William H O'Brien

US Patent:

46017402, Jul 22, 1986

Filed:

Dec 18, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/682975

Inventors:

Brian Lynch - Norcross GA
William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Technologies, Inc. - Berkeley Heights NJ

International Classification:

C03B 37025

US Classification:

65 2

Abstract:

A preform from which lightguide fiber is drawn is made by depositing optically suitable layers of doped silicon dioxide on an inner wall of a rotating glass tube (31) which is exposed to a moving zone of heat (56) which is provided by a torch assembly (50) during a deposition mode and during a collapse mode. After the deposition mode and generally prior to the collapse mode, one end portion of the tube is at least partially closed in order to allow pressurizing of the tube during collapse. This is accomplished with a pivotally mounted tool (70) which straddles the torch assembly to cause an internally water cooled contact device (92) to be disposed within the confines of the torch. Further, the contact device is configured to provide a curved lead-in from the tube to the at least partially closed portion. The use of separate apparatus for initially closing the tube provides control of the sealed-off portion and prevents an irregular cross-section from being propagated along the length of the tube.

US Patent:

48759163, Oct 24, 1989

Filed:

Sep 22, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/247984

Inventors:

Gary L. Baltzer - Norcross GA
Brian Lynch - Norcross GA
William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Technologies, Inc. - Berkeley Heights NJ

International Classification:

C03B 37025
C03B 37012

US Classification:

65 2

Abstract:

In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation. Cycles of engagement and disengagement are continued as relative motion is caused between the force-applying means and the preform rod in a direction along the axis of rotation.

US Patent:

51748037, Dec 29, 1992

Filed:

Apr 2, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/822399

Inventors:

William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

C03B 2304
C03B 3700

US Classification:

65271

Abstract:

A preform tube (31) is caused to be collpased into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this so-called collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. Advantageously, the muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and as annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed. The narrowing of the heat zone and the substantial confinement of the heat energy within the muffle tube cooperate with increased gas flow rates to cause the tube to be collapsed in a time period which is substantially less than that achieved by prior art methods.

US Patent:

50302663, Jul 9, 1991

Filed:

Sep 19, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/409551

Inventors:

Gary L. Baltzer - Norcross GA
Brian Lynch - Norcross GA
William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

C03B 37025
C03B 37012

US Classification:

65 13

Abstract:

In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which is suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying member such as a graphite roller (52) is moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying member has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying member and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying member again is moved toward the axis of rotation. Cycles of engagement and disengagement are continued as relative motion is caused between the force-applying member and the preform rod in a direction along the axis of rotation.

US Patent:

45540780, Nov 19, 1985

Filed:

May 21, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/612501

Inventors:

Ronald G. Huggins - Lawrenceville GA
William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA
Fred P. Partus - Marietta GA

Assignee:

AT&T Technologies, Inc. - New York NY

International Classification:

B01J 1400

US Classification:

210749

Abstract:

An open end (61) of a tube (62) is disposed below a free surface of a treating solution (60) which is capable of reacting with a liquid effluent to provide a disposable reaction product. A pressurized gas which is non-reactive with the effluent and with the treating solution causes the effluent to be moved through the tube and discharged into contact with the treating solution. Also, the gas is flowed through a shroud (63) disposed concentrically about the tube. The gas envelops the effluent and the shroud prevents contact of the treating material with the effluent and the gas along a predetermined distance beyond the open end of the tube. This arrangement causes the treating material to react with the effluent at a location spaced from the end of the tube thereby preventing clogging of the tube. The discharge of the gas along with the liquid effluent into the treating solution causes a substantial mixing of the two liquids to provide a substantially complete reaction.

US Patent:

50909789, Feb 25, 1992

Filed:

Jun 12, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/537201

Inventors:

William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

C03B 3700

US Classification:

65 2

Abstract:

A preform tube (31) is caused to be collapsed into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. The muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and an annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed. The narrowing of the heat zone and the substantial confinement of the heat energy within the muffle tube cooperate with increased gas flow rates to cause the tube to be collapsed in a time period which is substantially less than that achieved by prior art methods.

US Patent:

46813349, Jul 21, 1987

Filed:

Jul 7, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/881949

Inventors:

William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

International Classification:

B60P 310

US Classification:

2804141

Abstract:

A boat trailer having a carriage assembly which can move longitudinally with respect to its supporting wheel assembly. Due to this arrangement, the supporting wheels of the trailer do not have to be submerged in water in order to launch the boat thereby preserving the wheel bearing lift. Also provided is a retractable auxiliary wheel assembly at the rear of the carriage assembly to support the same when the carriage is moved rearward with respect to the supporting wheel assembly.

US Patent:

51183331, Jun 2, 1992

Filed:

Jun 4, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/710214

Inventors:

Gary L. Baltzer - Norcross GA
Brian Lynch - Norcross GA
William D. O'Brien - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

C03B 37012
C03B 3707

US Classification:

65 13

Abstract:

In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which is suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rototably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time, whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation. Cycles of engagement and disengagement are continued as relative motion is caused between the force-applying means and the preform rod in a direction along the axis of rotation.