Abstract: An elastomer has a modulus intermediate between that of a conventional rubber and a gel. The elastomer includes (a) between 20 and 45 parts by weight of a semicrystalline elastomer having between 1 and 15% crystallinity and (b) between 80 and 55 parts by weight of a compatible liquid elastomer having a number-average molecular weight of between 1,500 and 8,500. The elastomer's modulus is sufficiently high to enable it to be fabricated into handleable articles, but is sufficiently low so that it provides effective sealing of substrates it covers without the need for introducing a separate sealing material such as a mastic or adhesive.

Abstract: A system and method for projecting a color image is disclosed. The system includes a light dispersing system arranged in the path of a composite light beam for separating the composite light beam into spatially separated component beams, an image display arranged in the path of the component beams for producing modulated component beams, and a beam merging system producing a second light beam by merging the modulated component beams. The method includes producing spatially separated component light beams, directing the spatially separated component light beams to the surface of an image display, modulating display cells of the image display, and producing modulated component light beams.

Abstract: Two-component curable adhesive for blocking automotive wiring bundles, the respective components preferably amine-terminated polyamide Part A, and acrylate, anhydride or epoxy Part B, being contained in separate sheets which are inter-leaved with one another. The concentration of the reactive components in the sheets is chosen to cause the adhesive to flow on initial heating and then to cure to resist further flow at elevated temperatures in service. Apparatus, kits and method for blocking cables or wire bundles using the adhesive are also claimed.

Abstract: An arrangement for protecting an electrical circuit such as a telephone circuit from a voltage transient comprises a voltage clamp or foldback device (3) arranged to be connected between a current-carrying line (1) and ground (1'), a capacitor (2) in series with it, and an inductance (4) series connected in the line. During normal operation the arrangement acts as an LC filter whose high frequency break-point is determined by the capacitance of the voltage clamp or foldback device (3) and the value of the inductance (4) which are chosen to give a break point of 1 kHz to 10 MHz. However, when the arrangement is subjected to a voltage transient, the voltage clamp or foldback device (3) fires causing the break-point to fall to a value determined by the values of the capacitor (2) and inductance (4). The arrangement may be used, for example, to protect the circuit against a rapid voltage drop caused by the firing of another circuit protection device such as a gas discharge tube 5.

Abstract: A two part range-taking member for providing a seal around a substrate includes a mating pair of resilient components for enclosing the substrate and a co-operating pair of rigid components for urging the resilient components into conformity with the substrate. The member may provide an electrical stress cone for a power cable, for example with two such members being provided in a cable joint.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device has, as electrooptically active material, a liquid crystal composite including a containment medium, a liquid crystal composition dispersed in the containment medium, and an organotrialkoxysilane additive having the structure ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently H, F, Cl, OCH.sub.3, OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl group; each R.sub.3 is independently a C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl; m is an integer from 0 to 4; and n is an integer from 2 to 4. The composite can be used for making liquid crystal displays having improved electro-optical properties, in particular a low operating field.

Abstract: An elongate electrode, usually an anode, is provided, suitable for use in an impressed current corrosion protection system. The electrode comprises a central elongate core, usually a metal such as copper, an optional conductive polymeric composition surrounding the metal core and having a higher electrical resistivity than the core, but being in electrical contact with the core, a flexible jacket, for example, a fabric braid containing within it particulate coke, and tensioning wraps positioned around the flexible jacket. The purpose of the tensioning wraps is to compact the coke particles relative to their compaction in the absence of the tensioning wraps.

Abstract: A self supporting sealing member (2) having a layer of sealant (4) positioned longitudinally between two constraining layers (6, 8). The lateral dimensions of the sealing member are designed to fit within a hollow member. A perforation (12) is formed or cut in the sealing member to define a removable section of sealant (14). A substrate or wire (S) can be inserted and withdrawn an unlimited number of times, without tearing or otherwise damaging the sealing material. Once the substrate or wire is inserted, force is applied to seal the device. The sealing member of the present invention also provides for contact serviceability and insertion forces lower than in prior art devices.

Abstract: A planar cavity sealing article comprises:(a) at least one driver comprising a crosslinked foamable polymer, and(b) a sealer comprising an uncrosslinked foamable polymer in intimate contact with the at least one driver and substantially surrounding the at least one driver in the plane of the article.

Abstract: A method and device for testing the quality of a ground path, particularly although not exclusively for a telecommunications system. The device has terminals for connection to respective lines, such as tip and ring. A terminal is provided for connection to the local ground. Voltage-sensitive switches of increasing threshold voltage are alternatively connected between the local ground and each of the tip and ring lines via a rotary or other selector switch and the terminals. Current will flow if the local ground potential exceeds the threshold voltage of the voltage sensitive switches. A device responsive to mains frequency, e.g. a butt-in head set, provides an audible sound (mains hum) indicating the ground potential rise exceeds the threshold of the selected voltage-sensitive switch.

