US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Michael L Steelman

Calvin Wayne Long

Paul B Ruffin

Kenneth A Corbett

Charles A Mandy, Jr

William J Taylor

Lonnie Wayne Ables

The invented methods provide a means for reducing or eliminating manual astments that are required during the fabrication (winding) of fiber optic dispensers. This reduction is accomplished through the use of a fiber placement pattern that is permanently generated on the bobbin winding surface. Filaments, such as optical fibers, are precisely guided during the winding of subsequent filament layers by the embedded crossover pattern baselayer. The embedded crossover pattern baselayer is generated by first winding in a given direction a wire of a pre-selected diameter upon the polymer coating on the bobbin surface. The polymer is allowed to cure partially before the wire is unwound and removed. Afterwards a pre-selected optical fiber is wound in the direction opposite that of the wire winding direction thereby creating crossover patterns which are, then, manually adjusted to be in desired locations on the bobbin axis. The optical fiber is removed and the polymer is allowed to cure to a rigid, noncompliant state, thereby generating the embedded crossover pattern baselayer.

Method for creating embedded crossover pattern baselayer

Reduction of the surface friction of a cured elastomer, sealant or adhesive s accomplished through the use of a dry lubricant such as hexagonal boron nitride powder either as an additive to the uncured polymer mix or applied to the uncured polymer surface prior to effecting a cure.

Methods for reducing surface friction in fiber optic dispensers

A sprayer of an elongated shape receives a desired liquid from an outside urce and spray-applies the liquid onto a fiber in response to motivating force provided by pressurized gas. The unsprayed, virgin fiber enters the sprayer through an inlet hole, is sprayed on with the liquid as it travels the width of the sprayer and exits the sprayer as a sprayed fiber through an exit hole. The pressure of the motivating gas can be varied to provide the optimum jettisoning force for a selected liquid, taking into consideration the viscosity, volatility and other pertinent characteristics of the liquid.

Chambered spray-application system

A device for applying adhesive onto a fiber, such as an optical fiber, is located between the fiber supply spool and rewinder and comprises a covered cup for holding liquid adhesive, and a drying chamber. The cup has first and second bores for passing the fiber therethrough and is suitably insulated from external temperature changes. The entrance of the drying chamber is coupled to a side of the cup so that it surrounds the second bore.

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Madison, AL, United States of America

Michael L Steelman