Tightly Confined (i.e., Fiber Tightly Held Inside The Outer Sheath) Patents (Class 385/102)
  • Patent number: 6236790
    Abstract: There is provided an optical-fiber; and a cylinder body which is made from a cylindrically formed belt-shaped material and made of resin and which accommodates the optical-fiber therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Okada, Hirohito Watanabe, Matsuhiro Miyamoto, Yoshiyasu Sato, Koichiro Watanabe, Hideyuki Iwata
  • Patent number: 6233384
    Abstract: A crush, kink, and torque resistant, flexible fiber optic cable having a closely spaced, spiraled, rigid, metal wire layer disposed around the cable. Small size, light weight, good flexibility with minimum spring-back and excellent crush resistance are provided, along with excellent kinking and torque resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Sowell, III, Varghese J. Maniyatte, Donald M. Schuett, Mark T. von Kleeck
  • Patent number: 6205277
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the dry core optical fiber cable of the present invention incorporates a plurality of sub-units with each of said sub-units being arranged adjacent another of the sub-units so that the plurality of sub-units define an outer periphery. Preferably, each of the sub-units includes a plurality of optical fibers, a yarn layer and a sub-unit jacket, with each of the optical fibers being arranged adjacent another of the optical fibers. The sub-unit jacket surrounds the optical fibers, with the yarn layer being disposed between the optical fibers and the sub-unit jacket. An outer jacket surrounds the plurality of sub-units, with water-blocking tape being disposed between the outer jacket and the outer periphery of the sub-units. A method of manufacture of the cable also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Terry D. Mathis, Wayne M. Newton, Jim J. Sheu, Montri Viriyayuthakorn, Carla G. Wilson, Mark I. Shmukler
  • Patent number: 6195489
    Abstract: Metal filaments such as steel wires which has Young's modulus of 10,000 kg/mm2 are provided longitudinally on a UV curable resin coated optical fiber. A resin covering layer is then formed on a resultant structure by coating ultraviolet curing resin and then curing the resin, whereby resulting in an extremely small optical fiber cord having a finished diameter of about 250 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignees: Fujikura Ltd., Nippon Telegraph And Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Keiji Oohashi, Tsuyoshi Shimomichi, Etsuo Ino, Tetsuo Hayano, Kazunaga Kobayashi, Katuyoshi Ishida, Hajime Takemoto, Masao Tachikura
  • Patent number: 6185350
    Abstract: A mono-fiber type optical fiber cord comprising: a coated optical fiber which is an optical fiber with a fiber coat therearound, a synthetic resin coat having a substantially rectangular sectional surface for further covering the coated optical fiber, and a reinforcing member within the coat for coated optical fiber, wherein the reinforcing member is located along one of the shorter sides of the coat in the substantially parallel direction with the shorter sides in such a manner as to be embedded along the longitudinally extending direction of the coated optical fiber. An optical cord ribbon is formed by mutually bonding the longer sides of the adjacent substantially rectangular sectional surfaces of a plurality of the mono-fiber type optical fiber cords, and thereafter by coating the external surface of the thus aligned optical fiber cords by a bundling coating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.
