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 method is disclosed for making a liquid crystal composite including a component such as a pleochroic dye. The component is imbibed into droplets of a liquid crystal material in a containment medium.

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 self supporting sealing member having a layer of sealant positioned longitudinally between two constraining layers. The lateral dimensions of the sealing member are designed to fit within a hollow member. The constraining layer is preferably a gel having a Voland hardness greater than the Voland hardness of the sealant. This configuration does not allow particles to contaminate the connection of substrates or wires inserted through the sealing member.

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: An environmental protection device with manually operated latching mechanism is described. The device includes a rigid hook and flexible latch on opposite peripheral edges of the device with cavity halves therebetween capable of fitting together upon the latching of the hook and latch to form an enclosure around an elongate substrate such as a coaxial cable splice or a cable to tap port connection upon the closing of the device and the locking of the latch and hook members. The device is preferably filled with a gel sealing material having an elongation of at least 100% and a Voland hardness from about 1 to 50 grams.

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: Flame retarded organopolysiloxane gels suitable for sealing and protecting electrical contacts include (i) an organopolysiloxane gel having repeat units of the structure ##STR1## where each R is independently phenyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or fluoroalkyl, at least 40% of the R groups being phenyl; and (ii) an additive package mixed with the organopolysiloxane, which is (a) zinc oxide; (b) antimony oxide; (c) a brominated compound having a molecular weight of at least 450 and a bromine content of at least 40 weight %; (d) a chlorinated compound having a molecular weight of at least 300 and a chlorine content of at least 40 weight %; or (e) combinations of the above. The additive package is used in an amount between about 10 and about 60 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of organopolysiloxane.

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 device for dissecting, grasping and/or cutting an object has at least two elongate elements at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material, preferably a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy. End portions of the elements can be moved away from one another and then toward one another to dissect, grasp and/or cut an object with the elements. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises an actuating means and at least a portion of the elements and/or the actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material. The device is particularly useful in dissecting, grasping and/or cutting objects located in difficult to reach areas, for example within the body during surgery.

Abstract: This invention relates to multi-component assemblies comprising a plurality of substantially parallel insulated conductors and or cables at least one of which is wrapped in a flexible affixment means thereby enabling the wrapped component to be secured to a support substrate.

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: A method and a device is provided which allows the connection of coaxial cable termini to one another with minimum long-term loss of RFI shielding. The method comprises the removal of metal oxides from the concentric conductor portions of the two cable termini, applying a sealant to the concentric conductor termini and then connecting the central conductor termini to one another and the concentric conductor termini to one another. The device comprises a collet structure dimensioned to slip over the outside of a standard connection jack. Within the collet structure is disposed a quantity of sealant and the collet structure has at least one aperture through which sealant oozes from the collet structure to the exterior of the collet structure. When the collet structure is attached to the jack, the sealant is caused to ooze onto the concentric conductor thereby sealing the concentric conductor from the ambient.

Abstract: A switching device for electrically activating and deactivating a coaxial cable junction between a coaxial cable terminus and a connection jack, where both the terminus and connection jack have external and internal conductors, is disclosed. The switching device comprises an electrically conductive housing having a first end adapted to be physically connected to the external terminus conductor, and a second end adapted to be physically connected to the external connection jack conductor. An interior member disposed within the housing, has a first end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal terminus conductor, and a second end adapted to be electrically connected to the internal connection jack conductor. A first electrically conductive path lies between the first and second end of the interior member, and a switch is disposed within this conductive path.

Abstract: A device is provided for firmly attaching a plurality of coaxial cable terminus to a plurality of standard connection jacks in such a way that each connection point is effectively shielded from tampering by individuals and is effectively sealed from degrading elements in the atmosphere. The device is a locking shroud which defines a plurality of locking shroud chambers, each being adapted to attach to a respective connection jack so as to surround the connection of a cable terminus to the jack. Each locking shroud chamber is attached to one other locking shroud chamber by a flexible web disposed in a curved plane. Because of the flexible webs, the locking shroud can be easily adjusted to fit any standard coaxial cable multiple connection equipment. The use of the locking shroud of the invention makes it difficult to de-attach and/or re-attach the cable terminus to the jack without special tooling.

Abstract: The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display is made from an encapsulated liquid crystal structure comprising a liquid crystal composition dispersed in a containment medium. Selected additives may be added to the encapsulated liquid crystal structure to improve performance characteristics such as the operating field, the hysteresis, and the voltage holding ratio.