Abstract: A sensing system for a bulk material includes a housing, a sensor assembly at least partially disposed in the housing, and a controller in communication with the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a flow member and an electromagnetic sensor configured to detect at least one parameter of the flow member. The controller is configured to determine at least one desired output based upon the at least one parameter of the flow member.

Abstract: A passive optical network (“PON”) integrated tool may be a single device with which to (i) test and measure optical power levels on active fiber links that transfer signaling between PON devices without interfering with the signaling, (ii) test and measure reflectance and signal loss on inactive fiber links on which there is no signaling, (iii) illuminate fiber with visible light for visual integrity verification, and/or (iv) inspect fiber optic cable connectors for minute abnormalities. The PON integrated tool may include pass-through connection adapters with a tap to provide signaling from connected fiber to one or more detectors that measure signaling characteristics at different wavelengths for different PON channels. The PON integrated tool may include other connection adapters for fiber inspection, emission of visible laser light, and/or emission of pulses of light to the connected fiber in order to measure reflectance and signal loss.

Abstract: An optical fiber panel unit includes multiple fiber input ports, each configured to connect to a different one of multiple optical fibers. Each fiber input port includes a connector port configured to connect to a respective fiber panel optical path, an optical tap and a photo-detector. The optical tap is configured to couple to the respective optical path. The photo-detector couples to the optical tap to detect optical signals carried over the respective optical path, and to produce electrical signals that correspond to the detected optical signals. A telemetry circuit analyzes the electrical signals that correspond to the detected optical signals of each respective optical path, and determines at least one of a loss of signal (LOS) or loss of light (LOL) at each of the fiber input ports based on the analysis of the electrical signals.

Abstract: An optical fiber panel unit includes multiple fiber input ports, each configured to connect to a different one of multiple optical fibers. Each fiber input port includes a connector port configured to connect to a respective fiber panel optical path, an optical tap and a photo-detector. The optical tap is configured to couple to the respective optical path. The photo-detector couples to the optical tap to detect optical signals carried over the respective optical path, and to produce electrical signals that correspond to the detected optical signals. A telemetry circuit analyzes the electrical signals that correspond to the detected optical signals of each respective optical path, and determines at least one of a loss of signal (LOS) or loss of light (LOL) at each of the fiber input ports based on the analysis of the electrical signals.

Abstract: A system includes an enclosure and a compressible device. The enclosure forms a confined space where water can accumulate in ambient conditions that fluctuate between freezing and non-freezing water temperatures. The enclosure can contain a protected item within at least a portion of the confined space. The compressible device is within at least the portion of the confined space and compresses under pressure from an uncompressed state to a compressed state that increases the available volume for water within the confined space. The compressible device compresses from the uncompressed state to the compressed state under a first pressure force created by the expansion of frozen water within the enclosure. The first pressure force is less than a second pressure force capable of damaging the enclosure or the protected item.

Abstract: A system includes an enclosure and a compressible device. The enclosure forms a confined space where water can accumulate in ambient conditions that fluctuate between freezing and non-freezing water temperatures. The enclosure can contain a protected item within at least a portion of the confined space. The compressible device is within at least the portion of the confined space and compresses under pressure from an uncompressed state to a compressed state that increases the available volume for water within the confined space. The compressible device compresses from the uncompressed state to the compressed state under a first pressure force created by the expansion of frozen water within the enclosure. The first pressure force is less than a second pressure force capable of damaging the enclosure or the protected item.

