Abstract: A conductive polymer wraparound sleeve is used to enclose a joint between district heating pipes. It is wrapped so that longitudinal edges thereof overlap, and it acts as a source of heat to seal the overlapping longitudinal edges. Elongate electrodes, preferably metal bars provided on a carrying strip, are positioned along the overlap and connected to a power source to cause electrical current to flow circumferentially across the overlap region to cause bonding of the overlap.

Abstract: A device for terminating a cable having a screen and at least one inner conductor comprises:(i) a hollow electrically conductive outer body for terminating the screen of the cable, which has two open ends and which is provided with an internal screw thread that tapers from one of its open ends;(ii) a metallic coil, at least part of which is screwed into the tapering screw thread of the outer body and tapers towards a constriction at least when screwed into the tapering screw thread; and(iii) a conformable metallic foil in tubular form, at least part of which is located within the constriction of the metallic coil;the device being arranged so that the screen of the cable may be terminated by inserting an exposed portion of it into the tube of metallic foil and screwing the metallic coil further into the outer body by means of the tapering screw thread, thereby constricting the coil further and causing the metallic foil to tighten about the cable screen.

Abstract: A universal end seal for a butt splice or in-line optical fiber closure is described. The seal includes a keyed tubular member to permit initial assembly but re-entry and use without dis-assembling the complete end seal. A hanger for an in-line closure is also described.

Abstract: A re-enterable seal (25) for sealing an elongate object (16) passing through a barrier (24) between two environments (53, 54) includes an invertible enclosing member (30) containing a sealant (40). The sealant (40) is adhered to the inside surface (31) of the enclosing member (30). During insertion of the elongate member (16), the enclosing member (30) is inverted inside-out, with the sealant remaining on the inside surface (31) (now positioned outside the enclosing member). The elongate member (16) is then pulled back, causing the enclosing member (30) to re-invert, and bringing the sealant (40) into sealing compression against the elongate member (16).

Abstract: A vent-safe protector for a telecommunications gas tube (102) includes two electrodes (108,140) (150',140) separated by a non-linear resistive material (134). Each electrode is connected to a gas tube protector terminal (108, 142) to provide an alternate discharge path if the gas tube (102) fails. The non-linear resistive material (134) is substantially non-conductive when the electrical potential between the electrodes is less than the material's breakdown voltage V.sub.B. Above that voltage it becomes conductive and supports a plasma discharge therethrough, effecting a sudden increase in conductivity between the electrodes for discharging high energy potentials with a voltage foldback functionally analogous to the foldback behavior of the gas tube protector.

Abstract: A termination arrangement for a coaxial cable comprises a dimensionally heat-recoverable sleeve that encloses a connecting element for the screen of the cable and a quantity of solder for forming a permanent electrical connection between the connecting element and the cable screen. The connecting element has a generally cylindrical portion whose diameter is capable of changing and which is held in a state of larger diameter by the solder and/or the sleeve, the element changing to a smaller diameter state when the sleeve is recovered. In use, the arrangement is positioned over a coaxial cable which has been prepared so as to expose an appropriate length of the central conductor, dielectric and screen. when the sleeve is recovered, the solder fuses and the connecting element contracts around the screen.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a liquid crystal composite including a component such as a pleochroic dye. The component is imbibed into droplets of a liquid crystal material in a containment medium.

Abstract: Gels made of 100 parts of Styrene-elastomer-styrene triblock copolymers and more than 300 parts of an oil which softens and extends the elastomer mid-block of the copolymer are rendered resistant to oil exudation under pressure by incorporation of a styrene-elastomer diblock copolymer. Preferred triblocks are styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene and preferred diblocks are styrene-ethylene/propylene. Use of the gels as sealants in enclosures for electrical connections designed to hold the gel under compression is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a planar polymeric circuit protection device arranges for the current between two electrodes (4, 6) to flow parallel to the surface of a sheet (2) of conductive polymeric material, rather than through its thickness. The resistance and tripping current levels of the device can be finely controlled and set at comparatively low levels.

