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: 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 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: 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: A modular optical fiber splice holder, having a rigid base and a flexible portion to hold optical fiber splices, has an opening extending through the base adjacent an edge thereof. Preferably there is a pair of such openings respectively extending longitudinally along opposite edges of the base.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable bonding assembly includes a base member, a shield clamping member, and a strength member clamping member assembled in stacked relation. The fiber optic cable has a core, a metallic shield, at least one lengthwise extending strength member, and an overall jacket. A portion of the jacket is removed leaving exposed a portion of the metallic shield and the strength members. The base member has a tongue portion inserted between the shield and an underlying portion of the cable core. The shield clamping member overlies the shield to clamp the shield with the base member. A strength member clamping member overlies the strength members and the shield clamping member to clamp the strength members in a longitudinally extending direction. A threaded stud carried by the base member connects the base member, shield clamping member, and strength member clamping member together, as well as secures an end portion of a bonding strap to the stud.

Abstract: An electrical connector, particularly an insulation-displacement connector of split-beam design, comprising a metal that at constant temperature has an elasticity of at least 0.8%. This allows the connector to be used with conductors over a large diameter range.

Abstract: A telecommunications connector (10) includes a ground clip (15) which resiliently engages the rim (17a) of a grounding bus rail (12). Opposing fingers (25, 26) grip the rim (17a). A pivot finger (26) first grips the rim (17a), and then the connector (10) is rotated (28) onto the rim. Tangs (45) also engage the rim (17a), and the connector (10) and clip (15) are locked in position on the rail (12) by jaws (47). Entry wings (30, 41) assist in opening the fingers (25, 26) and a ground lead receiving pocket (35) on the dip (15).

Abstract: A splice closure including a frame having a partition wall to define front and rear access areas for the closure. The frame carries one or more splice trays on a first surface portion making the splices accessible from the front or first access area. A slack storage compartment is provided on the second surface portion. The slack storage compartment includes one or more pairs of opposing sidewalls that define an access opening for the slack that is accessible from the rear access area. An extension member for the frame is disclosed for obtaining greater amounts of slack from the cable, such as for a taut sheath cable splice. A tandem longitudinal arrangement of splice trays is also disclosed and may be used for a taut sheath ring splice or for repairing a severed cable.

Abstract: A tooless environmental splice enclosure capable of fitting within an aerial splice case is disclosed. The environmental closure permits sealing and reentry to a cable splice region.

Abstract: A device for sealing an article, which comprises:(i) a sealing material;(ii) a resilient member that can be biased to apply compression to the sealing material to cause it to seal the article; and(iii) stop means for limiting said biasing of the resilient member at a configuration thereof in which said biasing can be increased by movement of the sealing material.

Abstract: A method of protecting a substrate, which comprises:(a) providing an article having a first portion that has means allowing that portion to be deformed from a larger cross-sectional size to a smaller cross-sectional size and maintained at that smaller size, and that comprises a heat-shrinkable material,(b) positioning the article such that a first portion encloses at least a part of the substrate,(c) deforming the first portion to the smaller cross-sectional size at which it corresponds closely to the part of the substrate, and(d) heat-shrinking the material to cause the first portion of the article to engage the substrate.

Abstract: A modular, re-enterable telecommunications terminal (50), for making and breaking connections with insulated wire conductors, includes one or more base frames (52) supporting wire termination modules (55, 56) thereon, and a multi-pin socket (60) thereon is connected to another base froze (52) by one or more bridging modules (100). The termination modules (55, 56) are manually operable for terminating wires in insulation displacing connectors (70, 85), and are selected and positioned according to the type of terminations desired. Manually pushing and pulling the termination module drivers (65, 80) toward and away from the base frames (52) effects movement of the wires between connected and open positions.

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: Device for connecting a coaxial cable end to a contact socket A device for connecting a coaxial cable end (2a) which may be provided with a cable end-plug (4) to a contact socket (3) comprises a further socket element (9) surrounding the contact socket (3), a seal (8) positioned between the further socket element (9) and the coaxial cable (2a), and a pressing element (11,12) which can deform the seal into contact with the coaxial cable (2a) and the further contact element (9). The device provides both a good seal, and strain relief to the completed connection.