Abstract: An optical amplifier assembly comprises a Customer Interface module and a plurality of other amplifier modules. The Customer Interface module includes: (i) a customer interface configured to interact with other devices and (ii) optical and electrical connectors, connecting at least one of the other optical amplifier modules to the customer interface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention an amplification module comprises a housing containing a plurality of optical ports. This housing: (i) at least partially encloses at least one amplification medium, (ii) provides at least one position for at least one optical filter, and (iii) includes a first optical port configured to provide both signal and pump light to the amplification module. According to an embodiment of the present invention the amplification module does not include a WDM for multiplexing pump light and signal light.

Abstract: A telemetry add/drop module includes an optical circuit. This optical circuit includes (i) at least two optical ports, (ii) at least one bidirectional light combiner/separator; and (iii) a position for another bidirectional light combiner/separator. Alternatively, the optical circuit includes (i) at least two optical ports, and (ii) at least two bidirectional light combiner/separators. According to one embodiment of the present invention at least one of these bidirectional light combiner/separators is a wavelength division multiplexer.

Abstract: According to the present invention an optical amplifier assembly comprises a plurality of optical amplifier modules. Each of these modules is being suitable for a specific intended use and provides at least one specific function, wherein at least one of the modules is marked according to its intended use.

Abstract: An Optical Power Supply module is configured to be engageable in optical communication to an optical device. This Optical Power Supply module comprises: an optical circuit including (i) at least one input port configured to receive an optical signal; (ii) an optical circuit connected to the input port and including (a) at least a one light source providing optical pump power at a first wavelength, the wavelength known to cause amplification in rare earth doped optical fiber; (b) at least one bi-directional light combiner/separator combining the optical pump power and the optical signal; and (c) at least one position for a directional optical attenuator; (iii) at least one output port connected to the optical circuit and configured to transmit the optical signal and the optical pump power at the first wavelength to the optical device.

Abstract: According to the present invention modular optical amplifier assembly, comprises at least one first module and at least one second module. The first and second modules are optically connected to one another. The first module is an Optical Power Supply module. The first module comprises an optical circuit including: (i) at least two optical ports, (ii) at least a one light source having a first wavelength known to cause amplification in rare earth doped optical fiber located between the optical ports; (iii) at least one bidirectional light combiner/separator optically coupled to the light source, and (iv) at least one position for a directional optical attenuator, located between the two optical ports. The second module is an amplification module. The second module comprises an optical circuit including (i) at least two optical ports, and (ii) at least one amplification medium.

Abstract: According to the present invention an optical processing module includes an optical circuit. This optical circuit includes: (i) at least two optical ports, (ii) at least one light filter situated between said two ports, and (iii) at least one position for at least one additional optical component, which when placed in said position, would be connected to said at least one light filter.

Abstract: A method of assembling an optical amplifier comprises the steps of: (i) selecting a plurality of modules required in the optical amplifier; the plurality of modules being selected from at least types: Optical power supply module, Amplification module and at least one additional module; and (ii) assembling the modules into the optical amplifier.

Abstract: An optical amplifier assembly comprises a Customer Interface module and a plurality of other amplifier modules. The Customer Interface module includes: (i) a customer interface configured to interact with other devices and (ii) optical and electrical connectors, connecting at least one of the other optical amplifier modules to the customer interface.

Abstract: According to the present invention, an optical monitoring and access module comprises an optical circuit including: (i) at least two optical ports, (ii) a first optical tap, (iii) at least one optical sensor optically coupled to said first optical tap; and (iv) at least one position for at least one additional optical component, which when placed in said position, would be connected to said first optical tap.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention an amplification module comprises a housing containing a plurality of optical ports. This housing: (i) at least partially encloses at least one amplification medium, (ii) provides at least one position for at least one optical filter, and (iii) includes a first optical port configured to provide both signal and pump light to the amplification module. According to an embodiment of the present invention the amplification module does not include a WDM for multiplexing pump light and signal light.

Abstract: A load bearing replaceable wear strip for use between the guides and slides in a clamp attachment for use on a lift truck. Each wear strip is C-shaped in cross section and is positioned in and matches the surfaces of each guide and extends substantially the entire length of the guide. The strip is telescopically movable in and out of the slide for replacement. A releasable retainer is connected between the wear strip and the guide.

Abstract: A heating oven is provided for processing glass materials from which optical waveguide fibers are prepared. The oven includes a vertically oriented, elongated cylindrical muffle for receiving the glass material which is to be processed. The supporting structure for the upper end of the muffle is thermally independent of the supporting structure for the remainder of the oven. In this way, the expansion and contraction of the muffle can be compensated for independently of the expansion and contraction of the oven's main support frame.

Abstract: A heating oven is provided for processing glass materials, e.g., porous glass preforms, from which optical waveguide fibers are prepared. The oven includes a stationary elongated chamber, e.g., a silica muffle, for receiving the glass material which is to be processed. At least a portion of the chamber is surrounded by a stationary susceptor. The chamber is heated by moving an energized induction heating coil along a path parallel to the longitudinal axes of the susceptor and the chamber.

Abstract: A method for consolidating a porous glass preform is provided in which a preform is placed in a stationary elongated chamber and selected portions of the chamber, distributed along the chamber's length, are sequentially heated above the preform's sintering temperature. In certain preferred embodiments, the chamber is surrounded by an elongated susceptor and the heating is performed by moving an induction heating coil along a path parallel to the longitudinal axes of the susceptor and the chamber.

Abstract: A heating oven for processing glass materials from which optical waveguide fibers are prepared is provided which comprises:(a) an elongated chamber for receiving the glass material to be processed; and(b) means for heating the chamber, said means comprising an elongated susceptor, the longitudinal axis of the susceptor being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chamber, an induction heating coil, means for moving the induction heating coil along a path parallel to the longitudinal axes of the susceptor and the chamber, and means for energizing the induction heating coil.

Abstract: A no crease system for a push/pull attachment on a lift truck for avoiding damaging loads. A gripper having a bar and a shoe for gripping and releasing a slip sheet carrying a load is provided with a control circuit for closing the gripper to the gripping position when the push plate is extended for protecting the load from damage by an open gripper. The circuit includes a valve connected to the push/pull attachment and actuated by the push/pull attachment when the push plate is fully extended. The valve may be deactuated by a control switch.