Abstract: Novel polyester compositions, particularly suitable for the insulation of wires, contain an aromatic polyester, especially polybutylene terephthalate. The presence of certain tin (II) compounds, for example tin (II) oxide, oxalate, phthalate, pyromellitate, or phosphite, reduces the flammability and smoke generation of such compositions. The presence of an aliphatic polyester, and optionally a thermoplastic elastomer, can also improve the properties of such compositions.

Abstract: A device for environmental protection of an electrical component on a mount, e.g. a circuit board, includes: a first housing part; a second housing part which together with the first housing part provides a substantially closed housing; a mount (e.g. a circuit board) for an electrical component that may be movably secured with respect to the first housing part; and a sealing material positioned between the mount and a surface of the first housing part; such that the mount can be moved with respect to the first housing part to put the sealing material under compression. The device can also include a maintenance termination unit for a telecommunications network.

Abstract: A flexible hollow sealing member that can be inflated to seal a gap between first and second articles and that has: a hole directly through a wall or between walls thereof through which hole a probe can be inserted to introduce pressurizing medium into the member, and by which the hole is automatically sealed on withdrawal of the probe.

Abstract: A 15 kv cable joint is enclosed within two half shells filled with sealant material. Displacement or thermal expansion of the sealant is accommodated by various configurations of stress cones that have apertures or surfaces that are flexible and arranged to maintain pressure on the sealant for example during thermal cycling of the joint.

Abstract: A silicone gel formulation is described having a Voland hardness of from about 6 to 20 grams, a tack of from about 17 to 35 grams, and a stress relaxation greater than 50%. The material is especially suitable for sealing the back end of connectors containing a multiple fine wires with gauges between about 14 gauge and 28 gauge. It is particularly suitable to seal the back end of an automotive connector subjected to a wide variety of harsh environmental conditions.

Abstract: A cable splice closure is disclosed, which includes a casing which, in use, is closed around a cable splice; and at least one cable gripper comprising a strip which, in use, is wound around at least one cable extending into the casing. Closing the casing, in use, automatically causes the or each strip to tighten around the or each cable around which it is wound, thereby gripping the cable. The cable gripper strip may have the ability to decrease in length when wound and compressed around a cable, thereby allowing it to contract, and therefore tighten, around the cable.

Abstract: Apparatus for irradiating a substrate is compact, transportable, rugged, high powered, and highly efficient. It includes an improved high voltage inductor (1-230), an improved power transfer apparatus (230-294), an improved voltage multiplication apparatus (500-575), an improved auxiliary power supply (600-619) for the voltage multiplication apparatus, improved accessibility self-shielding (700), and improved methods for radiation processing of solid or liquid materials.

Abstract: A touch sensor system, including a substrate, capable of propagating surface acoustic waves; and a reflective array formed on said substrate, said reflective array having a plurality of reflective elements, each reflective element reflecting a portion of an incident surface acoustic wave. The reflective array is formed of an organic matrix. The organic matrix is preferably chemically bonded to the substrate, and is preferably a thermoset resin. The resulting reflective arrays are preferably stable under changes in moisture between 0% and 60% RH at temperatures between about 0.degree.-50.degree. C. The organic matrix can also be used in a humidity or chemical sensor.

Abstract: A single turn induction heating coil provides a varied magnetic flux density for heating a portion of a load having a thermally and magnetically responsive sealant and tubing. The varied interior diameter of the cylindrical coil structure increases the magnetic flux density at the open ends of the coil or wherever desired, causing the ends of the magnetically responsive materials contained within the coil to be heated at a rate comparable to the middle portion of the coil. Consequently, the sealant and tubing recover faster and more uniformly avoiding the high incidence of tubing "flare up" or "flip back" common with typical single or multi-turn induction coil heaters. In the preferred application, heating produces a complete fluid block in a cable load section within the coil without overheating or damaging the load.

Abstract: An electrical device (1) in which an element (7) composed of a conductive polymer is positioned in contact with the surface layer of one or more metal electrodes (3,5). The metal electrode contains a base layer (9) which comprises a first metal, an intermediate metal layer (15) which comprises a metal that is different from the first metal, and a surface layer (17) which (i) comprises a second metal, (ii) has a center line average roughness R.sub.a of at least 1.3, and (iii) has a reflection density R.sub.d of at least 0.60. The conductive polymer composition preferably exhibits PTC behavior. The electrical devices, which may be, for example, circuit protection devices or heaters, have improved thermal and electrical performance over devices prepared with electrodes which do not meet the center line average roughness and reflection density requirements.

Abstract: Heat-shrinkable sleeves of relatively opaque polymeric material having a relatively transparent integral strip (or other formation) to facilitate positioning of the sleeve on an article about which it is to be shrunk. The opaque portions of the sleeves preferably incorporate sufficient flame-retardant additives to compensate for the absence of such additives from the transparent portions, which transparent portions preferably occupy less of the sleeve surface than the opaque portions.

