Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A synthesis method for making an isocyanate based organic xerogel having a low density (i.e. <400 kg/m3) and a small pore size (<150 nm) in combination with a specific surface area >100 m2/g is disclosed. The synthesis method avoiding or reducing gel shrinkage during the solvent removal step is characterized by the step wherein the organic solvent used to synthesize the isocyanate based organic xerogel is replaced by water such that during the solvent removal step only water needs to be removed to dry the porous network and to obtain the isocyanate based organic xerogel.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector (20) including a ferrule (42) having a front end (48) and a rear end (50). The ferrule (42) defines an axial bore (46) that extends through the ferrule (42) between the front end (48) and the rear end (50). The ferrule (42) includes a ferrule axis (64) that extends along the axial bore (46). The fiber optic connector (20) includes an optical fiber (62) positioned within the axial bore (46) that is movable relative to the ferrule (42) within the axial bore (46) along the ferrule axis (64). The optical fiber (62) has fiber end face (63) that has been energy treated to round the fiber end face (63). A fiber alignment structure (66) can be attached at a front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42). A camera can be used to position a fiber end face (63) of the optical fiber (62) relative to the front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42).

Abstract: A reinforced organic natural fiber composite material having a lambda value in the range 15-35 mW/m·K is disclosed which comprises 25-85% by weight hydrophobic nanoporous particles calculated on the total weight of the composite material, at least 10% by weight organic natural fibers having isocyanate reactive groups calculated on the total weight of the composite material and 1-15% by weight binder selected from a polyurea/polyurethane comprising binder made from emulsifiable polyisocyanate, water and surfactants.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector (20) including a ferrule (42) having a front end (48) and a rear end (50). The ferrule (42) defines an axial bore (46) that extends through the ferrule (42) between the front end (48) and the rear end (50). The ferrule (42) includes a ferrule axis (64) that extends along the axial bore (46). The fiber optic connector (20) includes an optical fiber (62) positioned within the axial bore (46) that is movable relative to the ferrule (42) within the axial bore (46) along the ferrule axis (64). The optical fiber (62) has fiber end face (63) that has been energy treated to round the fiber end face (63). A fiber alignment structure (66) can be attached at a front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42). A camera can be used to position a fiber end face (63) of the optical fiber (62) relative to the front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42).

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A reinforced organic natural fiber composite material having a lambda value in the range 15-35 mW/m·K is disclosed which comprises 25-85% by weight hydrophobic nanoporous particles calculated on the total weight of the composite material, at least 10% by weight organic natural fibers having isocyanate reactive groups calculated on the total weight of the composite material and 1-15% by weight binder selected from a polyurea/polyurethane comprising binder made from emulsifiable polyisocyanate, water and surfactants.

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector (20) including a ferrule (42) having a front end (48) and a rear end (50). The ferrule (42) defines an axial bore (46) that extends through the ferrule (42) between the front end (48) and the rear end (50). The ferrule (42) includes a ferrule axis (64) that extends along the axial bore (46). The fiber optic connector (20) includes an optical fiber (62) positioned within the axial bore (46) that is movable relative to the ferrule (42) within the axial bore (46) along the ferrule axis (64). The optical fiber (62) has fiber end face (63) that has been energy treated to round the fiber end face (63). A fiber alignment structure (66) can be attached at a front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42). A camera can be used to position a fiber end face (63) of the optical fiber (62) relative to the front ferrule end face (54) of the ferrule (42).

Abstract: Process for making a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyol composition in the presence of water, a reactive amine catalyst and a specific metal salt. The foams have a low level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a desirable combination of mechanical and durability properties.

Abstract: Process for making a flexible polyurethane foam by reacting a polyisocyanate and a polyol composition in the presence of water, a reactive amine catalyst and a specific metal salt.

Abstract: A portable device for attaching a connector to an optical fiber, the optical fiber having an end, the device comprising means for receiving the optical fiber at the end of the optical fiber; and a connector station for autonomously attaching the connector to the optical fiber.

Abstract: A device for installing an optical fiber in a connector, comprising an optical fiber cleaving mechanism (51), a connector holding means and a fiber insertion mechanism (55) arranged such that an optical fiber may be cleaved by the cleaving mechanism to produce an end of the fiber, and the end of the fiber may be inserted by means of the insertion mechanism into a connector (1) held by the connector holding means (53).

Abstract: A method is disclosed for testing optical fiber connection quality of an optical drop fiber between a telecommunications system and a subscriber connection box in a multi-dwelling unit or other subscriber premises before connection to other subscriber equipment. An end of the optical fiber to be tested is placed in a fiber-holding device, which holds the fiber end in alignment with a suitable reflective body. An optical signal is provided from the system direction which is reflected by the reflective body back towards the system. The reflected signal is detected by a suitable instrument, preferably an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), to confirm acceptable signaling quality of the optical path between the system and the fiber end.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaving optical fibers, comprising fiber cleaving means and gripping members arranged to grip an optical fiber and to apply a pulling force to put the fiber under tension whilst the fiber is cleaved, wherein the gripping member(s) C are arranged to eject a cleaved-off part of the fiber F into a receptacle 49 once the fiber has been cleaved, and/or the fiber F is bent during cleaving by means of a rotatable double anvil 47 widely separated from the gripping members.

Abstract: A device for installing an optical fibre in a connector, comprising an optical fibre cleaving mechanism (51), a connector holding means and a fibre insertion mechanism (55) arranged such that an optical fibre may be cleaved by the cleaving mechanism to produce an end of the fibre, and the end of the fibre may be inserted by means of the insertion mechanism into a connector (1) held by the connector holding means (53).

Abstract: Method for testing optical fibre connection quality of an optical drop fibre between a telecommunications system and a subscriber connection box in a multi-dwelling unit or other subscriber premises before connection to other subscriber equipment comprises placing the end of the optical fibre to be tested in a fibre-holding device, which holds the fibre end in alignment with a suitable reflective body; providing an optical signal from the system direction which is reflected by the said reflective body back towards the system; and detecting the reflected signal by a suitable instrument, preferably an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), to confirm acceptable signalling quality of the optical path between the system and the fibre end.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaving optical fibres, comprising fibre cleaving means and gripping members arranged to grip an optical fibre and to apply a pulling force to put the fibre under tension whist the fibre is cleaved, wherein the gripping member(s) C are arranged to eject a cleaved-off part of the fibre F into a receptacle 49 once the fibre has been cleaved, and/or the fibre F is bent during cleaving by means of a rotatable double anvil 47 widely separated from the gripping members.