Abstract: End faces of copper alloys to be used for electrical conductors are placed in contacting relationship under a compressive force below the yield strength of the copper alloy conductor in the room temperature condition. The contacting end faces are heated under continuous compression at a temperature of at least 300.degree. C. but below the solvus temperature of the copper alloy in at least one heating cycle.

Abstract: End faces of copper alloys to be used for electrical conductors are placed in contacting relationship under a compressive force below the yield strength of the copper alloy conductor in the room temperature condition. The contacting end faces are heated under continuous compression at a temperature of at least 300.degree. C. but below the solvus temperature of the copper alloy in at least one heating cycle.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a rugged, flexible, superconducting wire comprising: mixing a superconducting material, such as YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x, with a metallic powder to form a metal/superconductor mixture; and loading a metal shell or tube with the metal/superconductor mixture to form a superconducting wire. The superconducting wire may also be cold drawn and annealed to form a very dense wire. The metallic powder is either copper, copper alloy, aluminum or other face centered cubic element. Additionally, a superconducting wire may be formed by encapsulating a superconducting filament within a metal shell.

Abstract: A baseplug for a target-penetrating projectile containing an explosive in which the baseplug is fabricated in two components each preferably fabricated from a powdered pyrophoric material. The powdered pyrophoric material may be zirconium or titanium or alloys thereof which is charged with hydrogen which upon burning of the baseplug is released to increase the fine start capability of the projectile.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber cable core assembly having at least one optical fiber encapsulated with an ultra-small diameter metallic tube are described. The optical fiber cable core assembly is formed by passing a metal or metal alloy strip through at least one die to form the ultra-small diameter tube, inserting at least one optical fiber or fibers into the tube during the tube formation operation and passing the assembly through a sealing station to seal the tube and provide a hermetic core assembly. To reduce the likelihood of breaking the tube and damaging the optical fiber or fibers therein, the deformation energy for forming the strip into the tube is provided by wrapping the assembly about a tensioning device positioned between the tube forming station and the tube sealing station.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for recrystallization of thin strip material includes a device for electromagnetically melting the thin strip material to provide a molten surface layer and a substantially solid core. Apparatus provides relative movement between the thin strip and the device for electromagnetically melting. Also, an apparatus resolidifies the molten surface layer to provide a preferred crystal structure in the thin strip material.

Abstract: An optical fiber communication cable comprises providing at least one optical fiber and surrounding the optical fiber with a high strength drawn copper alloy tube having a generally longitudinally extending seam. The edges of the tube which define the seam are substantially nonlinear deformed edges whose length from the outside of the tube to the inside thereof exceeds the thickness of the tube wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supplying extra-long lengths of continuous metal strip material to metal processing and/or manufacturing equipment. The device has a central member adapted to receive a plurality of coils of strip material and free to rotate about its longitudinal axis and a plurality of retractable spacing elements for separating adjacent coils of material without interfering with the material feed operation. To insure a supply of material sufficient to enable operation of the equipment for long periods of time, the coils stacked on the central member are interconnected.

Abstract: A hollow tubular structure having edges held in close proximity by residual compressive forces in the material forming the tubular structure is formed by first drawing a metal or metal alloy strip through a first die and forming an open tube section and then drawing the open tube section through a second die. The hollow tubular structures have particular utility in optical fiber communication cable constructions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing increased reductions in strip material, particularly soft metal strip materials, are disclosed. The process and apparatus utilize a rolling mill having at least two offset work rolls driven at a peripheral speed ratio less than a desired gage reduction ratio but greater than zero and a mechanism for applying forward tension to the strip material. The desired gage reduction may be obtained using reduced separating force magnitudes and minimized tension force magnitudes. The rolling mill utilizes relatively small diameter work rolls without having to provide additional support structures other than the back-up rolls and frame roll supports to prevent roll bending in the rolling direction. Roll flattening is substantially eliminated resulting in improved gage control and strip flatness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite liner for a shaped charge device. The liner comprises a wrought metal or metal alloy substrate having a desired shape and configuration and a coating deposited on a surface of the wrought substrate. The coating comprises a substantially uniform, substantially homogeneous isotropic material having a relatively fine grain structure and a relatively smooth surface which facilitates forming a metal jet having improved performance and penetration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an addition to tin coating solutions for inhibiting the growth of tin whiskers. The addition comprises a concentration of a metal salt selected from the group consisting of palladium salt, silver salt, nickel salt, iron salt, cadmium salt, platinum salt, gold salt, indium salt, ruthenium salt and cobalt salt. In a preferred embodiment, the metal salt addition is either a palladium salt such as palladium chloride or a silver salt such as silver sulfate.

