Abstract: A nozzle and retainer assembly is provided for use in a rotary cone earth boring bit that allows for a larger internal passage in the nozzle. In one aspect, the assembly has a nozzle seated on a shoulder in a receptacle with a stepped portion extending radially outward with a first nozzle shoulder spaced from and facing toward the shoulder in the receptacle to partially define a seal gland. The stepped portion has a second nozzle shoulder facing toward the open end of the receptacle and the retainer engages the inside surface of the receptacle and the second nozzle shoulder to retain the nozzle in the receptacle.

Abstract: A rotary and longitudinal shock absorbing apparatus with an mandrel therein is connected to a drill string assembly to absorb abnormal longitudinal shocks and abnormal torsional shocks by cooperating hydraulic and mechanical means, while allowing communication of drilling fluid through the body of the apparatus. The construction of the apparatus is such that torque shock absorbing action is independent of the longitudinal shock absorbing action and the apparatus provides balanced internal and external pressure to permit its operation at all levels of hydraulic pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a diamond impregnated bit with an adaptive matrix in the ribs. The ribs have at least two different areas of metal-matrix composite impregnated with diamonds with different wear resistance such that during boring of formation, the areas will wear at different rates and provide fluid flow spaces across the surface of the ribs.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnect and canister closure assembly is provided for interconnecting optical fiber cables in a canister closure. The assembly comprises a canister and end cap that closes over one end of the canister. Extending from the end cap to be received in the canister is a longitudinal interconnect assembly that comprises a longitudinal adapter mount. A plurality of adapters are mounted along the adapter mount in a row. The assembly is further provided with fiber management guides along a portion of the interconnect assembly that allow any pigtail of a set of equal length pigtails to be interconnected to any adapter mounted on the adapter mount.

Abstract: A guide block assembly is provided for retaining a plurality of fiber bore forming pins and at least one guide bore forming pin in precise relation to each other during molding of a multi-fiber ferrule used in a multi-fiber connector. The assembly includes an array of fiber bore blocks each with a fiber bore therethrough to retain a respective one of the fiber bore forming pins. At least one guide bore block that defines a guide bore for retaining a guide bore forming pin is assembled with the array of fiber bore blocks. Adjoining surfaces are defined between adjacent fiber bore blocks and between the guide bore blocks and the array fiber bore blocks. The use of bores more precisely retains the pins during the molding process, and the use of blocks with adjoining surfaces allows for the machining of such surfaces to precisely establish the relationships between successive fiber bore blocks and between the array of fiber bore blocks and the guide bore blocks.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adapter for sealingly receiving ferrules of standard optical fiber connectors such that the end faces of the ferrules are protected from moisture when inserted into the adapter. The adapter has a sealing sleeve that defines a sealing surface at each end to circumferentially seal about a ferrule. An alignment sleeve that is sized for operatively aligning the end faces of the ferrules is disposed coaxially inside the sealing sleeve. A retainer retains the sealing sleeve and allows for mounting of connectors thereto.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a longitudinally extending ferrule having fusion access means defined therein such that an optical fiber stub and a second optical fiber can be fused in the field during installation of the optical fiber connector. In one embodiment, the fusion access means includes a fusion access slot which extends transversely across the ferrule from a first side of the ferrule to a bottom portion of the fusion access slot such that a bore defined longitudinally through the ferrule opens into the fusion access slot. In this embodiment, the radial distance between the bottom portion of the fusion access slot and the second side of the ferrule, opposite the first side, is greater than a predetermined radial distance such that the fusion access slot does not significantly weaken the ferrule so that the ferrule remains structurally intact during use.

Abstract: A coupler is provided for coupling standard optical fiber connectors of the type with a ferrule extending from a connector housing. The coupler has a monolithic ferrule sleeve that defines a passageway configured for receiving and operatively aligning the ferrules from the two connectors to be coupled. A first latch portion is spaced from and generally parallel with the ferrule sleeve. A midpoint of the first latch portion is connected to a midpoint of the ferrule sleeve. A second latch portion is similarly connected to the ferrule sleeve opposite the first latch portion. The first and second latch portions are configured for engaging the connector housings of the connectors to be coupled.

Abstract: A device and method are provided to relieve strain in a plurality of optical ribbon fibers. In one embodiment, a tray has two sidewalls defining a passageway therebetween for receiving a grommet. The grommet defines a channel sized for receiving therethrough the plurality of optical ribbon fibers in a stacked arrangement. A compression clip fits over the grommet to compress the grommet proximal the channel the compress the optical ribbon fibers against each other in the stack.

