Abstract: A ground power connector comprising: a plug body comprising a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises an inside dimension; a female socket positioned within the cavity, wherein the female socket comprises an outside dimension, wherein the outside dimension of the female socket is smaller than the inside dimension of the cavity; and a support of the female socket in the cavity, wherein the support allows the female socket to change positions within the cavity. A method of manufacturing a ground power connector having a female socket, the method comprising: providing an internal block comprising a cavity; inserting at least a portion of a female socket into the cavity of the internal block; sealing the cavity of the internal block; and molding a rubber plug body onto an exterior of the internal block so that the plug body flexibly supports the female socket in the cavity.

Abstract: A ground power connector saver for electrically and mechanically connecting a ground power connector to an aircraft fixed connector, the ground power connector saver having: an internal block having a number of cavities, each cavity having an inside dimension and a pivot engagement; a socket group having a number of sockets, each socket having a female tyne section having an outside dimension and a pivot engagement; and a body that houses the internal block and the tyne sections of the sockets and includes a flexible portion that flexibly seals respective ends of the tyne sections of the sockets in the cavities, where male pin contacts of the socket group extend from the body.

Abstract: A ground power connector saver includes a block, a socket group, and a body. The block includes a plurality of cavities, each having an inside dimension and a pivot engagement. The socket group includes a plurality of sockets, each including a female tyne section having an outside dimension and a pivot engagement. Each tyne section is positioned within a cavity, wherein the outside dimension is smaller than the inside dimension. The pivot engagements are engaged to support the sockets in the cavities, thereby enabling the sockets to pivot within the cavities at the pivot engagements. Each socket also includes a male pin contact having a configuration similar to an aircraft fixed connector. The body houses the block and the tyne sections and includes a flexible portion that flexibly seals respective ends of the tyne sections in the cavities, wherein the male pin contacts extend from the body.

Abstract: A ground power connector comprising: a plug body comprising a cavity, wherein the cavity comprises an inside dimension; a female socket positioned within the cavity, wherein the female socket comprises an outside dimension, wherein the outside dimension of the female socket is smaller than the inside dimension of the cavity; and a support of the female socket in the cavity, wherein the support allows the female socket to change positions within the cavity. A method of manufacturing a ground power connector having a female socket, the method comprising: providing an internal block comprising a cavity; inserting at least a portion of a female socket into the cavity of the internal block; sealing the cavity of the internal block; and molding a rubber plug body onto an exterior of the internal block so that the plug body flexibly supports the female socket in the cavity.

Abstract: A cassette for preparing an end face of an optical fiber includes a housing that defines a window, and a supply reel and a take up reel disposed within the housing. The cassette also has a preparatory tape, advancing between the supply reel and the take us reel, for preparing the end face of the optical fiber. In addition, the cassette includes means for directing the tape by the window defined by the housing such that the tape contacts and prepares the end face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for inspecting an end face of an optical fiber. The apparatus includes a memory device for storing images of acceptable end faces and unacceptable end faces, and an imaging system for obtaining an image of the end face of the optical fiber. Further, the apparatus includes a means, responsive to said imaging system, for comparing the image of the end fare of the optical fiber with the images of acceptable end faces and unacceptable end faces to automatically determine if the optical fiber is acceptable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of types of connectors upon the end portion of a fiber optic cable. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus includes a memory device for storing data relating to a plurality of types of connectors. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes a controller for receiving input from a system operator or other source that specifies the type of connector to be mounted upon the specified fiber optic cable, the polishing geometry, and the optical performance specifications. Based upon this input, the controller determines the components required to mount the specified type of connector upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable based upon the data stored by the memory device. The automated fiber optic connectorization apparatus also includes means for obtaining the necessary components and means for assembling these components upon the end portion of the fiber optic cable.