Patents for March/April 2024

USPTO Wire & Cable Industry Patents for March 2024 as collected by the editors of WCTI

Apparatus and Methods Using the Apparatus for Treating Metal Wire
US Patent 11904369
Published February 20, 2024
Inventor: Geert De Kempe, Bruges, Belgium
Assignee: NV Bekaert SA, Zwevegem, Belgium
An apparatus for treating metal wire by multiple reverse bending and associated methods for using the apparatus are disclosed. The first roller has a first roller diameter, is followed by N−1 intermediate rollers with intermediate roller diameters and ends with an exit roller with an exit roller diameter. The exit roller is larger than the first roller and any one roller in the sequence of rollers has a roller diameter that is not smaller than the preceding roller in the sequence. The progressively larger diameters impose a well-controlled, gradually decreasing curvature to the wire resulting in a cast-controlled wire. By folding the wire path together, a compact arrangement is obtained accommodating the increasingly larger rollers. A method to operate the apparatus is also described that allows for an easy adjustment of the apparatus in function of wire thickness.

Wire Rod for Cold Heading, Processed Product Using Same, and Manufacturing Methods Therefore
US Patent 11905571
Published February 20, 2024
Inventors: Byung-In Jung, Pohang-si, South Korea; Sang-Yoon Lee, Pohang-si,
South Korea; and Han Hwi Kim, Pohang-si, South Korea
Assignee: Posco Co., Ltd., Pohang-si, South Korea
The present disclosure relates to a CHQ wire rod that has improved resistance to hydrogen delayed fracture while securing cold forging characteristics by reducing Si content and adding Mo and V, a processed product using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a CHQ wire rod includes, in percent (%) by weight of the entire composition, C: 0.3 to 0.5%, Si: 0.1 to 0.3%, Mn: 0.5 to 1.0%, at least two or more of Cr: 0.5 to 1.5%, Mo: 0.5 to 1.5%, V: 0.01 to 0.2%, the remainder of iron (Fe) and other inevitable impurities and the value of the following formula (1) is 3.56 or more.

Fiber Optic Cable Assembly with Pulling Grip Assembly
US Patent 11906805
Published February 20, 2024
Inventors: Christopher Shawn Houser, Hickory, NC, USA; and Charles
Gregory Stroup, Lincolnton, NC, USA
Assignee: Corning Research & Development Corporation, Corning, NY, USA
A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; distinct groups of
optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first
end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the
cable jacket such that the distinct groups of optical fibers extend beyond
the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly having a proximal end
selectively secured to the furcation body, a distal end opposite the proximal
end, and an interior between the proximal end and the distal end that
contains fiber end sections. The interior of the pulling grip assembly is
sealed off from an exterior of the cable assembly to provide sealed
protection for the fiber end sections over an ambient temperate range of at
least be- tween −20 to 50° C. while applying a tensile load of at least 300
pounds to the distal end of the pulling grip assembly.

Flat Electric Wire and Method for Manufacturing Flat Electric Wire
US Patent 11908597
Published February 20, 2024
Inventor: Mizuki Shirai, Susono, Japan
Assignee: Yazaki Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
The present disclosure re- lates to a flat electric wire and a method for
manufacturing a flat electric wire. The flat electric wire includes a
plurality of conductors arranged in parallel in a width direction and having
substantially a same cross-sectional area with each other, resin films
provided on one side and the other side of the plurality of conductors in a
thickness direction orthogonal to the width direction, and an insulator
covering the plurality of conductors together with the resin films. Each of
the resin films has a Young’s modulus of 2 GPa or more and a film
thickness of 200 μm or more.

Large Core Apparatus for Measuring Optical Power in Multifiber Cables
US Patent 11898928
Published February 13, 2024
Inventors: Bin Liu, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Scott Prescott, Belmont, NH, USA;
Dale Eddy, Gilford, NH, USA; and Shawn P. Collins, Pembroke, NH, USA
Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC, Duncan, SC, USA
An optical power meter unit includes a transmit- ting/receiving port configured to connect to a fiber under test. The optical power meter unit also
includes a light source and an optical power meter. The optical power meter
unit further includes an optical fiber extending between the
transmitting/receiving port and the optical power meter. The optical fiber
has a core size greater than the core size of the fiber under test.

