Of Wire, Rod, Tube Or Filament Patents (Class 156/158)
  • Patent number: 4376231
    Abstract: An improved, solvent-resistant sealing compound is described. It is an acrylic rubber composition adapted particularly for sealing splice case closures around telecommunications cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventors: Raffaele A. Sabia, James L. Williams
  • Patent number: 4364380
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for fitting a fracture wire around a tooth as part of an interdental arch wiring technique. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wire is U-shaped and the ends of a loop of dental floss are secured to respectively opposite end portions of the wire. Portions of the dental floss loop adjacent the ends of the wire are inserted downwardly into the respective interdental spaces on opposite sides of the tooth in question and the dental floss is then used to lead the wire into those spaces and to a position in which the bight of the wire embraces the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventor: Michael Lewis
  • Patent number: 4364788
    Abstract: A transition device (10) is provided to facilitate the forming of a lightguide ribbon cable unit (22) from a plurality of individual insulated light conductors (24). The light conductors (24), which each include a light-conductive glass fiber (12) surrounded by an inner layer (14) of insulation and an outer layer (16) of insulation, are mounted into converging channels (44) of the transition device (10), such that portions of the glass fibers which have been stripped of insulation extend from an exit end (50) of the device arranged in a parallel side-by-side array between two strips of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes (18 and 20) to form the ribbon cable unit (22). The assembled transition device (10), ribbon cable unit (22) and light conductors (24) produce an optical fiber assembly (93).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Western Electric Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie B. Bloodworth, Jr., Christian Scholly, Thomas L. Williford, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4363687
    Abstract: A completely self-contained apparatus and associated technique for the manufacture of large fiberglass structures. In a preferred embodiment, the system is designed to manufacture large fiberglass storage tanks for liquids, and is self-contained from the point of view that the machine is capable of performing all manufacturing steps without any auxiliary equipment and may be set up virtually anywhere that can provide a source of electricity and air. The main components of the machine include an operator's carriage which is cantilevered from a rear frame so as to enable same to be inserted into the open end of a large, substantially cylindrical revolving mold having a closed, substantially hemispherical end portion. The carriage includes an overhead canopy for the protection of the operator, as well as fresh air intake and exhaust fans to provide adequate ventilation for the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: Stephen W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4360248
    Abstract: A multiport optical cable or bus, composed of bundles of parallel fibers interconnected by an optical star structure, has a higher packing fraction and greater efficiency in the mixing and redistribution functions because the star's radiating arms have their individual cladding layers omitted or removed and because they are fused together to form the mixer section or a part of it. Where the numbers of input and output ports and arms are unequal, the unclad arms have their fused portions optically spliced or connected to form a composite mixer section. Several sections may be cascaded, using the same structural principles, to provide additional lower-level optical outputs for control or other purposes. The cladding function for the star structure is provided by separately encasing the radiating arms and mixer section or sections in a light-reflecting material. Preferably, this is a plastic potting compound having an optical index of refraction lower than those of the star arms or mixer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation
    Inventors: Gary W. Bickel, David L. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 4352708
    Abstract: A portable wheeled apparatus for fusing plastic pipe having a support frame with stationary clamps attached thereto and movable clamps in axial alignment therewith. A first pipe section is secured within the stationary clamps and a second pipe section is secured within the movable clamps and are brought into contact for facing, heating and fusing by a manually operated handle. The apparatus is provided with retention devices to maintain a given axial force applied to the pipe sections during fusing. An indicator device is in communication with the movable clamps to display the force applied to the pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: Arthur H. McElroy
  • Patent number: 4319951
    Abstract: Conventional communication cables must be spliced and so must fiber optic cables. Special care must be taken at splice points or locations so as not to cause faults in the optical fibers and still have an organized packaging and splicing arrangement. Optical fibers, unlike copper wire conductors, have memory. This causes a problem, for example, since one can splice a copper pair, coil it up or place it in a splice case, and it will stay. If the same thing is done on an optical fiber, it will not stay as placed and in fact will recoil like a spring. This invention comprises a fiber organizer, made up of a series of channels, and it can accommodate and secure individual spliced fibers from each length of the optical cables. Also the organizer provides a fiber splice support section in which the splices are placed upon completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: GK Technologies, Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth N. Korbelak, Joseph B. Masterson
  • Patent number: 4303458
