Abstract: A light illumination system that includes a light-diffusing optical fiber capable of multimode operation in a wavelength range from 300 to 3000 nm; and a laser light source comprising a control element and a laser diode having a cavity. The laser light source is configured to produce a laser light output in response to an injection current input. In addition, the laser light source is arranged in proximity to the light-diffusing optical fiber such that the laser light output is coupled into the optical fiber. Further, the control element is arranged to reduce speckle in the laser light output by modulating the injection current input at a modulation frequency of 30 Hz or greater.

Abstract: A window assembly is disclosed that includes a double-hung window aesthetic with an alternative opening procedure and mechanism. The window assembly may include various hardware systems. The hardware systems may include locking portions to assist in locking sash members to a frame and balance assembly for moving the sash members. The window assembly may be formed of selected materials.

Abstract: A traceable cable assembly includes a traceable cable having at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the data transmission element, and first and second tracing optical fibers extending along at least a portion of a length of the traceable cable. The traceable cable assembly also includes a connector provided at each end of the traceable cable. The first and second tracing optical fibers each have a light launch end and a light emission end. The light launch ends of the first and second tracing optical fibers each include a bend. The bend allows for launching of light into the light launch ends without disengaging the first or second connectors from corresponding connector receptacles.

Abstract: A system for disinfecting a medical device is provided. The system includes a light source that generates light having at least one wavelength between about 100 nm and about 500 nm. The system further includes at least one cylindrical optical diffuser disposed in optical communication with at least one interior channel of a medical device, the at least one cylindrical optical diffuser having an outer surface and an end optically coupled to the light source. The at least one cylindrical optical diffuser is configured to scatter guided light through the outer surface to form a light diffuser portion having a length that emits substantially uniform radiation over its length.

Abstract: A light diffusing fiber including one or more segments, and a thermochromic coating on at least a portion of the light diffusing fiber. The thermochromic coating is opaque at a first temperature, and is transparent at a second temperature. A system for detecting the temperature of an apparatus including the apparatus, a light diffusing fiber thermally coupled to the apparatus, and a light source optically coupled to the light diffusing fiber. A method for detecting the temperature of an apparatus including thermally coupling a light diffusing fiber to the apparatus, optically coupling a light source to the light diffusing fiber, and monitoring the light diffusing fiber for transmitted light.

Abstract: A traceable cable and method of forming the same. The cable includes at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and a side-emitting optical fiber incorporated with and extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable. The side-emitting optical fiber can have a core, spaced apart scattering sites having scattering material disposed on an exterior surface of the core along the length of the optical fiber, and a cladding substantially surrounding the core and the scattering material. The scattering sites are capable of scattering light so that the scattered light is emitted from the side-emitting optical fiber at discrete locations proximate to the scattering sites. When light is transmitted through the core, light scattered from the side-emitting optical fiber allows the cable to be traced along at least a portion of the length thereof.