Abstract: An inexpensive coaxial cable connector, and an inexpensive contact which is suitable for use in an such an inexpensive coaxial cable connector, the connector and the contact being capable of passing electrical signals from low frequency power up to and including telecommunications signals in the range of 1 GHz or more. The connector comprises an elongate, hollow, conductive, cylindrical barrel having an inner radius, R.sub.BARREL, and a first longitudinal axis; and an elongate, conductive contact. The contact has a first end and a second end which define a length therebetween, a second longitudinal axis, and comprises a cylindrical section. The cylindrical section has an outer radius, R.sub.CONTACT, which is less than R.sub.BARREL.

Abstract: Insulation displacing connectors of an "inverted" type extend upwardly from a base of the terminal block into connector chambers of driver modules movable relative to the base between upper and lower positions. Passageways within the modules direct service wires moved through the passageways into the connector chambers and into entrance openings underlying upper edge portions of the insulation displacing connectors within the chambers. Movement of the module from its upper position to its lower position drives the service wires downwardly from the entrance openings of the connectors into and through slots underlying the entrance openings, to establish electrical contact with the service.

Abstract: Electrical circuit protection arrangements with PTC devices and mechanical switches. The combinations of this invention permit the use of mechanical switches and PTC devices to switch voltages and currents in normal circuit operations, wherein the voltage and/or current ratings of the mechanical switches and PTC devices are much less than the normal operating voltages and currents of the circuits. This feature permits the use of smaller and less expensive mechanical switches and PTC device than would otherwise be required in such circuits. The arrangements of switches and PTC devices also permit the PTC devices to limit the magnitude of the fault current passed to the circuit.

Abstract: Electrical devices, particularly circuit protection devices, contain conductive polymer elements whose edges are formed by breaking the conductive polymer element, along a desired path, without the introduction of any solid body into the element. The resulting cohesive failure of the conductive polymer produces a distinctive fractured surface. One method of preparing such devices involves etching fracture channels in the electrodes of a plaque containing a PTC conductive polymer element sandwiched between metal foil electrodes, and then snapping the plaque along the fracture channels to form individual devices.

Abstract: Calcined ceramic powder is made by blending a precursor powder with a form of carbon such as carbon black and heating the blend in an oxygenated atmosphere. The carbon acts as a separator, preventing coalescence of the percursor powder during the calcining process. The blend is characterized by the presence of interstitial spacing between the particles of the carbon powder and the precursor powder. The carbon is eventually oxidized to carbon dioxide and/or carbon monoxide and volatilizes as such, leaving behind the calcined ceramic powder. In a preferred embodiment, the heating is effected by microwave radiation. The carbon absorbs the microwave radiation, heating up the precursor powder and calcining it to form the ceramic powder. Once all the carbon has been oxidized, no more microwave radiation is absorbed, and the heating stops, making the process self-limiting.

Abstract: A sealed F-connector, with a threaded section and a recessed section adjacent the threaded section, has a ring-shaped elastomeric sealing member formed within the recessed section and affixed to the surface of the recessed section. When a connector shell from a mating connector is screwed on, the sealing member deforms as the connector shell screws on over the sealing member, thereby lining at least a portion of the internal thread of the connector shell and at least a portion of the recessed section of the F-connector. The deformed sealing member thereby establishes a barrier to the penetration of moisture between the F-connector and the mating connector.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed cable splice includes (a) a butt cable splice between at least two substantially side-by-side cables, (b) an enclosure sealed around said cables, the enclosure including (i) a first part through which the cable extends, and (ii) a second part which is hollow and together with the first part forms a closed space, the first and second parts having internal and external cross-sections such that one can be slid upon the other so as to give an overlap between the first and second parts, and (c) an inflated sealing member carrying sealing material, the sealing member being within the enclosure and in contact with the cables and the overlap.

Abstract: A PTC device suitable for attachment to a terminal of a battery. The device contains a PTC component which has a shape with an outer periphery and an inner periphery which defines a first opening in the center of the PTC component. The PTC component is made from a laminar PTC resistive element which is composed of a PTC conductive polymer composition, a first laminar electrode which is attached to a first face of the resistive element, and a second laminar electrode which is attached to a second opposite face of the resistive element. Also part of the device are a first conductive lead which has a first part which is attached to the first electrode, and a second part which extends into the first opening, and a second conductive lead.

Abstract: A recoverable article includes an inner resilient radially elastomeric tubular member 2 that is held in its expanded configuration by an outer relatively rigid shell 6. The interface between the member 2 and the shell 6 comprises a plurality of circumferentially-spaced parallel strips 4 coated onto the member 2. The strips 4 prevent the shell 6 from bonding to the member 2 in those regions. The shell 6 is castellated with its valleys 12 adjacent the edges of the strips 4. The lands 8 of the castellated shell 6 overlying the strips 4 can be peeled back to permit the resilient member 2 to recover towards its original configuration, for example around a power cable splice.