Abstract: An optical fiber connector has a center component provided with opposite first and second ends into which first and second connector inserts holding ends of respective optical fiber bundles are to be inserted, an optical core element mounted in the center component having opposite ends against which the ends of the respective optical fiber bundles in the first and second connector inserts are to be abutted in alignment, and fastener elements provided with the first and second ends for securely holding the first and second connector inserts in abutting contact with the respective opposite ends of the optical core element.

Abstract: A passive tensioner is described for accommodating the tensile loading between a floating oil production platform and a riser. The tensioner includes a stack of strut elements, each of which has a plurality of struts of an elastomeric material individually configured to respond to a compressive load by buckling in a predetermined direction, means for constraining the stack during such buckling in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of the compressive load and means for translating the tensile loading because of ocean wave, current or other liquid action on the platform into a compressive load and applying the same to the stack.