John R Huffman

US Patent:

6349460, Feb 26, 2002

Filed:

Jan 21, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/235013

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA

Assignee:

ATT Corp - New York NY

International Classification:

B23Q 1700

US Classification:

2940704, 29720, 29759, 405155

Abstract:

An optical fiber cable ( ) is installed within an enclosure ( ) a duct by pushing the cable into the duct via a motorized pushing mechanism ( ). As the optical fiber cable enters the enclosure, the image of interior of the enclosure is focused by a lens ( ) onto a first end of the optical cable for transmission to the opposite end in which is optical registration with a television camera ( ). The television camera captures the image of the enclosure interior for display on a monitor ( ) to enable installation personnel to observe any possible narrowing of the enclosure that could impede fiber installation. Upon detecting such a restriction or obstruction narrowing the enclosure, the installation personnel actuate a pair of fingers ( ) carried by a casing ( ) circumscribing the forward end of the optical fiber cable to push outwardly against the interior of the enclosure to reduce the narrowing and facilitate installation of the cable in the enclosure.

US Patent:

6976192, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

May 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/310297

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ, US
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA, US

Assignee:

AT&T Corp - New York NY

International Classification:

G06F011/34

US Classification:

714 45, 385137, 385 99

Abstract:

A data marker () for use in connection with one or more signal carrying members, such as a fiber optic cables () includes a carrier () that mounts a data storage device () that includes a non-volatile memory (). The memory () stores status information about the signal carrying member and any status updates. In a preferred embodiment, the data marker () is mounted inside or outside of a splice case () to store status information about splices between fibers to enable an outside plant technician to accurately provision service, and to easily update such status information.

US Patent:

61481238, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Mar 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/271305

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA

Assignee:

AT&T Corp - New York NY

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385 13

Abstract:

The optical distance along a buried optical fiber (12) from a particular location (13) therealong to a central facility (10) is measured by first applying an intentional stress to the fiber in the form of a vibration signal (35) transmitted into the ground. A timing signal (36) is transmitted to the central facility (10) in synchronism with the application of the stress. Using the timing signal as a reference, the central facility can determine the time difference between when the stress was applied, and when the central facility detected the stress. From the time difference, and a knowledge of the propagation rate of the timing signal, the central facility can establish the optical distance to the particular location at which the stress was applied.

US Patent:

57781141, Jul 7, 1998

Filed:

Apr 18, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/844185

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - McDonough GA

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385 12

Abstract:

A Fiber Analysis System (10) detects threats to a buried underground fiber (10) by delivering two optical sub-signals, split from a single beam, into opposite ends of the fiber so the sub-signals traverse the fiber in opposite directions. The sub-signals are recombined into a beam whose characteristics are detected by a detector (24). The output signal of the detector (24) is compared by a processor (26) to different reference values stored in a data base (28) representing different detector output signals corresponding to different fiber conditions. By matching the detector output signal to a reference value associated with a particular fiber condition, the processor can determine whether a potential threat exists. By inducing a sequence of known vibrations (tones) inn the fiber at spaced locations along a generally orthogonal to the fiber (12), the processor (26) can establish the location of the fiber by comparing the detector output signal to a reference signals corresponding to the known tones to determine which one was received in the shortest time.

US Patent:

63327384, Dec 25, 2001

Filed:

Mar 6, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/519219

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - Conyers GA

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

F16L 1028
G01R 3108

US Classification:

405175

Abstract:

A fiber optic cable (10) is buried below ground, either by direct burial, or by being pulled through a previously buried duct. During cable burial, the instantaneous resistance between the sheath and ground (the sheath-to-ground resistance) is continuously monitored. If the instantaneous sheath-to-ground resistance drops below a prescribed value, an alarm is generated, signaling a sheath fault. During burial, the length of cable paid out and placed underground is monitored, thus providing an indication of the relative location of the sheath fault.

US Patent:

61006998, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Nov 12, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/968702

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - McDonough GA

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - New York NY

International Classification:

G01R 3128

US Classification:

324529

Abstract:

To locate a defective one of filter/voltage arresters (20. sub. 1, 20. sub. 2, 20. sub. 3, 20. sub. 4,. . . 20. sub. n-1), each associated with a corresponding one of splice cases (18. sub. 1, 18. sub. 2, 18. sub. 3, 18. sub. 4,. . . 18. sub. n-n) on a buried fiber-optic cable (10), an operator employs a locating apparatus (24) to detect the presence of an AM signal within a prescribed frequency range that is radiated when the filter/voltage arrester becomes defective. By determining the location along the cable where the AM signal has its greatest strength, the operator can accurately establish the location of the defective filter/voltage arrester, thereby avoiding unnecessary excavation of each splice case.

US Patent:

56442378, Jul 1, 1997

Filed:

Sep 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/534750

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - McDonough GA

Assignee:

AT&T - Middletown NJ

International Classification:

G01R 1900
G01V 308
G01V 310

US Classification:

324326

Abstract:

An underground utility conveyance (10) may be precisely located by impressing both a locating tone and a confirmation tone on the conveyance. The locating tone is an RF signal that produces a first field that radiates above the earth that is sensed by a first, above-ground signal detector (22) to establish the general location of the conveyance. The confirmation tone is a near-DC signal that produces a second, field having a relatively limited radiation path. A second detector (24) is inserted into the earth at successive places in the region where the conveyance is located to establish its precise location.

US Patent:

59032219, May 11, 1999

Filed:

Nov 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/976651

Inventors:

Hossein Eslambolchi - Basking Ridge NJ
John Sinclair Huffman - McDonough GA

Assignee:

AT&T Corp. - Middletown NJ

International Classification:

G08B21/00

US Classification:

340602

Abstract:

The level of moisture in a buried splice case (14) is provided by a transmitter (26) that is energized from a power circuit (24) via a moisture detector (22) when the moisture detector detects a prescribed level of moisture in the splice case. Once erergized, the transmitter (26) transmits a coded word indicative of the prescribed moisture level for receipt by a receiver (30) located above ground. In this way, a technician, using the receiver (30) can directly determine the moisture level in the buried splice case without the necessity to excavate the case or to contact a member of the On-site Work Force at a communications facility.