    Inventors: Masao Tachikura, Hajime Takemoto, Shigenori Uruno, Isao Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6173100
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the cable of the present invention incorporates a core, an outer jacket surrounding the core, and a tape disposed between the core and the outer jacket. The tape includes a first layer and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) which are applied to the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is formed of spun bonded non-woven polyester material, nylon spun bonded fabric, non-woven glass, polypropylene melt blown non-woven fabric, polyurethane spun bonded fabric, or TCF cellulose fabric, among others. Additionally, the SAPs preferably are provided with a moisture content of greater than approximately 2 percent, by weight, thereby improving the flame-retarding characteristics of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne M. Newton, Jim J. Sheu, Carla G. Wilson, Mark I. Shmukler, Jennifer R. Meeks
  • Patent number: 6169835
    Abstract: An inner layer of strands comprises at least one strand; each strand consists of three or four twisted elementary fibers without any central elementary fiber. The ratio of the twist pitch of the strand to its diameter is between 7 and 19. The inner layer may be surrounded by an outer layer which also comprises twisted strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Emmanuel Lambert
  • Patent number: 6157761
    Abstract: A composite rod rigid in compression is sufficiently flexible to be wound round a reel that is less than three meters in diameter. The rod comprises at least three parts: a core including at least one data transmission element, a layer made of steel reinforcing wires, and a composite layer made of embedded fibers. In a variant, steel wires are substantially parallel to the axis of the core. Application of the rod is to displacement of measuring instruments in a well or pipe comprising a greatly inclined section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Christian Wittrisch
  • Patent number: 6151434
    Abstract: A cable comprises a leakproof tube containing at least one optical fiber together with a filler material which holds the fiber(s) in place inside the tube and which provides the tube with longitudinal sealing. The filling ratio of the fiber-holding material is less than a determined limit so as to provide at least one expansion volume inside the tube so that the partial pressure of hydrogen remains low enough to avoid giving rise to significant attenuation in the transmission properties of the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Jean Pierre Bonicel
  • Patent number: 6148130
    Abstract: A cable assembly having predetermined discrete locations for subsequent connectorization is provided. The cable assembly of the present invention includes at least one conductor that may be an optical fiber or standard electrical wire conductor or any other type of conductor. The cable assembly also includes at least one layer of protective coating over the conductor. At least one prescored area is formed in the protective coating during the manufacturing process to provide for ease of connectorization in the field. Preferably, cable stripping is accomplished without the need for any tooling as a result of the prescored area formed in the protective coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Lee, Gordon D. Henson, Michael A. Meis
  • Patent number: 6134360
    Abstract: A sleeve for retaining a plurality of optical fibers in a close or contacting relationship is provided. The sleeve has a bore receiving a number of optical fibers. The internal surface of the bore is such that when that number of optical fibers are contained therein the bore surface defines a perimeter substantially equally spaced about the external surfaces of the optical fibers. Advantageously the sleeve of the present invention may be sealed about the plurality of fibers by vitrification or adhesive to support the fibers or fiber ends without causing unequally distributed stress in the fibers. Signal quality is thus better assured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Inc.
    Inventors: Yihao Cheng, Neil Teitelbaum, Jozef Finak
  • Patent number: 6115522
    Abstract: A mono-fiber type optical fiber cord comprising: a coated optical fiber which is an optical fiber with a fiber coat therearound, a synthetic resin coat having a substantially rectangular sectional surface for further covering the coated optical fiber, and a reinforcing member within the coat for coated optical fiber, wherein the reinforcing member is located along one of the shorter sides of the coat in the substantially parallel direction with the shorter sides in such a manner as to be embedded along the longitudinally extending direction of the coated optical fiber. An optical cord ribbon is formed by mutually bonding the longer sides of the adjacent substantially rectangular sectional surfaces of a plurality of the mono-fiber type optical fiber cords, and thereafter by coating the external surface of the thus aligned optical fiber cords by a bundling coating method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Tachikura, Hajime Takemoto, Shigenori Uruno, Isao Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 6108475
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable having stress indicating means and a method for making same. The stress indicating means provides a cost effective method for determining whether an optical cable has been bent, stressed or otherwise mishandled, which may cause optical loss when the cable is placed in service. Broadly stated, the fiber optic cable according to the instant invention includes an optical fiber, comprised of a core and a cladding and a stress indicator concentrically disposed about the fiber that changes color when subjected to stress. A technician can thereby visually identify cables that have been bent or mishandled and subject them to testing before installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: John T. Chapin, Terry D. Mathis, Montri Viriyayuthakorn
  • Patent number: 6067394
    Abstract: A modular optical transmission cable which has several reinforcement and optical modules, each optical module having:a sheathed optical fiber, coated with:an intermediate decoupling layer, and witha rigid shell forming a microcarrier,a reinforcement module being associated with an optical module, the modules being molded in an external sheath. A flexible reinforcement module is associated with at least one optical module that is self-reinforced against compression in order to obtain a cable having high flexibility combined with high compressive strength. The disclosure can be applied in the field of optical fiber cables and especially that of the reinforcement structures of such cables and fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: France Telecom, S.A.
