Lucent Technologies Inc.

Fitel USA Corporation

Other

Avaya Technology LLC

Agere Systems Guardian Corp.

Commscope Solutions Properties, LLC

Peter Michael Mueller

Ivan Pawlenko

Larry Samson

David S Kerr

Bassel Hage Daoud

Jason A Kay

David B Hollesen

Srinivas Vemury

Timothy James Lawlor

Lazhar Mazlout

Anthony D Parker

Gerald P Nunnally

An improved ice cream blending apparatus has a hopper support system that incorporates a hopper guidance mechanical linkage that supports the linear motion of the hopper and translates non-linear circular motion of the operating handle into the linear motion of the hopper.

Blending apparatus for ice cream

A heat source is formed within one piece of a multi-piece mold designed to shape a glass tube. The one piece of the mold can then be used as a source of intense heat to render the glass malleable and to also contribute to shaping the tube in conformance with the mold. In one embodiment, the heat source includes channels formed throughout the one piece of mold for distributing a gas therethrough with jets of gas emanating from the inner surface of the mold piece for heating the tube to be shaped to a desired temperature. In apparatus embodying the invention, there is no need for a separate torch and for moving the torch during the shaping process. Also, in accordance with the invention, better control of the heat supplied to the tube being shaped is obtained.

Mold incorporating a heat source and apparatus and method for using such molds

Apparatus for shaping a selected end region of a hollow cylindrical glass tube includes an internal mold placed within the selected end region for supporting the walls of the tube and controlling the shape of the internal surface of selected end region of the tube, during the period of time heat is applied to the tube and the tube is being shaped. In one embodiment the internal mold has a variable configuration and may be selectively set to an extended (open) configuration or to a collapsed (closed) configuration. With the internal mold set to its extended configuration, sufficient heat may be applied to the selected end region to render it malleable. Then, compression forces may be applied to the exterior surface of the tube to press the inner surface of the selected end region of the tube against the outer surface of the internal mold, causing the inner surface of the selected end region to conform to the outer surface of the internal mold. After the tube is shaped the internal mold may be set to its collapsed configuration and removed from the tube.

Internal adjustable mold apparatus for shaping the end of a fiber preform tube

A mold for shaping end portions of glass tubes has first and second mating members which define a contoured bore into which the heated tube fits. Each member has a longitudinal bore from which extend radial bores opening into the interior cavity of the mold containing the tube. Each member also has radial vent bores for venting gases and vapor to the outside. Each longitudinal bore is connected to a lubricant, such as water, supply, which is applied to the surface of the tube through the radial bores.

Lubricated glass mold

A compliant collet chuck for firmly clamping a workpiece has a base member attachable to the faceplate or spindle of a lathe. The base member has a central bore having a tapered portion and which is surrounding by a channel. A bayonet cylinder occupies the channel and has circumferential bayonet slots which receive eccentric locking pins therein. An adjustable collet chuck has a tapered portion at one end that bears against the tapered bore in the base member and a second tapered portion at the other end. An axial free play nut having a tapered bore, which is adapted to bear against the second taper, is threaded into the bayonet cylinder, and rotation thereof produces through the tapers, a radial force to compress the central bore of the chuck to grip the workpiece. Rotation of the actuating pins flexes the bayonet beam to lock the workpiece in place within the chuck.

Compliant collet chuck

An extrusion system for producing a desired extrusion profile on a continuously moving work piece has a die containing two or more pressurized fluid extrusion cells therein, through which the work piece passes. Fluid under pressure id directed against the work piece to shape it without physical contact between the die and the work piece. The individual extrusion cells are configured to produce the desired profile, which is monitored by a non-contact metering member which applies signals to a processing unit which, in turn, applies correction signals to a pressured fluid supply module to control the pressurized fluid supply to each of the extrusion cells.

Contactless extrusion apparatus

Apparatus for shaping a selected end region and the opening at a selected end of a hollow cylindrical glass tube includes a support member for holding and rotating the tube in a controlled manner and a heat source for supplying sufficient heat to the selected end region of the tube to place it in a malleable state. The apparatus also includes an actuatable mechanical holding means for holding a multi piece mold and for selectively applying the mold to the selected end region of the tube, when the tube is rendered malleable, for shaping the selected end region of the tube including its rim and for controlling the inner diameter of the tube throughout its end region. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a temperature sensor for controlling the operation of the mechanical holding means and the action of the heat source and a micro-controller for automatically activating the application and retraction of the mold.

Apparatus for shaping glass tubes

A hydrostatic guidance system for the torch carriage used in an MCVD system has a plurality of air bearings mounted on the carriage and a pressurized fluid manifold device for routing pressurized fluid, such as air, to the several air bearings. The several bearings are located and oriented on the carriage adjacent the rails or ways of the lathe bed so that the carriage is made to float, contact free, over the ways for smooth, jerk free movement. The manifold house valve adjustments for controlling the amount of air routed to each air bearing, and the spacing of each bearing from the adjacent way is controlled by adjustable studs having the air bearings mounted on the ends thereof.

