Spartanburg, SC – November 23, 2015 – AFL, a leading global fiber optics manufacturer and service provider, has been awarded five patents for new technologies used in the enhancement of AFL’s Optical Connectivity and Apparatus (OCA), fiber optic cable and fusion splicing products.
Patrick Dobbins, director of products and applications engineering, received a patent for a new technology for All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) fiber optic cable. By using a more traditional lower cost polyethylene outer jacket material with a co-extruded, semi-conducting, longitudinal strip, the same or better resistance to the electoral stress mechanism (i.e., tracking or dry band arcing) is achieved.
Wenxin Zheng, engineering director for fusion splicing systems, was the recipient of a patent for Apparatus and Method for Arc Calibration of Fusion Splicers, a feature developed by both AFL and Fujikura that have been incorporated into Fujikura factory fusion splicers. The technology allows for several production fusion splicers using the same program to attain consistent results from machine to machine. By using this method to establish a machine calibration for large diameter fibers (> 250 µm), each machine’s program is adjusted via this calibration method. Once calibrated using the Special Arc Calibration Method, each machine produces the same results with the same fiber.
AFL’s OCA business unit received three patents. Roger Vaughn, product technology manager and Edward Morris, product development engineer, received a design patent for a new Network Interface Device (NID). Chris Donaldson, Lou Guzzo, Matthew Johnston, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, Run Ron and Chuck Turner, received a patent for a Fiber Optic Cable Management Module and Panel. Known as Xpress Fiber Management® High Density (XFM®-HD) products, this product line supports the management of fiber densities up to 576 in a traditional four rack unit (4RU) space. And lastly the business unit received a patent for the arrangement of an interface module within a NID. The new design enables filter and Balun connectivity within a single NID line space.
For additional information about AFL, its products and services, visit www.AFLglobal.com.
About AFL
AFL provides industry-leading products and services to the electric utility, broadband, communications, enterprise and OEM markets as well as the emerging markets of oil and gas, mining, nuclear, avionics, renewables and transportation. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes fiber optic cable, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectors, fusion splicers, test equipment and training. AFL’s service portfolio includes market-leading positions with the foremost communications companies supporting OEM, outside plant, enterprise and wireless areas.
Founded in 1984, AFL is proud to offer engineering expertise, exceptional products and reliable service that help our customers improve their critical and electrical infrastructure. AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company is headquartered in Spartanburg, SC and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com.
