Abstract: A sealing material preferably having a cone penetration of at least 150 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% is subjected to mechanical deformation by milling or chopping in the presence of a solvent or suspending medium.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission network for transmitting voice, data, or video signals between telecommunication units includes optical couplers which bend an optical fiber at a location in close proximity to the fiber end so as to allow coupling with the fiber through its side rather than through the end of the fiber. This eliminates the need for cleaving and polishing the fiber end, and results in a craft friendly way of terminating an optical fiber end with a telecommunication unit.

Abstract: A sealing material preferably having a cone penetration of at least 150 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% is subjected to mechanical deformation by milling or chopping in the presence of a solvent or suspending medium.

Abstract: An optical bypass switch includes a normal state and a bypass state, a transmission optical fiber having a signal withdrawn therefrom and injected thereto in its normal state so as to be capable of use in a ring or bus architecture. In the bypass state of the switch, the transmission optical fiber is substantially disengaged so that a signal being transmitted thereby can bypass the switch, and in this state optical fibers connected to a transmitter and a receiver of the bypass switch are maintained in a bent attitude so as to allow signals to be withdrawn and injected thereinto. A loop back path, e.g. a connector optical fiber, is provided which allows a path between the transmitter and the receiver to be completed in the bypass state of the bypass switch, and logic circuitry is provided for analyzing signals detected by the receiver which should have originated from the transmitter for evaluating a state of operation of the transmitter, receiver, and connecting means therefor.

Abstract: A sealing material preferably having a cone penetration of at least 150 (10-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% is subjected to mechanical deformation by milling or chopping in the presence of a solvent or suspending medium.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission network for transmitting voice, data, or video signals between telecommunication units includes optical couplers which bend an optical fiber at a location in close proximity to the fiber end so as to allow coupling with the fiber through its side rather than through the end of the fiber. This eliminates the need for cleaving and polishing the fiber end, and results in a craft friendly way of terminating an optical fiber end with a telecommunication unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a substrate includes a collapsible reservoir filled with a three-dimensional elastic gel which is relatively soft and has an ultimate elongation of at elast 200%. The apparatus is disposed in contact with a substrate having a recess therein to be environmentally protected, and a force is applied to the reservoir to at least partially collapse the reservoir forcing the gel from an open surface of the reservoir into the recess so as to substantially fill and encapsulate the recess.

Abstract: A coupler for a fiber optic light waveguide has phase space matching optics to increase coupling efficiency. The acceptance phase space of the fiber optic waveguide has two components for light in two orthogonal planes. One of the phase space plots has a straight spine and the other has a bent spine. The phase space matching optics include a graded index lens optically coupled to the phase of a light emitting diode, in the case of a write coupler, which alters the emitted light phase space at a reference plane of the emitted light to match, at the reference plane, the acceptance phase space component having the straight spine. Another lens takes the output light from the graded index lens and alters the phase space further to match the phase space component having the bent spine.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a substrate includes a collapsible reservoir filled with a three-dimensional elastic gel which is relatively soft and has an ultimate elongation of at least 200%. The apparatus is disposed in contact with a substrate having a recess therein to be environmentally protected, and a force is applied to the reservoir to at least partially collapse the reservoir forcing the gel from an open surface of the reservoir into the recess so as to substantially fill and encapsulate the recess.

Abstract: A tap for coupling light from an intermediate portion of an optical fiber core and a light element by passing light through a side of the optical fiber includes an optical coupler in contact with an outside surface of an optical fiber which is bent and disposed in a plane. A light reflector extending transverse to the plane deflects the withdrawn light towards the end surface of a light element disposed completely outside the plane. The tap may be used as a read tap to withdraw light, or as a write tap to inject light in optical fiber networks. A spring biased closure member urges the optical fiber to maintained in bent registration with the optical coupler within the plane. Simple tools and general craft training and knowledge may be applied to insert into, and remove the optical fiber from, the tap.

Abstract: A tap for coupling light from an intermediate portion of an optical fiber core and a light element by passing light through a side of the optical fiber includes an optical coupler in contact with an outside surface of an optical fiber which is bent and disposed in a plane. A light reflector extending transverse to the plane deflects the withdrawn light towards the end surface of a light element disposed completely outside the plane. The tap may be used as a read tap to withdraw light, or as a write tap to inject light in optical fiber networks. A spring biased closure member urges the optical fiber to be maintained in bent registration with the optical coupler within the plane. A rail and channel is used to conveniently guide a tap closure member against the optical fiber. Simple tools and general craft training and knowledge may be applied to insert into and remove the optical fiber from the tap.

