Abstract: A detachable fiber optic connector assembly consists of two major components, a cable terminator and a connector unit. The cable terminator includes a collar which is glued or crimped onto the cable jacket adjacent the stripped end of the cable and a cylindrical housing which is trapped on the cable by the collar. The connector unit includes a short length of permanently-retained fiber with one exposed end. This unit further includes a splice sleeve for receiving the stripped end of the cable fiber and the other end of the permanently-retained fiber. The cable terminator and the connector unit have latches, such as BNC components, for detachably coupling the connector unit to the cable terminator.

Abstract: A light switch for controlling the transmission of optical energy through optical fibers includes a hollow, light-transmitting tube extending transversely across the end of at least one light transmitting fiber. The tube contains one or more masses of light diverting material in a matrix of light-transparent fluid. The masses of light diverting material may be reflective, refractive or absorbent. Means are provided for varying the pressure along the tube to shift the masses relative to the light transmitting fiber so as to divert or pass the light to receiving fibers.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber connector is described in which the necessity for tight tolerances on concentricity, sleeve diameters and sleeve bores is eliminated in a low-cost easily constructed and optically low loss device. A single precision tunnel device is used to provide alignment and abuttment between two free optically transmissive fibers. Cooperative mechanism between the tunnel device and fiber holders is utilized to guide the fiber into the precision tunnel.

Abstract: A connector assembly for an optical cable, consisting of an optical fiber and a protective jacket, includes a connector body with an opening therethrough. The opening consists of two coaxial bores of different sizes. A sleeve assembly located within the larger bore includes an outer heat-shrinkable sleeve and a concentric, inner sleeve of meltable filler material. A length of optical fiber from which the protective jacket has been stripped is inserted through the sleeve assembly and through the second, smaller bore in the connector body. Heat is applied to the connector assembly. The shrinking outer sleeve forces melting filler material into the smaller bore to lock the fiber in place. The connector body is also secured to the protective jacket of the optical cable to relieve strain on the optical fiber.

Abstract: An electro-erosion head is provided which is formed from thin sheets of electrically conductive material. Each thin sheet of electrically conductive material has at least one narrow extension extending from an edge thereof to form an electrode. A connector tab extends from another edge thereof. Each sheet is coated with a thin covering of an insulative material except in the area of the connector tab which is tin-lead coated for eventual soldering. The sheets are stacked to form a laminated head and are encapsulated in a plastic-like material which is ground down at the ends of the electrodes so that they are exposed so as to be able to complete the electrical path therefrom and perform the electro-erosion function. The electrodes are located at the same location on each of said sheets so that when stacked they form a column of electrodes each capable of forming a spot in the electro-erosion process.