Patents by Inventor Bruce E. Townsend

Bruce E. Townsend 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).

  • Fiber optic cable product and associated fabrication method and apparatus
    Patent number: 6424772
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable product is provided that includes a strength member and an elongate cable core surrounding and mechanically coupled to the strength member. The cable core defines a number of lengthwise extending slots for receiving optical fibers and a number of voids proximate the strength member that also typically extend lengthwise therethrough. The fiber optic cable product is therefore relatively lightweight and flexible. In order to insure that the mechanical properties of the fiber optic cable product are uniform, the cable core typically defines the voids in a generally symmetrical manner about the central strength member. A method and an apparatus for extruding a fiber optic cable product that includes a cable core defining a plurality of voids are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley J. Blazer, Warren W. McAlpine, Mary Ann Clarke, Bruce E. Townsend, Harriet G. Cooke
  • Fiber optic cable for installation in a cable passageway and methods and an apparatus for producing the same
    Publication number: 20010000139
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable (40,50) having a cellularized cable component (10,10′,10″), the cellularized cable component including at least one optical fiber and a cable jacket (45,55). The cable jacket can include surface irregularities (46,56) having crests and hollows (46a,46b;56a,56b) for reducing surface-to-surface contact with a surface (60) in the cable passage way. The cable jacket can include a friction reducing additive for lubricating the interface between the cable jacket and the cable passageway or objects in the cable passageway. A method and apparatus for producing the cables is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Publication date: April 5, 2001
    Applicant: Siecor Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy F. Summers, Kevin T. White, Donald K. Hall, George C. Abernathy, Bruce E. Townsend, Thomas Mueller
  • Fiber optic cable for installation in a cable passageway and methods and an apparatus for producing the same
    Patent number: 6160940
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable (40,50) having a cellularized cable component (10,10',10"), the cellularized cable component including at least one optical fiber and a cable jacket (45,55). The cable jacket can include surface irregularities (46,56) having crests and hollows (46a,46b;56a,56b) for reducing surface-to-surface contact with a surface (60) in the cable passage way. The cable jacket can include a friction reducing additive for lubricating the interface between the cable jacket and the cable passageway or objects in the cable passageway. A method and apparatus for producing the cables is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Timothy F. Summers, Kevin T. White, Donald K. Hall, George C. Abernathy, Bruce E. Townsend, Thomas Mueller
  • Tip and die centering method
    Patent number: 5372762
    Abstract: A method for centering a crosshead extrusion die to a tip by fixing the positions of the tip and die while a sizing probe is inserted into the tip and die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Charles DeMasters, III, Bruce E. Townsend