Craig C Conrad

US Patent:

6792184, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Apr 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/411406

Inventors:

Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC
David W. Chiasson - Hickory NC
Bradley J. Blazer - Granite Falls NC
Eric R. Logan - Hickory NC

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 644

US Classification:

385114

Abstract:

A fiber optic ribbon having a predetermined separation sequence including a first subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a first primary matrix. The first subunit being a portion of a first ribbon-unit. A second subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a second primary matrix. The second subunit being a portion of a second ribbon-unit that includes a plurality of subunits. A secondary matrix connects the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit. The secondary matrix has a preferential tear portion disposed adjacent to a ribbon-unit interface defined between the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit.

US Patent:

6853783, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Feb 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/376786

Inventors:

David W. Chiasson - Hickory NC, US
Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US
Karen E. Williams - Hickory NC, US
Rodney D. Cline - Hickory NC, US
Terry L. Ellis - Hickory NC, US
Bradley J. Blazer - Granite Falls NC, US

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B006/44

US Classification:

385114

Abstract:

A fiber optic ribbon having a first subunit and a second subunit. The first and second subunits including a plurality of respective optical fibers being connected by respective primary matrices. The first and second subunits being generally aligned along a plane with a secondary matrix contacting portions of the first and second subunits. The secondary matrix having at least one end portion and at least one medial portion. The at least one medial portion and the at least one end portion of the secondary matrix are separated by a gap along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis, thereby defining a preferential tear portion. In other embodiments, the at least one medial portion is recessed relative to the at least one end portion.

US Patent:

7085459, Aug 1, 2006

Filed:

Jun 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/862508

Inventors:

Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US
David W. Chiasson - Hickory NC, US
Bradley J. Blazer - Granite Falls NC, US
Eric R. Logan - Hickory NC, US

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385114

Abstract:

A fiber optic ribbon having a predetermined separation sequence including a first subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a first primary matrix. The first subunit being a portion of a first ribbon-unit. A second subunit having a plurality of optical fibers arranged in a generally planar configuration being connected by a second primary matrix. The second subunit being a portion of a second ribbon-unit that includes a plurality of subunits. A secondary matrix connects the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit. The secondary matrix has a preferential tear portion disposed adjacent to a ribbon-unit interface defined between the first ribbon-unit and the second ribbon-unit.

US Patent:

7142752, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Apr 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/836715

Inventors:

David W. Chiasson - Edmonton, CA
Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US
William C. Hurley - Hickory NC, US
Donald R. Parris - Newton NC, US

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385100, 385102

Abstract:

A buffered optical waveguide includes an optical waveguide having a core, a cladding, and at least one coating and a buffer layer. The buffer layer being disposed around the optical waveguide for protecting the same so that the coupling/adhesion of the buffer layer is reduced. In one embodiment, at least one coating on the optical waveguides has an undulating profile for reducing contact area of the optical waveguide, thereby reducing coupling/adhesion of the buffer layer thereto. In another embodiment, the buffer layer has an internal profile with at least one recessed portion that extends along a longitudinal length of the buffer layer for reducing the contact area of the buffer layer for reducing coupling adhesion thereto. In preferred embodiments, the buffered optical waveguide is about 900 microns or smaller.

US Patent:

7206481, Apr 17, 2007

Filed:

Dec 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/018268

Inventors:

Christopher M. Quinn - Hickory NC, US
Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US
David W. Chiasson - Edmonton, CA

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems, LLC. - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385100, 112113

Abstract:

A plurality of fiber optic cables are manufactured as an assembly of fiber optic cables that are later separated into independent fiber optic cables. A method of manufacturing the fiber optic cable assembly is also described. A jacketing cover is extruded over components of the fiber optic cables with a portion connecting the fiber optic cables, and the fiber optic cables can separated from each other by tearing, cutting, or removing a filling element between the fiber optic cables.

US Patent:

7418180, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/643356

Inventors:

Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US
Joseph T. Cody - Hickory NC, US

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385134, 385138

Abstract:

An optical fiber ribbon splitting tool for selectively separating optical fibers of an optical fiber ribbon into one or more subsets of optical fibers. The ribbon splitting tool comprises a housing, a shearing device movably mounted within the housing, and an actuator for actuating the shearing device such that a subset of optical fibers is separated from the optical fiber ribbon. The shearing device may comprise a plunger having at least one shearing edge profile and a platen. A ribbon splitting tool for use at a cable access point of a fiber optic cable in which at least one optical fiber ribbon is accessible for splitting.

US Patent:

7555181, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Dec 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/312701

Inventors:

Jody L. Greenwood - Hickory NC, US
Warren W. McAlpine - Hickory NC, US
Keith H. Lail - Connelly Springs NC, US
Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 6/44

US Classification:

385100, 385115

Abstract:

A distribution fiber optic cable including a plurality of optical fibers, a main cable body with some of the plurality of optical fibers being disposed within the main cable body, at least one tether optical fiber, and a cable jacket. The at least one tether optical fiber is one of the plurality of optical fibers that transitions during manufacturing from a first location within the main cable body to a tether access location for a portion of the distribution cable. The cable jacket includes a main cable body jacket and a tether access jacket portion that are connected together by a continuous transition that is applied during cable manufacturing. Thus, the craftsman may conveniently access the at least one tether optical fiber for distribution into the optical network.

US Patent:

7627217, Dec 1, 2009

Filed:

Feb 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/365443

Inventors:

Craig M. Conrad - Hickory NC, US
Eric A. Stern - Winston-Salem NC, US

Assignee:

Corning Cable Systems LLC - Hickory NC

International Classification:

G02B 6/44
H01B 11/22

US Classification:

385101, 385113, 174113 AS

Abstract:

Fiber optic cables are disclosed that have a toning lobe that allows the conductive wire to migrate toward the main cable body while still allowing adequate separation performance of the toning lobe. More specifically, the fiber optic cable includes a main cable body having at least one optical waveguide and a toning lobe. The toning lobe is connected to the main cable body by a web that frangible. In one embodiment, the toning lobe and the web have a generally tear drop shape. The web includes a neck portion adjacent to the main cable body and a web body, wherein the web body generally increases in thickness towards the toning lobe. The shape of the toning lobe allows a conductive wire of the toning lobe to migrate from a center of the toning lobe toward the main cable body while still providing adequate separation performance of the toning lobe.