    Inventors: Yves Ruello, Jean-Pierre Louboutin, Annie Morgand
  • Patent number: 6061488
    Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a single optical fiber or a bundle of optical fibers extending inside a metal tube, the optical cable including a braided ceramic sheath interposed between the fiber(s) and the metal tube, said metal tube holding said fibers in place by compressing said sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Auxitroc S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Lhuillier, Jean-Marie Houard
  • Patent number: 6057018
    Abstract: A telecommunications cable includes an extruded plastic member formed of an extruded blend of a nonplasticized polyvinyl chloride and an ether-based polyurethane. The blend may be used in the extrusion of tubes or ribbons holding light waveguides or metallic conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventor: Ilona W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6052501
    Abstract: The cable includes optical fibers (1) enclosed in an outer sheath (2) having elongate reinforcing members (4) embedded therein, disposed in two diametrically opposite groups (3) each comprising a plurality of mutually tangential reinforcing members (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: SAT (Societe Anonyme de Telecommunications)
    Inventor: Patrick Jamet
  • Patent number: 6028975
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable is provided with a thermal shield which consists (proceeding outward from the cable) of a temperature insulating layer of a foam plastic such as polyethylene, a plastic film wrap such as aluminized nylon, a metallic braid such as tinned copper and an outer jacket of plastic as additional temperature insulation and to facilitate pulling the cable. The film wrap and outer jacket are optional. For further shielding a second layer of foam plastic may be positioned outside the first metallic braid followed by a second plastic film wrap, a second metallic braid and an outer plastic jacket. If the shielded cable is near a source of heat, such as a hot water pipe or an air conditioning duct, the fiber optic cable temperature is uniform throughout its cross-section. Without the thermal shield instability of the signals in different fibers may occur because of heat differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard L. Davidson
  • Patent number: 6014487
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) includes a tube section (20) and an sheath section (40). Between tube and sheath sections (20,40) is a series of general interstices (S), each general interstice (S) comprises a respective set of sub-interstices (S1,S2,S3). Each general interstice (S) comprises a respective interstitial assembly (30). Each interstitial assembly (30) provides crush strength resistance and water blocking features to fiber optic cable (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Larry W. Field, Eric R. Logan, Katharine Newton, Richard S. Wagman
  • Patent number: 6003565
    Abstract: A cable wrap fabric for protecting a communications cable is woven of fiberglass yarns plied with or without low melt thermoplastic yarns, and water swellable superabsorbent yarns. The water swellable superabsorbent yarns are interspersed at spaced intervals within the fiberglass yarns. The fiberglass yarns dissipate heat energy created by lightning strikes or excessive thermal shocks. The superabsorbent water swellable yarns block the progression of water through the cable. The low melt thermoplastic yarns, if used, fuse the other component yarns of the fabric together so that the fabric can be slit into the required tape widths without excessive yarn fraying at the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: BGF Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Whittier, II, Robert J. Dunnagan, Blair W. Jenkins, William C. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 5982967
    Abstract: The present invention provides a color-coded optical fiber cable and a method for manufacturing the color-coded optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable of the present invention comprises a glass fiber, a buffer surrounding the fiber, which may be comprised of nylon, an aramid fiber strength member surrounding the fiber buffer, and an outer sheath surrounding the aramid fiber strength member. In accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, optical fiber cables are color coded by using aramid fiber strength members of different colors. Once a color-coded aramid fiber strength member has been placed about the fiber buffer, it is surrounded by a light-transmissive outer sheath so that the color of the aramid fiber strength member can be easily ascertained, even when the optical fiber cable is wound up on a reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Terry D. Mathis, John T. Chapin, Montri Viriyayuthakorn
  • Patent number: 5978536
