Abstract: In a visual inspection apparatus according to the present invention, a carrier base 2 supports a substrate 1 and tilts the substrate 1. The light source 3 illuminates light onto the surface of the substrate 1. The image-pickup apparatus 4 upon capturing an image of the substrate 1 produces image data and puts them out to a control apparatus 6. The image-pickup apparatus 4 is disposed in the vicinity of an eye view position P of the inspector. The control apparatus 6 stores the image data put out from the image-capturing apparatus 4 into an internally-disposed storage section.

Abstract: A visual inspection apparatus is provided which is capable of obtaining an image oft a substrate at a predetermined position, in particular, a focused state of an image without using an aligning mechanism or an auto-focusing mechanism of specific use. A stage absorbs and holds a wafer. A stage-rotating mechanism rotates the stage. A first image-pickup section and a second image pickup section pick up images of the wafer with a first observational optical system and a second observational optical system respectively, and image signals are generated. An image-processing section and a deviation-amount-calculating section calculate a positional deviation amount of the second observational optical system from a position where a focus is obtained in the second image pickup section. The moving-mechanism-controlling section and the second moving mechanism control the position of the second observational optical system relative to the wafer based on the positional deviation amount.

Abstract: A ferrule has a tubular body for supporting an end of an optical fiber having a coated end. A holder is disposed at a rear end of the tubular body for supporting the coated end of the optical fiber. A collar member is connected to the holder and has a through-hole through which a portion of the holder extends. A positioning groove is disposed at an outer peripheral surface of the collar member for positioning with respect to an optical connector housing.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector assembly has a holding member and a housing having a cavity for receiving the holding member. The holding member has a first surface, a second surface, grooves formed in the first surface for holding respective ferrules each supporting an optical fiber element, and through-holes for respectively receiving therethrough the optical fiber elements and for communicating the grooves with the second surface. The housing has a base surface, through-holes extending through the base surface, and side surfaces defining with the base surface a cavity for receiving the holding member so that the through-holes of the holding member are communicated with the through-holes of the housing for receiving therethrough the optical fiber elements.

Abstract: A universal optical connector adapter that can be used to connect optical connector plugs of the same or different types having ferrules fixed at ends of optical fibers. The universal adapter has first and second housings each having at one end a coupling portion for detachably coupling with an optical connector plug of a given type and on an opposite end a base plate having a reference plane. A cylindrical coupling member is rotatably held inward of the coupling portion of the first housing and incorporates a sleeve for fitting ferrules into opposite sides thereof. A male thread is provided on an outer periphery of the coupling cylindrical member and a female thread is provided in the coupling portion of the second housing on a side opposite to that in which an optical connector plug is coupled. The female thread is removably couplable with the male thread.

Abstract: A ferrule has a tubular body for supporting an end of an optical fiber having a coated end. A holder is disposed at a rear end of the tubular body for supporting the coated end of the optical fiber. A collar member is connected to the holder and has a through-hole through which a portion of the holder extends. A positioning groove is disposed at an outer peripheral surface of the collar member for positioning with respect to an optical connector housing.

Abstract: An end-face lapping apparatus, comprises a rod member W supported on an apparatus main body by a support mechanism through a fixing jig board. A lapping board has a lapping member for lapping the rod member and is rotatably swingably supported on the apparatus main body by a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism causes the lapping board to rotate about a first rotating center and at the same time swivel rotating center about a second rotating center to thereby carry out lapping while urging the rod member W fitted in the fixing jig board against the lapping member of the rotatably swinging lapping board by the support mechanism. The end-face lapping apparatus has a relative position shift device for shifting the relative position of the lapping board and the fixing jig board. The rod member W is lapped at a different portion of the lapping member each time the relative position shift device shifts the relative position of the lapping board.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector for connecting an optical fiber cable to a ferrule comprises a tubular body having a first end portion for connection to a peripheral surface of a ferrule, a second end portion for connection to a peripheral surface of an optical fiber cable, a step portion interconnecting the first end portion to the second end portion, and a clamping portion for clamping the optical fiber cable to the ferrule. The clamping portion extends inwardly from a terminal end of the second end portion towards the central axis of the tubular body but does not project lengthwise from the terminal end of the second end portion in the direction of the central axis. The first end portion, the second end portion, the step portion and the clamping portion of the tubular body have approximately the same wall thickness.

Abstract: A ferrule for use in an optical connector enabling effective suppression of the increase in the insertion loss resulting from repeated attachments/detachments of the optical connector. In the ferrule for use in the optical connector, a plurality of grooves 17 are formed in a fitting surface 16A of a ferrule main body 11 located between the ferrule main body 11 and a connection sleeve SL. And, a ferrule 2 for use in an optical connector, a plurality of concentric annular grooves 27 are formed in a connection end surface 24 of the ferrule main body 21 having a connection end 22A of the optical fiber 22 exposed thereon.

Abstract: A clamp ring for connecting a tensile strength member to the periphery of a rear end portion of a ferrule retaining part for holding a ferrule, in which an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable incorporating a coated optical fiber and the tensile strength member surrounding the coated optical fiber is inserted and fixed with an outer covering of the optical fiber cable stripped off from its terminal portion, the clamp ring comprising a first annular portion which fits on the periphery of the rear end portion of the ferrule retaining part, a second annular portion located in the back of the first annular portion, the second annular portion having a smaller diameter than the first annular portion, a step portion interconnecting the second annular portion and the first annular portion, and a clamping portion extending inward from the rear end of the second annular portion in such a way that the extreme end of the clamping portion secures the periphery of the optical fiber cable, in which the first annular port

Abstract: Universal optical fiber connectors and their basic plugs, wherein the optical fiber connectors have some common elements for their connector-functions to permit an installation of optical fiber into one of the different type connectors for establishing their connection more easily and to facilitate a tuning operation with positioning key maintaning the same direction between eccentricity of the fiber core and the key. The basic plug has a ferrule, a spring element, and a cylindrical tube. The spring element is positioned between a ferrule and a cylindrical tube, so that it exerts forces toward them in an axial direction. The ferrule has a common dimensional structure for securing an optical fiber and has a shape enabling the connection to any one of various kinds of housing members. Thus, the basic plug connects separate optical fibers together through the housing member.