    Abstract: Conduits (3a, 3b, 3c) are joined with a one-piece tubular connecting piece (1) by inserting support members (5a, 5b, 5c) through a sealable opening (6) in the connecting piece to support the conduit ends while said ends are secured to the connecting piece to communicate with openings (4a, 4b, 4c) in the connecting piece. After securing the conduit ends to the connecting piece, the support members are withdrawn through the sealable opening and that opening is then sealed. The support members can also act as electrodes for welding the conduit ends to the connecting piece, especially when the conduit ends and connecting piece are formed of thermoplastics. The method has particular, but not exclusive, application to smoothly connecting tubes for conveying blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Gambro AB
    Inventor: Kaj O. Stenberg
  • Patent number: 4302267
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for aligning a pair of optical fibers wherein a first fiber is positioned in a holder, adjusted along two axes in a plane, and rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane. A second fiber is mounted in a universal fixture by a first set of adjustable positioning screws opposed to each other in a housing, and a second set of adjustable positioning screws opposed to the first set positioning the housing on an adjustable structure. The optical fibers are brought into position and flush contact effected by the flexibility of the universal fixture. Thereafter the structure is adjusted in a plane defined by two separate axes to effect alignment about the axes, and rotated about the third axis to complete alignment. A laser or other light source and a light sensitive element are utilized to determine when maximum light transmission is achieved, thus signifying proper alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventors: John P. Palmer, Phillip B. Ward, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4292099
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for environmentally sealing a wire splice for use in nuclear power stations and the like. More particularly the device includes three components, an end cap, a sleeve and a separator. The end cap is cross-linked and heat shrinkable. The sleeve and separator fuses under the temperature required for shrinking the end cap. Upon fusing, the sleeve and separator mixes into an impermeable unitary mass in which are embedded the wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventor: Leon J. Dinger
  • Patent number: 4288143
    Abstract: For the splicing of trunks of optical fibers, confronting trunk ends are closely juxtaposed in a surrounding enclosure which is subjected to vibrations transverse to its axis to generate an oscillating air column setting the trunk ends in vibration, the fiber trunks being clamped at points spaced from these ends by a distance sufficient to give rise to several standing-wave nodes at the applied frequency on the free fiber extremities. With these extremities vibrating in unison but at limited amplitudes compatible with the maximum permissible offset of the trunk axes, the confronting trunk ends are joined by the hardening of a blob of cement matching their refractive index, by electric fusion, or with the aid of a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: CSELT - Centro Studi e Laboratori Telecomunicazioni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pietro Di Vita
  • Patent number: 4288266
    Abstract: In a method for heated tool butt welding of pipe consisting of a thermoplastic material by placing or pressing the surfaces to be joined of the pipes to be welded into contact with a heated tool to form an inner weld bead at each end to be joined, subsequently heating the surfaces at a reduced contact pressure to the welding temperature and fitting the surfaces together under pressure after having removed the heated tool, the improvement for minimizing the formation of a protrusion within the resultant pipes which comprises pressing an elastic insert against the inner weld bead while joining said surfaces of said pipe together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Ruhrchemie Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Konrad, Rudolf Kellersohn, Hans Steck, Josef Schaub
  • Patent number: 4276113
    Abstract: Optical fibers are held and aligned by means of a base member and a cover. The base member has a longitudinal recessed V-shaped groove along a fiber engaging face thereof, and a plurality of rectangular transverse slots spaced along the groove. The slots extend to a depth extending the groove. The cover has a longitudinal extended V-shaped protuberance along a face of the cover which engages the base member. The protuberance corresponds in size and shape to the recessed V-shaped groove, but is blunt at its apex. A plurality of rectangular transverse inverted V-shaped fingers are spaced along the protuberance, and are blunt at their apices. The fingers have a length not exceeding the depth of the slots.A system for splicing two optical fibers in alignment with each other utilizes three of the foregoing clamps, two to hold the fibers temporarily in place and one as the splice part itself. Optical adhesive is used for affixing the ends of the fibers and the splice clamp to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: GTE Laboratories Incorporated
    Inventors: W. John Carlsen, Mark L. Dakss, Gary M. Lambert
  • Patent number: 4266997
    Abstract: The coupling of two tubular elements is achieved by welding them together by energization of an electrical resistance element, the one element comprising a male end, the other a socket end. The coupling operation is carried out by means of a composite connecting piece comprising two rings which are fitted on one another, one acting as a support for a bifilar electrical resistance element and the other as a sheath. The electrical resistance element is thus uniformly coated in plastic material and is accurately centered, thereby ensuring uniform heating and welding. This coupling method is for use in coupling discharge pipelines for waste water and rain water and for conduits for industrial fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Pont-A-Mousson S.A.
