Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles for systems comprising optical fibers, in particular for feeding an optical signal into an optical fiber through the buffer thereof and for withdrawing an optical signal from an optical fiber through the buffer thereof. Preferably this is achieved with the aid of an optical coupling means which contacts and conforms to the surface of the buffer at a bent portion of the fiber. The coupling means can for example be a resiliently deformable material such as a polysiloxane. In a preferred aspect, the invention provides an apparatus and method for axially aligning, and preferably joining, the ends of optical fibers. The apparatus comprises means for holding two fibers so that the fiber ends are approximately abutting and axially aligned, adjacent means for passing an optical signal into one of the fibers through the buffer thereof, and adjacent means for withdrawing that signal from the other fiber through the buffer thereof.

Abstract: A termination block sealing member includes a continuous layer of insulating gel enclosed around its perimeter by a plastic container such that exposed faces of the gel are open, one exposed face being disposed adjacent a termination block, with another exposed face being oriented such that any one of a plurality of electrical contact pins can be pierced therethrough so as to make contact with terminations in the termination block.

Abstract: An air-cooled multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes cylinder heads cast together in a cylinder head casting; the cylinder heads are cooled from the inside by an S-shaped air flow extending between the valves. The cooling air thereby flows-in through an inlet channel at the inlet side of the cylinder heads, is deflected through 90.degree. in a central connecting channel and after a once-more 90.degree. deflection flows into the atmosphere through outlet channels which are formed between the individually cast exhaust gas outlet channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a dB loss across an optical fiber splice includes the steps of determining a first maximum detected optical signal when the fiber ends are moved relative to each other in a X direction, determining a second maximum optical signal when the fiber ends are moved relative to each other in a Y direction, determining a third optical signal when the fiber ends are optimally substantially aligned, determining a fourth optical signal when subsequent to the fiber ends actually being secured to each other.

Abstract: A compression pressure indicator includes a compression member which is disposed within a termination and is constructed such that when exposed to a pressure above a predetermined pressure a portion of the compression member protrudes from the termination thus indicating that optimum pressure has been applied inside the termination. The compression member includes an indicator portion and a collapsible portion, the collapsible portion being shaped such that when exposed to a pressure above the predetermined pressure, the collapsible portion collapses thus allowing relative movement between the indicator portion and pressure extending member such that the indicator portion protrudes a predetermined distance from an end of the pressure exerting member.

Abstract: A heat recoverable coupling assembly for substrates having a relatively rigid outer wall, which includes a connector body and a driver member made from a band of heat recoverable material. The connector body includes a mating area for engaging a mating area on the rigid wall of the substrate. The connector body is positioned inside or outside the substrate and the driver member is positioned around the outside member. The driver member has an unrecovered transverse dimension larger than the outside member and a recovered transverse dimension smaller than the outside member. The driver member is positioned around the outside member over at least part of the mating areas. Upon heating the driver member to its recovery temperature, the driver member deforms the outside member and itself plastically deforms to a shape suitable for retaining the substrate and the connector body together. The driver member is made from heat recoverable engineering plastics.

Abstract: A connector assembly for a coaxial cable having a substantially rigid electrically conductive jacket, a center conductor and electrical insulation between the jacket and center conductor, which connector includes a body, a mandrel (which may be part of the body) and a clamp nut. The body is adapted for connection to a junction box or other device to which the coaxial cable is connected and contains insulating means for holding the center conductor of the coaxial cable or a pin which is connected to the center conductor. The clamp nut is adapted to be attached to the body and holds the mandrel for maintaining electrical contact with the jacket of the coaxial cable in electrical contact with the body. This invention provides means for securing the clamp nut to the body to prevent the loosening of the clamp nut from the body and to provide a visual indication that the clamp nut has been loosened from the body or that the connector has been reentered.

Abstract: A technique for protecting an optical fibre breakout particularly from a cable 1 comprising a core 2, a plurality of loose fibres 3 and a jacket 5. The jacket 5 and core 2 are stripped back and the fibres encased in protective tubes 7. This may be done one fibre at a time by removing a portion of cable jacket remote from the end and withdrawing each fibre from under the remaining end portion of jacket. The cable may be held in a holding tool and the fibres inserted into their protective tubes by means of an insertion tool.