Abstract: A connector block and method are provided wherein a plurality of optical fiber connectors can be removably loaded in the block for the simultaneous mating of such optical fiber connectors. Springs are disposed behind the connectors and the block defines a shoulder surface against which the spring is abutted. The block further defines connector channels to fix the connectors relative to each other in a lateral direction yet allow the connectors to slide backward in the longitudinal direction to compress the spring. Two such blocks can be connected to each other for simultaneously mating and spring loading the plurality of connectors.

Abstract: A guide tool and associated method are provided for inserting guide pins in a plurality of stacked multi-fiber connectors and for mating two opposed stacks of multi-fiber connectors. The guide tool comprises a rail with a first and a second mount disposed thereon. At least one of the mounts is slidably disposed on the rail. The mounts receive a stack of multi-fiber connectors or a pin applicator body. In operation, a first stack of multi-fiber connectors are disposed in the first mount, a pin applicator is disposed in the second mount, the second mount is slid along the rail until the guide pins are operatively inserted into the first stack of connectors. The applicator is removed from the second mount and a second stack of connectors can be disposed therein for being slid into an operative mating relationship with the first stack of connectors.

Abstract: A guide sleeve is provided for guiding a portion of a fiber optic cable through a turn and insuring that the turn radius of such portion of the cable does not decrease below the minimum bend radius of the cable. The guide comprises a curved sleeve that has a radius of curvature not less than the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable. The sleeve has an interior surface that defines a passageway, and the sleeve defines a slot that communicates with the passageway and extends the entire length of the sleeve such that the sleeve has an open cross-section along the entire length of the sleeve. The slot is configured to allow insertion of a length of a cable through the slot and into the passageway. The slot allows the guide to be removably installed on a cable that already has connectors and boots installed on each end of the cable without affecting the integrity of the connector/boot connection.

Abstract: A sealed RJ-11 connector includes plug and connector entrances each comprises a material insert molded to both sides of a plate. At least one such material is sufficiently flexible to expand or contract responsive to air pressure, and a gel may be used to seal at least one of the entrances.

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector is provided that has two housings. The first housing encloses surge protection. Terminals extend from the first housing. The second housing has insulation displacement terminals with first ends for connection with insulated wires and with second ends for connection to the terminals extending from the first housing. The two housings are to be joined together to complete an electrical line from one insulation displacement terminal to the other via the surge protection. Thus, surge protection is in one sub assembly protected from the environment, and the insulation displacement terminals are in another subassembly protected from the environment. The housings have a detent assembled condition enabling relative positional adjustment before joining of the housings. Electrical testing for the line circuit and for the surge protection may be performed upon the closed assembly.

Abstract: A telephone network interface device utilizing network termination modules for interconnecting telephone company wiring to the wiring of respective subscribers incorporates an improved organization of elements to reduce the cost of such elements; to facilitate their use; and to improve the flexibility and compactness of the organization. The device incorporates an improved hinge arrangement for use with the internal security closure that permits ready removal of the closure to facilitate servicing the installed equipment. A novel ground bus organization comprising an assemblage of bus sections of uniform length arranged to accommodate the length of stack of network termination modules housed in the device reduces the variety of ground buses required to accommodate module stacks of various size.

Abstract: A grommet is provided having an outer peripheral portion and a central portion having different patterns on opposing surfaces thereof. In one embodiment the outer peripheral portion and the central portion are fabricated from different materials.

Abstract: Telecommunications overvoltage protectors are sealed from environmental degradation by a gel. The gel is inserted in such a way as not to interfere with moving parts or air gaps in the protectors.

Abstract: A method for polishing the distal end of a fiber optic connector. The distal end is first polished in the presence of an aqueous slurry comprising two different powders to bring a glass surface and a ferrule surface to a substantially common plane, and subsequently polished in the presence of an acidic solution to prevent the attachment of hydrated silica particles to the ferrule face.

Abstract: An applicator for inserting guide pins in the corresponding apertures of a fiber optic connector includes a carrier body defining a number of bores and a number of guide pins disposed at least partially within respective ones of the bores, the guide pins extending outwardly from a first surface of the carrier body. The outwardly extending ends of the guide pins are then inserted into and captured by the fiber optic connector and remain therein after removal of the carrier body. In order to further increase the numbers of guide pins that are simultaneously inserted, a plurality of fiber optic connectors can be maintained in a predetermined aligned relationship by an alignment shell having a releasably connected sidewall for receiving the fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: This invention discloses a network termination module comprising a base structure having a means for grounding. Mounted on the base structure is an intermediate structure which contains a telephone jack and also a pair of line terminals for connection to telephone company wiring. A terminal strip is mounted above the intermediate structure, the terminal strip containing subscriber terminals for connection to a subscriber's wiring. Mounted above the terminal strip is an openable cover containing a telephone plug which mates with the telephone jack. The line terminals are electrically connected to the telephone jack. There is a protector element disposed in the base structure which is electrically connected to the means for grounding.