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable including at least one module with at least two optical fibers enveloped by a plastic covering, a plastic sheath around the module, and tensile-resistant fibrous yarn strands arranged between the module and the plastic sheath. The sheath and the module are decoupled during manufacture by separate pulls on the module and yarn strands. The yarn strands are caused to adhere uniformly to the sheath, so that any stress to which the sheath is subjected in service is distributed uniformly within the core. The uniform adherence is preferably caused by one or more flexing actions performed on the cable during manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi E Sistemi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giovanni Brandi, Massimo Pizzorno
  • Patent number: 5963701
    Abstract: This invention relates to a plastic optical fiber having a three-layer structure comprising a core, a cladding and a protective layer wherein the core material is polymethyl methacrylate and the cladding material is a copolymer composed of 20 to 45% by weight of long-chain fluoroalkyl methacrylate units represented by the following formula (1), 54 to 79% by weight of methyl methacrylate units, and 0.05 to 2% by weight of methacrylic acid units. This invention also relates to a plastic optical fiber cable having a four-layer structure wherein the optical fiber cable is produced by covering the aforesaid optical fiber with a jacket layer.CH.sub.2 .dbd.C(CH.sub.3)--COO--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 (CF.sub.2).sub.7 CF.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Nakamura, Jun Okumura, Kikue Irie, Makoto Muro, Jun Kamo, Katsuhiko Shimada
  • Patent number: 5937127
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad-core optical conduit surround by multiple layers of jackets and a method of manufacturing the same. The jackets are formed with a thickness and index of refraction that is preferred for generating an aura effect. The aura effect appears when light transmitted through the core appears to be traveling seamlessly through the entire core, cladding and jackets and may even appear to illuminate the space surrounding the outer most jacket, thus, producing an aura that makes the fiber optic conduit appear larger than it is. The preferred embodiment may include interlacing layers of materials that provide optical characteristics, such as dichroic and holographic films, that are enhanced by the aura effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lumenyte International, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Zarian, Gregg S Whitaker, John A Robbins, Paul E Robbins
  • Patent number: 5920671
    Abstract: An improved cable assembly is provided having a signal transmission core. A first jacket is disposed about the signal transmission core. A first strength member array is disposed about the first jacket. The strength member array is defined by at least two synthetic fibrous strength members which are each comprised of a plurality of filaments. Each strength member is disposed within an individual friction reducing layer. A second jacket is disposed about the strength member array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: John David Smith
  • Patent number: 5915059
    Abstract: An optical fiber has a core structure and a first coating layer covering the core structure. The optical fiber, after being twisted, is covered at its outer side with a second coating layer. The second coating layer is higher in Young's modulus than the first coating layer. As a result, the twisting of the optical fiber is stably retained by the second coating layer. Further, an outer force coming from the second coating layer is absorbed by a soft first coating layer, so that no compressive force acts on a core and cladding in the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masao Takahashi, Sakae Ikuta, Keiko Matsumoto, Kiyohisa Terai
  • Patent number: 5910365
    Abstract: A self-extinguishing cable releasing low quantities of toxic and corrosive smokes and gases for optical or electrical applications, comprises a self-extinguishing coating (3), releasing low quantities of toxic and corrosive fumes and gases, comprising:a) a polymer base including from 30 to 60 parts of a thermoplastic polyester and from 40 to 70 parts of a silicone-polyimide polymer;b) at least 0.5 parts of an anti-hydrolysis agent of the thermoplastic polyester and at least 0.25 parts of a selected antioxidant agent per each 100 parts by weight of the polymer base.Advantageously, the antioxidant agent is so selected that the coating (3) has a value of percent elongation at break not lower than 80% of the starting value and in any case not lower than 250%, after a 10-day aging at 175.degree. C. in a hot air oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luca Castellani
  • Patent number: 5901267
    Abstract: An optical fiber having continuous spot-illumination thereupon, wherein the continuous illumination spot are realized by cutting away a plurality of cladding from the fiber till exposes the core under the micro-windows and let the light wave guided within the core emit form those micro-windows, therefore, this fiber can provide uniform radial illumination in spot manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Jean Hway Lee
  • Patent number: 5898811
