Abstract: An optical preform is prepared first by depositing soot about a glass subate rod (22) to form a boule. Then the soot boule is sintered to consolidate the material and provide a preform from which optical fiber is drawn. The boule is relatively large so that the resulting preform is capable of providing more optical fiber than those used in the past. In order to be able to sinter successfully the enlarged boule, microwave energy from a furnace (60) is coupled to the glass rod so that the sintering proceeds from the rod radially outwardly thereby allowing gases readily to escape and rendering the process highly efficient.

Abstract: Cordage (17) which may be used for any of the commonly marketed lengths of etractile cords comprises an array of a plurality of conductors (11--11) each insulated with a suitable plastic material. The array of conductors is enclosed in inner and outer jackets (52, 54). The inner jacket comprises a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic material, for example, and has a thickness of about 0.015 inch. Covering the inner jacket is an outer jacket comprising a polyvinyl chloride plastic material having a thickness of about 0.005 inch and having a colorant constituent. The PVC composition of the inner jacket is such that it is a less expensive composition than that of the outer jacket. Enclosing the outer jacket is a layer (56) which comprises a top coating material. The top coating material provides the cordage with enhanced retractibility and prevents discoloration as well as plasticizer migration from the outer jacket.

Abstract: A terminal block (20) includes a plurality of wells each having a protector 32) disposed therein and each having a bore which communicates with a U-shaped terminal (60) so that a portion of the protector extends through the bore into engagement with a bade (66) of the terminal. Tangs (68--68) of each terminal depend downwardly. Also, the terminal block includes a plurality of terminal posts (62--62) each having a spade (69) depending therefrom. A first plastic material (70) encapsulates the base and innermost portions of each U-shaped terminal and post. Individual conductors of a pair in a cable (50) extend to a depending tang of a terminal and to a tang of an associated terminal. A strap wire interconnects the other depending tang of each U-shaped terminal to a spade of an associated terminal post. A second plastic material encapsulates the wiring and the outermost portions of the U-shaped terminals and of the spades of the terminal posts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for removing debris caused during laser rimming of films. A vacuum scoop is attached to a movable head which contains the laser optical components. The scoop removes the debris as it is generated and therefore keeps the trimming apparatus essentially clean.

Abstract: In order to provide a substrate such as an optical preform rod (24) which suitable for insertion into a tube and which has a transverse cross section that is substantially circular and disposed concentrically about a longitudinal axis of the substrate substantially along its entire length, a force-applying means such as a graphite roller (52) is adapted to be moved incrementally toward an axis of rotation (35) about which the preform rod is turned rotatably. Movement is discontinued when there is an indication that the force-applying means has been in continuous engagement with the preform rod for at least a predetermined portion of the periphery of the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement of the force-applying means and the preform rod is discontinued after a predetermined time whereafter the force-applying means again is moved toward the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading components into a component insertion machine. The aratus comprises structure releasably mounted on component magazine loading apparatus to retain components in component magazines received by and aligned in the component magazine loading apparatus. The structure is removable after installation of the component loading apparatus on the component insertion machine to enable components to be selected by the component insertion machine from the component magazines.

Abstract: A method has been developed for altering the resistivity of selected regions (tubs) in a dielectrically isolated (DI) wafer. Subsequent to the formation of the conventional tub structure, the wafer is patterned and etched to expose selected tubs. These tubs are then etched and selectively implanted and an epitaxial layer of a new resistivity value is grown in the empty tube regions. The resistivity of the epitaxial material may be chosen to alter the conductivity of the selected tub regions.

Abstract: Spliced end portions (30-30) of two optical fibers are recoated in a manner hich results in the cross section of the spliced length of fiber transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof being substantially constant. This is accomplished without compromising the adhesion of a curable recoating material (51) to an adjacent original coating material (38). In order to provide such a recoated portion, original coating material which is removed to permit splicing is removed in such a manner as to leave a tapered portion (52) remaining on the end portion of each optical fiber. As a result, the interface between the recoating material and the original coating material is increased sufficiently to avoid having to overlap some of the recoating material with original coating material on adjacent portions of the fibers being spliced.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting component magazines on a component insertion machine ncludes a pair of pins extending from one surface of each of the magazines and a pair of corresponding openings in a plate mounted on the machine, the openings being adapted to accommodate the pins. A lever slidably mounted on the plate has openings adapted to engage recessed cylindrical surfaces forming the bottom of annular grooves in the pins thereby locking the magazine in place.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for winding strand such as optical fibers on altate spools and for storing and protecting from damage coiled end portions of the strand to be wound on the spools in which the coils are clamped laterally of the coils with forces applied parallel to the axis of the coils. The methods and apparatus of the invention may be used for urging portions of the strand being fed to the spools and associated strand storage and clamping devices against the peripheral surfaces thereof to aid in the transfer of the distribution of the strand from one spool to the other spool.

