Abstract: Optical waveguide fiber that is bend resistant and single mode at 1260 nm and at higher wavelengths. The optical fiber includes a core of radius R1 and cladding, the cladding having an annular inner region of radius R2, an annular ring region, and an annular outer region. The annular ring region starts at R2, and the ratio R1/R2 is greater than 0.40.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb structure having reduced stress joints between its webs and skin is provided. The webs define a plurality of cells, and the skin surrounds the plurality of webs and has an inner wall that is connected to peripheral ends of the webs such that a plurality of angularly spaced wall joints are formed. Portions of the inner wall disposed between the angularly spaced wall joints include continuous arches. Each of the arches includes a curved central portion that terminates on either end on curved corner portions that are more sharply curved than the central portion. The arches eliminate sharp angles faces between the peripheral ends of the webs and the inner wall of the skin, thereby reducing stress concentrations in the interface between the webs and the skin. The arches also strengthen the skin, which allows it to be made thinner, thereby reducing thermally induced stresses in the joints between the webs and skin.

Abstract: A method for drying a ceramic article comprises providing microwave radiation from a microwave generating source, providing a ceramic honeycomb structure having a middle portion and at least one end, and exposing the ceramic honeycomb structure to the microwave radiation while shielding the at least one end from directly receiving the microwave radiation, such that the radiation absorbed by the middle portion is equal to or greater than the radiation absorbed by the at least one end, and the proper drying of the entire honeycomb structure without heat-induced structural degradation is thus ensured.

Abstract: A ceramic composition including a silsesquioxane polymer as a sintering agent in an amount of no more than 30% by weight. The composition is particularly useful as a ceramic cement for forming an external skin on a cordierite honeycomb substrate when the composition is composed of ground cordierite and polyaminopropylsilsesquioxane. A method of preparing the composition is also provided.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb product comprising a thin-walled ceramic honeycomb structure incorporating a plurality of parallel channels bounded by thin channel walls traversing the body from a first end face to a second end face thereof; and a composite coating disposed on at least one end face of the structure comprising a powder of an abrasion-resistant ceramic dispersed in a dried siliceous matrix.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector having a front end for attachment to a terminal and a back end for attachment to a coaxial cable includes a body, a post mounted within the body; and a contact assembly movably mounted within the post. The contact assembly includes a guide, a contact mounted to the guide, and an insulator partially surrounding the contact. The contact assembly moves longitudinally toward the front end of the connector, such that the front end of the contact moves from a first position within the body to a second position proximate the connector interface, as the connector receives the coaxial cable. The guide has an opening for the center conductor, which is viewable to a user during attachment until the center conductor enters the opening. An adapter is also provided that can be shipped with connector for use in securing the coaxial cable connector on a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A right angle coaxial connector comprises a unitary body, (1) having a dielectric insulating member (4) secured along a longitudinal tubular bore extending along axis F-F through said unitary body (1) and holding a predominantly longitudinal inner conductor (2), having male ends (2A, 2B), in its correct position along the bore's central axis F-F with an integral perpendicular node (2B) lying along the axis E-E, a shell (6) extending along a lateral axis E-E having dielectric insulating member (8) secured along a lateral tubular bore extending through said shell (6) and holding a lateral inner conductor (7) having female ends (7A, 7B), where said unitary body (1) and shell (6) are fixably joined at a pair of interfaces (B, C) and the corresponding male (2B) and female (7A) ends of the respective inner terminals (2, 7) are releasably attached to one another.

Abstract: Quasi-single mode optical waveguide fibers are disclosed that are bend resistant and capable of providing single mode transmission, for example at wavelengths greater than 1260 nm when the fundamental mode of optical energy is launched into the core of the fiber. Optical fiber line incorporating quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber is also disclosed. Jumpers, or patchcords, utilizing quasi-single mode optical waveguide fiber are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention discloses method and apparatus for providing a desired batch flow through desired regions of an extrusion die for forming honeycomb structures, and more particularly to the enhancement of batch flow in the skin-forming region of the die so as to provide a bounding wall of desired thickness and strength about a honeycomb core. Unlike prior methods, a recess or trough of desired depth and width is formed in a desired region of the inlet face of the honeycomb die, which reduces the pressure required to flow batch material through the die in such region. Such reduced pressure requirement translates in an increased flow rate in such region under constant extrusion pressure. Thus by increasing the flow rate through a honeycomb extrusion die in an outer peripheral region of flow in this manner, improved skin formation around a honeycomb core is obtained during the forming process.

Abstract: A connector for coaxial cable is disclosed herein that has an outer body and a collapsible insert. The insert grips the outermost protective layer of the cable when the insert is fully compressed. A related method for connecting the coaxial cable and connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: Microstructured optical fiber for single-moded transmission of optical signals, the optical fiber including a core region and a cladding region, the cladding region including an annular hole-containing region that contains non-periodically disposed holes. The optical fiber provides single mode transmission and low bend loss.

