Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising an ultrasonic transducer chip having a main surface comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements and a plurality of first contacts for connecting to said ultrasound transducer elements, a contact chip having a further main surface comprising a plurality of second contacts, a backing member comprising ultrasound absorbing and/or scattering bodies, said backing member comprising a first surface on which the transducer chip is mounted and a second surface on which the contact chip is mounted. A flexible interconnect extends over said backing member from the main surface to the further main surface, the flexible interconnect comprising a plurality of conductive tracks, each conductive track connecting one of said first contacts to a second contact.

Abstract: An insert cap for a fiber optic connector defines a key for mating connectors.

Abstract: A system for providing a configurable hybrid electrical/optical connector assembly is disclosed. The system provides a connector housing, having a channel through which some connection between transmission elements is made. An insert cap is produced, securable to the housing within the channel. The insert cap has a plurality of universal channel apertures formed through it. An electrical channel insert is provided, and disposed within one of the plurality of channel apertures. The electrical channel insert is adapted to secure an electrical transmission element. An optical channel insert is also provided, and disposed within another of the plurality of channel apertures. The optical channel insert is adapted to secure an optical transmission element.

Abstract: A combination of an inner crimp tube and a crimp sleeve provide a basis for securing a connection between respective first and second cables through which optical fibers extend and can be spliced together for signal transmission. The combination of the inner crimp tube and the crimp sleeve includes the inner crimp tube receiving at least one strength member from each respective cable, wherein the inner crimp tube is positioned along lengths of the strength members such that the strength members extend through the inner crimp tube. Loose ends of respective strength members fold back over opposite ends of the inner crimp tube to join strength members of each cable to a common structure. At least one crimp sleeve secures the respective loose ends of the strength members to the inner crimp tube.

Abstract: An insert cap for a fiber optic connector defines a key for mating connectors.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include a fiber optic connection with an alignment chamber. In the alignment chamber is a first fiber optic terminal and a second fiber optic terminal coupled to the first fiber optic terminal. In addition, a securing mechanism is placed within the alignment chamber and forces the first fiber optic terminal and second fiber optic terminal together. Also in this embodiment an ejection mechanism is disclosed that ejects the first fiber optic terminal upon the removal of the securing mechanism.

Abstract: A quick terminating fiber optic assembly and method of making same is provided. A pre-terminated fiber optic assembly having an optical fiber already terminated therein includes an exposed optical fiber. The exposed fiber is aligned and contacted with a second exposed optical fiber of another optical cable, and the two fibers are spliced. A sleeve is provided to cover and protect the splice and any exposed fibers. The sleeve secures the pre-terminated fiber optic termini to second optical fiber. This process terminates the second optical fiber at the termini in less time and with the same or similar tools as a conventional method of terminating optical fibers at a termini.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector assembly for fiber optic cables includes a base portion defining at least one passage for receiving at least one optical fiber. The connector further includes an insert cap that selectively connects to and disconnects from the base portion to receive the optical fiber. The insert cap defines a first face and a tower extending substantially perpendicularly adjacent the first face. The tower defines a cavity therein. A first ferrule is supported by and extends through the first face of the insert cap. A second ferrule is supported by and extends through the tower, and the second ferrule is within the cavity defined by the tower. The first and second ferrules define sets of socket and pin termini within the hermaphroditic connector assembly. An electrical pin terminus extends through the first face, and an electrical socket terminus extends into the tower.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include a fiber optic connection with an alignment chamber. In the alignment chamber is a first fiber optic terminal and a second fiber optic terminal coupled to the first fiber optic terminal. In addition, a securing mechanism is placed within the alignment chamber and forces the first fiber optic terminal and second fiber optic terminal together. Also in this embodiment an ejection mechanism is disclosed that ejects the first fiber optic terminal upon the removal of the securing mechanism.

Abstract: Blank insert caps (pin/socket type) for use in a connector/assembly are partially manufactured or pre-formed to a generic or universal state having a plurality of prospective terminal/contacts. Minimal subsequent processing (performed when desired) configures the blank insert cap into a hybrid insert cap having a desired combination of electrical and fiber optic pin terminals (in the case of pin-style insert cap) or electrical and fiber optic socket terminals (in the case of socket-style insert caps). The blank insert caps include partially formed structures that, when further processed by removal of specific material, are configured into a receptacle for receiving the desired terminal.

