Patents by Inventor Dale Elder

Dale Elder 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 splice device
    Publication number: 20050147362
    Abstract: A fiber splice device includes a body comprising a ductile material. First and second end port sections located on opposite ends of the body are provided and are adapted to receive first and second optical fibers, respectively. The splice device further includes a fiber splicing section, adapted to house a fiber splice, located on the body between the end port sections. The fiber splicing section includes a fiber splice actuation section having a self-locking mechanism integral with the body. The splice device can be used in a variety of locations, such as in the access and metro areas of the fiber optic network, and it is not damaged easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: James Carpenter, Dale Elder
  • Method for selective photosensitization of optical fiber
    Patent number: 6763686
    Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale Elder, James F. Brennan, III, Bryon J. Cronk
  • Method for selective photosensitization of optical fiber
    Publication number: 20020121115
    Abstract: A method for increasing the photosensitivity of a selected portion of an optical fiber and for producing a grating in the selected portion of an optical fiber. The method includes the step of placing the selected portion of the optical fiber in a hydrogen containing atmosphere. The volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere immediately surrounding only the selected portion of the optical fiber is heated to a temperature of at least 250° C. Only the selected portion of the optical fiber is exposed to the heated volume of the hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 250° C. for a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James B. Carpenter, John P. Stedman, James R. Bylander, Gordon Wiegand, Nicholas A. Stacey, Anthony W. Gatica, Dale Elder, James F. Brennan, Bryon J. Cronk