    Abstract: A visually-distinguishable fiber pair in a shared coating, a method for making uncoated visually-distinguishable fiber, and a fiber-optic system using a visually-distinguishable fiber and a dark fiber in a shared coating are disclosed. To form the visually-distinguishable fiber, a marker is incorporated onto or into uncoated optical fiber. The marker can be applied to the cladding of the fiber, to a buffer layer disposed on the cladding layer, or integrated in a boule from which an optical fiber is drawn. In a further aspect, a marked fiber is paired with an unmarked fiber or a differently-marked fiber creating a visually-distinguishable fiber pair. The distinguishable paired fibers are then coated with plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David DiGiovanni, Joseph E. Ford
  • Patent number: 5878179
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device having a first laminate and a second laminate between which are disposed a first plurality of optical components arranged in a first plane. At least one of the first laminate and the second laminate includes a first layer having high mechanical strength and a second layer having high compressibility. Preferably, the laminate further includes adhesive for affixing the optical components. More preferably, the adhesive is an adhesive layer. The first layer has a tensile strength of 8,000-15,000 psi and the second layer has a density between 0.6 g/cm.sup.3 and 1.8 g/cm.sup.3. Preferably, the second layer is made from expanded PTFE. The adhesive layer is either a pressure-sensitive adhesive or is selected from the group of adhesives having the properties that it is tacky at room temperature and pressure and hardens at a temperature between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Inventor: Ulrich Schricker
  • Patent number: 5838862
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tight buffered optical waveguide fiber which includes an optical waveguide fiber, a first protective coating which surrounds and is in contact with an external surface of the optical waveguide fiber and an interfacial layer which surrounds and is in contact with an external surface of the first protective coating. The interfacial layer includes a surfactant and an antifoaming agent. The tight buffered optical waveguide fiber further includes a second protective coating which surrounds and is in contact with an external surface of the interfacial layer. The present invention further relates to a method of producing the tight buffered optical waveguide fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: Ching-Kee Chien
  • Patent number: 5825958
    Abstract: A hand held laser device is disclosed including a handpiece coupled to a source of laser energy by an optical fiber cable. A bias tensile stress is exerted on the fiber when the fiber and outer sheathing or tube are straight in-line. The bias tensile stress reduces compressional stress on the fiber when the fiber cable is bent. Moreover, the fiber is coupled to a disposable fiber in the handpiece to output light from the laser to a target area. The two fibers are precisely spaced close to one another to permit substantial lossless transmission of light without lenses or other focusing optics. Further, precision bearing devices are provided at opposite ends of the fiber cable in order to reduce torque on the fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Pharos Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Gollihar, Larry G. DeShazer, Scott Bradley
  • Patent number: 5825956
    Abstract: The cable (1) comprises a plurality of optical fibre micro-modules (2) grouped together inside an external sheath (4). The external portion of the latter has four bosses (5) moulded integral therewith and which extend along the entire length of the cable and form, along the generating lines of the cable, four diametrically opposed ribs. These bosses, by creating a special arrangement for application to the cable of compressive forces, produce an improvement in crushing strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Cables Pirelli
    Inventors: Bernard Michel Missout, Herve Heude, Pierre Laroche
  • Patent number: 5796905
    Abstract: In an optical fiber (1) with a coating (8) for the cladding of one or more plastic layers containing the fiber core and a color marking (3) on or in the outer plastic layer, the color marking (3) is covered by a further transparent or translucent layer (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Kabel Rheydt Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Hoffart, Jurgen Rosenkranz, Franz-Peter Bartling, Bertram Glessner, Hans-Jurgen Lysson
  • Patent number: 5789471
    Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composition includes an active fluorescence or phosfluorescence inducing agent which causes the composition to emit a brighter or hotter appearing light, as compared to conventional PVC compositions, when exposed to white light. In one form, the PVC composition includes barium diphenylaminesulfonate as an additive in a clear or transparent composition and light passing through the composition appears to be hotter than the impinging light. In another form, the additive is barium carbonate and the PVC includes a tinting agent to induce a colored glow when exposed to white light. In all forms, the fluorescence or phosfluorescence inducing agent is selected from a class of materials having the characteristics of creating a compound having an outer electron shell which will permit an electron shift between shells when exposed to light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Super Vision International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Caruso
