Edward J Fewkes

US Patent:

6539152, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747044

Inventors:

Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY
Gregory F. Jacobs - Elmira NY
Kenneth R. Jones - Arkport NY
Frederic C. Wagner - Horseheads NY
Michael J. Winningham - Big Flats NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385114, 385115, 385123, 385128, 385145, 427513, 4271632, 428378, 522 96, 522109, 522110, 522111, 522112

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a composition for preparing optical fiber coatings, the composition including a polymerizable base composition, containing at least one monomer and optionally at least one oligomer, wherein the polymerizable base composition is substantially free of unsaturated epoxidized diene polymers, and a tackifier present in an amount effective to modify a time-sensitive rheological property of a polymerization product of the composition. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of modifying a time-sensitive rheological property of an optical fiber coating by introducing into a polymerizable composition a tackifier in an amount effective to modify a time-sensitive rheological property of the polymerization product of the polymerizable composition. Also disclosed are an optical fiber, a fiber optic ribbon, and a fiber bundle that contain coating(s) prepared from a composition of the present invention.

US Patent:

6546756, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Dec 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/472734

Inventors:

Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY
John S. Peanasky - Big Flats NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

C03B 37027

US Classification:

65376, 65385

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of protecting glass optical fiber preforms and glass precursor elements for making optical fiber preforms, wherein the preform or glass precursor element is stored within a protective bag. The protective bag preferably has anti-static agents incorporated therein. The protective bags can be employed to protect any glass precursor element used in making optical fiber preforms, for example, glass core canes, glass tubes, or the optical fiber preforms themselves.

US Patent:

6559197, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Mar 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/819300

Inventors:

Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY
Gregory F. Jacobs - Elmira NY
Michael J. Winningham - Big Flats NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

C08F 242

US Classification:

522172, 522 25, 522 31, 522 32, 522 77, 522 79, 522 96, 522 90, 522148, 522173, 522174, 522182, 427508, 427513, 427515, 427517, 427162, 4271632, 428378, 428388, 428391, 428394

Abstract:

The invention disclosed includes a coating composition for siliceous surfaces. The coating includes at least one component from the group consisting of poly(alkoxy)silane, poly(halo)silane, alkoxysilane, halosilane, and mixtures thereof and a catalyst compound which generates a proton to hydrolyze the component when exposed to radiation. Preferably, the catalyst is a photo-acid. The invention also includes a method of coating the optical fiber. The aforementioned coating is applied to an exterior surface of the fiber. A proton is generated to promote the hydrolysis of the component. The invention further includes a method of accelerating adhesion between the exterior surface of the article and the coating. The inventive coating is applied to the surface of the fiber and the coating is exposed to a radiation source.

US Patent:

6584263, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/024271

Inventors:

Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY
Inna I. Kouzmina - Corning NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

G02B 602

US Classification:

385128, 385141, 522 64, 528 70

Abstract:

One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber coating compositions having, when cured, a Youngs modulus of greater than about 950 MPa and a film to film coefficient of friction of less than about 0. 44. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an coated optical fiber having a coating having a modulus of greater than about 950 MPa and a fiber to fiber coefficient of friction of less than about 0. 74 measured at a speed of about 0. 423 cm/sec and with a weight of about 100 grams. The coatings may include additives such as surfactants, surface agents, slip additives, waxes, and micronized polytetrafluoroethylene. The coated optical fibers of the present invention can be freely and smoothly wound on a spool without the formation of fiber loops, crossovers, or other defects.

US Patent:

6596394, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Jan 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/056565

Inventors:

James R Toler - Denver NC
Edward J Fewkes - Horseheads NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

D02G 300

US Classification:

428392, 428375, 385122, 522 90, 522 96, 522 97

Abstract:

The disclosed coated optical fiber includes a core surrounded by a cladding. At least a segment of the fiber is coated with a photopolymerizable coating composition. The photopolymerizable coating composition is a mixture of at least about 60% of a first polyurethane acrylate coating having a Youngs modulus of at least about 400 MPa and about 5-40% of a second polyurethane coating having a Youngs modulus of no more than about 50 MPa. The invention further includes a method of making the coated optical fiber. The method includes the steps of blending the photopolymerizable coating composition as recited above and splicing an end section of a first optical fiber having a core and a cladding to an end section of a second optical fiber having a core and a cladding, thereby forming a resultant optical fiber. The aforementioned photopolymerizable composition is applied to the end section of the first optical fiber and the end section of the second optical fiber after the resultant fiber is formed and the composition is cured.

US Patent:

6602601, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747480

Inventors:

Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY
Himanshu C. Shah - Painted Post NY
Frederic C. Wagner - Horsehead NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

C08F 246

US Classification:

428378, 428380, 428383, 522 90, 522 96, 522 71, 522 74, 522 75, 522 76, 522 77, 522 78, 522 79, 522 81, 522 82, 522 83, 526204, 526217, 385141, 385147

Abstract:

The disclosed invention includes a composition for an optical fiber coating. The cured composition includes at least one monomer and at least one compound from the following group of compounds that consist of an ultra-violet light absorber, a hindered amine light stabilizer, and an optical brightener. The invention also includes an optical fiber coated with the inventive coating.

US Patent:

6810187, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Jul 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/917459

Inventors:

Michelle D. Fabian - Horseheads NY
Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY
Gregory F. Jacobs - Elmira NY
Frederic C. Wagner - Horseheads NY
Inna I. Kouzmina - Corning NY
Michael L. Sorensen - Waverly NY

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

G02B 602

US Classification:

385128, 385141

Abstract:

A coated optical fiber and a curable coating composition for coating an optical fiber, includes a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a T greater than the T of the soft block. The coating may further include at least one reactive monomer. A method for making a coated optical fiber, includes providing an optical fiber; coating the optical fiber with a polymerizable composition including a block copolymer comprising at least one hard block and at least one soft block, wherein said hard block has a T greater than the T of the soft block. The coating may further include at least one reactive monomer. The method further includes polymerizing the composition under conditions effective to form a coating over the optical fiber.

US Patent:

6869981, Mar 22, 2005

Filed:

Mar 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/087481

Inventors:

Edward J. Fewkes - Horseheads NY, US
Gregory F. Jacobs - Elmira NY, US
Inna I. Kouzmina - Corning NY, US
Kevin R. McCarthy - Horseheads NY, US
Kristi L. Simonton - Horseheads NY, US

Assignee:

Corning Incorporated - Corning NY

International Classification:

C08F002/46

US Classification:

522 33, 522 38, 522 64, 522 90, 522 96, 522182, 522113, 522114, 522119, 522120, 522121, 522150, 522157, 522158, 522159, 522160, 522109, 522111, 428378, 428380, 428383, 385147

Abstract:

The invention includes an optical fiber coating that exhibits the characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive. A viscoelastic window for the coating will include at least one set of coordinates that is within Quadrants 2, 3, or 4 or the Transition Flow Region of the Chang viscoelastic of the rheological master curves or will not include at least one set of coordinates that is not within Quadrant 1 of the Chang viscoelastic of the rheological master curves.