Abstract: An electron beam accelerator has an accelerator tube consisting essentially of metal and ceramic components which are fused directly to each other and a transmission window generally rectangular in shape when viewed in the direction of the electron beam and is convex towards the vacuum chamber with a radius of curvature which is at most twice the width of the rectangle when measured in the absence of a pressure differential across the window. The electron beam accelerator is particularly suitable for use as a liquid material processor. The preferred transmission window of the accelerator of the invention can withstand energy transfer rates of at least 1500 watts per gram of the window material to which the energy is transferred. Certain embodiments are especially suitable for irradiating fluids to higher doses or for irradiating liquids containing suspended solids or slurries. A mobile transporter enabling relocation of the liquid material processor between process sites is also described.

Abstract: A self supporting sealing member having a layer of sealant positioned longitudinally between two constraining layers. The lateral dimensions of the sealing member are designed to fit within a hollow member. The constraining layer is preferably a gel having a Voland hardness greater than the Voland hardness of the sealant. This configuration does not allow particles to contaminate the connection of substrates or wires inserted through the sealing member.

Abstract: A heat recoverable sleeve has a high recovery ratio of at least 60%. It uses a specific arrangement of recoverable fibers in one direction woven in a twill configuration with both heat stable fibers and heat recoverable fibers extending in another direction.

Abstract: A elongate electrode of an impressed current protection system comprises a polymeric jacket sleeve (10) that contains a particulate carbonrich filler (12) around a central elongate conductive core (4,6). The invention provides a method of repairing such an electrode that has a damaged jacket section (14), and involves securing the jacket (14) to the core (4,6) on each side of the damaged section (14), which can then be removed together with the associated filler (12). A wraparound repair sleeve (18, 20, FIG. 3) is secured to the jacket (10) on each side of the damaged section (14) and filled with a carbon-rich particulate filler (12) effect the repair.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable system, such as a preterminated fiber cable, includes a main cable and one or more drop cables connected to the main cable at spaced apart locations along the main cable. The drop cable is spliced to the main cable using a splice closure including a fiber guide that secures spliced together end portions of the respective fibers in a longitudinally extending direction and devoid of any slack coils of optical fibers. Accordingly, the overall diameter of the splice closure is relatively small thereby permitting the cable system to be stored on a reel and to be readily placed within small diameter conduits. The splice closure includes a heat recoverable housing surrounding the fiber guide. Cable sheath end portions are sealed by melting C-shaped bodies of heat flowable material positioned adjacent cable sheath end portions.

Abstract: An environmental protection device with manually operated latching mechanism is described. The device includes a rigid hook and flexible latch on opposite peripheral edges of the device with cavity halves therebetween capable of fitting together upon the latching of the hook and latch to form an enclosure around an elongate substrate such as a coaxial cable splice or a cable to tap port connection upon the closing of the device and the locking of the latch and hook members. The device is preferably filled with a gel sealing material having an elongation of at least 100% and a Voland hardness from about 1 to 50 grams.

Abstract: A rodent-proof aerial splice closure (20) includes a substantially hollow casing (30, 31) having substantial externally exposed plastic areas. The casing sections (30, 31) are moveable with respect to one another on a hinge (35) for accessing the interior of the casing. Clamps (50) provide for reversibly holding the casing sections (30, 31) closed. Cables can enter and exit the closure (20) through cable ports (45), which can be sealed by end-pieces (55). The exterior geometry of the closure (20) is such that substantially all exposed plastic surface regions which are accessible to rodent teeth are rounded with curvatures preferably greater than one inch radii, thus large enough to prevent rodent teeth from biting down thereon.

Abstract: A scanning system (25) for controlling a scanning servo (28,30) includes a scanning signal generator (50) which generates (51) a series of square wave scan signals, a pulse signal generator which generates (52) a pattern of pulses having short durations relative to the scan signal from the first generator, the generators being synchronized, and the scan signals and pulses then being separately applied to the scanner servo (30) to control it such that the resulting scanning behavior of the servo corresponds to the scan signals modified by the pattern of pulses.

Abstract: Flame retarded organopolysiloxane gels suitable for sealing and protecting electrical contacts include (i) an organopolysiloxane gel having repeat units of the structure ##STR1## where each R is independently phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, at least 40% of the R groups being phenyl; and (ii) an additive package mixed with the organopolysiloxane, which is (a) zinc oxide; (b) antimony oxide; (c) a brominated compound having a molecular weight of at least 450 and a bromine content of at least 40 weight %; (d) a chlorinated compound having a molecular weight of at least 300 and a chlorine content of at least 40 weight %; or (e) combinations of the above. The additive package is used in an amount between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane.