Abstract: Methods of forming an overclad portion of an optical fiber are described which include positioning a core cane member in an overclad tube to form a rod and tube assembly. Thereafter, glass soot pellets are positioned in the rod and tube assembly between the core cane member and an interior sidewall of the overclad tube. The rod and tube assembly is then redrawn under conditions effective to form the overclad tube and the glass soot pellets into a continuous, void-free glass layer surrounding the core cane member at a sintering time tsinter of at least 1800 seconds thereby forming an overclad portion of an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an optical fiber preform. The apparatus has an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall surrounds the inner wall and the inner wall surrounds an inner cavity of the apparatus. A core rod is deposited in the inner cavity after which particulate glass material, such as glass soot, is deposited in the inner cavity around the core rod. The core rod has at least 10 percent of the final cladding soot already applied thereto. A radially inward pressure is applied against the particulate glass material to pressurize the particulate glass material against the core rod.

Abstract: An optical fiber having increased mechanical strength is provided. The optical fiber includes an over cladding layer that has a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making an optical fiber preform. The apparatus has an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall surrounds the inner wall and the inner wall surrounds an inner cavity of the apparatus. A core rod is deposited in the inner cavity after which particulate glass material, such as glass soot, is deposited in the inner cavity around the core rod. The core rod has at least 10 percent of the final cladding soot already applied thereto. A radially inward pressure is applied against the particulate glass material to pressurize the particulate glass material against the core rod.

Abstract: An optical fiber having increased mechanical strength is provided. The optical fiber includes an over cladding layer that has a compressive stress of at least 100 MPa.

Abstract: Methods of forming an overclad portion of an optical fiber are described which include positioning a core cane member in an overclad tube to form a rod and tube assembly. Thereafter, glass soot pellets are positioned in the rod and tube assembly between the core cane member and an interior sidewall of the overclad tube. The rod and tube assembly is then redrawn under conditions effective to form the overclad tube and the glass soot pellets into a continuous, void-free glass layer surrounding the core cane member at a sintering time tsinter of at least 1800 seconds thereby forming an overclad portion of an optical fiber.

Abstract: Porous ceramic articles may be produced by using a gas as a pore former, where the gas is injected into a ceramic precursor batch material and mixed. Pressure is then applied to mixture such that the gas liquefies. The pressure is maintained during formation of a green body, maintaining the gas in a liquefied state. After formation of the green body, the pressure is removed whereby the gas returns to a gaseous state, creating pores in the green body. The green body may then be fired to produce a porous ceramic article.

Abstract: Porous ceramic articles may be produced by using a gas as a pore former, where the gas is injected into a ceramic precursor batch material and mixed. Pressure is then applied to mixture such that the gas liquefies. The pressure is maintained during formation of a green body, maintaining the gas in a liquefied state. After formation of the green body, the pressure is removed whereby the gas returns to a gaseous state, creating pores in the green body. The green body may then be fired to produce a porous ceramic article.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine, comprising a first, high temperature, cooling circuit coupled to an engine for cooling the engine, where a first coolant circulates in the first circuit; and a second, low temperature, cooling circuit coupled to a plurality of devices for cooling the plurality of devices, where a second coolant circulates in the second circuit, the second cooling circuit includes a plurality of radiator segments, the coolant circulating in the second cooling circuit may exit at different radiator segments of the plurality of radiator segments producing coolant streams of different cooling temperatures for cooling different devices of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: An upper coupler table for facilitating the removal of an upper coupler plate from a semitrailer. The upper coupler table includes a support frame which supports a jack and a guide tube. A vertically adjustable center plate has a support tube attached thereto which extends through the guide tube. The jack contacts the support tube and can be operated to raise the center plate to a position where it can support the upper coupler plate while the upper coupler plate is detached from the semitrailer. After the upper coupler plate has been detached, the jack can be operated to lower the center plate until the upper coupler plate is supported on the support frame. The upper coupler table includes a plurality of casters attached to the support frame, allowing the table to be easily moved.