Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID)-equipped communication components are disclosed. The communication components can include fiber optic components, such as fiber optic connectors and fiber optic adapters as examples. An RFID-equipped circuit is provided in the communication components to communicate information. In order that the electrical circuit be provided in the communication component without altering the communication component connection type, the circuit may be disposed in at least one recessed area of the communication component housing. In this manner, the communication component maintains its connection type such that it is compatible with a complementary communication component connection type for backwards compatibility while also being RFID-equipped.

Abstract: Methods for preparing glass structures include extruding a glass precursor, the glass precursor having a composition in the range of 55%-75% SiO2, 5%-10% Na2O, 20%-35% B2O3 and 0%-5% Al2O3, and heat treating and leaching the glass precursor to yield a glass article comprising at least about 90% SiO2 by weight. Glass articles can be used to manufacture a variety of geometrically complex structures.

Abstract: A method for optimizing the alignment of an optical package includes directing a beam spot of a laser along a folded optical path and onto a waveguide portion of a wavelength conversion. The output intensity of the wavelength conversion device is measured as a position of an adjustable optical component is adjusted about a first scanning axis and a second scanning axis thereby traversing the beam spot along a first and second scan lines on the waveguide portion of the wavelength conversion device. The change in the output intensity of the wavelength conversion device is then determined based on the adjusted position of the adjustable optical component. The adjustable optical component is then positioned on the first scanning axis and the second scanning axis based on the determined changes in the output intensity of the wavelength conversion device such that the output intensity of the wavelength conversion device is maximized.

Abstract: An optical-fiber-network (OFN) radio-frequency identification (RFID) system for deploying and/or maintaining and/or provisioning service and/or locating faults in an OFN. The system includes a plurality of OFN components, and at least one RFID tag that includes RFID tag data that has at least one property of the OFN component associated with the RFID tag. The RFID tag data is written to and read from the RFID tags using one or more mobile RFID readers either prior to, during or after deploying the OFN components. An OFN-component-data database unit is used to store and process the RFID tag data and is automatically updated by the one or more mobile RFID readers. This allows for different maps of the OFN to be made, such as an inventory map and a maintenance map, and for the maps to be automatically updated. The OFN-RFID system allows for mobile automated operations and management of OFN components by service personnel, and provides for faster and more accurate OFN system deployment and maintenance.

Abstract: An extrusion die is processed to alter the flow of extrudable material through the die by collecting data reflecting flow variations across the face of the die, constructing a graded resistance flow restrictor utilizing the data, and forcing an abrasive machining medium through the flow restrictor and die with the flow restrictor being arranged to deliver higher abrasive flow through die portions initially exhibiting low extrusion rates, the resulting die being useful for the manufacture of ceramic honeycomb bodies exhibiting a reduced incidence of shape defects attributable to die flow variations.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification-(RFID)-based active labeling system for labeling components of a telecommunication system. The active labeling system includes an electronically addressable active label device that forms and displays indicia that remains static and visible when the device is unpowered. A RFID tag is operably connected to the device and is configured to receive a RF signal that contains component information, and to harvest power from the RF signal. The RFID tag then transfers the component information and power to active label device to enable it to form and display indicia representative of the component information. A database unit is operably connected or is contained directly in the RF reader and contains the component information on a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A cement mixture suitable for use with ceramic honeycomb bodies, such as for forming an outer layer on the outer periphery of the honeycomb body, or for forming plugs in the honeycomb body. The cement mixture, when fired, preferably exhibits low coefficient of thermal expansion and high strength. The cement mixture can be applied to a green honeycomb body and simultaneously fired with the green body or can be applied to an already fired ceramic honeycomb body and then fired. Includes cement mixture comprising a plurality of inorganic components comprising talc, kaolin, alumina, silica, and aluminum hydroxide, wherein the mixture contains less than or equal to 18.0% silica and greater than or equal to 17.0% aluminum hydroxide, in percent by weight of the inorganic components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to radial wall flow particulate filters comprised of ceramic material. The filters include a filter body that has a plurality of adjacent troughs circumferentially arranged around a longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inspecting a cylindrical porous ceramic body by positioning a diffuser near, and spaced apart from, the first end of a ceramic body; flowing a tracer flow toward the diffuser, wherein a first portion of the tracer flow passes through the diffuser, and a second portion of the tracer flow does not pass through the diffuser, the first and second portions of the tracer flow then entering the first end of the ceramic body, wherein the average velocity of the first portion of the tracer flow entering the ceramic body VAVG1 is lower than the average velocity of the second portion of the tracer flow entering the ceramic body VAVG2; directing light toward the second end of the ceramic body; and detecting reflected light coming from a location proximate the second transverse face at the second end of the ceramic body.