  • Patent number: 5787217
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable core structure has a plurality of fiber optic mini-bundles, each of which includes a plurality of optical fibers bonded together in a first curable material. The fiber optic mini-bundles in turn are bonded together as a unitary structure by a second curable material, and the resulting structure is wrapped in a metal tube-like ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Simplex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Traut, Gregory N. Fontaine
  • Patent number: 5754718
    Abstract: A hybrid filter includes a dichroic interference WDM filter closely coupled with a Bragg grating. Preferably the Bragg grating is housed within a sleeve having an end face that is directly coupled with an end face lens of the WDM interference filter. The entire filter can be placed within a single housing and temperature controlled. Etalon effects are lessened by placing the Bragg grating as close as possible to the WDM filter. Multiple hybrid filters of this type optically coupled to an optical circulator provided multi-channel demultiplexing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: JDS Fitel Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Duck, Yihao Cheng, Mark Farries
  • Patent number: 5706382
    Abstract: An improved cable assembly is provided which comprises covered, wrapped, or coated synthetic strength members to enhance the mechanical properties of the cable in a dynamic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: J. David Smith
  • Patent number: 5703984
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical fiber cable containing a plurality of optical fibers split up into modules, each module being covered with a supporting sheath in contact with the outer optical fibers of the module so as to hold the optical fibers contained in said module tightly so that they are mechanically coupled to one another, the entire set of modules being disposed inside a covering made of an insulating material, which covering is in contact with the outer modules of the set of modules so as to form a compact assembly comprising all of the modules;wherein each optical fiber has a cut-off wavelength of not more than 1,350 nm, and, at a wavelength in the vicinity of 1,550 nm, has a mode field diameter lying in the range 7 .mu.m to 9 .mu.m, and wherein each optical fiber is provided with a substantially hermetic coating on its optical cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventors: Michel Carratt, Michel de Vecchis
  • Patent number: 5698615
    Abstract: A cable has a filling compound (CA1, CA2) containing a swelling powder and at least one additive substance. This additive substance is mixed with the swelling powder and lies between the particles of the swelling powder to provide good water accessibility to the individual particles of the swelling powder given an incursion of water throughout the cable interspaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hubert Polle
  • Patent number: 5657410
    Abstract: Filler for an optical transmission element having at least one optical waveguideThe filler for an optical transmission element containing at least one optical waveguide contains a plasticizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ingeburg Fehn, Rainer Kamps
  • Patent number: 5649042
    Abstract: A pre-connectorized loose tube cable protects the optical fibers as the fibers are being routed from the end of an outer sheath to the fiber distribution shelf. The pre-connectorized loose tube cable has a plurality of flexible tubes which are connected to a respective plurality of buffer tubes. The flexible tubes are securely attached to the ends of the buffer tubes and to the pre-connectorized loose tube cable by a capping epoxy and by heat shrinks. The flexible tube has a wall thickness which is greater than the minimum bend radius for the fibers. With such a wall thickness, the fibers are not bent past their minimum bend radius, and thus do not break, even if the flexible tube is bent up to an angle of one hundred eighty degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Masami Saito
  • Patent number: 5636307
    Abstract: The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin. The microcable is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, squeezing the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and then curing the resin with ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Steven J. Cowen, Christopher M. Young, James H. Dombrowski
  • Patent number: 5636308
