Abstract: A bulge (12) formed by coldwelding two wire sections (10-11) is removed by advancing the wire through a bore (91) formed in a split cutting tool (64) having a pair of stepped-back tapered surfaces (92,96) at one end. The tapered surfaces terminate along a diameter of the bore to form a pair of spaced semi-elliptical cutting surfaces (93,97) which are successively rendered effective to remove semi-circular sections of the bulge. The apparatus includes facilities (31,32) for temporarily holding the wire in place within the cutting tool (64) and a clamping arrangement (35,36) for securely holding the wire during the weld bulge removal operation.

Abstract: Wires (30-1, 30-2, 30-3 and 30-4), which may be of different gauges, are selectively wound on bobbins (32) either singly or in parallel with one another. More specifically, wire guides (364) for first wires (30-1) are selectively transferable between a wire wrapping plate (222) for a bobbin winding operation, and inoperative positions on a storage block (71). Similarly, wire guides (428) for the additional wires (30-2, 30-3 and 30-4) are selectively transferable between the wire wrapping plate (222) for a bobbin winding operation, and inoperative positions in a magazine storage assembly (66). The wrapping radius of the wrapping plate (222) also is adjustable to accommodate bobbins (32) having different terminal spacings.

Abstract: A pair of opposed corrugating rollers (22 and 24) are supported on a frame (52) for corrugating a metal tape (20). The corrugating rollers (22 and 24) are supported for continuous reciprocating movement laterally of the tape (20) during the corrugating operation to distribute wear evenly over the surface of the rollers.

Abstract: A method of making a cable (20) specially suited for use in building plenums because of its low flame spread and smoke evolution includes enclosing a multiconductor core (22) in a sheath comprising an inorganic, cellular core wrap (31), a corrugated metallic barrier (40) and dual layers (51) and (52) of a polyimide tape. The tapes are wrapped helically about the barrier in a manner that avoids a compression of the core wrap. The sheath is effective to resist heat transfer inwardly toward the core by conduction while the metallic barrier reflects radiant heat. Advantageously, the sheath containerizes the core without unduly compressing it and thereby allows the intumescence of conductor insulation during a fire to form char which is effective to suppress the evolution of smoke and the propagation of flame.

Abstract: A method of recovering gold and palladium from a spent aqueous potassium iodide-iodine etching solution, and regenerating the etching solution for reuse, involves adjusting the spent solution to a strongly basic pH (e.g., 12.5) by the addition of an alkaline compound (e.g., potassium hydroxide) to precipitate metallic gold from the solution. Metallic palladium is precipitated from the resulting alkaline solution by the addition of a borohydride, (e.g., potassium borohydride). Following removal of the precipitated gold and palladium, the spent alkaline solution is made acidic-to-neutral in pH to change potassium hypoiodite and some potassium iodide in the solution to iodine. The solution then is adjusted back upward to a slightly alkaline pH value (e.g., 9.0), and precipitate is removed at room temperature. Potassium iodide and iodine crystals then are added to the solution, as necessary, to regenerate the solution to substantially its original composition and strength for reuse.

Abstract: A pressurizable closure is disclosed for a telecommunication cable. The closure has a metallic air valve extending through a closure to each end of which electrical couplers are secured for use in grounding the cable sheath.

Abstract: Electrically conductive leads (12) are bonded to pre-tinned ends (11) of a thin film, rolled capacitor (10). A dimple (20) is formed in the leads (12) resulting in an indentation (21) therein and a protrusion (22) on the opposite surface thereof. The protrusion (22) is placed in contact with the end (11) and a pulsed laser beam directed into the indentation (21) to heat the lead (12) in the vicinity of the protrusion (22) to reflow a portion of the pre-tinned ends (11) to form a bond therebetween.

Abstract: Spray flux apparatus (10) of a soldering system is automatically cleaned by delivery of a predetermined amount of solvent to the apparatus. A control system (50) transmits signals for controlling the delivery of air or solvent through holes (33) in an air manifold (32) located in a flux tank (21). After a predetermined amount of solvent is delivered to the tank (21), the control system (50) signals a solenoid valve (62) to close to stop the flow of solvent to the tank (21) and then signals another solenoid valve (52) to open to allow compressed air to enter the tank (21) to aid in the cleaning of the apparatus (10).

Abstract: A sample of copper electroless plating solution, containing complexed cupric ions, is modified to provide a concentration of uncomplexed cupric ions. A pH probe (40) monitors the pH level of the modified sample and feeds a signal to a pH control circuit (42) which selectively adds a diluted acid in order to maintain the pH level of the modified sample at a desired level. Specific ion and reference probes (44 and 46) are positioned in the modified sample where, in the presence of uncomplexed cupric ions, a voltage signal is developed. The voltage signal, which is indicative of the copper concentration of the modified sample, is a measure of the copper concentration in the plating solution. A copper control circuit (48), which is responsive to the developed voltage signal, facilitates the addition of cupric ions to the plating solution to maintain a desired ratio of complexer to copper concentration.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for printing encoded markings on elongated material comprising a first disc (41) having raised lands (46) extending between central and peripheral disc regions, and a second disc (42) mounted to the first disc flush against the raised lands. A third disc (40) having raised lands is mounted to the second disc with its raised lands flush against the second disc. Means (61, 62) are provided for altering the radial position of the first and second discs relative to each other.