Abstract: A highly thermally conductive but yet highly conformable composition is made from gel filled with alumina. The use of .alpha.-alumina in which at least 10 weight % of the .alpha.-alumina particles have a particle size of at least 74 .mu.m makes possible the high filler levels needed to attain high thermal conductivity, without causing the decrease in elongation and softness normally associated with high filler levels. Further improvements are observed if the .alpha.-alumina and the gel (or precursor thereof) are mixed with a specific energy input of at least 10 Joule/g. The input of such specific energy has the effect making the resulting composition more conformable than it otherwise would be. The composition may be internally supported by a flexible matrix such as a fabric or open-celled foam.

Abstract: A melt-extrudable conductive polymer composition which contains a polymer, a particulate conductive filler, and a particulate nonconductive filler. When a standard strip heater is made from the composition and tested in a UL VW-1 test, it has comparable performance to a heater made from a second composition which is the same as the composition but which does not contain the nonconductive filler. When tested in a standard arcing fault test, the standard heater will trip a fuse in less time than is required by the second heater, i.e. in less than 30 seconds. In some embodiments, the composition also comprises a flame retardant, preferably a halogenated flame retardant. When strip heaters prepared from these compositions are tested in a standard arc propagation test, an arc will not propagate. A preferred nonconductive filler is Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: An optical projection system has a display cell that is configured to project a display image in response to light striking the display cell. The system has a light source that is configured to project a beam of light and a lens array that is positioned to intercept the beam and generate multiple beamlets of the beam. An aperture assembly is positioned to intercept the beamlets and is configured to selectively control which portions of the images contained in the beamlets strike the display cell.

Abstract: An electrical plug for connecting an electrical cable such as an electrical heating cable to an electrical power outlet. Contained within the housing of the plug are first and second contact members which comprise a first prong and a second prong, respectively, each prong being suitable for insertion into a socket of an electrical power outlet. A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members.

Abstract: A modular connector includes a set of pairs of modular inserts configured to mate with each other to convey electrical signals or power in a structure such as a vehicle. Each pair of modular inserts are coupled to their respective wiring lines and supported by their respective structures. One of each pair of modular inserts is supported by a receptacle shell, while the other is supported by a plug shell. The modular inserts are characterized with removable characterized buttons for cooperation respectively with characterizations slots provided in the receptacle shell and plug shell. The characterization scheme ensures that incorrect modular inserts are not loaded onto the wrong position of the receptacle shell and plug shell. The shields of the wiring lines are grounded to grounding contacts provided in the corresponding modular inserts. The receptacle shell is coupled to a grounding shell supported by the vehicle with the corresponding grounding contacts contacting the grounding shell for grounding.

Abstract: A device for forming a seal around an elongate member, such as a wire, is provided. A device includes a first housing part and a second housing part movably connected to the first part. Sealing material such as a gel is positioned in the first housing part and provides a surface onto which the elongate member may be placed. A first member is positioned in the second housing part so as to displace the elongate member substantially laterally into the sealing material on movement of the second housing part relative to the first housing part. A device for applying a force to the sealing material on relative movement of the housing parts is also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks from buried pipes which transport fluids other than water. The system includes a pipe for transporting the fluid, a fluid-wicking member which lies beneath the pipe, is wetted by the fluid when the fluid leaks from the pipe, and is permeable to water, and a fluid sensor which contacts the fluid-wicking member and is capable of detecting the fluid.

Abstract: A cutting module and a cutting element which fits within the cutting module are used to remove polymer, e.g. insulation or a conductive polymer composition, from the first and second electrodes of the cable at the end of the cable in order to make electrical connection from the electrodes to the first and second contact members of an electrical plug. Present within the cutting module are first and second electrode-contact sections positioned on the concave arcuate inner surface of the wall of a cavity in the cutting module. The electrode-contact sections can be electrically connected to the first and second contact members. The cutting element comprises a cutting wedge which has (a) a convex arcuate outer surface which complements the inner surface of the wall of the cutting module, and (b) piercing means suitable for penetrating the polymer.

Abstract: An optical fiber organizer which has at one face thereof:an inlet port and an outlet port through which fibers can pass substantially in the plane of that face;a through port that extends through that face to an opposite face of the organizer; andfiber storage means positioned with respect to the ports such that a fiber passing between the inlet and through ports or between the outlet and through ports is constrained by an outer surface of the storage means to a minimum bend radius at least equal to the critical bend radius of the fiber.

Abstract: A housing contains a PTC element which can be easily inserted and removed. Conductive metal retaining elements of the housing are secured to the base of the housing, and retain the PTC element with a generally planar portion parallel to the electrodes of the PTC component. The retaining elements also have slidable contact between the elements and the top of the housing so as to modify the elastic deformation of the element and allow for insertion and removal of the PTC element.