Patents Assigned to Corning
  • Patent number: 6533882
    Abstract: In one general aspect, the invention involves applying a chemical treatment to fibers, such as reinforcing fibers suitable for making a composite article, so as to size and/or preimpregnate the fibers. The chemical treatment has a relatively low viscosity and is substantially solvent-free and non-radiation curable. Heat energy may be employed to lower the viscosity and improve the wetting ability of the applied treatment and/or to increase the molecular weight of, or otherwise cure, the treatment with essentially no generation of solvent vapor. The treated fibers are used to form a composite strand, which may be subsequently processed in-line or off-line into a composite article having fibers disposed in a polymeric matrix. Another general aspect relates to encased composite strands, in thread or pellet form, and to wire-coating methods and apparatus for making them. The strands are moldable into fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew B. Woodside
  • Patent number: 6535321
    Abstract: A solid state device used to modulate the intensity of reflected or transmitted light by modulating with an external voltage the optical thickness of a thin film ferroelectric placed in an etalon cavity is disclosed. The device is constructed by selecting a generally planar supporting substrate, preferably silicon or sapphire in order to be compatible with silicon integrated circuits. A dielectric stack consisting of alternating layers of different index of refraction materials, also specifically selected to be compatible with later growth of the thin film ferroelectric, is deposited thereon to form a partially reflective and partially transmitting mirror, followed by a transparent electrically conductive layer. The thin film ferroelectric is deposited on the conductive layer, followed by a second transparent conductive layer and a second dielectric stack. Leads are connected to the conductive layers and in turn to a voltage generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Applied Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Feiling Wang, Gene H. Haertling
  • Patent number: 6534618
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a method of drying an optical fiber coating. The method includes blending a plurality of raw materials capable of forming an optical fiber coating and dehydrating the plurality. One embodiment of the method includes drying the optical fiber coating by passing a dehydrating medium over a top surface of a body of the plurality of materials. A second embodiment of the invention includes bubbling a dehydrating medium through the body of the plurality of raw materials. In a third embodiment of the invention, the plurality is dehydrated by reacting the water in the plurality with a dehydrating medium that includes a compound having a functional group that is capable of reacting with the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory F. Jacobs, Michael J. Winningham
  • Patent number: 6535311
    Abstract: A wavelength selective cross-connect switch for selectively switching wavelength-separated input channels between two optical input signals. The cross-connect switch includes two dispersive elements, where each dispersive element receives an optical input signal and disperses it into a plurality of wavelength-separated input channels. The cross-connect switch also includes a switching array mechanism, such as a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) shutter array, receiving the plurality of wavelength-separated input channels from each of the dispersive elements and operative for selectively switching one or more of the wavelength-separated input channels between the optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert G. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 6535579
    Abstract: A telephone network interface device (NID) includes a test circuit that is readily connected and disconnected. The NID has a portion of an electrical circuit that connects a pair of provider wires as well as a pair of test wires to a pair of subscriber terminals. The test wires lead to a test circuit on the provider side of the housing of the NID. The subscriber terminals are located on the subscriber side of the housing to interconnect the provider wires with a pair of subscriber wires. A jack in the NID has a normal mode of operation in which the provider wires are electrically connected to the subscriber wires and a test mode of operation in which the provider wires are disconnected from the subscriber wires. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to the jack and have free ends that connect to the subscriber terminals. This connects the test circuit in parallel physically and electrically between the provider wires and the subscriber wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: K. Erin Blake, Anthony R. Board
  • Patent number: 6535673
    Abstract: An optical fiber array (20) comprising at least one subunit (26) including at least one optical fiber (22) therein surrounded by a respective subunit matrix (23). The optical fiber array (20) includes a common matrix (24) disposed adjacent to the at least one subunit (26). The optical fiber array (20) can include an interfacial zone (28) between the subunit and common matrices defined by an adhesion treatment, the adhesion treatment comprising at least one interfacial substance having an interface characteristic in a range from an essentially non-coupled relationship to a loose bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventor: Gregory A. Lochkovic
  • Patent number: 6534126
    Abstract: The tack of a polymeric substrate is reduced by (i) coating a surface of the polymeric substrate with a thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition, (ii) applying an aqueous suspension of powdered silicone rubber with a mean particle size of 0.1 to 500 micron to the coating of thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition on the polymeric substrate, and (iii) heating the coated polymeric substrate to cure the thermosetting liquid silicone rubber composition and simultaneously adhere the powdered silicone rubber to the coating on the polymeric substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: William Raye Blackwood, James Habermehl, Donald Taylor Liles
  • Patent number: 6534576
    Abstract: A flame retardant organic resin composition comprising (A) 100 parts by weight of an aromatic ring-containing organic resin and (B) 0.01-50 parts by weight of a branched organopolysiloxane described by average molecular formula (R13SiO1/2)a(R2SiO3/2)b(SiO4/2)c(R3O1/2)d(HO1/2)e, where each R1 is independently selected from alkyl groups comprising 1 to 12 carbon atoms and alkenyl groups comprising 2 to 12 carbon atoms; each R2 is independently selected from alkyl groups comprising 1 to 12 carbon atoms, alkenyl groups comprising 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and aryl groups comprising 6 to 12 carbon atoms, where the aryl groups of R2 are at least 30 mol % based on total monovalent hydrocarbon in R1 and R2, R3 represents an alkyl group, subscripts a and b are positive numbers, and subscripts c, d, and e are 0 or positive numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Nakanishi, Hidekatsu Hatanaka, Haruhiko Furukawa, Koji Shiromoto, Hiroshi Ueki, Yoshitsugu Morita
  • Publication number: 20030048437
    Abstract: Optical sensors and methods are disclosed. The resonance energy transfer between a donor and acceptor pair on a surface is monitored. The change in resonance energy transfer as a function of the change in refractive index of a sensing area disposed between the donor and acceptor pair is utilized to provide various sensing methods and structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Corning, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter J. Kalal, Mark A. Quesada
  • Patent number: 6531542
    Abstract: Spherical crosslinked organic particles exhibit a good dispersibility in thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, paints, coatings, cosmetics, rubbers, and toners and carriers employed in electrostatic development. Highly efficient methods for preparing these crosslinked organic particles are provided. Suspensions of crosslinked organic particles have excellent handling properties, and are highly blendable with other components. Highly efficient methods for preparing these suspensions are also provided. The spherical crosslinked organic particles have an average particle size of 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Corning Toray Silicone Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Morita, Kazuo Kobayashi, Ryuji Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6532044
    Abstract: An electronic (e.g., LCD) projector combines multiple projection lens assemblies with equal color component optical path lengths to provide improved display images and a compact arrangement. In one implementation, the projector includes a successive pair of angled dichroic mirrors that fold the red and blue color components of light in opposed directions. The green color component of light passes through the dichroic mirrors toward a pixelated electronic light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, and an associated projection lens assembly. The red and blue color components of light are each folded again to propagate parallel with the green color component toward a pixelated electronic light modulator, such as a liquid crystal display, and an associated projection lens assembly. The separate projection lens assemblies are arranged in a non-linear, close-packed arrangement to receive the color components of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Precision Lens, Incorporated
    Inventors: Arlie R. Conner, Bruce L. Cannon
  • Patent number: 6532318
    Abstract: A symmetric optical switch for selectively switching wavelength channels between four optical inputs. The symmetric optical switch includes two dispersive elements receiving optical inputs from respective optical fibers where the optical inputs are dispersed into a plurality of wavelength-separated input channels. The symmetric optical switch also includes a plurality of circulators disposed on each optical fiber and a switching array mechanism that receives the plurality of wavelength-separated input channels from each of the dispersive elements. The shutter array simultaneously switches one or more pairs of the wavelength-separated input channels between four optical inputs. Each circulator that is disposed on the associated optical fiber operates with the shutter array to form an eight port device so as to independently switch wavelength channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher P. Brophy, Robert G. Lindquist
  • Patent number: 6530316
    Abstract: In a first embodiment, this invention relates to a continuously operating press, preferably for the manufacture and/or printing, lamination or the like of a one or multiple layer board web of pre-manufactured material and/or raw material, wherein the lubricant used in the press is at least one phenyl-endblocked polydiorganosiloxane-polyphenylorganosiloxane random copolymer fluid. In a second embodiment, this invention relates to a continuously operating press, preferably for the manufacture and/or printing, lamination or the like of a one or multiple layer board web of pre-manufactured material and/or raw material, wherein the lubricant used in the press is a composition comprising (i) at least one phenyl-endblocked polydiorganosiloxane-polyphenylorganosiloxane random copolymer fluid and (ii) at least one stabilizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Ragnar Richard Avery, Gary Thomas Burns, John Joseph Kennan, Michael Robert Reiter
