John D Shea

US Patent:

52058905, Apr 27, 1993

Filed:

Sep 11, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/758172

Inventors:

Ralph J. Darsey - Lawrenceville GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA
Carl R. Taylor - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

B65H 5500
B65H 5504

US Classification:

156169

Abstract:

An optical fiber package (52) includes a length of optical fiber (22) wound in a plurality of convolutions on a bobbin (50). In order to maintain the convolutions in a precision wound package and to prevent snags during payout, it is necessary that each convolution of optical fiber be adhered to at least a portion of an adjacent convolution. This is accomplished by providing the length of optical fiber with an adhesive material (32) which is not tacky at room temperature but which becomes tacky at a predetermined temperature. After the convolutions have been wound on the bobbin, the bobbin is treated to cause the adhesive material to become tacky and cause each convolution to adhere to at least a portion of adjacent convolutions. Suitable adhesion is caused to occur with any adhesive material for which molecular bonding can occur across the interface between contiguous portions of adjacent convolutions as a result of suitable treatment. The adhesion between convolutions is sufficient to cause a precision wound package to be maintained, but is such as to allow separation of each convolution from an adjacent convolution during payout without the occurrence of breaks.

US Patent:

49500490, Aug 21, 1990

Filed:

Feb 28, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/316615

Inventors:

Ralph J. Darsey - Lawrenceville GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA
Carl R. Taylor - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 610
B05D 506
B32B 3100

US Classification:

350 9630

Abstract:

An optical fiber package (52) includes a length of optical fiber (22) wound in a plurality of convolutions on a bobbin (50). In order to maintain the convolutions in a precision wound package and to prevent snags during payout, it is necessary that each convolution of optical fiber be adhered to at least a portion of an adjacent convolution. This is accomplished by providing the length of optical fiber with an adhesive material (32) which is not tacky at room temperature but which becomes tacky at a predetermined temperature. After the convolutions have been wound on the bobbin, the bobbin is treated to cause the adhesive material to become tacky and cause each convolution to adhere to at least a portion of adjacent convolutions. Suitable adhesion is caused to occur with any adhesive material for which molecular bonding can occur across the interface between contiguous portions of adjacent convolutions as a result of suitable treatment. The adhesion between convolutions is sufficient to cause a precision wound package to be maintained, but is such as to allow separation of each convolution from an adjacent convolution during payout without the occurrence of breaks.

US Patent:

50333895, Jul 23, 1991

Filed:

Mar 26, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/499105

Inventors:

Ralph J. Darsey - Lawrenceville GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA
Carl R. Taylor - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

F41G 732
F42B 1504

US Classification:

102504

Abstract:

An optical fiber package (52) includes a length of optical fiber (22) wound in a plurality of convolutions on a bobbin (50). In order to maintain the convolutions in a precision wound package and to prevent snags during payout, it is necessary that each convolution of optical fiber be adhered to at least a portion of an adjacent convolution. This is accomplished by providing the length of optical fiber with an adhesive material (32) which is not tacky at room temperature but which becomes tacky at a predetermined temperature. After the convolutions have been wound on the bobbin, the bobbin is treated to cause the adhesive material to become tacky and cause each convolution to adhere to at least a portion of adjacent convolutions. Suitable adhesion is caused to occur with any adhesive material for which molecular bonding can occur across the interface between contiguous portions of adjacent convolutions as a result of suitable treatment. The adhesion between convolutions is sufficient to cause a precision wound package to be maintained, but is such as to allow separation of each convolution from an adjacent convolution during payout without the occurrence of breaks.

