Abstract: An example universal contact assembly includes plug contact members and a sensing contact member that are overmolded together to form a single unit. Example adapter block assembly include a first optical adapter; a first contact assembly disposed in an aperture defined in the first optical adapter; a first circuit board; and a retainer arrangement that holds the first circuit board to the first optical adapter with sufficient force to retain the first contact assembly within the aperture. Example retainer arrangements include a cover having flanges with tabs that deflect into cavities defined by the first optical adapter; clamp members that clamp a cover to the first optical adapter to hold the first circuit board therebetween; and a retention strip having barbs that attach to the first optical adapter and barbs that attach to the first printed circuit board.

Abstract: An adapter block assembly includes an adapter block, a circuit board arrangement, and a cover attached to the adapter block so that the circuit board arrangement is held to the adapter block by the cover. Contact assemblies can be disposed between the adapter block and the circuit board arrangement. The cover can be latched, heat staked, or otherwise secured to the adapter block. Each component of the adapter block assembly can include one or more parts (e.g., multiple adapter blocks, multiple circuit boards, and/or multiple cover pieces).

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of reading RFID tags in an interconnection system comprising at least one port. The method comprises initiating a localized read transaction to read any RFID tag attached to a first connector and any RFID tag attached to a second connector inserted into the port. The method further comprises, as a part of the localized read transaction, reading any RFID tag configured to respond to a first type of RFID interrogation signal, wherein the first connector comprises an attached RFID tag that is configured to respond to the first type of RFID interrogation signal; and, as a part of the localized read transaction, reading any RFID tag configured to respond to a second type of RFID interrogation signal, wherein the second connector comprises an attached RFID tag that is configured to respond to the second type of RFID interrogation signal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a interconnection system comprising at least one port at which an interconnection between at least two cables can be made, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag attached to at least one of the cables interconnected at the port, and an interface to connect a removable module to the system. The removable module comprises a rechargeable battery to power the system. The removable module is configured to provide a communication link to communicate data read by the RFID reader to a device outside of the interconnection system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to an adapter comprising a coupling circuit configured so that a portable RFID reader can be positioned near a first part of the coupling circuit associated with a first side of the adapter in order to perform a localized read of both an RFID tag attached to a first connector inserted into a first jack of the adapter and an RFID tag attached to a second connector inserted into a second jack of the adapter, wherein the coupling circuit is used to enhance a read range of the portable RFID reader when performing the localized read. These embodiments can be used in the outside plant of a telecommunications network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric switch having a first contact element, an insulating element, and a second contact element. The first contact element includes a first contact surface on which the insulating element is disposed. The second contact element includes a conductive member moveable relative to the first contact element and the insulating element.

Abstract: A composite coating includes a first layer, a second layer, and a fluoropolymer film disposed on the second layer. The first layer includes a polymer matrix with mica particles dispersed throughout, while the second layer includes a polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a mobile application executing on a smartphone that is used to assist a technician in carrying out electronic work orders. In some embodiments, the mobile application uses a camera in the smartphone to take photos that are associated with one or more steps of the work order. In some embodiments, the mobile application is used to cause one or more LEDs associated with a step of the work order to be illuminated or otherwise visually actuated.

Abstract: A vehicle seat interconnect includes a cable that propagates data signals along a length of the cable and a transceiver provided on at least one vehicle seat of a vehicle. The transceiver is wirelessly coupled with the cable and transmits the data signals between the transceiver and the cable.

Abstract: A switching arrangement is disclosed comprising: a control circuit; a latching relay controlled by the control circuit for connecting an AC source to an AC load; and a relief circuit in parallel with the relay and controlled by the control circuit. The relief circuit has two modes of operation: an inactive mode in which the relief circuit is non-conductive and an active mode in which the relief circuit is at least partially conductive. The relief circuit is partially conductive when spending both a time period in a conductive state and a time period in a non-conductive state during a half-cycle of the AC. The control circuit is configured to switch the relief circuit from inactive mode to active mode, and upon switching to active mode, to set the relief circuit as partially conductive for at least two half-cycles, wherein the proportion of time the relief circuit is conductive compared to non-conductive is increased for successive ones of the at least two half-cycles.