Hydrostatic guidance of moving lathe carriage

A mold for shaping the end region and the opening at a selected end of a first, hollow, generally cylindrical, glass tube to enable a second tube, of smaller diameter than the first tube, to be inserted snuggly a first distance within the selected end of the first tube resulting in the two tubes nesting and being self-centered. The mold includes two complementary elongated side pieces having inner side surfaces for, when joined, encircling the periphery of the first tube along a given portion of its selected end region, and an end cap with a cylindrical stub for insertion within the opening of the first tube at its selected end. The two elongated side pieces and the end cap stub are shaped and interact to cause a gradual tapering and narrowing of the inner diameter of the first tube from a first point to a second point along the first tube, where the second point is at the first distance from the selected end of the first tube, and to also cause an enlargement of the inner diameter of the first tube from the second point until the end edge of the first tube. The inner diameter of the first tube at the second point is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the second tube, while the inner diameter of the first tube, between the second point and the end of the tube, is just slightly greater than the outer diameter of the second tube.

Apparatus and method for shaping glass tubes with molds

A method and apparatus for maintaining the pressure in an overclad tube at a reduced level despite axial movement of the tube during performance of an RIT overcladding operation. The overcladding tube is held by means of the lathe chuck, and a tubular extension of a rotary union member extends into the tube. The distal end of the extension has a sealing member replaceably mounted thereon which forms a seal with the interior wall of the tube. A vacuum source thus is enabled to connect to the interior of the overcladding tube through the rotary union, the extension tube, and the seal.

Method and apparatus for overcladding a glass rod

In accordance with the invention, a preform from which fiber optics are drawn is fabricated by supplying reactants and gas vapors to the preform and by using two opposing forces to control the movement of a heat source supplying heat to the preform. The two forces function to reduce any hesitation or backlash in the movement of the heat source along predetermined portions of the preform to enable uniform layers to be formed within the preform.

MCVD apparatus having two opposing motors to eliminate backlash in burner motion

A pressure monitoring system for use in monitoring gas pressure within a rotating tube has a chemical delivery tube which projects into the rotating tube and whose distal end is sealed to the interior wall of the tube. A coaxial tube surrounds the delivery tube and forms a passageway between the two tubes which is in communication with the rotating tube interior through the seal mounting means. The gas pressure within the passageway is an indication of the pressure within the rotating tube, and is measured within a pressure monitoring unit which can control the pressure through the gas supply or through a low pressure device. In a second embodiment of the invention, a buffer gas supply coupling member is mounted to the coaxial tube and sealed to the exterior of the rotating tube to create a buffer zone. In a third embodiment of the invention, the buffer zone arrangement is modified to produce a more complete flow of buffer gases within the buffer zone.

Pressure monitoring system using disposable seals

A direct drive system for use in, for example, the MCVD process, includes a motor housing affixed to a lathe headstock which contains electrical motor windings, and forms the stator of the motor. A hollow rotatable spindle is contained within the headstock housing and has winding and commutator magnets, thereby forming the armature of the motor. A chuck mounted on the spindle grasps the primary exhaust portion of a starter tube which intrudes into a sealed chamber within the spindle. A secondary exhaust tube intrudes into the chamber forms the other end thereof, and is attached to a low pressure source. Bores in the motor housing permit introduction of a flushing gas into the chamber which, in operation, sweeps the gases out of the tubes and chamber, thereby flushing out the starter tube. An encoded disk on the armature and a detector on the motor housing produce pulse signals indicative of the speed of rotation of the spindle and the rotational position thereof and the signals are applied to a processor for controlling the motor rotational speed.

Direct drive spindle for use in chemical vapor deposition

Apparatus embodying the invention includes first and second motors coupled to a carriage assembly for moving the carriage assembly back and forth between first and second end points. The first motor is for developing a force to drive the carriage in one direction and the second motor is for developing a force to drive the carriage in an opposite, second direction. When the first motor causes the movement of the carriage in one direction, the slowing, stopping and reversal of the carriage is achieved by varying the power supplied to the second motor relative to the power supplied to the first motor until the force exerted by the second motor first equals and then exceeds the force exerted by the second motor. So operated, the carriage motion is well controlled and exhibits little, if any, backlash.

Reduced backlash translating system

A hydrostatic guidance system for a moving carriage upon a lathe bed or other such machining has a plurality of fluid, preferably air bearings mounted on the carriage and a pressurized fluid manifold device for routing the pressurized fluid to the air bearings. The several air bearings are located and oriented on the carriage adjacent the rails or ways of the machine so that the carriage is made to float, contact free, over the ways for smooth, jerk free movement. At least one of the air bearings is mounted on the distal end of a bendable beam which, under pressure of the air, maintains the gap between the bearing and the way despite variations in the straightness or linearity of the way so as to maintain a uniform velocity profile.

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Suwanee, GA, United States of America

Peter Michael Mueller