Abstract: A connector plug for an optical fiber polarization maintaining connector has a front housing portion from which extends a cantilevered latching arm having a cross-sectional shape of a truncated wedge, and a rear housing portion. A barrel assembly having a flange thereon and a ferrule extending therefrom is housed within said first and second portions and is incrementally rotatable with respect to the first portion of the housing and hence to the latching arm. In a first embodiment the flange is seated in the front portion and prevented from turning with respect thereto. In a second embodiment the rear housing portion is an extender cap having resilient clamping arms which grip the flange. The extender cap is incrementally rotatable with respect to the first portion of the housing and, hence, the ferrule is incrementally rotatable with respect to the latching arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for overcoming modal noise penalties associated with multi-mode fiber optic links operating at high data rates on the order of 10 Gb/s. The method involves restricting the center launch condition of optical signals into the multi-mode fiber while permitting loose tolerances between source and fiber.

Abstract: A set of playing cards is disclosed including a plurality of cards, wherein each card includes distinct indicia printed thereon such that a first image is revealed under lighted conditions and a second image is revealed under non-lighted conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for multiplexing optical signals in an optical network. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a plurality of input fibers disposed to receive a plurality of optical input signals. Each optical input signal is defined by a wavelength. A first converter is disposed in series with each of the plurality of input fibers, and is configured to convert each optical input signal into an electrical input signal in a manner such that each electrical input signal is defined by a frequency that corresponds to the wavelength of the optical input signal. A second converter is disposed in series the first converter, and is configured to convert the electrical input signal into a plurality of optical signals of differing wavelengths at an output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the operational bandwidth of a multimode optical fiber communications system is provided. The method comprises launching optical radiation into the core of the multimode fiber away from the center of the core so as to strongly excite mid order modes of the multimode fiber, but to only weakly excite low order and high order modes of the multimode fiber. The mid order modes excited are predominately within a small number of mode groups and thus have similar propagation constants. This leads to a reduction in modal dispersion and thus to a significant increase in bandwidth compared to an overfilled launch. The offset launch of the invention is tolerant both to the launch conditions and to any imperfections in the fiber refractive index profile. Modal noise performance is also enhanced. Embodiments of the invention employ a singlemode fiber, a multimode fiber or a lens to illuminate an end face of a multimode fiber with a small spot offset from the optical axis of the fiber.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cooling module for an automotive vehicle, comprising a condenser having a fluid manifold. The condenser includes at least one condenser end cap facing longitudinally outwards of the edge of the condenser for closing the aperture. The module further includes a radiator including at least one radiator end tank which includes a condenser mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is molded integrally to the radiator end tank and the condenser is mounted directly thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system 1 includes a condenser 3 which includes one end cap 5 which has an integral charge port 7. The end cap 5 seals the manifold 9 of the condenser. The condenser 3 is a brazed aluminium construction and the end cap 5 and integral charge port 7 are brazed as one unit.

Abstract: An optical integrated circuit provides a 1.times.2 power splitting function for a communication system and additionally provides at least one type of upgrade capability for the system. The upgrade capability may be remote optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) testing at an out-of-band wavelength. The OTDR testing is performed around a power splitter whereby a fault may be precisely located on an output line past the power splitter. Other upgrade capabilities that an optical integrated circuit may provide are the ability to add optical network units (ONUs) to the communication at a later time or to increase the bandwidth without requiring any new cables between a central office and the optical circuit. The optical integrated circuits can provide these upgraded capabilities with a higher reliability than circuits which are manufactured with discrete components and at a lower cost.

Abstract: Probes for the measurement of moisture content, solids content, and electrical conductivity of porous or fibrous materials, slurries, liquids, and the like using Time Domain Reflectometry comprising a conductive wire or rod extending outwardly from the embedded at one end in, a conductive base and insulated from the base by a region of dielectric material. The wire and base being dimensioned and spaced to emulate a coaxial transmission line with the wire or rod being the center conductor of the transmission line and the conductive base forming the coaxial shield.

Abstract: In an optical fiber communication system that operates at a wavelength .lambda..sub.o and comprises optical fiber having a cut-off wavelength .lambda..sub.c >.lambda..sub.o, a "grating", with parameters chosen such that the grating causes resonant coupling between a predetermined guided mode (e.g., LP.sub.11) and a tunneling-leaky mode, can be advantageously used to remove unwanted guided modes. Such removal can substantially improve the bandwidth of such a system.