Abstract: A telephone cord which is particularly suited for use with some models of decorative telephones includes a plurality of individually insulated conductors, a plastic jacket which encloses the plurality of individually insulated conductors, and a braid which encloses the plastic jacket. While the braid is comprised of a woven band of cloth of a natural material or a synthetic material, in a preferred embodiment it is made of cotton which is dyed to a color which is compatible with that of portions of the decorative telephone. An end portion of the cord which is terminated with a modular plug that is capable of being inserted into a jack in the telephone is treated to cause the braid to be bonded to the plastic jacket so that when the jacket is removed to expose the conductors for purposes of plug termination, the braid will not fray.

Abstract: Cable splices of outside telephone plant are rehabilitated by a method in which a length of tubing of a kit of parts is moved over end portions of cables which are to be respliced, if necessary. The tubing is collapsed adjacent jacketed portions of the cables and a collar comprising a plurality of turns of sealing tape is formed about the jacket of each of the cables in adjacent locations. A spacer block is positioned between the collars to maintain the cables spaced apart after which a liner made of a perforated, transversely corrugated strip of plastic material is wrapped about the splice. The tubing is extended over the liner and its lower end is taped about the collars to form a closed end to prevent the escape of a waterproofing material which is flowed into the opposite open end of the tubing. A length of transversely and longitudinally scored plastic is wrapped about the tubing and cut along one of the score lines to form a cover which is secured by a plurality of clamps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for detecting insulation faults in the insulation of wires being stranded into cable. A voltage is applied to a bead-chain electrode through which the wires are passed, a signal pulse generated upon voltage breaking down between the electrode and a wire, and the simultaneous presence of signal pulses in two or more wires detected. In this manner adjacent insulation faults in two or more wires may be recognized.

Abstract: Several flat cable embodiments (10, 10',10",10"',10"") are disclosed, as are methods and apparatus (30) for the selective manufacture and connectorization of same. In accordance with one preferred flat cable embodiment (10), adapted for telephone under carpet applications, two precisely offset arrays of rectangularly shaped conductors (13, 14) are separated by a center film (16), with each array being adhesively bonded through an associated adhesive coating (21 or 22) to only the respectively adjacent one of two outer films (18 or 19).

Abstract: A method of generating a vapor stream is disclosed which comprises the steps of providing a jet of electrostatically chargeable liquid particles and electrostatically controlling the jet so as to meter some of the liquid particles into a vaporizer for a period of time sufficient to become vaporized.

Abstract: A switch (13) is provided with a common actuator (38) which is movable through successive discrete positions (47) for effecting successive circuit closures between a common circuit portion (21) and a selectable one of a plurality of conductors (20). In any selected position of the actuator, a deformation of the actuator, without changing its selected position, effects a further discrete circuit closure (58, 57) to indicate that an actuator position has been selected. These closures are advantageously utilized in a telephone station set environment to control a dialed digit display and to enable registration of a sequence of dialed digits for subsequent transmission.

Abstract: A connecting device for providing electrical continuity of a metallic shield of a jacketed distribution cable across a splice location and for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one service wire that is electrically connected to the cable at the splice location and to a customer's premise includes a first clamp which comprises an inner plate that is inserted under the shield until a stud upstanding therefrom abuts the cable jacket and shield. An outer plate of the first clamp and an arcuately formed bonding plate of a second clamp, said bonding plate having a relatively short length in a direction along the length of the cable, are positioned over the cable jacket until the stud extends through an opening in each after which a nut is turned onto the stud to secure the first clamp to the cable and the bonding plate to the first clamp.

Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of a substantially circular metallic shield (37) about a cable core (32) by wrapping a metallic tape (64) longitudinally about the core with longitudinal edge portions of the tape being overlapped by a forming key (100) to provide a closed seam (38). As the seam is formed, an underlying longitudinal edge portion (48) of the shield is supported while an overlying longitudinal edge portion (45) at the overlap is directed inwardly toward the cable core to preclude its protrusion into a jacket (39) which is subsequently extruded over the shielded cable core. A relatively thin strip (145) of metal attached to an inner surface of the forming key assures formation of the seam before juxtaposing the longitudinal edge portions and the core, and avoids penetration of a priorly formed inner shield by the longitudinal edge of the outer shield to prevent rotation of the inner shield and undesirable alignment of the shield seams.

Abstract: A continuous flexible web includes a flat, flexible, non-conductive substrate with copper cladding on at least one major surface of the substrate. Prepunched holes may be formed in and through the web and may provide through-hole connections between printed circuits ultimately formed on opposite sides of the substrate.Successive sections of the web are indexed through a screen printing apparatus. A photocell system cooperates with preformed through-slots formed selectively in the web and windows formed in a platen beneath the section to precisely locate the platen with the section and relative to a circuit pattern formed in a screen above the section. The underside of the section is then held with the platen and the screen is positioned over the top side of the section. Ink is then flooded onto the screen and ultimately wiped through circuit-pattern openings in the screen and onto the section to form an inked impression of the circuit pattern on the section.

Abstract: The architecture of a conventional digital computer, for example, a microprocessor, is modified by interposing a multiplexer (31), a logic array (32) and a demultiplexer (33) between the instruction register (17) and instruction decoder (18). The logic array "scrambles" the bits in each instruction code; however, if the program to be run is priorly encrypted with this "scrambling" in mind, it will run normally. On the other hand, if the encrypted program is copied, the copied program will not run on an unmodified computer.