    Inventor: Noel Lippera
  • Patent number: 4263084
    Abstract: A machine for welding thermoplastic components which has a pair of clamps for holding two thermoplastic parts to be welded, one mounted on a slide, and action piston for moving the slidably mounted clamp towards the other clamp so as to press thermoplastic components held in the clamps against each other for welding, the action piston being located eccentrically of the clamps and a second, reaction piston located in dimension so as to provide a reaction force couple which nullifies the force couple arising from the eccentricity of the main action piston. This is the advantage that the force couple is not applied to the clamp which is slidably mounted and to components associated with the slide and provides assurance of an evenly distributed pressure between the two thermoplastic components to be welded therefore assuring better quality welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Impala Plastics (Pty) Limited
    Inventor: Seppo I. Takala
  • Patent number: 4256412
    Abstract: In an axially extending rod-shaped connection element a plastics material rt having at least one layer of unidirectional fibers is connected to a transition element in an overlapping arrangement. Each of the plastic material part and transition element has an axially extending tapered surface joined by an adhesive layer over the axial length of the overlapping connection. The angle of the tapered surfaces is in the range of 2.degree. to 5.degree. relative to the axial direction of the connecting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Gerd Tybus, Hilmar Laube
  • Patent number: 4248499
    Abstract: A device for connecting individual light waveguides or conductors together using a splicing element which has a center portion for receiving and guiding the waveguides and end portions for engaging and gripping the sheath of the waveguides characterized by a pair of holders for holding light waveguides extending at an acute angle to a base of a splicing element which is held in a splicing element holder. The splicing element is movable relative to the ends of the fibers so that the ends of the individual light waveguides are moved towards one another in a centering groove of the center portion of the splicing element and are brought into mutual contact. Each of the holding devices for the light waveguides are mounted to move around a pivot, which lies beneath the plane of the waveguides when moved to a horizontal position and that each of the holders has a clamp for the portion of the light waveguide which is free of the sheath and for the sheath of the light waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinrich Liertz, Dieter Kunze, Richard Parstorfer
  • Patent number: 4242385
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of making an endless band, or a plurality of separably connected endless bands, from flexible weldable material especially plastics material. The method involves, basically, joining together two superimposed like strips of such material by welding together each pair of corresponding ends. Large quantities of such bands, separably connected together, can be continuously produced by feeding two batches of strip material forward in superimposed relationship, welding them together at intervals, and forming a tear-seal connection at the weld. Endless bands so formed are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: TI Raleigh Industries Limited
    Inventors: Keith F. Hutcheon, Laurence A. Cordingley
  • Patent number: 4234368
    Abstract: Two coaxial metal pipes, whose confronting extremities are each provided with a plurality of peripheral ribs of staggered height separated by two or more peripheral grooves, are interconnected by a coupling sleeve of fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin subdivided into several coaxially interleaved and independently deformable cylindrical shells each terminating in a pair of internal beads engaged in a respective peripheral pipe groove. The shells, increasing in axial tensile strength from the innermost to the outermost one, are preferably separated from one another by interposed antibonding layers of thermoplastic resin. A resinous filler can be inserted between the pipe extremities for electrically insulating them from each other. The shells of the coupling sleeve can be formed by coiling resin-coated filaments around the pipe axis, advantageously with application of an antifriction layer on each inner shell before the thermosetting material thereof has been fully hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Inventor: Walter Schwarz
  • Patent number: 4233096
    Abstract: Electrical cables having cross-linked polymer insulations are spliced by heating the insulations nearest the ends to be joined to a temperature such that the cross-linked polymers become amorphous, then expanding and axially moving the insulations away from the conductors such that they can be joined, then cooling the displaced insulations, then joining the conductors, and then reheating the insulations such that they return to generally their original shape and position around the conductors. The prior art technique of bevelling the insulators nearest the cable ends prior to conductor joining, with concurrent waste of insulating material, is made unnecessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: ASEA Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Karl-Gunnar Wiberg
  • Patent number: 4227951
    Abstract: A method of splicing optical fibres which are previously disposed in a layer in a cable.The fibres 1 are released from the tape (2 and 3) in which they are trapped; they are broken and laid in positioning V-grooves (5A) of a plate 12. Adhesive is applied to the fibres and a pressing cover 17 is laid thereon. The adhesive is allowed to set, then the assembly thus formed is sawn in parallel planes (19,20). The remaining portions on either side of the saw planes are then placed end to end again and are pressed against each other and fixed in position. Application to splicing optical fibres of cables formed by assembling flat tapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Assignee: Compagnie Lyonnaise de Transmissions Optiques
