Patents Assigned to Corning
  • Patent number: 6550979
    Abstract: A connector subassembly and related connector that are configured to floatingly align and tune mated ferrules are disclosed. The connector subassembly includes a ferrule holder and a plug housing having an inner surface with slanted or sloped alignment features, such as, for example, a radially extending key. In an embodiment, the ferrule holder assembly is configured to hold the ferrule and has an outer surface defining a groove extending axially. The key is slidably disposed in the groove. The connector includes the ferrule holder, the plug housing, a spring element disposed within the plug housing and urging the ferrule holder in a direction axially toward the rearward opening, a crimp body attached to the plug housing so as to compress the spring element, a boot attached to the plug housing via the crimp body and disposed about a portion of an optical fiber, and a tube disposed about a section of the optical fiber and secured to the ferrule holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul A. Fleenor, Thomas Theuerkorn, James P. Luther
  • Patent number: 6553169
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The composition has, when cured, a Young's modulus of greater than about 50 MPa. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a coated optical fiber including a glass fiber; and a coating located not less than about 5 microns away from an outer surface of the glass fiber, the coating being the polymerization product of a curable composition, the curable composition including a titanate or zirconate coupling agent. The coating compositions of the present invention may be used as secondary coatings and as marking inks for optical fibers. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in secondary coating compositions can provide increased wet aging properties to the cured secondary coating. Use of titanate or zirconate coupling agents in ink compositions can provide increased pigment dispersion in the ink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Michelle D. Fabian
  • Patent number: 6553163
    Abstract: In order to create a diffraction grating in an optical fiber with a predetermined pattern of the refractive index, an ultraviolet radiation beam (3) is scanned (5, 8) along a phosensitive portion (F′) of the fiber through a phase mask (9) and, during the scan, the beam intensity (4) and the mask-fiber distance (10) are controlled moment by moment in such a way as to obtain the desired patterns of the mean value and of the envelope of the refractive index, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning, Incorporated
    Inventor: Maurizio Tormen
  • Patent number: 6550279
    Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a method of making an optical fiber drawn from a multiple crucible. The method includes moving a first crucible of the multiple crucible relative to a second crucible of the multiple crucible. The invention also includes minimizing core and cladding diffusion. A tip of the first crucible is disposed axially above a tip of the second crucible by a preselected distance. The invention further includes the ability to alter a diameter of the core of the fiber. A differential pressure is applied to the first crucible. A positive differential pressure is applied to increase the core diameter. A negative differential pressure is applied to decrease the core diameter. Furthermore, the invention includes drawing the fiber under non-isothermal conditions; there is a thermal gradient of at least 10° C./m between the two tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: James G. Anderson, Ernest E. Brand, Adam J. Ellison, Jackson P. Trentelman
  • Patent number: 6552237
    Abstract: A Grignard-type process for the preparation of unsaturated organic compounds. The process comprises contacting an unsaturated organic halide with magnesium metal in a mixture of ether and a polar halogenated hydrocarbon co-solvent, filtering the reaction product from the reaction step and thereafter, treating the reaction product filtrate from the filtration step to obtain the desired unsaturated organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis J. Bedbury, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6551707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pellets comprising fibers impregnated with resin. The pellets incorporate a mixed lubricant sizing composition comprising at least one cationic lubricant and at least one non-ionic lubricant. These pellets may be consolidated to form fiber reinforced resin composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Joseph Adzima, Robert Arthur Schweizer, Arthur Eloy Lopez, Donald Burton Sage, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6551650
    Abstract: A process for fabricating a solder bump (113) includes providing an inorganic de-wetting substrate (102). In order to form a composite substrate (20), having the desired wetting/dewetting composition, a wetting metal is first applied on the inorganic de-wetting substrate to create at least one wetting metal pad (52). The composite substrate (20) is then dipped or otherwise immersed into a reservoir of liquid solder (106). Next, the composite substrate (20) is redrawn (116), or otherwise removed, from the liquid solder to form solder bumps (113) on the at least one metal wetting pad (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Alain R. Carre, Jurriaan Gerretsen
  • Patent number: 6551735
    Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) based on mechanically durable honeycomb electrodes supporting thin electrolyte and counter electrode layers in selected honeycomb channels provide dependable operation and high volume power density through extended use cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael E. Badding, John F. Wight, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6550283
    Abstract: Optical fiber is provided with a periodically reversing spin while the fiber is pulled through a melt zone. A cooled region of the fiber downstream from the melt zone passes between a pair of opposed elements. The opposed elements are moved so that surface regions engaging the fiber move in opposite lateral directions relative to one another, thus spinning the fiber about its axis. The lateral movement of the engaged surface portions is periodically reversed to reverse the spin direction. The opposed elements may include belts or rollers, which can be tilted to orientations oblique to the longitudinal direction of the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul E. Blaszyk, William R. Christoff, Daniel E. Gallagher, Robert M. Hawk, William J. Kiefer
  • Patent number: 6552298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for making a lens on the end of an optical waveguide fiber. The apparatus includes a laser, wherein the laser emits a laser beam. The apparatus further includes a beam expander disposed to receive the laser beam, whereby the beam expander increases the diameter of the laser beam, thereby producing an expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the first aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam, and a second aperture disposed within the expanded laser beam, wherein the second aperture blocks a portion of the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a first mirror disposed in the path of the expanded laser beam wherein the first mirror redirects the expanded laser beam. The apparatus further includes a focusing mirror disposed to receive the expanded laser beam, wherein the focusing mirror focuses the expanded laser beam thereby forming a heat zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 6552834