Abstract: A universal optical fiber connector comprises a ferrule for supporting an optical fiber and having an axis extending in an axial direction of the ferrule, a biasing member comprised of a synthetic elastic material for biasing the ferrule in the axial direction, and a securing member for securing the biasing member between the securing member and the ferrule. A connecting member is adapted to receive the ferrule for connection to another ferrule through the connecting member.

Abstract: Universal optical fiber connectors and their basic plugs, wherein the optical fiber connectors have some common elements for their connector-functions to permit an installation of optical fiber into one of the different type connectors for establishing their connection more easily and to facilitate a tuning operation with positioning key maintaining the same direction between eccentricity of the fiber core and the key. The basic plug has a ferrule, a spring element, and a cylindrical tube. The spring element is positioned between a ferrule and a cylindrical tube, so that it exerts forces toward them in an axial direction. The ferrule has a common dimensional structure for securing an optical fiber and has a shape enabling the connection to any one of various kinds of housing members. Thus, the basic plug connects separate optical fibers together through the housing member.

Abstract: An end-face polishing and cleaning apparatus comprises at least one jig plate for supporting ferrules each fixed to an end of a respective optical fiber. At least one set of a polishing machine and a cleaning machine is provided for polishing and cleaning the end-faces of the ferrules while the ferrules are supported by the jig plate. A movable mounting device supports the jig plate and moves the jig plate between the polishing machine and the cleaning machine to polish and clean the end-faces of the ferrules. The movable mounting device has a holding member for supporting the jig plate, an elevation shaft for moving the holding member in a vertical direction, and a moving device for moving the holding member in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus comprises a holder having rod-shaped members each having an end portion to be polished. The rod-shaped members are positioned on the holder so that respective distances between the rod-shaped members and a center of the holder are different from one another. When relative motion is effected between the holder and the polishing member while maintaining distances between a center of the polishing member and the respective rod-shaped members different from one another and while pressing the respective end portions of the rod-shaped members against the polishing member, the respective end portions of the rod-shaped members are polished.

Abstract: A ferrule for optical connectors which is of funnel type comprising a ferrule body, containing a small-diameter hole and a large-diameter hole having a larger diameter than the small-diameter hole, the small-diameter hole and the large-diameter hole being formed so as to allow an optical fiber to pass therethrough and communicate with each other, the ferrule further comprising a buffering hole having a diameter which is larger than that of the small-diameter hole but smaller than that of the large-diameter hole, the buffering hole being formed between the small-diameter hole and the large-diameter hole and containing groove of concave and convex pattern on the internal surface of the buffering hole. The ferrule body further contains three lines of protrusions extending along the axial thereof, which are formed on the internal surface of the large-diameter hole.

Abstract: A method of polishing an end surface of an optical fiber comprises tilting the central axis of a ferrule integrated with an optical fiber at a preselected angle .THETA. to the axis of rotation of a flat polishing member. A foremost end of the ferrule is then moved into contact with a flat polishing member to polish the foremost end of the ferrule and an end surface of the optical fiber. The foremost end of the ferrule is moved out of contact with the flat polishing member after the ferrule and the optical fiber have been polished into a flat plane. The central axis of the ferrule is then tilted at the angle .THETA. to the axis of rotation of a platen and at an angle .theta.=.THETA.+.DELTA. to a line normal to the surface of the platen, where .DELTA. is an angle of tilt of the rotational platen relative to a flat support surface supporting the rotational platen. Thereafter, the foremost end of the ferrule is moved into contact with a second polishing machine to polish the ferrule and the optical fiber.

Abstract: At the time of dehumidifying operation, a motor-operated expansion valve is controlled so that evaporation of a refrigerant will be completed in an auxiliary indoor heat exchanger which constitutes an indoor heat exchanger together with a main indoor heat exchanger. A louver is operated to form an air passage through which air discharged from the outlet port of an indoor unit flows to the inlet port. Owing to the formation of such an air passage from the outlet to the inlet port of the indoor unit, dehumidification is performed with outlet air kept from reaching the living space in the room.

Abstract: A method of polishing the end face of a ferrule comprises providing an optical connector having the ferrule and an optical fiber fixed to the ferrule. An abrasive sheet film is provided which comprises a resin film having a layer of alumina type particles disposed on a surface thereof. The end face of the ferrule is polished by pressing it against the abrasive sheet film and sliding the end face of the ferrule relative the abrasive sheet film while supplying an abrasive comprised of colloidal particles of SiO.sub.2 on the surface of the abrasive sheet film.

Abstract: A plurality of waveguide elements are arranged to form an electromagnetic wave absorbing lattice in opposed relation to the advancing wave surface of the incident electromagnetic wave. Each waveguide element has a front opening on the lattice receptive of a part of the incident electromagnetic wave, a rear end portion spaced rearwardly from the front opening, and an inner peripheral surface portion extending between the front opening and the rear end portion to define a cavity effective to wave-guide the received electromagnetic wave. The inner peripheral surface portion has a given electric resistivity to effect absorption of the received electromagnetic wave during the wave-guiding thereof without substantial reflection thereof.