Abstract: An optical bypass switch includes a normal state and a bypass state, a transmission optical fiber having a signal withdrawn therefrom and injected thereto in its normal state so as to be capable of use in a ring or bus architecture. In the bypass state of the switch, the transmission optical fiber is substantially disengaged so that a signal being transmitted thereby can bypass the switch, and in this state optical fibers connected to a transmitter and a receiver of the bypass switch are maintained in a bent attitude so as to allow signals to be withdrawn and injected thereinto. A loop back path, e.g. a connector optical fiber, is provided which allows a path between the transmitter and the receiver to be completed in the bypass state of the bypass switch, and logic circuitry is provided for analyzing signals detected by the receiver which should have originated from the transmitter for evaluating a state of operation of the transmitter, receiver, and connecting means therefor.

Abstract: This invention provides for the radiation grafting of certain organopolysiloxanes to polymeric supports. The organopolysiloxane material is partially crosslinked mixture which contains from about 10% to about 90% by weight of uncrosslinked organopolysiloxane oil and has a cone penetration of about 100 to about 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least about 100%. The organopolysiloxane fluid may be placed on the polymeric support and crosslinked to produce an organopolysiloxane material having the above properties and being bonded to the polymeric support. The organopolysiloxane material also can be crosslinked to the above properties by conventional means then placed in contact with the polymeric support and irradiated to crosslink the material to the polymeric support without substantially changing the properties of the organopolysiloxane material.

Abstract: Environmental sealing may be achieved by means of a flexible envelope having therein a sealing material having a cone penetration value preferably from 100-350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100%. The material is preferably mechanically deformed preferably by shear and preferably causing it to be comminuted.

Abstract: An article that may be employed to protect a substrate by wrapping the article around the substrate. The article comprises a flexible matrix which is composed of a first material and comprises a plurality of open interstices, the interstices having an average volume of less than 0.01 inch.sup.3 ; and an impregnant which is composed of a second material which has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and comprises a plurality of interconnected segments which lie within the interstices of the matrix. The matrix and the impregnant are such that, when the article is stretched, the matrix reaches its ultimate elongation before the impregnant reaches its ultimate elongation.

Abstract: A tap for withdrawing light from an intermediate portion of an optical fiber core by passing light through a side of the optical fiber comprises an optical coupler in contact with an outside surface of an optical fiber which is bent and disposed in a plane. A light reflector extending transverse to the plane deflects the withdrawn light towards the end surface of a light element disposed completely outside the plane. A similar arrangement may be used to inject light to an intermediate portion of an optical fiber. The tap may be used as a read tap to withdraw light, or as a write tap to inject light in optical fiber networks.

Abstract: A tap for withdrawing light from an intermediate portion of an optical fiber core by passing light through a side of the optical fiber comprises an optical coupler in contact with an outside surface of an optical fiber which is bent and disposed in a plane. A light reflector extending transverse to the plane deflects the withdrawn light towards the end surface of a light element disposed completely outside the plane. A similar arrangement may be used to inject light to an intermediate portion of an optical fiber. The tap may be used as a read tap to withdraw light, or as a write tap to inject light in optical fiber networks.

Abstract: An article for protecting a substrate includes a preshaped member having a shape similar to that of the substrate being protected, the article having a thin layer of gel disposed in intimate contact with an inner surface of the member such that the gel is disposed in intimate contact with the substrate when the member is disposed therearound. Preferably, the gel comprises an open looped three-dimensional network, the gel being relatively soft, elastic, and having an ultimate elongation in excess of 100%.

Abstract: This invention provides a sealing material which comprises a layer of elastomeric sealant having a cone penetration from about 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 50% and disposed on a surface thereof an air drying or air curing material which sufficiently adheres to the surface of the elastomeric sealant to permit placement of the elastomeric sealant on a substrate and which reduces the surface tack of the elastomeric sealant.

Abstract: A termination block sealing member includes a continuous layer of insulating gel enclosed around its perimeter by a plastic container such that exposed faces of the gel are open, one exposed face being disposed adjacent a termination block, with another exposed face being oriented such that any one of a plurality of electrical contact pins can be pierced therethrough so as to make contact with terminations in the termination block.