Abstract: Systems are provided for gathering location data pertaining to a fiber optic network. One system includes a sensor, a geolocation system, a processor in communication with the sensor and the geolocation system, and a user control panel. The sensor is configured to receive an operational input indicating the condition of a network, and the geolocation system is configured to determine the location, such as a latitude and longitude, of the optical fiber. The processor is configured to associate outputs from the sensor and the geolocation system. The processor may be configured to store the outputs on a storage media. A transmitter may also be provided to transmit the data to a remote location for analysis and display. An associated method for gathering location data is also provided.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers contained within fiberoptic ribbons in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from soft durometer material (SDM) such as high strength silicone mold-making rubber or dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber by itself, or a fiber associated with a ribbon, into, and removal from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers, or ribbons, respectively, that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment SDM fills a four-sided hard plastic box to overflow. Slices in SDM are parallel to each other. The box has a hinged cover to exert pressure on overflow SDM material when the cover is closed to increase enveloping force on splice-junctions of embedded bare-glass optical fibers and on the ribbons containing those fibers.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers and their protective plastic coatings in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from a soft durometer material (SDM) such as a high strength silicone mold-making rubber or a dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber into, and removal of that spliced optical fiber from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment the gel or rubber SDM fills a four-sided plastic box to overflow.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers contained within fiberoptic ribbons in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from soft durometer material (SDM) such as high strength silicone mold-making rubber or dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber by itself, or a fiber associated with a ribbon, into, and removal from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers, or ribbons, respectively, that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment SDM fills a four-sided hard plastic box to overflow. Slices in SDM are parallel to each other. The box has a hinged cover to exert pressure on overflow SDM material when the cover is closed to increase enveloping force on splice-junctions of embedded bare-glass optical fibers and on the ribbons containing those fibers.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers and their protective plastic coatings in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from a soft durometer material (SDM) such as a high strength silicone mold-making rubber or a dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber into, and removal of that spliced optical fiber from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment the gel or rubber SDM fills a four-sided plastic box to overflow.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers and their protective plastic coatings in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from a soft durometer material (SDM) such as a high strength silicone mold-making rubber or a dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber into, and removal of that spliced optical fiber from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment the gel or rubber SDM fills a four-sided plastic box to overflow.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers contained within fiberoptic ribbons in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from soft durometer material (SDM) such as high strength silicone mold-making rubber or dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber by itself, or a fiber associated with a ribbon, into, and removal from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers, or ribbons, respectively, that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment SDM fills a four-sided hard plastic box to overflow. Slices in SDM are parallel to each other. The box has a hinged cover to exert pressure on overflow SDM material when the cover is closed to increase enveloping force on splice-junctions of embedded bare-glass optical fibers and on the ribbons containing those fibers.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers and their protective plastic coatings in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from a soft durometer material (SDM) such as a high strength silicone mold-making rubber or a dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber into, and removal of that spliced optical fiber from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment the gel or rubber SDM fills a four-sided plastic box to overflow.

Abstract: A manifold for holding spliced optical fibers contained within fiberoptic ribbons in a secure and motionless manner. The manifold includes a “clamp” made from soft durometer material (SDM) such as high strength silicone mold-making rubber or dry polymer gel that has been partially sliced to a depth of about 75%. The manifold permits ease of insertion of a spliced optical fiber by itself, or a fiber associated with a ribbon, into, and removal from, an SDM-slice without disturbing other fibers, or ribbons, respectively, that are held in other slices in the manifold. In a particular embodiment SDM fills a four-sided hard plastic box to overflow. Slices in SDM are parallel to each other. The box has a hinged cover to exert pressure on overflow SDM material when the cover is closed to increase enveloping force on splice-junctions of embedded bare-glass optical fibers and on the ribbons containing those fibers.

Abstract: Systems are provided for gathering location data pertaining to a fiber optic network. One system includes a sensor, a geolocation system, a processor in communication with the sensor and the geolocation system, and a user control panel. The sensor is configured to receive an operational input indicating the condition of a network, and the geolocation system is configured to determine the location, such as a latitude and longitude, of the optical fiber. The processor is configured to associate outputs from the sensor and the geolocation system. The processor may be configured to store the outputs on a storage media. A transmitter may also be provided to transmit the data to a remote location for analysis and display. An associated method for gathering location data is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a compressed and cut bale of fibrous material, whereby the bale of fibrous material has at least one cut that allows the material to be separated into two distinct and separate layers. The present invention also relates to the compressed and cut fibrous material.