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combining, adding, and/or dropping channels in optical communication systems that utilize thin film filters without the creation of deadbands, using fiber Bragg gratings and additional thin film optical filters, are described. According to one aspect of the invention, an optical filter is used to drop a wavelength range from an optical signal. Prior to the optical signal entering the optical filter, one or more fiber Bragg gratings and an optical circulator are used reflects a portion of the communications spectrum which would normally lie with the deadband region of the optical filter. According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical filter is used to combine a first optical signal and a second optical signal to form a combined optical signal. Neither the first optical signal nor the second optical signal includes channels within a deadband region of the optical filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Vikram Bhatia, Robert W. Hallock, James M. Harris, Edward Murphy, Derek E. Spock
  • Patent number: 6553167
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and method of manufacturing the same having at least one optical fiber component, at least one strength member and at least one ultra-low shrinking filament. The at least one ultra-low shrinking filament having a shrinkage of about 0.2% or less when heated and held at about 85° C. for about seven days. At least one strength member and at least one ultra-low shrinking filament being disposed generally between the at least one optical fiber component and a cable jacket. The jacket generally surrounding the at least one optical fiber component, the at least one strength member and the ultra-low shrinking filament. The cable can include an interfacial layer interposed between said at least one optical fiber component and the jacket. Additionally, the cable can be riser or plenum rated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: William C. Hurley, Larry W. Self
  • Patent number: 6551676
    Abstract: A silicone-based adhesive sheet prepared by a process comprising (i) curing a silicone composition to form a substantially cured product while the composition lies between backing materials, wherein at least one of the backing materials has a surface comprising oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms in contact with the silicone composition and the backing materials are releasable from the cured product, and (ii) separating the cured product from the backing materials. A method of manufacturing a silicone-based adhesive sheet comprising (i) curing a silicone composition to form a cured product while the composition lies between backing materials, wherein at least one of the backing materials has a surface comprising oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms in contact with the silicone composition and the backing materials are releasable from the cured product, and (ii) separating the cured product from the backing materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimio Yamakawa, Minoru Isshiki, Yoshiko Otani, Katsutoshi Mine
  • Patent number: 6550281
    Abstract: A fiber (106) having low polarization mode dispersion is made by heating the end of a preform (100) with a furnace (101). The fiber is drawn from the heated end. The fiber passes between two rollers (102, 104). As the fiber passes therebetween, the angular tilt of each of the rollers is changed so that a spin is imparted to the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert M. Hawk
  • Patent number: 6553174
    Abstract: A preform having an array of axially extending holes is reduced in diameter for adjusting a spacing between the holes as well as the hole diameters to desired dimensions. Sections of the reduced preform having the desired dimensions are removed for supporting arrays of optical fibers in predetermined patterns. Tips of the fibers are mounted flush with a mounting surface of one of the preform sections, and the preform section is mounted together with a common support for an array of optical conveyances arranged in the same pattern for collectively coupling the array of fibers to the array of optical conveyances. Various active and passive optical components including VCSELs, MEMS, and even other fiber arrays can be among the optical conveyances collectively coupled to the fiber array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Theresa A. Winer
  • Patent number: 6547449
    Abstract: A preassembled multifiber connector is provided that includes a connector housing and a windowless multifiber ferrule that is substantially rectangular in lateral cross-section. The windowless multifiber ferrule can be at least partially disposed within an internal cavity defined by the connector housing to thereby form a multifiber connector that is free of optical fibers. Thus, the multifiber connector is capable of being preassembled prior to inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the optical fiber bores defined by the windowless multifiber ferrule. A corresponding method of preassembling a multifiber connector is therefore also provided according to the present invention. A ferrule is also provided that is capable of being selectively converted from a windowless configuration to a windowed configuration. The ferrule of this embodiment includes a ferrule body that not only defines at least one optical fiber bore, but that also defines a well extending through a side surface of the ferrule body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: David L. Dean, Jr., James P. Luther, Joel C. Rosson, Markus A. Giebel, Karl M. Wagner, Thomas Theuerkorn, Dennis M. Knecht
  • Patent number: 6546756
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of protecting glass optical fiber preforms and glass precursor elements for making optical fiber preforms, wherein the preform or glass precursor element is stored within a protective bag. The protective bag preferably has anti-static agents incorporated therein. The protective bags can be employed to protect any glass precursor element used in making optical fiber preforms, for example, glass core canes, glass tubes, or the optical fiber preforms themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward J. Fewkes, John S. Peanasky
  • Patent number: 6548142
    Abstract: The present invention describes a glass honeycomb structure having a variety of shapes and sizes depending on its ultimate application. Unlike prior art honeycomb structures made from ceramics, the inventive glass honeycomb can be readily bent and/or redrawn. Furthermore, the inventive honeycomb structure is lightweight, yet able to support heavy loads on its end faces. Therefore, the inventive honeycomb can be used as a light-weight support for such objects as mirrors. Other useful properties of the extruded glass honeycomb are its high softening temperature, its transparency to ultraviolet and visible light, and its ability to be redrawn. Embodiments that rely upon one or more of these properties include: a bio-reactor, a membrane reactor, a capillary flow controller, a high efficiency filtration system, in-situ water treatment, high temperature dielectric material, and photonic band gap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gitimoy Kar, Kenneth E. Hrdina, John F. Wight, Jr., C. Charles Yu
  • Patent number: 6549706
    Abstract: A length of oxynitride optical fiber is exposed to actinic radiation that is modulated by an interference technique to form a pattern of refractive index variations that functions as a reflective grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas Francis Borrelli, Thomas Allen Cook, Evelyn McGee DeLiso, Robert Adam Modavis
  • Patent number: D473326
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Phillips