Connector Map and Assembly Aid Software for Cable Manufacturing
US Patent 11900587
Published February 13, 2024
Inventors: Michael P. Wilkinson, Hampstead, NH, USA; and Steven A. Iskra,
Beverly, MA, USA
Assignee: Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA, USA
A system for creating a wiring guide graphic comprising a database configured to receive inputs of a connector body identity, an engineering specification and a wiring table; and a processor coupled to the sensor, the
processor configured to create a wiring guide graphic.

Optical Fiber Unit and Optical Fiber Cable
US Patent 11892700
Published February 6, 2024
Inventors: Akihisa Watanabe, Osaka, Japan; Masakazu Takami, Osaka, Japan;
and Fumiaki Sato, Osaka, Japan
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan
An optical fiber unit includes: an optical fiber ribbon in which a plurality of
optical fibers are arranged in parallel and connected to each other; a
colored bundle tape longitudinally wrapped around an optical fiber ribbon
bundle in which a plurality of the optical fiber ribbons are stranded
together; and a colored bundle yarn spirally wound around the optical fiber
ribbon bundle and the bundle tape.

Spring Steel Wire
US Patent 11892048
Published February 6, 2024
Inventors: Hiromu Izumida, Osaka, Japan; Yoshiki Natsumeda, Osaka, Japan;
and Taichi Okada, Osaka, Japan
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan
A spring steel wire includes a main body made of steel and having a line
shape, and an oxidized layer covering an outer peripheral surface of the
main body. The steel constituting the main body contains not less than 0.5
mass % and not more than 0.7 mass % C, not less than 1 mass % and not
more than 2.5 mass % Si, not less than 0.2 mass % and not more than 1
mass % Mn, and not less than 0.5 mass % and not more than 2 mass % Cr,
with the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities. The steel constituting
the main body has a pearlite structure. The oxidized layer has a thickness of
not less than 2 μm and not more than 5 μm. The oxidized layer contains not
less than 60 mass % Fe3O4.

Apparatus and Method for Processing a Plurality of Electrical Wires
US Patent 11887750
Publhsed January 30, 2024
Inventors: Dominik Staubli, Horw, Switzerland; Markus Bucher, Buchrain,
Switzerland; and Beat Suter, Steinen, Switzerland
Assignee: Komax Holding AG, Dierikon, Switzerland
An apparatus to process a plurality of electrical wires as well as a method
that uses the apparatus are indicated. The apparatus includes a feed
device, a stationary holding device, a holding device that is non-stationary
along a linear guiding direction, a non-stationary bundling device that is
separate from the non-stationary holding device and a controller connected to a drive of the non-stationary bundling device. The stationary
holding device and/or the non-stationary holding device are configured to
twist the respectively held end of the wires; The controller controls the drive
in such a way that a distance between a bundling segment of the nonstationary bundling device and the non-stationary holding device assumes
a specified or a specifiable distance.

Method For Increasing the Straightness of a Thin Wire
US Patent 11884991
Published January 30, 2024
Inventors: Zhen Yun Liu, Singapore; Muhammad Shahzali Bin Jolani,
Singapore; and Yang Yu, Singapore
Assignee: Heraeus Materials Singapore Pte., Ltd., Singapore
A method for producing a further wire, wherein the method includes,
providing a first wire and feeding the first wire through a furnace to obtain
the further wire. A further cast of the further wire is larger than a first cast
of the first wire.

