Abstract: Tools, strategies, and techniques are provided for enhancing the control and operation of air curtain devices. The air curtain device can be provided with a computer system programmed to receive input data from various sensors and to communicate the sensor data to a wireless mesh computer architecture. An algorithm module can be programmed to determine adjusted settings or parameters for the air curtain device in response to the sensor data and/or other data sources such as external data sources. Data may be obtained from multiple air curtain devices configured for cooperative performance, and operating parameters or settings may be adjusted in connection with one or more of the multiple air curtain devices. A control device of the air curtain may be provided with a unitary structure suitable for efficient installation of multiple control harness connectors thereon to supply power and/or to establish data connectivity with multiple components of the control device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber cable having improved optical fiber densities and no central strength member. The optical fiber cable includes one or more multi-fiber unit tubes having an optical fiber ribbon stack snugly positioned therein. The diagonal length of the ribbon stack is approximately equal or, alternatively, at least 90% of the inner diameter of the unit tube. The multi-fiber unit tube is made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or other material soft and flexible enough to allow the ribbon stack to be relatively firmly positioned therein without affecting the optical fiber performance. The optical fiber cable includes one or more filling materials such as yarn fillers positioned, e.g., between the ribbon stack and the inner walls of the unit tube, to maintain the shape of the multi-fiber unit tube. The yarn filler material includes super absorbent polymers to reduce propagation of water down the unit tube.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber cable having improved optical fiber densities and no central strength member. The optical fiber cable includes one or more multi-fiber unit tubes having an optical fiber ribbon stack snugly positioned therein. The diagonal length of the ribbon stack is approximately equal or, alternatively, at least 90% of the inner diameter of the unit tube. The multi-fiber unit tube is made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or other material soft and flexible enough to allow the ribbon stack to be relatively firmly positioned therein without affecting the optical fiber performance. The optical fiber cable includes one or more filling materials such as yarn fillers positioned, e.g., between the ribbon stack and the inner walls of the unit tube, to maintain the shape of the multi-fiber unit tube. The yarn filler material includes super absorbent polymers to reduce propagation of water down the unit tube.

Abstract: A jacket for an outside plant communication cable is made from a resin of an impact-modified polypropylene copolymer compounded with UV stabilizers. The resin has the characteristics of low cost, low post-extrusion shrinkage, high melting temperature and increased crush and abrasion resistance. The UV light stabilizers may include UV absorbers, quenchers, and/or hindered amine light stabilizers.

Abstract: A jacket for a communication cable is made from a resin that has high aspect ratio filler materials, and possibly coupling agents, dispersed therein. The fillers and the coupling agents reduce the post-extrusion shrinkage of the jacketing compound such that the strength members used in the communication cable need have only negligible compressive stiffness. The communication cable may further include a skin coating surrounding the outer jacket.

Abstract: A protective cable armor for cable having tensile stiffness and providing structural protection from invasion by foreign objects. The armor comprises a substantially planar sheet member having a length and a width and an intermittent corrugation pattern disposed therein. The intermittent corrugation pattern comprises at least one land extending across the width of the sheet member and having a defined land width. The intermittent corrugation pattern further comprises at least one, groove extending across the width of the sheet member and having a defined groove width, where the defined land width differs from the defined groove width. The land is disposed adjacent the groove. The sheet member can also be disposed in a substantially tubular form.

Abstract: A jacket for a communication cable is made from a resin that has high aspect ratio filler materials, and possibly coupling agents, dispersed therein. The fillers and the coupling agents reduce the post-extrusion shrinkage of the jacketing compound such that the strength members used in the communication cable need have only negligible compressive stiffness.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable closure assembly includes a base member and a mating cover which, when assembled form a hollow splice closure with openings at each end. Mounted to the base member at at least one end thereof is a grip block assembly which grips the optical cable entering the adjacent open end, and which automatically adjusts to differing sizes of cables. The grip block assembly has an upper member and a lower member and includes first and second pivotally mounted arms on the lower member which are actuated by actuating pins on the upper member and which, as the upper member is tightened down on the lower member, pivot until they bear against and grip the cable. Included within the closure assembly are one or more optical fiber splitters which are used to separate and segregate individual fibers or groups of fibers to be spliced.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable closure assembly includes a base member and a mating cover which, when assembled form a hollow splice closure with openings at each end. Mounted to the base member at at least one end thereof is a grip block assembly which grips the optical cable entering the adjacent open end, and which automatically adjusts to differing sizes of cables. The grip block assembly has an upper member and a lower member and includes first and second pivotally mounted arms on the lower member which are actuated by actuating pins on the upper member and which, as the upper member is tightened down on the lower member, pivot until they bear against and grip the cable. Included within the closure assembly are one or more optical fiber splitters which are used to separate and segregate individual fibers or groups of fibers to be spliced.

