Abstract: An optical network comprising: (a) a plurality of different optical fiber receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different optical fiber receptacle optically coupled to one and only one different information network, each optical fiber receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of optical fiber receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different optical fiber plugs for optically coupling with the different optical fiber receptacles, each optical fiber plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of optical fiber plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the optic

Abstract: A multiple position fiber optic receptacle comprises a first receptacle member (1) joined to a second receptacle member (3). Captivated within and between the first and second receptacle members (1,3) is a coupling mechanism (17), an alignment sleeve (5), and a floating bottleneck (6). The floating bottleneck (6) permits independent adjustments of each alignment sleeve (5) relative to a ferrule to minimize the insertion force associated with ferrule to alignment sleeve misalignment. In an alternate embodiment, a floating bottleneck is removable permitting repair of the receptacle.

Abstract: A connector (10) between an optical connector (35) and a receptor (11). The connector (10) has a housing (14) with an upper portion (20) and a lower portion (21). A printed circuit board (45) is received in the upper portion (21) and extends outwardly from the front of the upper portion (20). The printed circuit board (45) is vertically and laterally moveable within the upper portion (20). An optical connector (25) is received in, and retained between, side clips (30, 31) on the lower portion (21) of the housing (14). The optical connector (35) is matable with the optical portion (12) of the receptor (11) and the printed circuit board (45) is self-aligning and matable with the electrical portion (13) of the receptor (11).

Abstract: A multi-fiber fiber-optic connector is provided containing a cartridge having a front radial flange containing peripheral, circumferentially-spaced notches in each of which a fiber-optic terminal is axially positioned, and having a rear radial flange containing peripheral, circumferentially-spaced notches in each of which a fiber-optic clamp body is axially positioned. The fiber-optic terminals are spring-biased forwardly toward the open end of the connector, and a preload plate holds them in a preloaded state. Each of the terminals is provided at its outer end with a surrounding, axially-extending resilient split sleeve, the outer end of which is empty to receive a fiber-optic terminal of a mating conductor similar to the above-described connector, but without the split sleeves.

Abstract: A connector 1 for assembly with an optical cable 2 comprises, a shell 10 encircling a spring biased holder 13 for an optical fiber 3 of the cable 2, a sheath 16 to prevent leaking of adhesive 59 from the holder 13, and strength members 5 of the cable 2 anchored to the shell 10, whereby the holder 13 and the optical fiber 3 of the cable 2 are displaceable with respect to the strength members 5 of the cable 2.

Abstract: A connector 1 for assembly with an optical cable 2 comprises, a shell 10 encircling a spring biased holder 13 for an optical fiber 3 of the cable 2, a sheath 16 to prevent leaking of adhesive 59 from the holder 13, and strength members 5 of the cable 2 anchored to the shell 10, whereby the holder 13 and the optical fiber 3 of the cable 2 are displaceable with respect to the strength members 5 of the cable 2.

Abstract: A connector for joining light transmitting fiber cables through a cover (14) to a transmitter and/or receiver device (3) comprises a plug connector half (6) comprising a plug (8) and a transceiver adapter (10), and a clip connector half (5) attached to and integral with the transmitter/receiver device (3) and having apertures (19) therein beveled (20) to receive latching beams (13) of the transceiver adapter (10). The clip connector half (5) further comprises a clip retention slot (21) coextensive to each aperture (19) through a cut-out (22) common to both the retention slot (21) and the aperture (19). The clip connector half (5) further comprises clips (23) each with a dimple (24) adapted to clip within a respective retention slot (21) with the dimple (24) biased through the cut-out (22) in the slot (21) and into engagement with a respective latching beam (13) upon mating of the plug connector half (6) to the clip connector half (5).

Abstract: An optical connector 1 comprising, an alignment ferrule 11 having a central passage 14 for aligning an optical fiber 3 of an optical fiber cable 2, a rear end 19 of the ferrule 11 for connection to an optical fiber cable 2, a radially enlarged collar 20 surrounding the ferrule 11, a circumferential groove 23 in the ferrule 11, a coupling nut 26 moveable axially over the ferrule 11, a clearance 29 between the coupling nut 26 and the collar 20 in which the collar 20 is retracted to compress the spring 28, the ferrule 11 is unitary with the transverse front face 22 and the rear face 24 of the collar 20, the ferrule 11 and the collar 20 are molded from a rigid plastic material, and the collar 20 includes mold gate flash 48 on the molded plastic material only at locations along the clearance 29 between the collar 20 and the coupling nut 26.

Abstract: A connector for an optical fiber cable includes a strain relief structure provided with a first annular retention member (16) having a first bearing surface (51c) cooperating with a jacket retention portion (63) of an annular retention sleeve (18) for retaining the outer jacket (33) of the cable (25), and a second bearing surface (44) of an annular retention member (17) cooperating with a strengthening layer retention portion (61) of an annular retention sleeve (18) for retaining the inner strengthening layer (33) of the cable.

Abstract: A polishing bushing for polishing the end face of an optical fiber supported within a rigid sleeve includes a bushing base (31, 131) having a front surface (36, 136). The rigid sleeve (21, 21a) normally protrudes from beyond the front surface (36, 136) to permit the end face (14, 14a) of the optical fiber (12, 12a) carried therein to be polished. The bushing includes resilient portion (34) for permitting the rigid sleeve (21, 21a) to move longitudinally in passageway (38) to limit the force applied to the end face (14, 14a) of the fiber (12, 12a) by the polishing medium. The front surface (36, 136) of the bushing base (31, 131) is of spherical shape to produce a polished fiber end face (14) which is convex and which protrudes from the rigid sleeve (21) by less than about one micron, or is of flat shape to consistently produce a polished end face (14a) which is recessed within the sleeve ( 21a) by less than about one micron.

Abstract: Two optical fiber cables are joined by a connector operative as a switch. The switch includes a snap-action shutter which delivers precise movement with piece parts which can be molded or electromachined. The snap-action is provided by any one of a number of inexpensive implementations which need not be precise because of the constraints on shutter movement imposed by the piece parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling continuously and discretely the speed of a heat pump compressor as a function of load conditions to run at least up to 150% of its rate-speed when operated in the heating mode to provide initial supplemental heating prior to turning on of electric heaters. The speed of the indoor condenser fan is maintained at its full rated-speed. The operation of the apparatus is controlled by a microprocessor with a program to provide improved performance and minimize energy consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the sequential operation of supplemental electric heaters so that the amount of energy consumption is minimized. The operation of the heaters is prevented as long as a lower night set-back temperature can reach the higher reference set point during the daytime within a predetermined time interval. A microprocessor is provided to control the operation of night set-back automatically to affect a measured temperature of the conditioned space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling continuously and discretely the speed of an indoor evaporator fan motor and the speed of the compressor as a function of the fan speed for regulating the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity of a conditioned space includes a programmed control device which produces a first signal for driving a fan inverter connected to the evaporator fan motor. A second signal, which is a function of the first signal, is also provided by the control device to drive a compressor inverter coupled to the compressor. A microprocessor having a program is operatively connected to the programmed control device for controlling its operation to effect the measured temperature of the conditioned space.

Abstract: An axial piston, variable displacement, wobble plate gas or vapor compressor containing improvements in the capacity control system and in the drive plate and wobble plate mounting arrangements.