Abstract: A combination of an inner crimp tube and a crimp sleeve provide a basis for securing a connection between respective first and second cables through which optical fibers extend and can be spliced together for signal transmission. The combination of the inner crimp tube and the crimp sleeve includes the inner crimp tube receiving at least one strength member from each respective cable, wherein the inner crimp tube is positioned along lengths of the strength members such that the strength members extend through the inner crimp tube. Loose ends of respective strength members fold back over opposite ends of the inner crimp tube to join strength members of each cable to a common structure. At least one crimp sleeve secures the respective loose ends of the strength members to the inner crimp tube.

Abstract: A cable reel or cable reel assembly is provided for storing, deploying, retrieving and transporting a cable assembly (having a cable and connectors). The cable reel includes a central hub and two side flanges constructed, in one embodiment, of composite plastic material having reinforcing material(s). An annular rim and spaced apart spoke sections in each side flange function to provide multiple carrying handles. In a specific embodiment, a secondary hub (and third flange) adjacent the central hub is positioned and disposed within a side periphery defined by the annular rim of one of the side flanges enabling two cable reels to be stacked together such that the annular rims of respective cable reels may be in close or actual contact. In another embodiment, a retractable handle is disposed within the side periphery when in the retracted position.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector assembly for fiber optic cables includes a base portion defining at least one passage for receiving at least one optical fiber. The connector further includes an insert cap that selectively connects to and disconnects from the base portion to receive the optical fiber. The insert cap defines a first face and a tower extending substantially perpendicularly adjacent the first face. The tower defines a cavity therein. A first ferrule is supported by and extends through the first face of the insert cap. A second ferrule is supported by and extends through the tower, and the second ferrule is within the cavity defined by the tower. The first and second ferrules define sets of socket and pin termini within the hermaphroditic connector assembly. An electrical pin terminus extends through the first face, and an electrical socket terminus extends into the tower.

Abstract: A cable reel or cable reel assembly is provided for storing, deploying, retrieving and transporting a cable assembly (having a cable and connectors). The cable reel includes a central hub and two side flanges constructed, in one embodiment, of composite plastic material having reinforcing material(s). An annular rim and spaced apart spoke sections in each side flange function to provide multiple carrying handles. In a specific embodiment, a secondary hub (and third flange) adjacent the central hub is positioned and disposed within a side periphery defined by the annular rim of one of the side flanges enabling two cable reels to be stacked together such that the annular rims of respective cable reels may be in close or actual contact. In another embodiment, a retractable handle is disposed within the side periphery when in the retracted position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include a fiber optic connection with an alignment chamber. In the alignment chamber is a first fiber optic terminal and a second fiber optic terminal coupled to the first fiber optic terminal. In addition, a securing mechanism is placed within the alignment chamber and forces the first fiber optic terminal and second fiber optic terminal together. Also in this embodiment an ejection mechanism is disclosed that ejects the first fiber optic terminal upon the removal of the securing mechanism.

Abstract: A cable reel or cable reel assembly is provided for storing, deploying, retrieving and transporting a cable assembly (having a cable and connectors). The cable reel includes a central hub and two side flanges constructed, in one embodiment, of composite plastic material having reinforcing material(s). An annular rim and spaced apart spoke sections in each side flange function to provide multiple carrying handles. In a specific embodiment, a secondary hub (and third flange) adjacent the central hub is positioned and disposed within a side periphery defined by the annular rim of one of the side flanges enabling two cable reels to be stacked together such that the annular rims of respective cable reels may be in close or actual contact. In another embodiment, a retractable handle is disposed within the side periphery when in the retracted position.

Abstract: A system for providing a configurable hybrid electrical/optical connector assembly is disclosed. The system provides a connector housing, having a channel through which some connection between transmission elements is made. An insert cap is produced, securable to the housing within the channel. The insert cap has a plurality of universal channel apertures formed through it. An electrical channel insert is provided, and disposed within one of the plurality of channel apertures. The electrical channel insert is adapted to secure an electrical transmission element. An optical channel insert is also provided, and disposed within another of the plurality of channel apertures. The optical channel insert is adapted to secure an optical transmission element.