Abstract: An optical fiber splicer for use in a splice closure assembly has a base potion with vertical side walls and first and second ends. A plurality of fiber separating fingers are located at the first end with the fingers extending across the width of the base as defined by the side walls. The fingers can be arrayed as a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, or in a comb-like structure. A core tube insert member has a first portion adapted to be locked to the base portion, and a tube insert portion extends therefrom. A cap member has latch means thereon for latching to the base portion. The entire splitter is preferably made of a clear acrylic plastic material.

Abstract: A communications cable for use in buried environments in an outside plant includes a core (22) comprising at least one transmission medium and a mechanically strengthened, thermal resistant barrier layer (40) disposed about a plastic tubular member (23). A metallic shield (32) and a plastic jacket (36) are disposed about the barrier. The barrier layer may comprise a tape (41) which is made of a material such as woven glass or an aramid fibrous material, for example, which is resistant to relatively high temperatures, which has suitable strength properties in all directions and at elevated temperatures and which is characterized by properties which cause the barrier layer to impede the passage therethrough of particles which are sufficiently large to cause damage to the core. In a preferred embodiment, the thermal barrier layer also includes provisions for preventing the longitudinal flow of water within the cable.

Abstract: A device (20) for connecting a ground wire (66) to a metallic portion of a cable (30) includes a first cable engagement portion (22) having a bond shoe (42) which is adapted to be engaged with a metallic cable shield (34). The bond shoe has an upstanding portion (52) projecting therefrom and adapted to be secured to an upstanding portion (56) of a second cable engagement portion (24). A plate (58) of the second cable engagement portion is adapted to become engaged with and to become secured to a portion of a plastic jacket (36) of the cable which encloses the metallic shield. A bonding block (26) having two bores each adapted to receive an end portion of a ground wire is secured to the two upstanding portions. Wire-like strength members (38--38) of the cable may be terminated in a clamped manner between the upstanding portions of the second cable engagement portion and the bonding block. Advantageously, the connecting device is independent of any closure in which it may be disposed.

Abstract: A device (20) for connecting a ground wire (66) to a metallic portion of a cable (30) includes a first cable engagement portion (22) having a bond shoe (42) which is adapted to be engaged with a metallic cable shield (34). The bond shoe has an upstanding portion (52) projecting therefrom and adapted to be secured to an upstanding portion (56) of a second cable engagement portion (24). A plate (58) of the second cable engagement portion is adapted to become engaged with and to become secured to a portion of a plastic jacket (36) of the cable which encloses the metallic shield. A bonding block (26) having two bores each adapted to receive an end portion of a ground wire is secured to the two upstanding portions. Wire-like strength members (38--38) of the cable may be terminated in a clamped manner between the upstanding portions of the second cable engagement portion and the bonding block. Advantageously, the connecting device is independent of any closure in which it may be disposed.

Abstract: A design for an underwater splice closure is disclosed that protects splices essentially independent of operating depth, while allowing for ease of use and low-cost manufacture. The primary splice housing consists of an upper and a lower half-cast of beryllium copper. The splices are made and then organized along a series of interior trays mounted from risers attached to the lower half of the housing. The two halves bolt together. An end-seal assembly contained on the lower half of the closure, and consisting of a series of O-ring applications, receives the sheathed cable and directs it to a mounting means which secures the sheath to the lower half of the splice closure. The invention is particularly adapted to optical fiber splice closures which require protective fill.