Abstract: An accumulator for making fiber optic cables includes a frame, a first pulley array mounted to the frame and having a first plurality of pulleys, and a second pulley array mounted to the frame and having a second plurality of pulleys. The first pulley array and the second pulley array are movable relative to each other so as to be positionable on opposite sides of each other. A manufacturing system including an unwinder, a winder, and the accumulator is disclosed. A method of threading the accumulator is disclosed that advantageously uses the relative movement of the first and second pulley arrays across each other to simplify threading. A method of making fiber optic cables where the unwinder operates with more than one accumulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing at least one ferrule is disclosed. The at least one ferrule includes an end face. The method includes engaging the end face of the at least one ferrule and an abrasive element with each other at the mating interface; moving the at least one ferrule and the abrasive element relative to each other; and tracing a spiral path in the abrasive element due to the relative movement between the at least one ferrule and the abrasive element. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a ferrule with an abrasive element. The apparatus includes a first mount configured to secure the ferrule. A second mount includes a holding plate configured to secure the abrasive element. A controller is operatively coupled to the second mount for controlling the movement of the holding plate. The second mount includes a non-stacked multi-axis frame for moving the holding plate within a plane. The multi-axis frame includes a first stage movable along a first axis and a second stage movable along a second axis, wherein the first and second axes are substantially parallel to each other but provide for two-dimensional movement of the holding plate within the plane. A method of processing a ferrule is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing a ferrule end face using at least one grinding wheel rotatable about a central axis and having a working surface with an abrasive element is provided. The method includes holding the ferrule stationary, engaging the end face of the ferrule and the working surface of the at least one grinding wheel, rotating the at least one grinding wheel about the central axis, and moving the at least one grinding wheel relative to the ferrule along a curve perpendicular to the central axis. Processing the ferrule in this manner imparts a convex shape of the end face of the ferrule. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a ferrule with an abrasive element. The apparatus includes a first mount to which the ferrule is secured, a second mount to which the abrasive element is secured, and a controller operatively coupled to at least the second mount. The second mount includes a spindle to which the abrasive element is coupled, with the spindle having a central axis about which the spindle is configured to rotate. At least one of the first or second mounts is movable within a plane such that when the ferrule and the abrasive element are brought into contact with each other, the apparatus provides three degrees of freedom of movement for processing the ferrule with the abrasive element. A method of using the apparatus to process a ferrule is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a ferrule with an abrasive element. The apparatus includes a first mount to which the ferrule is secured, a second mount to which the abrasive element is secured, and a controller operatively coupled to at least the second mount. The second mount includes a spindle o which the abrasive element is coupled, with the spindle having a central axis about which the spindle is configured to rotate. At least one of the first or second mounts is movable within a plane such that when the ferrule and the abrasive element are brought into contact with each other, the apparatus provides three degrees of freedom of movement for processing the ferrule with the abrasive element. A method of using the apparatus to process a ferrule is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing at least one ferrule is disclosed. The at least one ferrule includes an end face. The method includes engaging the end face of the at least one ferrule and an abrasive element with each other at the mating interface; moving the at least one ferrule and the abrasive element relative to each other; and tracing a spiral path in the abrasive element due to the relative movement between the at least one ferrule and the abrasive element. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of securing an optical fiber within an optical fiber connector include applying heat to a front-end section of a ferrule through a heating sleeve. The heating sleeve at least partially surrounds the front-end section of the ferrule and heats a bonding agent that resides within the ferrule a securing temperature. The optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber connector and through the bonding agent. The optical fiber is secured in the ferrule axial bore by the bonding agent when the bonding agent reaches the securing temperature.

Abstract: Methods of securing an optical fiber within an optical fiber connector include applying heat to a front-end section of a ferrule through a heating sleeve. The heating sleeve at least partially surrounds the front-end section of the ferrule and heats a bonding agent that resides within the ferrule a securing temperature. The optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber connector and through the bonding agent. The optical fiber is secured in the ferrule axial bore by the bonding agent when the bonding agent reaches the securing temperature.

Abstract: An electrical double-layer capacitor for high-voltage operation at high operating temperatures, includes a housing, carbon positioned in the housing, and electrolyte positioned in the housing. The carbon is activated and includes pores, where the pores in part provide the carbon with a high surface area of at least 500 m2/g. At an operating temperature of the electrical double-layer capacitor of 85° C. at sea level the electrical double-layer capacitor has a voltage output of at least 2.6 V.

Abstract: A tunable light source system with wavelength measurement capability for a hyper-spectral imaging system is disclosed. A method includes reference filtering a portion of a tunable light beam while tuning the center wavelength, detecting with at least one photodetector the reference-filtered tunable light beam and generating therefrom at least one detector signal that varies with the center wavelength, and determining a tunable center wavelength based on the at least one detector signal.

