Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.

Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.

Abstract: An apparatus for installing optical fibres (11) in tubes or ducts (29). An optical fibre is fed from a reel (13) into a small diameter feed portion of duct (25), and compressed air is introduced into the duct. This advances the fibre, using viscous drag forces, into a main duct of larger diameter. There is a pressure drop at the intersection of the two ducts. Subsequently, the advancement of the fibre is continued by maintaining the air supply, and the viscous drag forces, acting on the increasing length of the fibre in the duct, advance it along the duct. Two or more fibres, which may be unsheathed primary coated fibres, may be installed simultaneously.

Abstract: A splice organiser comprises a tray having a plurality of formers (14, 15) which control the minimum bend radius of the fibres, a groove for retaining a splice, an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself, and a plurality of guide tracks (23, 24, 25) which enable fibres to enter and exit the organiser at any corner of the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining passage along an installation route of an advancing end of an optical fibre. A detector at the installation end detects when light is transmitted back along the fibre from a source at a predetermined location. The source may be a primary source or comprise a means for coupling to a light carrying fibre.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing optical fibres (11) in tubes or ducts (29). An optical fibre is fed from a reel (13) into a small diameter feed portion of duct (25), and compressed air is introduced into the duct. This advances the fibre, using viscous drag forces, into a main duct of larger diameter. There is a pressure drop at the intersection of the two ducts. Subsequently, the advancement of the fibre is continued by maintaining the air supply, and the viscous drag forces, acting on the increasing length of the fibre in the duct, advance it along the duct. Two or more fibres, which may be unsheathed primary coated fibres, may be installed simultaneously.

Abstract: A distribution arrangement for optical fibre comprising a branched coupling array (1) and a plurality of splice organizers (2) for storing splices associated with connections to the coupling array. Each fibre connected to the array passses through a manifold block (8) that is provided with a plurality of capillaries extending to the splice organizers. Fibres from other parts of the network also pass through the manifold and into the capillaries for conduction to the splice organizers where they are connected to a respective fibre from the coupling array. Preferably the array (1) has alternative winding routes for fibre tails extending from individual couplers within the array to facilitate multiple splice attempts. A preferred splice organizer comprises an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself.

Abstract: The propulsive force on an optical transmission line member moving through a tubular passageway can be varied so the line travels at or close to optimum speed without risk of damage to the line or associated apparatus. A curve is provided in a portion of the passageway such that a transmission line subject to unacceptable compressive forces buckles towards the outer side of the curve. A sensor detects the presence or absence of the line at this point and a control circuit varies the propulsive force. Excessive tension in the fibre may also be detected. A modified system uses deflectors to ensure that buckling occurs by bowing in the direction towards the sensor with the transmission line undeflected under correct tension. The invention finds particular application in a method of fibre blowing where an optical fibre transmission line is propelled along a tube by fluid drag.

Abstract: A plurality of containers are interconnected in side by side generally parallel relationship by flexible substantially non-expandable belts so that such containers may be in abutting relationship when in stored position and may be spaced a predetermined distance apart when in use and such belts have limited axial movement while the axes remain substantially parallel with each other.