Abstract: A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers is disclosed. The connector includes a terminating member having a passage therein dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers. An adapter associated with a mating end of the terminating member and communicating with the passage is provided wherein the adapter has a hermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end of the terminating member. The connector also includes means associated with the adapter for securing the one optical fiber in a preselected position relative to the mating end of the terminating member. In a more specific sense, the connector is adapted for use in an assembly including a second identical connector for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cables in which the various elements may be formed in a manner making them interchangeable with other like elements in order to form a modular hermaphroditic connector.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic fiber optic connector for use in an assembly for aligning mating ends of at least one pair of optical fibers is disclosed. The connector includes a terminating member having a passage therein dimensioned for receiving one of the optical fibers. An adapter associated with a mating end of the terminating member and communicating with the passage is provided wherein the adapter has a hermaphroditic face exposed at the mating end of the terminating member. The connector also includes means associated with the adapter for securing the one optical fiber in a preselected position relative to the mating end of the terminating member. In a more specific sense, the connector is adapted for use in an assembly including a second identical connector for aligning mating ends of optical fibers in a pair of fiber optic cables in which the various elements may be formed in a manner making them interchangeable with other like elements in order to form a modular hermaphroditic connector.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly of the type which optically couples one or more pairs of fiber optic cables together by aligning and closely spacing the terminal ends of each cable pair includes a connector having a cable terminating tubular pin which receives one of the cables and which also has an outer circumferential flange. The pin is received within a channel of the connector body which channel has a forwardly facing annular shoulder portion. A cylindrical retainer coaxially disposed about the pin has a rear surface engaging the channel shoulder and forwardly depending fingers engaging the pin flange. The rearward end of the retainer also includes an integral spring mechanism which urges the pin in the forward direction so that its forward end continuously engages a spacer within a mating connector which causes the terminal ends of the coupled cables to be closely and controllably spaced for efficient light transfer between the fiber optic cables.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrically aligning and terminating an optical fiber within the terminal end of a fiber optic connector includes the use of a resilient jig having a bore dimensioned for receiving the optical fiber. The jig is aligned relative to the connector so that the jig bore is concentric to the outer dimension of the connector terminal end. The resilient jig is uniformly compressed in a chuck to cause the jig bore to contract about an optical fiber threaded through the connector and the jig bore. As a result, the optical fiber is firmly held in concentric alignment to the outer dimension of the connector terminal end for subsequent curing of adhesive material within the connector for terminating the optical fiber to the connector.

Abstract: An improved connector pin assembly and method for concentrically aligning and terminating an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable with respect to the outer dimension of the pin negates the heretofore required epoxy or other adhesive for providing secure termination of an optical fiber within a terminal pin. The assembly includes a terminal pin having a fiber optic cable receiving bore extending into the pin from its rear end and a terminal end bore of smaller dimension extending into the terminal pin from the terminal pin forward terminating end. The terminal end bore communicates with the cable receiving bore and is concentric to the outer dimension of the terminating pin terminal end. A resilient insert member having a central aperture dimensioned for receiving the optical fiber and an outer portion which is greater in dimension than the terminal end bore when the insert member is in its free uncompressed state is forced into the terminal end bore.

Abstract: A connector pin assembly for concentrically aligning and terminating a fiber optical cable with respect to the outer dimension of the pin includes a tubular body having two ends, a longitudinal bore extending into one end of the body and a counter bore extending into the other end of the body. The counter bore has inner walls concentric with the outer dimension of the body and communicates with the longitudinal bore. A plurality of pin members of equal dimension are within the counter bore arranged in side-by-side relation for tangential contact with the inner walls of the counter bore, tangential contact with each other, and tangential contact with an optical fiber inserted into the central passageway defined by the pin members. As a result, the optical fiber is held by the pin members concentrically with respect to the outer dimension of the tubular body.

Abstract: The flow of preheated and ambient air to a processor, such as a coal pulverizer, are controlled in a manner whereby the preheated air flow will be varied as a function of pulverizer discharge temperature air while "cold" ambient air flow will be varied as a function of pulverizer inlet air mass flow rate. Flow error signals are caused to vary as a function of temperature error to enhance system response to temperature errors, and flow error will be caused to take precedence over temperature error should pulverizer inlet flow fall below a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: A connector assembly for coupling one or more pairs of fiber optic tubing cable segments comprises a mating plug and receptacle each including insert members having aligned passageways wherein the terminal ends of the fiber optic cable segments are disposed. An alignment sleeve within the passageways fixed to one insert member and slidably received by the other receives the terminal ends at respective ends of the fiber optic cable segments of the sleeve to maintain the terminal ends in axial, transverse and angular alignment.

Abstract: An assembly for use in a fiber optic connector for aligning and spacing the terminal ends of a pair of fiber optic cables to achieve efficient light transfer includes a pair of terminal pins, each having a bore for receiving one of the cables and an external shoulder. A resilient sleeve is tightly received over the terminal pins to align the terminal ends in facing relation and abuts the terminal pin shoulders to effect a predetermined close spacing of the terminal ends to provide efficient light transfer between the pair of fiber optic cables.In a preferred form, each terminal pin includes an insert member which has a concentric channel for receiving and aligning one of the fiber optic cables concentric with the outer dimension of the terminal pin.