US Patent:

51044331, Apr 14, 1992

Filed:

May 29, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/529992

Inventors:

J. Thomas Chapin - Alpharetta GA
Addison G. Hardee - Dunwoody GA
Charles M. Leshe - Lawrenceville GA
Bob J. Overton - Lawrenceville GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA
Carl R. Taylor - Lawrenceville GA
John M. Turnipseed - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

C03C 2502

US Classification:

65 31

Abstract:

Methods are provided for making an optical fiber transmission medium which includes optical fiber (21) provided with a coating system (31) typically including two layers each of a different coating material. An inner layer (32) of a first coating material is called the primary coating and an outer layer is termed the secondary. In order to achieve desired performance characteristics, performance is related to properties of a coating system. The coating materials have well defined moduli and the second coating material has an elongation which is substantially less than in prior secondary coating materials. Adhesion levels which are optimized rather than maximized are substantially stable with respect to time. Curing of the coating materials may be accomplished simultaneously or in tandem with the application separately of the coating materials.

US Patent:

50112600, Apr 30, 1991

Filed:

Jul 26, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/385755

Inventors:

M. Fred Marx - Dunwoody GA
Parry A. Moss - Stone Mountain GA
Mary J. Presnell - Atlanta GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 644
B05B 500
B05D 506
B65H 6902

US Classification:

350 9623

Abstract:

A buffered optical fiber (20) includes an optical fiber (21) comprising a core and a cladding. Typically, the optical fiber is enclosed by at least one layer (23) of coating material. The optical fiber is enclosed by a plastic buffer layer (30). Interposed between the optical fiber and the buffer layer is a decoupling material (40) which provides a controlled coupling of the buffer layer to the underlying coating material. As a result, there is sufficient adhesion between the buffer layer and the underlying coating material to maintain the buffer layer in place during normal use of the buffered optical fiber. On the other hand, the adhesion is low enough so that the buffer layer may be removed upon the application of resonably low stripping forces. Advantageously, the decoupling material also allows the selective removal of the optical fiber coating material as well as the plastic buffer layer.

US Patent:

52436756, Sep 7, 1993

Filed:

Apr 16, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/869405

Inventors:

Krishnaswamy Kathiresan - Marietta GA
Manuel R. Santana - Roswell GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA
Carl R. Taylor - Lawrenceville GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

385109

Abstract:

A hermetically sealed optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (21) comprising a plurality of optical fiber ribbons (22,22) disposed within a core tube (30) comprised of a high temperature resistant polymeric material. The core tube is disposed within a hermetic sealing member (40) which comprises a metal of low electrochemical activity having a sealed seam. An outer jacket (50) is disposed about the hermetic sealing member. The core may be filled with a waterblocking filling material (35). The material of the core tube undergoes only limited degradation because of the limited amount of oxygen and/or moisture trapped in the hermetically sealed cable. The filling material and/or other materials of the cable scavenge moisture and oxygen which travel longitudinally of the cable and reach portions of the cable subjected to a high temperature because of a leak in an adjacent steam line. The filling material and/or other materials are such that they cooperate with polymeric materials of the cable to prevent oxygen and humidity from degrading coating material of the optical fiber. Further, the filling material and the core tube are such that degradation of the core tube in the hermetically sealed cable is avoided.

US Patent:

49629921, Oct 16, 1990

Filed:

May 15, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/351984

Inventors:

J. Thomas Chapin - Alpharetta GA
Addison G. Hardee - Dunwoody GA
Charles M. Leshe - Lawrenceville GA
Bob J. Overton - Lawrenceville GA
John W. Shea - Chamblee GA
Carl R. Taylor - Lawrenceville GA
John M. Turnipseed - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

350 9623

Abstract:

An optical fiber transmission medium (30) ) includes optical fiber (21) provided with a coating system (31) typically including two layers each of a different coating material. An inner layer (32) of a first coating material is called the primary coating and an outer layer is termed the secondary. In order to achieve desired performance characteristics, performance is related to properties of a coating system. The coating materials have well defined moduli and the second coating material has an elongation which is substantially less than in prior secondary coating materials. Adhesion levels which are optimized rather than maximized are substantially stable with respect to time. Curing of the coating materials may be accomplished simultaneously or in tandem with the application separately of the coating materials.