Abstract: An optical fiber communication cable and a process for making it comprise providing at least one optical fiber and surrounding the optical fiber with a high strength drawn copper alloy tube having a generally longitudinally extending seam. The edges of the tube which define the seam are substantially nonlinear deformed edges whose length from the outside of the tube to the inside thereof exceeds the thickness of the tube wall.

Abstract: An improved thermode for bonding interconnect tape to at least one bonding site on an electronic device is disclosed. The thermode includes a component for controlling deflection of the interconnect tape at a position outside of said bonding site whereby thermal stresses generated in the interconnect tape while bonding are substantially reduced.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber communication cable are described herein. The optical fiber cable has a cable core including a metal containment tube and at least one optical fiber within the tube. The containment tube preferably is formed by drawing a strip of metal through at least one forming die. In a first aspect of the present invention, smooth operation of the forming die is promoted by first passing the metal strip through a shaving die to remove any shearing burrs along the strip edges and to maintain the width of the strip within a desired tolerance.In a second aspect of the present invention, various approaches for effectively sealing the containment tube are described. In a first embodiment, the tube is sealed using a wave soldering approach wherein a flow of moving molten solder is used to substantially fill a seam in the tube.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a thin-walled, elongated member having superior strength properties from an age hardenable copper base alloy is described herein. A slug or billet of a slurry cast, age hardenable copper base alloy is formed into a semi-solid slurry having about 10% to about 30% of the alloy in a liquid phase. The semi-solid slurry is then thixoforged to form the thin-walled, elongated member. Thereafter, the member is age hardened to provide a product having desired strength properties. The process and apparatus of the instant invention may be utilized to form cartridge casings.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber communication cable are described herein. The optical fiber cable has a cable core including a metal containment tube and at least one optical fiber within the tube. The containment tube preferably is formed by drawing a strip of metal through at least one forming die. In a first aspect of the present invention, smooth operation of the forming die is promoted by first passing the metal strip through a shaving die to remove any shearing burrs along the strip edges and to maintain the width of the strip within a desired tolerance.In a second aspect of the present invention, various approaches for effectively sealing the containment tube are described. In a first embodiment, the tube is sealed using a wave soldering approach wherein a flow of moving molten solder is used to substantially fill a seam in the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for fabricating optical fiber cables having improved hermeticity. The optical fiber cables are formed by first reducing the water content of the buffer material surrounding each optical fiber. Thereafter, the dried optical fiber(s) are encapsulated into a metal or metal alloy tube. After fiber encapsulation, the tube may be sealed to prevent the ingress of moisture and/or water from the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a thin-walled, elongated member having superior strength properties from an age hardenable copper base alloy consisting essentially of about 3% to about 20% nickel, about 5% to about 10% aluminum, and the balance essentially copper, is described herein. A slug or billet of a slurry cast, age hardenable copper base alloy is formed into a semi-solid slurry having about 5% to about 40% of the alloy in a liquid phase. The semi-solid slurry is then thixoforged to form the thin-walled, elongated member. Thereafter, the member is age hardened to provide a product having desired strength properties. The process and apparatus of the instant invention may be utilized to form cartridge casings.

Abstract: A technique for repairing or joining lengths of ultra-fine, small diameter optical fiber cables is described. The technique comprises: positioning a hollow cylindrical ferrule over one of two cable portions; forming a splice joint between the optical fibers to be joined together; forming a protective buffer layer about the splice joint; sliding the ferrule over the protective buffer layer and into overlapping relationship with each cable portion; and bonding the ferrule to each cable portion. An apparatus for performing the repair or joining technique is also described.