Slobodan Frank Fenjac

US Patent:

20020148873, Oct 17, 2002

Filed:

Apr 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/833320

Inventors:

Slobodan Fenjac - Marietta GA, US
Kelly Johnson - Roswell GA, US
Wayne Newton - Lilburn GA, US
Eugene Rusiecki - Alpharetta GA, US
Mark Shmukler - Tucker GA, US
Donald Vargasreyes - Norcross GA, US

International Classification:

B65H020/00

US Classification:

226/042000, 226/172000

Abstract:

A torque capstan is provided for use in an optical fiber cable manufacturing process which enables reverse oscillating lay (ROL) length to be maintained. The torque capstan comprises a first portion having at least two pulleys rotationally mounted thereon, a second portion having at least two pulleys rotationally mounted thereon, and first and second drive belts mounted on the pulleys of the first and second capstan portions, respectively. Rotational motion is imparted to the first and/or second drive belts through a drive system that is coupled to a drive pulley of at least one of the first and second capstan portions. Rotation of at least one of the drive pulley(s) causes the respective drive belt to rotate in a direction parallel to, or substantially parallel to, a direction in which an optical fiber cable being manufactured in the optical fiber cable manufacturing process is being pulled. Contact between the drive belts causes the drive belts to rotate in the same direction. At least one of the first and second drive belts has a longitudinal groove formed therein that is parallel to, or substantially parallel to, the direction in which the optical fiber cable is being pulled. The belts grip and pull/push the cable in such a way that the ROL length is maintained over a length of the optical fiber cable, thus improving the quality of the manufactured optical fiber cables.