Abstract: Individual components (12) in a tube (14) are successively removed and then riented for pickup by first positioning the tube, whose ends are opened, in a horizontal orientation such that the components in the tube are upside down. Thereafter, a component is at least partially expelled from one end of the tube by directing a stream of gas (e.g., air) into the other end of the tube. The component partially expelled from the tube is then withdrawn from the tube to locate the component between a pair of jaws (124) capable of rotation about an arc of 180.degree.. The jaws then engage the component and thereafter rotate it 180.degree. before positioning the component right side up.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a dielectrically-isolated structure is disclosed rein the structure includes a layer of silicide which is selectively doped, preferably using an ion implantation process. The doped silicide is then used as the diffusion source for the subsequent formation (through a heat treatment) of various active portions (collector, emitter, drain, source, for example) of a variety of high-voltage, high-speed active devices. The non-doped silicide is advantageously utilized as a low-resistance contact between the buried diffusion region and the surface electrode. In an alternative embodiment, bottom portions of the silicide contiguous to the tub are removed, leaving only vertical silicide portions adjacent to the sidewalls of the dielectrically isolated tub.

Abstract: A high frequency test fixture (40) comprises an array of Euler column probes (57,58,59) positioned between a circuit board or substrate under test (41) and a routing board or substrate (42) connected to an electronic tester. The Euler column probes are held in a compliant conducting medium (53) interposed between the circuit under test and the routing board. Electrical insulation (67,68) is placed around each alternate probe of the array of probes to isolate it from the compliant conducting medium. Such an alternate probe is to be used as a test signal driving probe. The probes adjacent to and surrounding a test signal driving probe are in electrical contact with the compliant medium and are to be used as ground probes. A high frequency test signal applied to the circuit under test via one of the alternate probes follows a return current path along the outside perimeter of the compliant medium thereby substantially reducing noise and effective lead inductance of the test fixture (FIG. 2).

Abstract: During the heating of a moving wire (21) such as when the wire is being aaled, the wire is heated in such a manner that the energy applied to each successive increment of length of the wire is substantially constant. This is accomplished by causing an integral number of half cycles of alternating curent to be applied to each successive increment of length of the wire as the increments are moved from one sheave to another in an annealer (20). In one embodiment, the integral number of half cycles is achieved by adjusting the speed at which the wire is being advanced between two sheaves of the annealer in a manufacturing line. This also may be accomlished by adjusting the distance between the sheaves in an annealing leg of the annealer, or by adjusting the frequency of the applied power source.

Abstract: A telephone line carrier system comprising a master station (221) and one or more remote stations (222) is disclosed. Each station (221, 222) is bridged, in a parallel electrical connection, onto a wire-pair (201) that extends from the station to a telephone line switching system. Each station (221, 222) includes a line interface (110, 310) for connecting to the wire-pair (201) at voiceband frequencies, and a radio frequency interface (700, 800) for connecting to the wire-pair (201) at Radio Frequencies (RF). Each station further includes multiplexer and demultiplexer equipment (500, 600) for frequency shifting voice and data channels between baseband and RF. Frequency modulation and full duplex transmission are used for voice communication while amplitude modulation and half-duplex transmission are used for data communication.

Abstract: A biconic connector includes two plugs (44--44) each terminating a single fiber optical cable (55) and each including a conically shaped end portion (50). In order to minimize loss through a connection, the axis of an end portion of the optical fiber in the conically shaped end portion of the plug should be substantially coincident with the axis of revolution of the conically shaped end portion. This is accomplished by holding the plug in a fixture such that its conically shaped end portion is exposed and the fixture adapted to be turned about an axis of rotation (105). Scattered light from a laser (166) directed toward a gauging length (100) of optical fiber in a passageway of the plug and extending beyond an end face thereof as the plug is turned rotatably is received on a target area. The fixture is turned pivotally to cause the axis of the gauging fiber to parallel the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Methods of and apparatus are provided for winding strand such as optical ers on alternate spools and for storing and protecting from damage coiled end portions of the strand to be wound on the spools in which the coils are clamped laterally of the coils with forces applied parallel to the axis of the coils. The methods and apparatus of the invention may be used for urging portions of the strand being fed to the spools and associated strand storage and clamping devices against the peripheral surfaces thereof to aid in the transfer of the distribution of the strand from one spool to the other spool.

Abstract: Printed circuit boards having a plurality of circuit layers are produced on a copper-clad substrate by first forming a pattern in a desired configuration to produce the first layer of the printed circuit board, then covering it with an energy-sensitive material comprising a rubber modified epoxy resin, an acrylated epoxy resin and a viscosity modifier; the energy-sensitive material is delineated in a desired pattern and developed to uncover portions of the underlying metallization pattern and the entire substrate is then blanket cured to produce a rigid layer having openings in appropriate places; the openings are metallized and a second copper pattern is produced on the cured polymer by conventional metallization and lithographic techniques. If desired, the process is repeated until a suitable number of copper patterned levels are obtained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for soldering each of a plurality of members (40), arranged in one or more parallel rows, to a separate one of a plurality of metallized pads (42) on a substrate (10), each pad being contiguous with a corresponding member. The method is initiated by tilting the substrate so that one end of each row of members and the metallized pads contiguous therewith are at a higher elevation than the other end. A stream (80) of molten solder and a dripping stream (88) of flux droplets are directed onto the substrate into the regions where the members are contiguous with the metallized pads. Simultaneously, the substrate is displaced relative to the streams along a path (96) inclined with respect to the horizontal and parallel to the rows of members so that the members and the metallized pads are successively coated with solder and then flux.