Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber disposed within a tube and/or cavity along with a powder or powder blend that is at least partially mechanically attached thereto. In one embodiment, the powder or powder blend includes a water-swellable component that is mechanically attached to about 30 percent or less of the surface area of the tube wall while still effectively blocking the migration of water along the tube. Other embodiments may have the powder or power blend mechanically attached to the tube, cavity, or the like at relatively high percentage levels of the total powder or powder blend within the assembly, thereby inhibiting unintentional migration along the tube, cavity, or the like. Other embodiments may use powder or powder blends that may or may not include a water-swellable powder to provide other desired characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.

Abstract: In an engine having free floating reciprocating pistons each with a cam follower which bears on a tri lobed cam, the pistons are arranged in one or more banks of four pistons each of which extends over an angular interval of 90.degree.. Where two banks of four pistons are utilized, the banks may be separated by an angular interval of 30.degree. or 90.degree.. The tri-lobed cam may be sinuously shaped with different profiles according to the desired characteristics of the engine.

Abstract: In an engine having free floating reciprocating pistons each with a cam follower which bears on a tri-lobed cam, each cam follower is supported by a guide bearing running in a track which serves to transmit to the track lateral reactive force components generated between the cam and the cam follower.

Abstract: Composite building panels comprising a slab of cementitious fiber reinforced material and a stud framework keyed thereto. The studs have a flange which abuts the inner surface of the slab, and a plurality of tabs which project downwardly from the flange to key the stud. Adjacent tabs are axially spaced apart, and may also be transversely staggard, to reduce the incidence of cracking of the slab, and may be upset from the flange material. The slabs may be relatively thin i.e. 2 cms. The tabs may also serve to retain rod or mesh reinforcement in thicker slabs.