Abstract: A method of generating light for use in tracing an end of a cable assembly includes coupling convergent visible light into an input end of a multimode mode-homogenizing optical fiber having low-order and high-order modes and comprising an output end, a fiber angle, a length and a mode-homogenization length. The inputted light is initially concentrated mainly in the low-order modes. The method also includes conveying the light through the length of the mode-homogenizing optical fiber to form outputted light that is substantially mode-homogenized, substantially spatially uniform and substantially angularly uniform and having a divergence angle that is substantially the same as the fiber angle. Light source assemblies and systems for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A traceable fiber optic cable assembly with an illumination structure and tracing optical fibers for carrying light received from a light launch device is disclosed herein. The traceable fiber optic cable assembly and light launch device provide easy tracing of the traceable fiber optic cable assembly using fiber optic tracing signals. Further, the launch connector is easily attached to and removed from the fiber optic connector with repeatable and reliable alignment of optic fibers, even when the fiber optic connector is mechanically and/or optically engaged with a network component. The fiber optic connectors are configured to efficiently illuminate an exterior of the connector for effective visibility for a user to quickly locate the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A traceable cable assembly includes a traceable cable, a first connector at a first end of the traceable cable, and a second connector at a second end of the traceable cable assembly. The traceable cable has at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the data transmission element, and an optical fiber extending along at least a portion of the length of the traceable cable. The optical fiber includes a first end having a first bend and a second end having a second bend. The first and second bends may be equal to or less than ninety degrees so that the optical fiber facilitates identification of the second connector when a launch light is injected in the first end of the optical fiber, and the optical fiber facilitates identification of the first connector when the launch light is injected in the second end of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A light launch device for transmitting light into a traceable fiber optic cable assembly with tracing optical fibers is disclosed herein. The traceable fiber optic cable assembly and light launch device provide easy tracing of the traceable fiber optic cable assembly using fiber optic tracing signals. Further, the launch connector is easily attached to and removed from the fiber optic connector with repeatable and reliable alignment of optic fibers, even when the fiber optic connector is mechanically and/or optically engaged with a network component. The fiber optic connectors are configured to efficiently illuminate an exterior of the connector for effective visibility for a user to quickly locate the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A traceable fiber optic cable assembly with a fiber guide and tracing optical fibers for carrying light received from a light launch device is disclosed herein. The traceable fiber optic cable assembly and light launch device provide easy tracing of the traceable fiber optic cable assembly using fiber optic tracing signals. Further, the launch connector is easily attached to and removed from the fiber optic connector with repeatable and reliable alignment of optic fibers, even when the fiber optic connector is mechanically and/or optically engaged with a network component. The fiber optic connectors are configured to efficiently illuminate an exterior of the connector for effective visibility for a user to quickly locate the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: A traceable cable includes at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and a tracing optical fiber incorporated with and extending along at least a portion of a length of the cable. The tracing optical fiber includes a core having a first index of refraction and a cladding having a second index of refraction. The traceable cable also includes at least one launch point provided through at least a portion of the jacket for optically accessing the tracing optical fiber. The launch point includes an optical medium accessible from an exterior of the jacket and in contact with the tracing optical fiber, wherein the optical medium is substantially index-matched to the core of the tracing optical fiber. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A traceable cable includes at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and a tracing optical fiber incorporated with and extending along a length (l) of the cable. The tracing optical fiber includes a core having a first index of refraction and a cladding having a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction, with the cladding substantially surrounding the core. The tracing optical fiber also includes periodically spaced apart scattering sites spaced along the optical fiber at a spacing ratio of n sites per meter, wherein each scattering site is configured to scatter no more than about 1/(n*1) times optical power provided to the tracing optical fiber. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical cable and method for forming an optical cable is provided. The cable includes a cable jacket including an inner surface defining a channel and an outer surface and also includes a plurality of optical fibers located within the channel. The cable includes a seam within the cable jacket that couples together opposing longitudinal edges of a wrapped thermoplastic sheet which forms the cable jacket and maintains the cable jacket in the wrapped configuration around the plurality of optical fibers. The method includes forming an outer cable jacket by wrapping a sheet of thermoplastic material around a plurality of optical core elements. The method includes melting together portions of thermoplastic material of opposing longitudinal edges of the wrapped sheet such that a seam is formed holding the sheet of thermoplastic material in the wrapped configuration around the core elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple-pass stripping of an optical fiber are disclosed. The method include irradiating a first portion of the coating with a first beam of radiation having a wavelength at which the coating is substantially transparent and an intensity that exceeds the optical-damage threshold of the coating to form a first damaged coating portion. The method also includes receiving at least a portion of the first radiation beam and redirecting it as a one or more redirected radiation beam to either the first portion of the coating to assist in forming the first damaged coating portion, or to one or more second portions of the coating to form one or more second damaged coating portions. The method additionally includes exposing a section of the central glass portion damaged portions of the coating.

Abstract: A lighting device is provided that includes a light source package including a diode disposed in a housing and emitting light at an emission point within the housing. The lighting device also has an optical fiber extending through an opening in the housing and having a terminal end optically aligned on an optical axis with the diode to within a distance of less than 1.0 millimeter from the emission point, wherein the fiber emits light via a light diffusing fiber.

Abstract: An optical cable and method for forming an optical cable is provided. The cable includes a cable jacket including an inner surface defining a channel and an outer surface and also includes a plurality of optical fibers located within the channel. The cable includes a seam within the cable jacket that couples together opposing longitudinal edges of a wrapped thermoplastic sheet which forms the cable jacket and maintains the cable jacket in the wrapped configuration around the plurality of optical fibers. The method includes forming an outer cable jacket by wrapping a sheet of thermoplastic material around a plurality of optical core elements. The method includes melting together portions of thermoplastic material of opposing longitudinal edges of the wrapped sheet such that a seam is formed holding the sheet of thermoplastic material in the wrapped configuration around the core elements.

Abstract: A vehicle driver interface includes a mode selector, such as a shift lever, and two shift paddles. The shift paddles perform different functions according to which driving mode is selected via the mode selector. In a manual mode, driver activation of one of the shift paddles results in an upshifts and driver activation of the other shift paddle results in a downshift. In a snowplow mode, driver activation of one of the shift paddles shifts the transmission to reverse while driver activation of the other shift paddle shifts the transmission to forward.

Abstract: A traceable cable assembly includes a traceable cable having at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the data transmission element, and first and second tracing optical fibers extending along at least a portion of a length of the traceable cable. The traceable cable assembly also includes a connector provided at each end of the traceable cable. The first and second tracing optical fibers each have a light launch end and a light emission end. The light launch ends of the first and second tracing optical fibers each include a bend. The bend allows for launching of light into the light launch ends without disengaging the first or second connectors from corresponding connector receptacles.

Abstract: A window assembly is disclosed that includes a double-hung window aesthetic with an alternative opening procedure and mechanism. The window assembly may include various hardware systems. The hardware systems may include locking portions to assist in locking sash members to a frame and balance assembly for moving the sash members. The window assembly may be formed of selected materials.