Employees at AFL of Spartanburg, S.C., have received patents for developing fiber optic products and technologies for telecommunications applications. Brian Herbst, director of specialty cables, patented a breathable down-hole fiber optic cable for use in the oil and gas industry. A patent for a removable two-piece wall plate assembly for telecommunications devices was awarded to Ted Lichoulas, R&D engineering manager, and Eddie Kimbrell, senior designer. Wayne Quesnel, development design engineer for AFL’s conductor accessories division, received a patent for a wedge dead-end that supports optical ground wire. Brian Herbst (right) receives a patent award from Kurt Dallas, AFL vice president/general manager, global cable systems.