Abstract: A injection-molded connector for single-mode optical fibers includes two mating plugs having aligned fiber-receiving holes. To keep transmission losses in the connector at an acceptable level, the eccentricity of each hole relative to its plug profile must be maintained within a fraction of a micron. The mold utilized to form the plugs includes a dual-eccentric-cam adjustment mechanism that comprises nested conically shaped cams. In a method for fabricating such plugs, rotation of the cams serves to move a part of the mold that positions a hole-forming pin. By rotating this mechanism, the eccentricity of the fiber hole relative to the profile of the molded plug can be established and maintained within the required precision.

Abstract: A rheological device suitable for measuring the rate of polymerization of ultraviolet sensitive polymers includes a part of open-ended cylindrical fixtures having removable quartz windows at one end. The upper fixture is adapted with a window which permits light to enter and impinge upon the surface of an elliptically-shaped mirror. Curing is monitored by measuring the elastic and viscous moduli during polymerization.

Abstract: An injection-molded connector for single-mode optical fibers includes two mating plugs having aligned fiber-receiving holes. To keep transmission losses in the connector at an acceptable level, the eccentricity of each hole relative to its plug profile must be maintained within a fraction of a micron. The mold utilized to form the plugs includes a dual-eccentric-cam adjustment mechanism that comprises nested conically shaped cams. In a method for fabricating such plugs, rotation of the cams serves to move a part of the mold that positions a hole-forming pin. By rotating this mechanism, the eccentricity of the fiber hole relative to the profile of the molded plug can be established and maintained within the required precision.

Abstract: The novel polyester of the present invention is melt processable and is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase. The polyester includes a relatively low concentration of 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety. Other key moieties are 4-oxybenzoyl moiety, terephthaloyl moiety, 1,4-dioxyphenylene moiety, and 4,4'-dioxybiphenyl moiety. The presence of the 1,4-dioxyphenylene moiety in the specified concentration in combination with the other moieties surprisingly has been found to be capable of advantageously lowering the melting temperature of the resulting polyester while making possible the substantial maintenance of a highly attractive heat deflection temperature in molded articles formed from the same. Fibers which exhibit a relatively high modulus also may be formed.

Abstract: A polymer blend which is capable of exhibiting an anisotropic melt phase and the ability to form shaped articles having improved mechanical properties is provided. The improved polymer blend comprises approximately 5 to approximately 95 percent by weight, based upon the total weight of the polymer blend, of a melt-processable wholly aromatic polyester which is substantially free of amide linkages and approximately 5 to approximately 95 percent by weight, based upon the total weight of the blend, of a melt-processable poly(ester-amide). Each of the polymeric components apart from the blend is capable of exhibiting an anisotropic melt phase. Upon injection molding, articles formed from the improved polymer blend surprisingly exhibit at least one property selected from the group consisting of tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength and flexural modulus which exceeds that of each of the polymeric components of the blend when separately injection-molded.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a flywheel made from a unitary tape of liquid crystalline polymer. Such a flywheel is readily prepared according to the present invention by utilizing a unitary tape of liquid crystalline polymer, since a reduced amount of winding is required as compared to the use of filamentary materials without a binding resin. Even in comparison to filamentary tapes, the present invention is advantageous since almost the entire flywheel can be made of liquid crystalline polymer without the necessity of a composite or other binding which is necessary when high strength filamentary materials are used. The present invention allows complex flywheel profiles required for maximum energy density to be more easily produced.