    Abstract: An optical-fiber cable containing at least one optical member, and at least one strength member constructed such that members are inserted in respective hollow cavities within a covering made of thermoplastic. The cavities are closed relative to the outside of the cable, and all the cavities receiving optical members communicate with one another, with at least two of the cavities communicating with each other. The members contained in the cavities that communicate with each other are coated with a viscous, non-adhering coating material preventing them from adhering to the thermoplastic covering so that the covering defines a central portion having at least two branches, the central portion containing no thermoplastic and being filled with the coating material. Each branch is terminated at one of its ends by a respective cavity communicating with other cavities and having its other end joined to the other ends of the other branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventors: Jacques Personne, Pierre Gaillard, Laurent Sevoz, Michel Lambert
  • Patent number: 5627932
    Abstract: Tight buffered optical fiber cables for indoor use as jumper or interconnect cables have a reduced outer diameter and nonetheless pass many recognized mechanical and environmental test procedures. A single optical fiber cable has an outer diameter of equal to or less than 1500 .mu.m, and a dual optical fiber cable has an outer diameter of equal to or less than 2000 .mu.m. A layer of loose tensile strength yarn is disposed between the tight buffered optical fiber or optical fibers and the outer jacket. The cables may be made of flame retardant materials for riser or plenum applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: David H. Kiel, Keith D. Church
  • Patent number: 5619606
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cable containing optical fibers, the cable including an optical core assembly surrounded by a plurality of mechanical reinforcing members made of a plastics material reinforced with reinforcing fibers, referred to as an "FRP" material, the reinforcing members being disposed helically around said core assembly so as to form a reinforcing tube, said reinforcing members having a thermal expansion coefficient that is lower than those of the remaining portions of said cable and a Young's modulus that is higher than those of the remaining portions of said cable other than said optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Bonicel
  • Patent number: 5615293
    Abstract: An improved fiber optic cable assembly is provided which has made integral therewith a strength member that may be gripped or rigorously pulled to facilitate the installation of the fiber optic cable assembly in a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Emile G. Sayegh
  • Patent number: 5539849
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an annular insulating core member is formed from an elastomeric material surrounding a plurality of optical fibers and maintaining the group of fibers in a predetermined configuration relative to each other. More specifically, the elastomeric material is characterized by its modulus at room temperature and its bonding to each color identified optical fiber being such as to hold together said fiber configuration while allowing interfiber movement and to facilitate the exposure of the individual optical fibers upon the application of peeling forces between the elastomeric material and an optical fiber without obfuscating the color identification of the optical fibers while providing suitable mechanical properties to maintain the integrity of the fiber configuration. Additionally, the insulating core member may be incorporated into a communication cable by enclosing the core member into a sheath system with an associated strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: James R. Petisce
  • Patent number: 5539851
    Abstract: A hybrid cable is implemented by a concentric arrangement of a central optical fiber encased by a sleeve of Kevlar and an outer jacket of FEP(Teflon) insulation and surrounded by an annular (hollow) electrical conductor consisting of two rows of 16 insulated strands each of 33 AWG. A second conductor made of braided copper strands concentrically surrounds the first conductor but is separated therefrom by a layer of FEP insulation. Another layer of insulation surrounds the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventors: John A. Taylor, Robert C. Bartlett
  • Patent number: RE36157
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat shrink clad core optical conduit and to an optical conduit having either a thermoplastic, thermoset or liquid, light transmitting core surrounded by, preferably a fluoropolymer cladding which is in turn surrounded by a tight-fitting, finish polymer jacket which may be either transparent or translucent, and is preferably made of a polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, acrylic or silicone material. Numerous fillers and inserts may be used in the finish jacket polymer and the finish jacket polymer may be formed into various shapes. Bondable jacket materials may be used. The preferred method of forming the manufacturing jacket around a heat shrinkable fluoropolymer cladding is by extruding a low extrusion temperature polymer over a heat shrink clad in its expanded form into which an increased interior pressure is maintained to prevent shrinkage during the extrusion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Lumenyte International Corp.
    Inventors: John A. Robbins, James R. Zarian, Sandford R. Willford