    Inventor: Georges Mignien
  • Patent number: 4220619
    Abstract: A device for forming a connection between a first and second group of glass fibers with each fiber of the first group being held in alignment with a given fiber of the second group characterized by an elongated carrier member having longitudinally extending grooves and a shrinkable tube telescopically received on the elongated member. In forming the connection, the glass fibers of one group are inserted individually in separate grooves from one end of the carrier member and the fibers of the second group are inserted from an opposite end until their end faces abut and engage the end faces of the respective fiber of the first group. After insertion, the tube is shrunk such as by a heat shrinking step so that the fibers are tightly and firmly held in their respective grooves by the shrinkable tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ralf Kersten
  • Patent number: 4211594
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for joining together edge surfaces of polytetrafluoroethylene material by a butt joint in which abutting surfaces of the material are placed in a chamber bounded by clamps along the abutting surfaces which press together the abutting surfaces, and heating elements in the space between the clamps to heat both sides of the material between the clamps, the boundaries of the chamber inhibiting the volume expansion of the material resulting from heating. Pressure generated in chamber may be controlled by moving a heating element. Additional pressure during cooling-down is exerted on the butt joint by moving one clamping in the direction of the butt joint. A thin foil of a fluorine-containing thermoplastic inserted between the abutting surfaces facilitates joining of the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1980
    Assignee: Sigri Elektrographit Gesellschaft mit Beschrankter Haftung
    Inventors: Gunter Freitag, Alfred Krahl, Gerhard Ullmann, Gunter Wenzel
  • Patent number: 4207135
    Abstract: A kit for making O-rings from cord stock material essentially includes a holding fixture for securing the material, a container of bonding liquid and a heating mold. The holding fixture allows the cord material to be cut diagonally in such a fashion that the magnitude of the angle is smaller for cord materials having a smaller diameter. Therefore, there is a larger bonding surface for smaller diameter materials. The O-ring heating mold includes two flat separable heat conductive blocks having a common flat interface. Apertures are located across the interface having cross-sectional diameters that are slightly less than the tube stock cross-sectional diameters. Since the central axis of each aperture is not located directly at the interface one portion will include more than 180.degree. of arc whereas the other portion will correspondingly include less than 180.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: P.E.P. Associates
    Inventor: Robert J. Pavano
  • Patent number: 4207373
    Abstract: A highly filled, mechanically strong and impact resistant composition is prepared by combining about 25-80% polyolefin with about 10-60% rigid inorganic particulate filler of aspect ratio less than 15, thoroughly blending using high shear equipment until the flexural modulus is at least 1.25 times that of the base polyolefin and subsequently incorporating therein, using low or non-shear techniques, about 10-45% fibrous reinforcement of length at least 11/2 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: Leon Segal
  • Patent number: 4204897
    Abstract: An improved hose splice and a method and apparatus for field splicing large bore hose are disclosed. In the method, the hose covering material is removed to expose the underlying reinforcing material and the ends to be spliced are buffed preparatory to applying the splicing materials. The hose ends are mounted on a unique plaster mandrel that has a sealing elastomer wrapped in a groove at its midsection and uncured elastomeric packing is forced into the juncture of the abutted hose ends. A reinforcement textile fabric material having elastomeric gum on both surfaces is wrapped about the splice area followed by a suitable covering elastomer. The splice area is wrapped with cure and heat tapes and the splicing materials are vulcanized into an integral structure with the existing hose components. The plaster mandrel is finally broken into small pieces that may be washed out of the hose bore upon completion of the vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Bartell, Robert V. D'Elia
  • Patent number: 4201618
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for adhesive bonding together of fiber ptic elements, i.e. fibers, utilizing a light source and an adhesive that will be cured by said light source, the adhesive being irradiated by the light and cured around the entire connection at the same time to provide a uniformly stressed bonded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Adolph L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4195980
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a continuous preform for an optical fibre of the type produced from glass or silica tubes or rods, the method including arranging the tubes or rods end to end in a rectilinear array, placing glass or silica sleeving tubes over the joints between the rods or tubes, and fusion sealing the joints between the rods or tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Henley F. Sterling, John Irven