Flame Retardant Compound on Cable Central Member
US Patent 11886027
Published January 30, 2024
Inventor: Michael Alexander Heinz, Berlin, Germany
Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC, Charlotte, NC, USA
An optical fiber cable includes a central strength member, a bedding
compound surrounding the central strength member, a plurality of buffer
tubes stranded around the central strength member and the bedding
compound such that the bedding compound forms to the buffer tubes and
occupies substantially the entirety of an inner core area between the buffer
tubes and the central strength member. At least one of the buffer tubes
contains a plurality of optical fibers and a jacket surrounds the plurality of
buffer tubes. The cable may further include a second bedding compound
that fills interstices in an outer core area between the buff er tubes and the
jacket.

Textured-Powder Bi-2212/Ag Wire and Method of Fabrication
US Patent 11887751
Published January 30, 2024
Inventors: Peter McIntyre, Bryan, TX, USA; and John Scott Rogers, College
Station, TX, USA
Assignees: Texas A&M University System, College Station, TX, USA; and
Accelerator Technology Corp., College Station, TX, USA
A composite billet includes an array of textured-powder bars in a geometry
that is compatible with assembly and drawing of a billet with LAR˜1:1. A
method is presented of compressing the bars suitable for the billet
geometry in an inert gas environment. Methods of drawing of the billet
control the deformation of the composite billet during area-reducing draw
to fi ne wire so that the shape and registration of the constituent bars is
preserved. Lastly a method is disclosed to fabricate a cable-in-conduit
conductor containing the textured-powder Bi-2212/Ag wires that enables
robust forming of windings and also provides in-cable containment of a buff
er gas fl ow under high pressure during the high-temperature heat
treatment of the winding that is required to produce optimum
superconducting performance in the winding.

Systems and Methods for Assessing Cable Insulation
US Patent 11887753
Published January 30, 2024
Inventors: Samuel W. Glass, III, Richland, WA, USA; and Nicola Bowler, Ames,
IA, USA
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute, Richland, WA, USA
Methods for assessing cable insulation are provided that can include
engaging a first tine gap interdigital capacitor assembly with the exterior of
the cable jacket to determine a first capacitance and dissipation factor
value of the insulation using the first tine gap interdigital capacitor
assembly; engaging a second tine gap interdigital capacitor assembly with
the exterior of the cable jacket to determine a second capacitance and dissipation factor value of the insulation using the second tine gap interdigital
capacitor assembly. Systems for assessing cable insulation are also
provided. The systems can include a cable jacket encompassing cable
insulation and conductive material; at least two tine gap interdigital
capacitor assemblies engaged with the cable jacket; and processing
circuitry operatively engaged with the capacitor assemblies.

Intermediate Connection Structure of Power Cable
US Patent 11881692
Published January 23, 2024
Inventors: Seung Woo Cho, Busan, South Korea; Chae Hong Kang, Gumi-si,
South Korea; Si Ho Son, Daegu, South Korea; Su Bong Lee, Gumi-si, South
Korea; Wook Jin Lee, Gumi-si, South Korea; Young June Park, Daegu, South
Korea; and Ho Jung Yun, Seoul, South Korea
Assignee: LS Cable & System Ltd., Anyang-si, South Korea
The present disclosure relates to a power cable and an intermediate
connection structure, for connection thereof, which is capable of
preventing the concentration of stress on a soldered part, which is configured to join a metal sheath of the power cable and a metal sheath
restoration layer of the intermediate connection structure while ensuring
airtight or watertight sealing there between, preventing deformation of or
damage to the soldered part due to stress applied thereto, and minimizing
thermal history in the power cable during the formation of the soldered
part.

Cable Coiling System
US Patent 11878895
Published January 23, 2024
Inventors: An Yang, Shanghai, China; and Lvhai Hu, Shanghai, China
Assignee: Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
A cable coiling system for coiling a cable into a cable coil includes a reel
rotatable around a central axis of the reel, a gripper configured to grip a
starting end of the cable, and a slide rail extending in a direction
perpendicular to the central axis of the reel. The cable is coilable around the
reel to form the cable coil by rotating the reel in a state in which the gripper is coupled onto the reel and grips the starting end of the cable. The reel
is slidably mounted on the slide rail. A length of the starting end of the cable
coiled around the reel is adjust- able by moving the reel along the slide rail and rotating the reel around the central axis in a state in which the gripper
is separated from the reel and fixed at a predetermined position.

