AFL gets 6 patents for technology and product development

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Spartanburg-based AFL has received six patents over the past quarter for technology and product developments in fusion splicing, connectivity and conductor accessories, according to a news release.

The AFL hyperscale division received two patents. The first is for optical traceable patch cord which can be traced easily from one end to the other, allowing installers and network engineers to easily find a cable that needs to be connected, disconnected or moved, the release said. The solution uses a third optical fiber in the cable, which connects a traceable breakout on either end. The second patent was for housing for cable transition assembly, a special breakout module that contains a front cap to organize and layer the furcation tubes of the cable assembly. The furcation tails are layered to match the sequencing of ribbon cable within high count fiber cables for easy installation. The breakout module also includes a unique pulling sock in which the pulling cable is integrated and secured to the breakout module.

Two patents were received by AFL’s optical connectivity division. The first patent was for the Titan RTD Multiport Terminal, an outside plant fiber terminal designed for quick and easy subscriber connections anywhere in the network when used in conjunction with the Trident Hardened Fiber Optic Connector, according to the release. The second patent is for a subsea pressure housing that is installed inline, maintaining the full cable strength and enabling connectivity to control and sensor lines.

One patent was received by AFL’s fusion splicing division. “Methods for splicing optical fibers” is an invention which created a novel method to splice fluoride-based fiber to silica-based fiber. The two fibers vary greatly in melting temperature, making traditional fusion splicing impossible, the release said.

AFL’s accessories division received a patent for grounding connectors, a unique design of a split parallel grounding connector that has fewer pieces than similar connectors. The reduced number of pieces and self-interlocking design allows the connector to be installed with ease in extreme field conditions.