  • Patent number: 4196032
    Abstract: A splice for an optical ribbon utilizes the elongated strain relief members in the ribbon as guide members to form a space in which the optical channels of the two ribbons are axially aligned to optically connect them. The splice and corresponding splicing method are particularly useful to gang splice two optical ribbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1980
    Assignee: Essex Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Eggleston
  • Patent number: 4179186
    Abstract: Accurate simultaneous alignment and splicing of one or more pairs of optical fibers is achieved by the use of a glass coupler sleeve. One or more fiber holding channels are provided by the sleeve, each holding channel having at least one vertex and being configured to slidingly accept the optical fibers. The addition of a longitudinal slot to the coupler provides for the collapse of the coupler around the aligned fibers under predetermined heat and pressure, thereby providing permanent retention without the use of a bonding material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Arthur R. Tynes
  • Patent number: 4178067
    Abstract: A mass of dimensionally unstable material in cylindrical form is radially shrunk and confined within an outer sleeve of dimensionally stable material. Two ends of optic waveguides are inserted into a bore provided axially through the unstable material. Upon causing the unstable material to expand radially, the presence of the outer sleeve forces the unstable material to compress and grip radially upon the waveguides, thereby urging them into colinear alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1979
    Assignee: AMP Incorporated
    Inventors: Tore R. Johnson, Emerson M. Reyner, II, Roman S. Slysh
  • Patent number: 4174990
    Abstract: There is provided a novel form of heat and solvent resistant gasket means available in strip and, where desired, ring form comprising a compacted fibrous core surrounded by a flexible metallic winding, said winding being further surrounded by fibrous heat resistant material impregnated with heat and solvent resistant polymer to provide a smooth outer surface for said gasket means. The gasket means may optionally further include a central metallic core within the fibrous core and also include a second flexible metallic winding substantially coaxial with said first metallic winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Herbert Meister and Co.
    Inventor: Herbert Meister
  • Patent number: 4172746
    Abstract: A method for on-site connection of two transmission cables comprising optical fibres, each cable having a protective armouring enclosing a central core provided with regularly spaced grooves on its periphery. Each groove holds a fibre provided with a thin sheath of uniform thickness. After the end of one of the cables has been bared over a given length, the uncovered fibres are moved towards the exterior and secured to a holder surrounding the cable. Thereafter the core is cut perpendicularly to its axis and a grooved portion of an extension core is secured thereto; the fibres are bent back into the grooves in the said portion, and the core portion and the fibres which it bears are cut and subsequently coated with a lubricant. The same operations are performed on the end of the other cable and the two cables are clamped together under a predetermined pressure.Various devices for the embodiment of the method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1979
    Inventors: Georges E. Le Noane, Andre M. Mathern, Gabrielle Morizur
  • Patent number: 4159900
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of connecting optical fibers by ing a capillary tube which is flared at both ends. The capillary tube is formed so that its bore is cylindrical along at least half of its length, the fibers are inserted into the bore by vibration until their respective end faces come into contact with each other and the capillary tube is then heated to its softening point (at least at its ends) and allowed to cool to obtain a tightening of the ends of these fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1979
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle des Telecommunications Cit-Alcatel S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Eldin
  • Patent number: 4152190
    Abstract: The splicer comprises a stationary block provided with a first V shaped groove for accommodating opposing ends of optical fibers, and an opening perpendicular to the groove. On the opposite sides of the stationary block there are provided a pair of slidable blocks provided with second grooves in alignment with the first groove and clamping means for clamping the fibers. The slidable blocks are moved toward and away from the stationary block by micrometers. A heater is provided in the opening for heating and fusing together the opposing ends of the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1979
    Assignee: Showa Electric Wire & Cable Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Kurosawa, Naoshige Sasano
  • Patent number: 4151030
    Abstract: Dielectric optical waveguides are joined using a length of tape. One end of the tape is formed into a loop and the ends of two optical waveguides to be joined inserted into opposite sides of the loop. The diameter of the loop is reduced to such an extent that the waveguides cannot be moved alongside one another. The ends of the waveguides are moved together and the loop drawn tightly around the waveguides and secured in position. The diameter of the loop can be reduced using a pair of juxtaposed rollers. The ends of the waveguides can be secured together by suitable adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: The Post Office
    Inventor: Paul C. Hensel
  • Patent number: 4141776