Abstract: Tunable light source systems and methods with wavelength reference capability are disclosed. A method includes reference filtering a portion of a tunable light beam while the tunable center wavelength ?C is tuned over a range by adjusting a wavelength tuning parameter x. The method also includes detecting the reference-filtered tunable light beam and generating therefrom at least one detected light spectrum as a function of the tunable center wavelength ?C. The method further includes determining a reference wavelength tuning parameter xCR corresponding to a reference tunable center wavelength ?CR based on a maximum value of the at least one detected light spectrum.

Abstract: A motion control system and a method for biosensor scanning which scans a light beam spot over one or more of the biosensors supported by a microplate with an optical scanner system, the method including: defining a scan path for an optical scanner including selecting axes representing properties of the scan path and selecting a time series, calculating a piecewise polynomial function of time between each point in the time series; and scanning the light beam spot over one or more biosensors according to the defined scan path, as described herein.

Abstract: Motion control system and method for biosensor scanning that include inputting to a multi-axis motion controller move commands associated with the scan path as defined by multiple axes. The multiple axes including an x-baseline coordinate x0, a y-baseline coordinate y0, an x-direction oscillation amplitude x1, a y-direction oscillation amplitude y1, an oscillation frequency f and a phase ?. The multi-axis motion controller outputs digital commanded positions for each of the multiple axes. A post-processor receives the commanded positions and generates parameterized commanded positions x and y that each include a baseline motion component and an oscillating motion component. The parameterized commanded positions cause the scanning optical system to deflect the light beam to scan the beam spot over the scan path to scan the biosensor.

Abstract: A tunable light source system with wavelength measurement capability for a hyper-spectral imaging system is disclosed. A method includes reference filtering a portion of a tunable light beam while tuning the center wavelength, detecting with at least one photodetector the reference-filtered tunable light beam and generating therefrom at least one detector signal that varies with the center wavelength, and determining a tunable center wavelength based on the at least one detector signal.

Abstract: Optical reader systems and methods with rapid microplate position detection capability are disclosed. The optical reader system includes a scanning optical system configured to scan select position-detecting features to accurately determine the microplate position within the optical reader system. The method includes measuring positions of the position-detecting features in order of their respective amounts of position tolerance, from smallest to largest. The position measurement is carried out for a number of position-detecting features sufficient to determine the microplate position with the optical reader system to within a select microplate position tolerance.

Abstract: Tunable light source systems and methods with wavelength reference capability are disclosed. A method includes reference filtering a portion of a tunable light beam while the tunable center wavelength ?C is tuned over a range by adjusting a wavelength tuning parameter x. The method also includes detecting the reference-filtered tunable light beam and generating therefrom at least one detected light spectrum as a function of the tunable center wavelength ?C. The method further includes determining a reference wavelength tuning parameter xCR corresponding to a reference tunable center wavelength ?CR based on a maximum value of the at least one detected light spectrum.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable detector for use in a label-independent optical reader for reading at least one resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensor is disclosed. The wavelength-tunable detector includes a tunable wavelength filter. Broadband light is made incident upon the RWG biosensor to produce resonantly reflected light, which is then passed through the tunable wavelength filter whose central wavelength is adjusted, such as by varying the filter angle of the tunable wavelength filter. This generates filtered resonantly reflected light, which is detected by a photodetector that generates an electrical signal in response thereto. The electrical signal is representative of the detected spectrum, which includes the center resonant wavelength of the RWG biosensor. A controller can be used to determine the center resonant wavelength from the electrical signal.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable detector for use in a label-independent optical reader for reading at least one resonant waveguide grating (RWG) biosensor is disclosed. The wavelength-tunable detector includes a tunable wavelength filter. Broadband light is made incident upon the RWG biosensor to produce resonantly reflected light, which is then passed through the tunable wavelength filter whose central wavelength is adjusted, such as by varying the filter angle of the tunable wavelength filter. This generates filtered resonantly reflected light, which is detected by a photodetector that generates an electrical signal in response thereto. The electrical signal is representative of the detected spectrum, which includes the center resonant wavelength of the RWG biosensor. A controller can be used to determine the center resonant wavelength from the electrical signal.

Abstract: A motion control system and a method for biosensor scanning which scans a light beam spot over one or more of the biosensors supported by a microplate with an optical scanner system, the method including: defining a scan path for an optical scanner including selecting axes representing properties of the scan path and selecting a time series, calculating a piecewise polynomial function of time between each point in the time series; and scanning the light beam spot over one or more biosensors according to the defined scan path, as described herein.