Abstract: A method for producing a ceramic article comprising the steps of providing a plasticized ceramic precursor batch composition comprising an inorganic ceramic powder batch composition; a liquid vehicle; and an organic binder system comprising at least one organic lubricant grafted to a cellulose ether binder. An extruded green body can be formed from the plasticized ceramic precursor batch composition and subsequently fired under conditions effective to convert the extruded green body into a unitary ceramic article. Also provided are ceramic articles manufactured by the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A blindmate interconnect coaxial connector includes a center conductor, a thermally-conductive dielectric surrounding the center conductor, and an outer tubular conductor surrounding the dielectric. The dielectric transfers heat from the center conductor to the outer conductor, and the outer conductor includes heat transfer fins to radiate such heat. The center conductor is formed by first and second halves which mate within the axial bore of the dielectric. The outer conductor is formed of two mating sections. The center conductor and surrounding dielectric are inserted within the first mating section, and the second mating section is then mated with the first section to complete the assembly of the connector.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes tubular post, a coupler secured over an end of the tubular post for securing the connector to an appliance, and an outer body secured to the tubular post. An electrical grounding path is maintained between the coupler and the tubular post whether or not the coupler is tightly fastened to the appliance. The electrical grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler. Alternatively, the connector includes conductive grease at a point where mating portions of the tubular post and coupler have closely matching dimensions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sintered ceramic article that exhibits a primary crystalline phase of cordierite having an analytical oxide composition, expressed in weight percent on an oxide basis, of 49-53% SiO2, 33-38% Al2O3, 12-16% MgO and which exhibits a coefficient of thermal expansion equal to or more negative than ?0.6×10?7/° C. over the temperature range of about 25° C. to about 800° C. Also disclosed is a method for producing a ceramic article comprising the aforementioned cordierite.

Abstract: Coaxial connectors for coaxial cable and methods for connecting coaxial connectors to a coaxial cable include: a sleeve for allowing passage of a prepared end of a coaxial cable therethrough having at least a first contact surface, a terminal including a second contact surface, an insulator disposed therein for receiving a center conductor of a coaxial cable and a nut for receiving the sleeve, the nut being axially displaceable along at least a portion of the sleeve. The first and second contact surfaces form a clamping region for capturing the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The coaxial connector does not include a center conductor. An insulator is disposed in the terminal to receive the inner conductor of a coaxial cable for direct connection to a junction box, amplifier, or other coaxial port.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for joining a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, wherein at least one of the first and second optical fibers has an annular glass region, such as a cladding, which is provided with a plurality of holes. The methods are well suited for joining a first microstructured optical fiber, such as a first optical fiber having a plurality of holes having a maximum cross-sectional diameter on the order of 7 microns or less, to another second optical fiber. The second optical fiber could be another microstructured optical fiber or a non-microstructured optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a ceramic article which includes providing a batch comprising components of (i) a mixture of inorganic raw materials comprising talc, alumina, and silica; (ii) a binder comprising a water-soluble organic binder and a fibrous silicate mineral having a high aspect ratio in combination with a large surface area that is highly charged and has a strong interaction with a polar solvent, and is further characterized by a median particle size of 1-2 microns; and (iii) a polar solvent; mixing the batch components to form a homogenous and plasticized mass; shaping the plasticized mass into a green body wherein the green body has improved strength in a temperature region between 300°-900° C. to resist cracking during subsequent sintering; and, sintering the green body by heating to a temperature and for a time to initiate and sufficiently achieve conversion of the green body into a fired ceramic article.

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb substrate for use in an automotive catalytic converter system which exhibits improved light-off performance by virtue of a high porosity of 45 to 75% while still maintaining a wall thickness of greater than 2.0 mil (0.0020 inch, 0.0508 mm), preferably 2.5 mil (0.0025 in., 0.0635 mm) to 7 mil (0.0070 in., 0.1778 mm), and more preferably 2.5 mil (0.0025 in., 0.0635 mm) to 3 mil (0.0030 in., 0.0762 mm). The median pore size is in the range of 2-10 micrometers, and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) (25-800° C.) of less than 15×10?7/° C.

Abstract: An apparatus for orienting section of a plasticized ceramic extrudate includes a marking assembly for applying an orientation reference mark to a plasticized ceramic extrudate exiting an extrusion die onto an extrudate support, and at least one extrudate-contacting deformable roller having an axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation is pivotable with respect to a movement of the extrudate exiting an extrusion die, and wherein the roller is adapted to contact the extrudate and correct a corkscrew deformation of the extrudate exiting the extrusion die. The apparatus also includes at least one extrudate-contacting orientation control member for correcting the orientation of a cut section of the extrudate on the extrudate support in response to a misalignment of the reference mark.