of the plurality of sockets for receiving surge protector modules. The traces having a width and a copper content sufficient to carry large current surges from induced power signals, by way of example, from a lightning strike, without breaking down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: GE Act Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Glaser, Justin R. Minchey, Kennon B. Porter
  • Patent number: 6678138
    Abstract: A surge suppressor conducts heat from a surge protection component (SSC) through a heat conductive element, such as a copper pad, on a printed circuit board, to at least one thermal fuse to cause the thermal fuse to open when the resistance of the SSC begins to decrease, resulting in an increase of heat generated by the SSC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: GE-ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald William Glaser, James Albert Glaser, Benny John Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6453106
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for protecting fiber-optic cable bundle closures includes a quick disconnect that allows for cabling to the closure to be separated upon the presence of a sudden jerk or pulling force. Additionally, a plurality of quick disconnects are used to effective create modular components out of a fiber-optic cable bundle that, heretofore, has be permanently attached to each other. The quick disconnects are rendered water resistant with the use of rubber boots that cover the quick disconnects to keep moisture out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: GE-ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald William Glaser, Justin Minchey, Benny John Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6292344
    Abstract: A floating ground isolator for shunting only selected damaging and/or annoying induced energy from a communications cable sheath to ground, thereby facilitating long range cable location using conventional signal radiation techniques. The floating ground isolator provides a surge suppression circuit to effectively suppress dangerous transient surges present on the cable sheath and a filtering circuit to pass annoying periodic signals within a preselected frequency range from the cable sheath to ground. A selectively connected terminating resistance is also provided between the cable sheath and ground to form a side leg termination useful in facilitating long range cable location on spurs emanating from a main cable line. Furthermore, a relay controlled floating ground circuit is disclosed having a normal position shunting the cable sheath to ground and an actuated position lifting the ground connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Act Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Glaser, James A. Glaser
  • Patent number: 6282073
    Abstract: A surge suppressor conducts heat from a surge protection component (SSC) through a heat conductive element, such as a copper pad, on a printed circuit board, to at least one thermal fuse to cause the thermal fuse to open when the resistance of the SSC begins to decrease, resulting in an increase of heat generated by the SSC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald William Glaser, James Albert Glaser, Benny John Whitehead
  • Patent number: 5970199
    Abstract: A frame is provided for relieving stress on a cable splice. The frame includes a pair of rails spaced apart to accommodate a splice enclosure. At least one mounting plate is coupled to spaces of the rails for detachably mounting the splice enclosure. A strain relief is coupled to the rails for receiving a cable and isolating the weight of the cable from a splice of the cable disposed within the splice enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Minchey, Daniel Glaser, James Glaser
  • Patent number: 5966283
    Abstract: A surge suppressor for a radio frequency (RF) transmission line includes an a printed circuit board having a conductor for connection in series with a RF transmission line. The conductor has a capacitance for passing RF signals and blocking transients. To the printed circuit board are mounted a choke and a resistor, each of which is connected in series with the transmission line and in parallel to each other and to the capacitance of the conductor. The choke passes steady, direct current signals for powering equipment located on an antenna. The surge suppressor further includes the first and second discharge stages connected to the conductor on opposite sides of the impedance. Each stage includes a discharge device connected to the conductor through a radio frequency choke. The choke blocks leakage of radio frequencies into the discharge devices. A gas discharge tube is used for the first stage, which is for connection to an antenna side of the surge suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Albert Glaser, Ronald William Glaser, James Everett Britton
  • Patent number: 5896265
    Abstract: A surge suppressor for a radio frequency (RF) transmission line includes an a printed circuit board having a conductor for connection in series with a RF transmission line. The conductor has a capacitance for passing RF signals and blocking transients. To the printed circuit board are mounted a choke and a resistor, each of which is connected in series with the transmission line and in parallel to each other and to the capacitance of the conductor. The choke passes steady, direct current signals for powering equipment located on an antenna. The surge suppressor further includes first and second discharge stages connected to the conductor on opposite sides of the impedance. Each stage includes a discharge device connected to the conductor through a radio frequency choke or resonant circuit. The choke or resonant circuit blocks leakage of radio frequencies into the discharge devices. A gas discharge tube is used for the first stage, which is for connection to an antenna side of the surge suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Glaser, Ronald W. Glaser, James E. Britton
  • Patent number: 5721662
    Abstract: A floating ground isolator for shunting only selected damaging and/or annoying induced energy from a communications cable sheath to ground, thereby facilitating long range cable location using conventional signal radiation techniques. The floating ground isolator provides a surge suppression circuit to effectively suppress dangerous transient surges present on the cable sheath and a filtering circuit to pass annoying periodic signals within a preselected frequency range from the cable sheath to ground. A selectively connected terminating resistance is also provided between the cable sheath and ground to form a side leg termination useful in facilitating long range cable location on spurs emanating from a main cable line. Furthermore, a relay controlled floating ground circuit is disclosed having a normal position shunting the cable sheath to ground and an actuated position lifting the ground connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald W. Glaser, James A. Glaser
  • Patent number: 5712755
    Abstract: A surge suppressor for a radio frequency (RF) transmission line includes a printed circuit board having a conductor for connection in series with a RF transmission line. The conductor has a capacitance for passing RF signals and blocking transients. To the printed circuit board are mounted a choke and a resistor, each of which is connected in series with the transmission line and in parallel to each other and to the capacitance of the conductor. The choke passes steady, direct current signals for powering equipment located on an antenna. The surge suppressor further includes the first and second discharge stages connected to the conductor on opposite sides of the impedance. Each stage includes a discharge device connected to the conductor through a radio frequency choke. The choke blocks leakage of radio frequencies into the discharge devices. A gas discharge tube is used for the first stage, which is for connection to an antenna side of the surge suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Albert Glaser, Ronald William Glaser, James Everett Britton
  • Patent number: 5652820
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice closure permits grounding a fiber optic backbone cable but allows for propagation of cable-locating signals along the full length of the backbone cable and along fiber optic spur cables spliced to the backbone cable in the closure. An electrically conductive sheath of the backbone cable is coupled to ground through a surge protector and through a resistor to a conductive member of each spur cable. The terminating end of the spur cable is hard grounded at the customer site. The surge protector and resistor are mounted outside a sealed splice chamber of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James Albert Glaser, Ronald William Glaser, Daniel R. Glaser, Justin R. Minchey
  • Patent number: 5457593
    Abstract: A protector block assembly for coupling a plurality of surge protectors to multi-line telecommunications cables includes a multi-layer printed circuit, to which has been mounted at least two cable connectors, and a protector block having a plurality of sockets for receiving standard surge protectors. A plurality of pins electrically and physically connects the multi-layer printed circuit board to the sockets on the protector block in a manner that a unique signal path exists between each lead in each connector and one of the sockets on the printed circuit board. The multi-layer printed circuit board includes traces on multiple layers that have a width and a copper content sufficient to carry current surges without breaking down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: ACT Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Glaser, Ronald W. Glaser