    Abstract: An apparatus for splicing a pair of optical fibres by a collapsed tube technique. The fibre ends are mounted on carrier slides with a coupling sleeve placed on one fibre end. A movable heater fuses the sleeve onto the one fibre after which the second fibre is inserted in the sleeve and held in axial alignment with the first fibre while the splice is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: International Standard Electric Corporation
    Inventors: George Ellwood, David G. Dalgoutte
  • Patent number: 4137950
    Abstract: A filament-reinforced resin-impregnated hollow body having at least one internal circumferential strengthening flange or rib is fabricated by winding a first filamentary winding on each of two mandrel portions, the filament being wound across at least one end of each portion so that the winding extends inwards towards the axis of each mandrel portion. With these two ends spaced opposite one another, a second filamentary winding is wound between the inwardly extending parts of the first winding. A third winding is then applied over the first and second windings. After curing the resin-impregnated windings, the mandrel is removed, leaving an internal flange formed by the inwardly extending parts of the first winding in conjunction with the second winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    Inventor: Harry Briscall
  • Patent number: 4134529
    Abstract: A method of joining coated large-diameter steel pipes laid underground which comprises placing the steel pipes end to end, applying a layer of heat insulating material to the outer surface of the welding part, covering the ends of the pipe coating the non-coated part of the pipe ends and the layer of the heat insulating material with a layer of a heat fusible, heat adhesive, corrosion resisting material of a shape corresponding to the external shape of the pipes, placing a thin clamp plate around the outer surface of this layer to make it fast, and then internally welding the groove to join the pipes together, whereby the welding heat is utilized effectively and both the corrosion resisting material and the pipe coating are fused by the heat, thus causing the thermally fused corrosion resisting material to adher and solidify on the uncoated portions of the pipes and unite with the ends of the pipe coating and thereby forming a corrosion resisting covering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1979
    Assignee: Nippon Kokan Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Hara, Tatsuaki Takeuchi, Jun-ichi Ogata
  • Patent number: 4132578
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding PVC pipe which includes a means to clamp and apply welding heat so that plastic pipes may be welded while under external pressure adapted to offset internal pressures. The method includes the steps of placing a clamp about a splice to be welded, tightening the clamp and applying heat through the clamp to the plastic in sufficient quantities to cause the plastic to fuse. The steps are carried out by utilizing an apparatus comprised of a clamp which is adapted to encompass the area to be welded and apply a constricting force to that area while heat is transferred through the clamping means to the plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Inventor: Harold A. Gell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4118618
    Abstract: A welding device for joining optical fibres together with a low loss joint. It comprises a microplasma blow torch with central and tubular electrodes and central and peripheral nozzles supplied with pure and hydrogenated argon. The torch is used in conjunction with a clamping frame for aligning the fibres and holding them in position during welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1978
    Assignee: Les Cables de Lyon
    Inventors: Francis Gauthier, Georges Mignien
  • Patent number: 4109369
    Abstract: In effecting a joint between two optical fibres an elongate gauge having a cross-sectional shape and size corresponding to that of each of the optical fibres to be jointed is laid on a substantially flat surface of a soft, substantially non-resilient metallic body, e.g. annealed copper, and is pressed into the surface to form in, and between two edges of, the surface a groove of a substantially complementary cross-sectional size. The gauge is removed and the two optical fibres are aligned in the groove so formed in such a way that neighboring ends of the optical fibres substantially abut. A second body having a flat surface is applied to the grooved surface in such a way that its flat surface is in interfacial contact with the grooved surface, and the two bodies are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: BICC Limited
    Inventor: John E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4102717
    Abstract: A method of making an optical coupling between a first dielectric optical waveguide and a second dielectric optical waveguide comprising, launching light into one of said first or second dielectric optical waveguides, moving an end of said first dielectric optical waveguide towards an end of said second dielectric optical waveguide, observing light radiated from the end of said first dielectric optical waveguide, and when said radiated light reaches a minimum value, fixing said first dielectric optical waveguide relative to said second dielectric optical waveguide to form a permanent coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: The Post Office
    Inventor: Paul Christopher Hensel
  • Patent number: 4093496
