Morton J Saunders

US Patent:

40960102, Jun 20, 1978

Filed:

Feb 7, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/766380

Inventors:

William Lamar Parham - Atlanta GA
Morton Jefferson Saunders - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

B32B 500
G02B 514

US Classification:

156179

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for manufacturing optical fiber ribbons featuring an optical fiber payout arrangement for directing a plurality of optical fibers into parallel paths in a predetermined plane of travel; a vacuum assisted fiber guide for accurately positioning the fibers into a precise, coplanar parallel array; means for bringing together the arrayed fibers and a ribbon-like supporting medium to form an optical fiber ribbon with outer segments of the supporting medium extending beyond the outermost fibers; cutting means for separating the outer segments of the supporting medium for the optical fiber ribbon; and means for advancing the outer segments to thereby advance both the ribbon-like supporting medium and optical fibers in unison through the manufacturing apparatus.

US Patent:

48027260, Feb 7, 1989

Filed:

Oct 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/106095

Inventors:

John M. Palmquist - Lilburn GA
Morton J. Saunders - Atlanta GA

Assignee:

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

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

350 9620

Abstract:

A biconic connector includes two plugs (44--44) each terminating a single fiber optical cable (55) and each including a conically shaped end portion (50). In order to minimize loss through a connection, the axis of an end portion of the optical fiber in the conically shaped end portion of the plug should be substantially coincident with the axis of revolution of the conically shaped end portion. This is accomplished by holding the plug in a fixture such that its conically shaped end portion is exposed and the fixture adapted to be turned about an axis of rotation (105). Scattered light from a laser (166) directed toward a gauging length (100) of optical fiber in a passageway of the plug and extending beyond an end face thereof as the plug is turned rotatably is received on a target area. The fixture is turned pivotally to cause the axis of the gauging fiber to parallel the axis of rotation. Images of light are launched toward the optical fiber tranversely of its longitudinal axis at a plurality of positions spaced apart circumferentially through a known angle.