Patent US4545542A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4545542A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightguide fiber spool changeover technique
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-25
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Granted: 1985-10-08
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Expires: 2004-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A technique for dynamically transferring a lightguide fiber (10) from a full spool (18) to an empty spool (19) as both spools rotate at the same velocity and the input velocity of the fiber is constant. The lightguide fiber (10) is wound onto the rotating spool (18) in such a manner as to form a package of wound material having a conically tapered section (52) when full. The fiber (10) is then wound along the tapered section (52) as the velocity of the spools (18 and 19) are increased. When the fiber (10) is at the diameter of the tapered section (52) which is equal to the diameter of the empty spool, it is transferred to the empty spool without any substantial loss of fiber spooling control.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph E. Frazee, Jr.
- 👤 Daryl L. Myers
- 👤 David H. Smithgall, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4457; B; B65; B65H; B65H54/00; B65H54/02; B65H54/10; B65H55/00; B65H55/04; B65H67/00; B65H67/04; B65H67/044; B65H67/056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for dynamically transferring a strand of material from a full, rotating, take-up spool of strand material to an empty, rotating, take-up spool axially aligned therewith, comprising the steps of: delivering the strand to a take-up spool at a substantially constant linear velocity; winding the strand onto a rotating take-up spool in such a manner as to form a package of wound material having a conically tapered section when full; rotating the full and empty spools at the same rotational velocity; winding the strand along the tapered section, from the greater to the smaller cross-sectional diameter thereof, while simultaneously increasing the rotational velocities of both the full and empty spools; and smoothly transferring the strand from the tapered section onto the empty spool when the strand is at the diameter of the taper equal to the diameter of the empty spool.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for dynamically transferring a strand of material from a full, rotating, take-up spool of strand material to an empty, rotating, take-up spool axially aligned therewith, comprising the steps of: delivering the strand to a take-up spool at a substantially constant linear velocity; winding the strand onto a rotating take-up spool in such a manner as to form a package of wound material having a conically tapered section when full; rotating the full and empty spools at the same rotational velocity; winding the strand along the tapered section, from the greater to the smaller cross-sectional diameter thereof, while simultaneously increasing the rotational velocities of both the full and empty spools; and smoothly transferring the strand from the tapered section onto the empty spool when the strand is at the diameter of the taper equal to the diameter of the empty spool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the strand material is lightguide fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the taper of the tapered section is less than 45°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the tapered section has a taper of 30°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein: the smallest diameter of the tapered section is substantially the same as the diameter of the empty spool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-07 | 1989-04-08 | 1989-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-07 | 1993-04-08 | 1993-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-07 | 1997-04-08 | 1997-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |