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. 08, 2009
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2007
Optical fiber assemblies having relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder and methods therefor
Anne G. Bringuier, Taylorsville, NC (US);
Warren W. Mcalpine, Hickory, NC (US);
Christopher M. Quinn, Hickory, NC (US);
John A. Rowe, Winston Salem, NC (US);
Dave A. Seddon, Hickory, NC (US);
Catharina L. Tedder, Catawba, NC (US);
Gilbert D. Tugman, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Brian S. Witz, Greensboro, NC (US);
George Ndayizeye, Charlotte, NC (US);
Anne G. Bringuier, Taylorsville, NC (US);
Warren W. McAlpine, Hickory, NC (US);
Christopher M. Quinn, Hickory, NC (US);
John A. Rowe, Winston Salem, NC (US);
Dave A. Seddon, Hickory, NC (US);
Catharina L. Tedder, Catawba, NC (US);
Gilbert D. Tugman, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Brian S. Witz, Greensboro, NC (US);
George Ndayizeye, Charlotte, NC (US);
Corning Cable Systems LLC, Hickory, NC (US);
Abstract
Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.