Abstract: An apparatus for aligning the centers of the cores of two optical fibers prior to their being fused together for splicing. A pair of supporting members are provided, each of which has a V-shaped recess in which an end of a respective one of the optical fibers is fixed. The supporting members are movable relative to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the optical fibers. A transparent light conducting member forms a bottom portion of the recess of at least one of the supporting members. A photodetector is optically coupled to the light conducting member.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the production of a porous optical fiber preform in a reaction container is provided in which a bar like starting member is movably supported for rotating and reciprocally moving across a gas flow, and a burner is provided for generating glass particles. An opening is provided on one side of the reaction container for introducing a gas flow and another opening is located on the other side of the reaction container opposite to the first mentioned opening, so that the gas flow is rectified in the reaction container and the glass particles can be deposited on the starting member with a uniform density distribution.

Abstract: An optical fiber characteristic measuring method and apparatus are disclosed whereby measurements of a plurality of different parameters of an optical fiber can be carried out automatically and successively with a minimum of operator time required. A stage is provided which is movable along a straight line, and a setting station is arranged in the direction of movement of the stage. A plurality of measurement stations are provided having first holders for holding fibers provided on the side of the measuring devices and arranged along a straight line extending parallel to the direction of movement of the stage with a predetermined distance therebetween. The stage is provided with a plurality of second holders for holding the optical fibers to be measured, with the second holders being arranged along a straight line extending parallel to the direction of arrangement of the first holders with the same distance as the predetermined distance therebetween.

Abstract: A wire-twisting machine for twisting individual wire-like structures into a cable, having a plurality of bobbins around which are wound the wire-like substance to be twisted, the bobbins being mounted on individual cradles which are supported at either end by disks secured to a common spindle, comprising: a drive mechanism having prime movers which are external to the bobbin-cradle assembly for controlling the speed of feeding the wire-like structure from its respective bobbin, thus resulting in constant wire-like structure tension, and another drive mechanism for controlling cradle rotation for fixing or adjusting the amount of twisting-back in said cable.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for thermally shrinkable tubes and the like has a heating density gradient such that a higher temperature is imparted initially to a central portion of the heated tube, spreading gradually to the ends of the tube, to purge air bubbles to the outside of the tube while employing only one heating element.

Abstract: A method for producing an elongated optical fiber element is disclosed. The method envolves preparing two optical fiber elements by removing their outer coating layers to expose bare glass fiber portions. The glass fiber portions are melt-joint together. A material which is chemically compatible with the removed outered layer is then molded about the joined bare glass portions. A thermoplastic resin is then extruded continuously over the molded material in order to form a single elongated optical fiber element. The bonding method produces a structure which can withstand bending stress exerted on the coated optical fiber and prevent the concentration of any stress in the bonded area.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a heat-shrinkable tube has a base for supporting the heat-shrinkable tube and a plurality of heating units provided on the base. The heating units are independently operable and are disposed in the longitudinal direction of the heat-shrinkable tube.

Abstract: A device for transmitting signals or energy between a reel wound multi-core or multi-conductor cable and a stationary terminal unit without the use of a sliding connector. Dummy bobbins are provided coaxially with and rotatable with the winding reel with individual strands or conductors extending onto the winding surface thereof and wound thereupon. As the main cable is played out, the individual strands or wires are unwound from the dummy bobbins and then taken up by storage devices. In one embodiment, the storage devices are a second set of bobbins while in another embodiment the storage devices are constituted by stationary bundle receiving devices with pinch rollers provided for urging the individual strands or wires into the bundle receiving devices.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically fusing optical fibers by melting portions of the fibers by discharge heating. Two optical fibers to be joined are each held by a fiber supporting stand and fiber holding stand one said of which is movable along the axial direction of the fibers. The movable fiber holding stand is spring biased. Its various positions are determined by plural stops which may be retracted to allow the movable fiber holding stand to move under force of the spring. A micrometer head driven by an electric motor moves the movable fiber holding stand in the forward direction.