  • Patent number: 6531522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating for an optical fiber. The coating includes a monomer. The monomer includes an oxyglycidyl (meth)acrylate component. A coating with the monomeric component has exhibited an excellent polymerization rate. The present invention also relates to methods of making such optical fibers coated in accordance with the invention and the coated glass article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael J. Winningham
  • Patent number: 6531420
    Abstract: A glass-ceramic which is substantially and desirably totally transparent, and which contains a predominant, orthosilicate crystal phase whose composition lies within the ternary Mg2SiO4—Zn2SiO4—Li4SiO4 system. The glass-ceramic is formed from precursor glasses having the following compositions, in weight percent on an oxide basis: 35-72 SiO2, 0-20 Al2O3, 0-40 ZnO, 0-18 MgO, 1-15 Li2O, 0-18 K2O, 0-8 Na2O, 0-8 P2O5, with the condition that &Sgr;ZnO+MgO≧7. The glass-ceramic may be doped with up to 1 wt. % chromium, oxide to impart optical activity thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: George H. Beall, Linda R. Pinckney
  • Publication number: 20030043476
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mounting an optical element to a mounting plate in an optical system. The optical element is adhesively bonded with a surface on the mounting plate by a radiation-curable adhesive and a radiation-transmissive member that provides an unobstructed optical path in the mounting plate for curing the radiation-curable adhesive. The adhesive accommodates differences in thermal expansion between the material forming the mounting plate and the material forming the optical element so as to maintain the position and angular orientation of the optical element relative to the mounting plate and so as to prevent damage to the optical element. The formulation of the adhesive forming the adhesive couplings may incorporate spacer elements operative for maintaining the spacing and parallelism between the optical element and the mounting plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Corning Precision Lens, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Snively, Doug M. Reinert, Kathleen E. Allen, Ronald R. VanOverloop
  • Patent number: 6528606
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a stable composition of radically copolymerizable monomers, said composition containing firstly at least one monomer which has at least one urea function in its formula and secondly at least one monomer which does not have an isocyanate function in its formula, said method comprising preparing said monomer(s) having urea function(s) by reaction of two types of reagent: at least one radically copolymerizable monomer which has at least one isocyanate function in its formula with at least one amine selected from primary and secondary amines, and incorporating said monomer(s) which does(do) not have an isocyanate function in its(their) formula, prior to said reaction, together with one of said reagents, before adding the other of said reagents, and/or during the addition of said reagents, and/or after said reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Corning S.A.
    Inventors: Marie-Maud Bear, Xavier Lafosse
  • Patent number: 6527014
    Abstract: A flame resistant insulation product comprises a fibrous mineral material that has been rotary fiberized, preferably a fibrous glass. The composition of the mineral material has a softening point of at least about 699° C. An insulated duct includes a tubular wall that defines a hollow interior for conducting a fluid, and a layer of the insulation product wrapped about the wall. The mineral material reduces the number of samples of the insulated duct failing the flame penetration test of a UL 181 Standard compared to the same insulated duct with a mineral material having a softening point of less than 699° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick F. Aubourg
  • Patent number: 6529663
    Abstract: An improved self-supporting fiber optic cable is provided that includes a cable section having at least one optical fiber and a jacket surrounding the at least one optical fiber, and a support section having at least one strength member extending in a lengthwise direction and an overlying jacket that includes a number of jacket segments spaced lengthwise along the at least one strength member. As a result of the lengthwise spacing of the jacket segments, portions of the at least one strength member are at least partially exposed. The jackets of the cable and support sections are connected, such as by an intermittent web. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic cable having a support section with an intermittent or semi-intermittent jacket is also provided which relies upon the periodic extrusion of extrudate about the at least one strength member to form the jacket segments that are spaced apart in a lengthwise direction along the at least one strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Parris, Michael J. Gimblet, Christopher M. Quinn
  • Patent number: 6527120
    Abstract: Containers (19) are provided for packaging flexible substrates (13) such as the glass substrates used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays. The containers include arc-shaped grooves (25) which apply an elastic strain to the substrates. The elastic strain stiffens the substrates and thus reduces the likelihood of damage to the substrates as a result of vibration during transport or sagging when held horizontally. Through the use of such grooves, dense packaging of large, thin substrates is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Fumio Okamoto