Abstract: Disclosed is a method for surrounding electrical cable, such as coax cable or twinax cable, with an elastomer to form a twist capsule cable. The cables are placed in a fixture and stretched to a desired tautness using rubber bands at opposite ends of each cable without allowing the cables to sag in the fixture. The cables are clamped into yokes at opposite ends of the fixture. An elastomer, such as silicone, is poured into the fixture and allowed to cure. The portion of the cables within the fixture are embedded into the elastomer after the elastomer cures. Additional length of twist capsule cable can be fabricated by performing a similar process on adjoining sections of cable. The elastomer is then coated with a polyxylylene or similar polymer such as Parylene™ to prevent the elastomer from rubbing on itself when coiled and when uncoiling. Advantageously, any number of cables can be embedded in the elastomer to form the twist capsule cable.

Abstract: Unidirectional and bi-directional fiber optic rotary joints are disclosed for coupling at least one optical signal across a rotary interface. The unidirectional joint includes a stator having a waveguide. A rotor is rotatable through a full 360.degree. revolution and is concentric to the stator. Light transmitters are positioned on a first circumference and connected to one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitters emits an optical signal. Light receivers are positioned on a second circumference and connected to the other one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitted optical signals is emitted tangentially into the waveguide and is reflected in short chordal lengths along the waveguide. Each optical signal is received by at least one of the second plurality of light receivers through the full 360.degree. revolution of the rotor. The number of light receivers is greater than the number of light transmitters. Certain receivers do not receive an optical signal during a portion of the 360.

Abstract: Unidirectional and bidirectional fiber optic rotary joints are disclosed for coupling at least one optical signal across a rotary interface. The unidirectional joint includes a stator having a waveguide. A rotor is rotatable through a full 360.degree. revolution and is concentric to the stator. Light transmitters are positioned on a first circumference and connected to one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitters emits an optical signal. Light receivers are positioned on a second circumference and connected to the other one of the stator and the rotor. Each of the transmitted optical signals is emitted tangentially into the waveguide and is reflected in short chordal lengths along the waveguide. Each optical signal is received by at least one of the second plurality of light receivers through the full 360.degree. revolution of the rotor. The number of light receivers is greater than the number of light transmitters. Certain receivers do not receive an optical signal during a portion of the 360.