Abstract: A Low Voltage, “LV”, network automation system is provided which enables utilities to remotely identify location of LV faults on their networks, isolate these faults and re-energising the healthy LV circuit by remote control. The hardware for this system is designed to be retrofitted into existing LV switchgears and panels which enables the network changeover to be done cost effectively and with minimum interruption to the network. The system also enables utilities to monitor load flows on the LV networks and identify circuits which are overloaded and gives control room operator options for redistribution of network load where possible.

Abstract: There is provided a pluggable modular device for removable connection to a patch panel. The pluggable modular device comprises an electrical connector for mating with a corresponding electrical connector of the patch panel; and at least one of scanning electronics for scanning connection ports of the patch panel and guidance electronics for activating indicators of the patch panel.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable tubular article for forming a wire splice is both resistant to high temperatures and capable of rapid installation. The heat-shrinkable tubular article includes a heat-shrinkable jacket material and an inner adhesive layer having a thixotropic heat-flowable additive. The tubular article having at least one of a maximum internal diameter of no more than 15 mm or a maximum length of no more than 100 mm.

Abstract: A joint for a paper-insulated lead covered cable (PILC) including paper insulation impregnated with oil, the joint comprising a first PILC and a retaining jacket having a hollow interior, the first PILC having an inner conducting element that is conductively secured to an inner conducting element of a further cable within the hollow interior of the retaining jacket, the joint further comprising a sealant forming a sealant layer within the hollow interior of the retaining jacket and a retaining structure positioned within the sealant layer.

Abstract: A power cable (10) has a metal conductor encased in a first outer sheath (11), and further encased, partially along the length of the cable, in a second outer sheath (12, 13, 14) which influences the pattern of deformation of the cable under mechanical stress.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a subrack comprising a backplate and at least one tray configured so that a plurality of connections can be made at a plurality of positions on the tray. Each of the plurality of connections involves at least one connector having information stored in a device associated therewith that can be read. The backplate and the tray are configured so that the tray can be selectively attached and removed from the backplate. The backplate and the tray are configured so that the devices associated with the connectors involved in making the connections can be read via the tray. The devices associated with the connections can be implemented, for example, using RFID tags or connection point identifier (CPID) storage devices (such as EEPROMs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to shielded electrical cables and shielded electrical connectors to be affixed thereto, and in particular to the termination of the shielding braid provided at the electrical cable. According to the present invention, a shielding termination structure for engaging a shielding (104) of a shielded cable (100) having an insulated conductor (102) that is encompassed by said shielding is provided, said shielding termination structure (110) comprising: an electrically conductive shield body (114) for establishing an electrical connection between said shielding (104) and an electrically conductive interface (118), fixing means (126) for securing said shield body (114) at the interface (118); an electrically conductive spring element (120) that is arranged between said shield body (114) and the interface (118) for establishing the electric contact in a compressed state of the spring element (120).

Abstract: There is provided a cable breakout support (100), comprising a clamp (200) for clamping to a trunking (110), and a clip (210) for clipping to a cable breakout of a cable bundle (120, 122) supported in the trunking. Each clamp comprises at least two trunk fittings (202) for fitting to at least two respective bulbous longitudinal edges (111, 112) of the trunking; and a clip fitting (205) for connecting to a respective clip.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is directed to an apparatus for reading an RFID tag comprising an RFID reader comprising: an RFID transceiver and a first coil. The apparatus further comprises an extender configured to attach to the RFID reader, the extender comprising a second coil. The extender is configured to couple the first coil and the second coil to one another when the extender is attached to the RFID reader. Another exemplary embodiment is directed to an extender for use with an RFID reader that is configured to read an RFID tag using a first coil included in the RFID reader. The extender comprises an elongated structure configured to attach to the RFID reader and a second coil attached to the elongated structure. The extender is configured to couple the first coil and the second coil to one another when the extender is attached to the RFID reader.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a patching system. The patching system comprises at least one port, the port having a first side and a second side. The patching system further comprises at least one coupling circuit. The coupling circuit comprises a pickup portion and a reader portion coupled to the pickup portion. The coupling circuit is configured so that the pickup portion is positioned near the second side of the port and the reader portion is positioned near the first side of the port. The coupling circuit is configured so that an RFID tag mounted to a cable attached to the second side of the port can be read from the first side of the port via the reader portion of the coupling circuit.