Abstract: A closure includes pivoted cams which partially define variable-sized passageways. Each of the variable-sized passageways is suitably configured for receiving a cable. The cams pivot and decrease the size of the passageways in response to pull-out forces exerted on the cables located within the passageways.

Abstract: An end cap for protecting a substrate includes an outer band disposed around a gel container in a vicinity of a crimp ring, the outer band protecting the container from being pierced by a crimping tool, and keeping a material of the container deformed subsequent to crimping the crimp ring so as to prevent separation between the container and the crimp ring due to relaxation.

Abstract: An article for protecting a substrate includes a preshaped member having a shape similar to that of the substrate being protected, the article having a thin layer of gel disposed in intimate contact with an inner surface of the member such that the gel is disposed in intimate contact with the substrate when the member is disposed therearound. Preferably, the gel comprises an open looped three-dimensional network, the gel being relatively soft, elastic, and having an ultimate elongation in excess of 100%.

Abstract: An optical data storage coating includes a cermet structure, the cermet including metal particles disposed in a dielectric matrix, both the metal particles and dielectric matrix being formed of stable, high melting point materials preferably depositable on a substrate by sputtering.

Abstract: A holder for holding a coupling assembly useful for terminating a CATV coaxial cable includes first and second parallel, longitudinal grooves capable of retaining a plurality of connector bodies and driver members for facilitating assembly to a stripped coaxial cable end.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protection of a substrate, e.g. an electrical contact. The apparatus comprises a support member and an encapsulant which has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and preferably an elastic modulus of less than 10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2. The encapsulant and the substrate are pressed together so that the encapsulant is deformed into close and conforming contact with the substrate. Preferably at least part of the deformation is elastic deformation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining optical power attenuation across a splice between first and second optical fibers utilizes the algorithm:dB=10 log (1-L.sub.tel) (2)where L.sub.tel is determined by compensating for differences in intensity profiles existant in the first optical fiber when injecting light therein for purposes of measuring attenuation versus the intensity profile created when injecting light into the first fiber for transmitting telecommunications data and the light has been propagating in the fiber for a distance and steady state intensity distribution is achieved. Preferably, a numerical aperture of the first optical fiber and a sample optical fiber are empirically determined, and L.sub.tel is calculated by compensating for differences between these numerical apertures.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for making certain measurements across a splice of a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber, then calculating the actual decibel attenuation across the splice for optical signals transmitted through the fibers during actual use. The method of this invention involves measuring the optical power P.sub.2 in the second fiber with the fiber ends separated longitudinally a certain distance, then measuring the optical power P.sub.1 in the second fiber with the fiber ends positioned close together for effecting the splice. The attenuation is calculated from the formuladB=10 log(P.sub.1 /RP.sub.2)where R is a predetermined constant for the fibers being spliced.

Abstract: A branch-off article includes a branch-off member having a body portion and at least two tubes extending from the body portion to an interior region of a splice cavity, with individual break-out members extending through the individual ones of the tubes. End portions of individual ones of the tubes are recovered and sealed to individual ones of the break-out members and the body portion is sealingly secured to a member which surrounds the splice region and the tubes.

Abstract: A drop-wire connector includes a single pivoted cam having insulation-piercing teeth on opposite surfaces thereof and variable-sized passageways for receiving cables to be connected. The insulation-piercing teeth pierce and electrically interconnect the cables disposed within the variable-sized passageways. The cam is pivoted and oriented so as to decrease the size of the variable-sized passageways in response to pull-out forces exerted on either of the cables.

Abstract: A chuck for holding an optical fiber in precise position includes first and second contiguous V-grooves, a chuck cover having a plurality of inter-leaving fingers for urging an optical fiber into the first V-groove so as to roughly position the optical fiber, and a plate for subsequently urging the optical fiber into the second V-groove for precise positioning of the optical fiber. The second V-groove is much smaller than the first V-groove and has a width which is less than the diameter of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protection of electrical contacts. The protection apparatus ensures that the electrical contacts are protected when they are otherwise located in an adverse environment. To this end, the protection apparatus includes an insulating gel that is characterized by a cone penetration value from approximately 150 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm); an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%; a maximum tensile strength of approximately 20 psi; and a cohesive strength greater than its adhesive strength. The protection apparatus further includes a first means to contain the gel, a second means to retain the gel within the first means and a force means which acts on the first means so that the gel is maintained in compressive contact with the electrical contacts and substantially encapsulates a conductive portion of the electrical contacts.