FPC Cable and Data Cable
US Patent 11881334
Published January 23, 2024
Inventor: Liming Ren, Guangdong, China
Provided are an FPC cable and a data cable. The FPC cable includes a
conductor, an insulating layer and a skin, where the conductor is made of a
sheet-like metal foil, and a front side and a back side of the conductor are
covered with the insulating layer and are fixedly connected to form a one piece integral body; and the one-piece integral body is coated with the skin,
so that the FPC cable integrally has a flat long strip shape.

Insulated Electric Wire
US Patent 11875922
Published January 16, 2024
Inventors: Tamotsu Kibe, Tokyo, Japan; Motoharu Kajiyama, Tokyo, Japan;
and Masafumi Kaga, Tokyo, Japan
Assignee: Proterial, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
An insulated electric wire is composed of a conductor, and a covering layer
disposed around an outer circumference of the conductor. The covering
layer has a plurality of flame-retardant layers composed of a flame retardant resin composition, and an insulating layer inter- posed between
the plurality of flame-retardant layers. The insulating layer is made of a resin
composition including a resin component, and the resin component
includes 40% by mass or more of a resin having a melting point of 125
degrees C. or higher of 100% by mass of the resin component.

Flexible Multi-Filament High Temperature Superconducting Cable
US Patent 11877521
Published January 16, 2024
Inventor: Vyacheslav Solovyov, Rocky Point, NY, USA
Assignee: Brookhaven Technology Group, Inc., Stony Brook, NY, USA
A multi-fi lament high temperature superconducting cable having improved
AC current carrying capacity, quench resistance and flexibility. The multiflament cable is formed from a plurality of stacked exfoliated filaments
which provide current sharing between adjacent superconducting layers.

Cable Processing Device for Processing a Cable
US Patent 11876332
Published January 16, 2024
Inventor: Andreas Zahle, Radevormwald, Germany
Assignee: Schleuniger AG, Thun, Switzerland
A cable processing device (20) for processing a cable (15), which comprises a
first positioning mechanism (30) comprising a first positioning drive (35) for
vertically positioning a tool mounting (22) relative to the cable conveying
direction (F) of a cable conveying mechanism (100), and a control
mechanism (50), which is connected to the first positioning drive (35) for exchanging first control data. A second positioning mechanism (40),
comprising a second positioning drive (45) for at least vertically positioning a
first cable stop (25) relative to the cable conveying direction (F) of the cable
conveying mechanism (100), is also present. The second positioning drive
(45) is connected to the control mechanism (50) for exchanging second
control data. The invention also relates to computer- implemented methods, a computer program product, as well as a computer readable
storage medium.

Cable with Low Mode Conversion Performance
US Patent 11875920
Published January 16, 2024
Inventors: Charles Lloyd Grant, Dongguan, China; Andrew John Nowak,
Dongguan, China; Jinchang Dai, Dongguan, China; Bentao Hu, Dongguan,
China; Huanzhong Yan, Dongguan, China; and Henning Lillegaard Hansen,
Dongguan, China
Assignee: Luxshare Technologies International, Inc., Milpitas, CA, USA
A cable includes a first metal conductor, a first insulator, a second metal
conductor and a second insulator. The first insulator is at least partially
wrapped on the first metal conductor. The second insulator is at least
partially wrapped on the second metal conductor. The first metal
conductor is adapted to transmit a first signal. The second metal conductor
is adapted to transmit a second signal. The cable also includes an
intermediate layer material at least partially wound on the first insulator
and the second insulator. A dielectric constant of the intermediate layer
material is lower than that of the first insulator, and the dielectric constant
of the intermediate layer material is lower than that of the second insulator.
With this arrangement, the cable of the present disclosure is capable of
realizing low mode conversion and improving the high frequency
characteristics.