The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 03, 2000
Kenneth Falkowich, Old Saybrook, CT (US);
Christopher Chestnut, Ellington, CT (US);
Christopher Chipman, Scotland, CT (US);
Thomas Engel, East Hampton, CT (US);
Robert Markoja, Cheshire, CT (US);
Phillip E. Pruett, Wallingford, CT (US);
Robert A. Rubino, Tolland, CT (US);
Jeffrey Bonja, Avon, CT (US);
Edward Laffitte, Middletown, CT (US);
Weatherford/Lamb, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A fiber optic transmission cable fiber protector includes a splice tube positioned over the ends of a pair of fiber optic cables having an outer capillary tube containing at least one optical fiber within an inner capillary tube. The optical fiber protector includes a pair of optical fiber strain relief mechanism positioned near the ends of the optical fibers; the strain relief mechanisms are captured within a heat sink tube that is inserted into each end of the outer capillary tubes. The splice tube is welded to the outer capillary tubes. Heat generated by the welding process dissipated by the heat sink and gases generated during the welding process are vented through a hole in the outer capillary tube into the optical fiber splice area. In an alternate embodiment a weld coupling is welded to each end of the splice tube and is further welded to the outer capillary tubes. A sealing mechanism is positioned on the inner capillary tubes within the outer capillary tubes forming a seal therebetween. A splice protection sleeve is positioned over the optical fiber splice area to protect the splice during assembly of the protector. In an alternative embodiment an optical fiber protector assembly includes a carrier tube disposed onto the inner capillary tube and an optical fiber strain relief mechanism positioned within the carrier tube near the end of the optical fiber capturing the fiber therein in a strain relieved condition.