    Abstract: Composite filter rods, from which composite filters for attachment to cigarette lengths are obtained, are produced by joining component filter portions with uniting bands which overlap the end portions only of adjacent filter portions. The uniting bands are obtained by longitudinally slitting a web of wrapping material into strips, spacing the strips by passing each strip around spaced turner bars, and finally severing the strips on a rolling drum. The component filter portions are conveyed transversely in aligned groups to a rolling plate which cooperates with the rolling drum to wrap a uniting band around each junction between adjacent filter portions in a group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1978
    Assignee: Molins Limited
    Inventor: Desmond Walter Molins
  • Patent number: 4092193
    Abstract: Described herein are coupling means for joining substrates, for example, tubular articles, which include an inner member, having disposed thereon a fusible agent for binding the substrates together, and an outer member. The substrates to be joined are inserted between the fusible agent and outer member and the resulting assembly is heated. The application of heat is maintained until it permeates the assembly and raises the temperature of the fusible agent enough that it melts and flows through and/or about the substrates to be joined. The inner and outer members act to confine the melted fusible agent by defining boundaries between which it can flow. Longitudinal flow of the agent can be controlled by limiting the area heated, by the configuration of the coupling members or substrates, or by providing the coupling with additional members that "dam" longitudinal flow. When the heating is discontinued, the fusible agent hardens to bind the substrates together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1978
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventor: Philip Lee Brooks
  • Patent number: 4083625
    Abstract: An optical fiber junction device for permanently coupling a pair of optical fibers with a third optical fiber. The end portions of the pair of fibers are fused together in side-by-side relationship so that their endfaces are coplanar, the cross-sectional area of this structure decreasing toward the endfaces of the pair of fibers. The endface of the third fiber is fused to the endfaces of the pair of fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1978
    Assignee: Corning Glass Works
    Inventor: Marshall C. Hudson
  • Patent number: 4077822
    Abstract: An improved flexible splice is provided which is useful in joining segments of a substantially flat band (e.g., a flat tow) of an acrylic fibrous material in an end to end relationship. Such acrylic fibrous material subsequent to splicing, is passed through a heated thermal stabilization zone and thereby undergoes an exothermic cyclization reaction of pendant nitrile groups present therein. More specifically a silicone rubber adhesive is applied to the surfaces of the ends of each band segment and thereafter bonded preferably under elevated temperatures and pressure to form a splice through which the exothermic heat of reaction is effectively dissipated to an extent sufficient to avoid a deleterious effect on the original fibrous configuration which might otherwise result in the absence of such dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1978
    Assignee: Celanese Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Logwin
  • Patent number: 4057448
    Abstract: Splicing of one or more pairs of mating optical fibers is facilitated by a loose-fitting optical fiber receiving tube having a uniform interior cross section with at least one corner; the corner forms a fiber-aligning groove substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Mating fibers, introduced into opposite ends of the tube, are bent at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis sufficient to bias the fibers against the tube's interior surfaces. In response to forces generated by the bent fibers, the tube rotates to align itself until the mating fiber ends are lodged against the fiber-aligning groove. This procedure effects transverse alignment of the mating fibers, after which the fibers, still bent, are moved toward each other into abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated
    Inventor: Calvin Max Miller
  • Patent number: 4051298
    Abstract: A composite of polymeric materials which are adheringly joined to each other and which can be easily and cleanly separated by stripping apart with a low pulling force whereupon the contacting surfaces of their interface separate cleanly without retention of any residue on one from the other, and which comprises the combination of a previously cured body of a copolymer of ethylene and propylene adjoined to a subsequently cured body of an elastomeric blend of a copolymer of ethylene and propylene admixed with chlorosulfonated polyethylene. The combination of materials is especially advantageous when used in electrically conducting wire and cable constructions as a composite of an electrical insulation and an overlying strippable semiconductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thaddeus Dominick Misiura, Joseph Edward Vostovich, Ralph Edward Wahl
  • Patent number: 4043854
    Abstract: Method for splicing optical fiber cables which applies to those cables having an axial core and fibers disposed around the core, parallel to the cable axis or having a slight slant with respect thereto. At the places where splicing will have to be made, when the cable is laid down, the jacket of the cable is removed the fibers are glued on the core and two half-shells are disposed round the glued fibers and encase them. The half-shells are bonded to the core and fibers by gluing under pressure. When the glue has set, the half-shells together with the fibers and cable core are sawn perpendicularly to the cable axis which gives two half-shell segments. These segments have registering bores and splicing is achieved by inserting calibrated columns or pins into these bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Inventors: Georges E. Le Noane, Andre M. Mathern, Gabrielle Morizur