Abstract: A method for fabricating ceramic honeycomb structural bodies that includes conveying at least one green honeycomb structural body of a first type and at least one green honeycomb structural body of a second type through a kiln in a manner which reduces cracking or fissures in the fired objects.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous ceramic article having a narrow pore distribution includes heating a green body containing ceramic forming raw materials in a firing environment that raising the temperature of the firing environment to a peak temperature, then reducing the temperature to a hold temperature in order to form porous ceramic.

Abstract: Disclosed are cement compositions for applying to honeycomb bodies. The cement compositions can be applied as a plugging cement composition, segment cement, or even as after applied artificial skins or coatings. The cement compositions generally include an inorganic powder batch mixture consisting essentially of inorganic particles having a particle size greater than 100 nm. The cement compositions can further include an organic binder, a liquid vehicle, and one or more optional processing aids. Also disclosed are honeycomb bodies having the disclosed cement compositions applied thereto and methods for making same.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes tubular post, a coupler secured over an end of the tubular post for securing the connector to an appliance, and an outer body secured to the tubular post. An electrical grounding path is maintained between the coupler and the tubular post whether or not the coupler is tightly fastened to the appliance. The electrical grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler. Alternatively, the connector includes conductive grease at a point where mating portions of the tubular post and coupler have closely matching dimensions.

Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID)-equipped communication components are disclosed. The communication components can include fiber optic components, such as fiber optic connectors and fiber optic adapters as examples. An RFID-equipped circuit is provided in the communication components to communicate information. In order that the electrical circuit be provided in the communication component without altering the communication component connection type, the circuit may be disposed in at least one recessed area of the communication component housing. In this manner, the communication component maintains its connection type such that it is compatible with a complementary communication component connection type for backwards compatibility while also being RFID-equipped.

Abstract: A porous ceramic material is disclosed having a principal cordierite phase, the porous ceramic material exhibiting a normalized strength greater than 20 MPa. The cordierite phase has a reticular microstructure. A method for forming a porous ceramic body having a predominant phase of cordierite is provided which includes forming a body from a plasticized mixture of inorganic ceramic-forming ingredients that include a magnesia source, a silica source, and an alumina source, the alumina source including alumina-containing elongated particles, wherein at least 90 wt % of the alumina-containing elongated particles have a length of 50 to 150 ?m, and then firing the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are cements for ceramic honeycomb bodies. Such cements can be applied to a fired ceramic honeycomb body then fired, or can be applied to an unfired (green) honeycomb body and co-fired with the green honeycomb body. The cement can also be used to plug one or more cells in a honeycomb body, wherein the cement can be inserted into a green or a fired ceramic honeycomb body, then fired. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb article with the cement.

Abstract: A method of applying a cement mixture to an exposed matrix of intersecting walls of a honeycomb body is disclosed. The method may include the steps of providing an applicator, feeding the cement mixture into applicator, forcing the cement mixture to exit the applicator with a substantially uniform velocity, while depositing the cement mixture on the exposed matrix of the honeycomb body.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based configuration detection system for automatically detecting, directing, and/or configuring the physical configuration of a complex system constituted by a set of one or more types of mateable components. The RFID configuration detection system utilizes a set of mateable RFID tags arranged so that each mateable component includes at least one mateable RFID tag. Each RFID tag includes information about its associated component and is arranged so that when the components are mated, their associated RFID tags also are mated. The system uses at least one RFID reader to read RFID tag signals from the RFID tags. The RFID tag signals provide information about mating status of the component, as well as information about components themselves. An information processing system operably connected to the RFID reader receives and process information concerning the number and type of mated connections and thus the configuration.

Abstract: An aluminum titanate-based ceramic is provided having an anisotropic microstructure which includes the reaction products of a plurality of ceramic-forming precursors. The batch contains at least one precursor in fibrous form. The inorganic ceramic has low thermal expansion. Porous ceramic bodies and the method of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Generation of a cylindrically polarized light beam, and in particular, a hybrid-azimuthal-radial polarization beams, called HARP modes, generated from an input linearly polarized Gaussian beam using a spun optical waveguide device is taught. The HARP modes are comprised of hybrid-azimuthal polarization (HAP) and hybrid-radial polarization (HRP) superposition modes. These beams possess a non-zero local angular momentum density that is spatially varying and a zero total angular momentum.