Abstract: A method of producing a rail-bound rail vehicle for passenger transport, includes providing at least one trough-like superstructure with a floor and adjoining side walls formed in a framework construction from side-wall posts, lower longitudinal members and upper longitudinal flanges or chords. The upper longitudinal flanges are supported against one another by connecting members. The side walls have windows and access areas with doors. The side-wall posts are disposed in a zigzag manner and are rigidly connected to the lower longitudinal members and the upper longitudinal flanges, and serve as supporting elements for the windows and side paneling elements fastened thereto. The superstructure is assembled from shaped pieces and bar parts which have been cut to length.

Abstract: Core-type structures are formed in a continuous process by assembling cut tubes or sheets of a thermoplastic material that are aligned, cut into separate continuous structures which are then subsequently cut into separate structures suitable for use as a core member.

Abstract: A method of forming a catheter comprising the steps of a) loading an inner layer on a mandrel; b) loading a reinforcing braid layer over the inner layer; c) adding a terminal tip to one end of the inner layer, the terminal tip applied directly over the inner layer with no portion of the reinforcing braid therebetween; d) loading a plurality of axial jacket sections over the braid layer, one of the axial jacket sections engaging an adjacent one of the plurality of axial jacket sections along a joint including substantially axially oriented seams; e) applying a shrink tube over the plurality of axial jacket sections and heating the shrink tube to cause the plurality of axial jacket sections to bond with each other, the braid layer and the inner layer; f) removing the shrink tube; and g) removing the mandrel.

Abstract: An irrigation hose splice and method of making the same that permits used irrigation hose to be reinstalled and retrieved in the same manner as new irrigation hose. The method of splicing includes providing two segments of unjoined irrigation hose. Inserting a heat shield into a first segment to prevent its inner circumferential surface from fusing together when the first hose segment is later fused with a second hose segment. Inserting the first hose segment into the second hose segment, creating an area where the two segments overlap. Appyling heat and compression simultaneously at the overlapping area to fuse together the first and second hose segments, creating an irrigation hose splice which is composed of material from the first hose segment and the second hose segment that have been fused together.

Abstract: A splicing method for plastic optical fibers, wherein solvent splicing is carried out by means of an organic solvent 4 capable of dissolving or swelling the plastic material of plastic optical fibers 1 and 2.

Abstract: A tube connecting apparatus for grasping and heating to melt and alternately connect the cut ends of a plurality of tubes is disclosed. A first tube holder and a second tube holder for grasping the tubes are provided with a pair of clamps having holding portions for holding a plurality of tubes; each of the pair of clamps being moved into contact with, and away from, each other. One or both of the holding portions of the first tube holder and the second tube holder are formed of semi-circular separatable members and having a symmetry of rotation in relation to the center of the rotating axis, and have a grasping means for moving into contact with, and away from, the pair of clamps and have a rotating means for rotating the semi-circular holding portions of one or both of the first tube holder and the second tube holder.

Abstract: A repair fitting is provided for sealably connecting ends of a pipeline, when a damaged section of the pipeline has been removed. In a preferred embodiment, the pipeline ends are connected using the repair fitting with two stab fittings. The repair fitting includes a first and second piston and a first and second cylinder, wherein the first piston is slidable in the first cylinder and the second piston is slidable in the second cylinder. In an alternate embodiment, two fusion joints are used with the repair fitting to sealably connect the ends of the pipeline. A method is provided for making a repair fitting and a method is also provided for repairing a damaged section of a pipeline.

Abstract: A catheter with a first component, a second component, and a glue line disposed between the components which is filled with an adhesive layer joining the components. The adhesive layer is formed in two plies, whereby a first adhesive ply is bonded to the first component and a second adhesive ply is bonded to the first adhesive ply and to the second component. Thus, even catheter components which could not be bonded to each other with the use of a single-ply adhesive layer or could only be bonded with inadequate stability can be firmly bonded to each other. Moreover, one of the adhesive plies may be applied in the unassembled state of the components.

Abstract: A fume exhaust duct joint, a clamping collar for clamping two cylindrical dual-laminate duct sections joined by an internal slip collar, and a method for assembling the joint. A first embodiment of the clamping collar has two clamp portions each including a metal outer skin spot-welded to a metal inner skin. The inner skins have bifurcated protrusions whose bifurcations penetrate the duct section outer surfaces when the collar is tightened, and, optionally, two circumferential beads of fire retardant caulking. The inner skins and slip collar are bonded to duct section surfaces using a putty-like sealant including a settable admixture of curing agent and novolac epoxy resin. A second embodiment of the clamping collar, preferred for duct sections 3-inches in diameter or smaller, has a single circumferential clamp portion.

Abstract: A hand held tool for facing and joining the ends of opposed lengths of plastic pipe in axial alignment has a generally horizontal body and a generally vertical fixed handle extending from the body. A cylindrical shaft is supported by the body perpendicular to the fixed handle. A fixed pipe clamp is supported by the body by which a first length of plastic pipe can be removably secured. A moveable pipe clamp is slidably supported by the shaft by which a second length of plastic pipe may be secured. A moveable handle is pivotally supported to the body, the handle having a first portion in engagement with the second pipe clamp and a second portion extending in a plane of the fixed handle so that the second clamp can be manually moved towards the fixed clamp. A facer is removably positionable on the hand held tool between the fixed and moveable clamps, the facer having a cutter body having a cylindrical opening therethrough. A cutter holder is rotatably supported in the cylindrical opening.

Abstract: A method for adhering tubular casing material containing at least 25 weight percent water, during the process of its manufacture, which comprises applying a plurality of beads of a cyanoacrylate adhesive having a viscosity of from 250 to 1000 cps, to a surface of the casing or of a separate film material, and squeezing the casing surface and the film material together to form a bond. The invention also includes bonds and splices made in accordance with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of joining a plurality of coils of strip material into a continuous strip and stacking the coils in a multi-coil arrangement is provided. A first coil is conveyed from a carry-in table by a transfer means to an exit side turn table and is designated as a forward coil. A first strip of material is pulled from the forward coil and supplied to a welding machine through an auxiliary guide roll and an exit side guide roll. A second coil is conveyed to an entry side turn table by the transfer means and designated as the rear coil. A second strip of material is pulled from the rear coil and supplied to the welding machine through an entry side guide roll. The first and second strips of material are welded together into a continuous strip of material. The rear coil is then moved to a stand-by position and sag is removed from the continuous strip of material by synchronously rotating the entry side guide roll, the exit side guide roll, the auxiliary guide roll and the exit side turn table.

Abstract: A method of removing a silver cladding from high temperature superconducting material clad in silver (HTS) is disclosed. The silver clad HTS is contacted with an aqueous solution of HNO.sub.3 followed by an aqueous solution of NH.sub.4 OH and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 for a time sufficient to remove the silver cladding from the superconducting material without adversely affecting the superconducting properties of the superconducting material. A portion of the silver cladding may be masked with a material chemically impervious to HNO.sub.3 and to a combination of NH.sub.4 OH and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to preserve the Ag coating. A silver clad superconductor is disclosed, made in accordance with the method discussed.

Abstract: A wafer for use in the selective connecting and disconnecting of plastic tubes incorporates a fuse in an aperture. The fuse is made of a laminate having light transmission characteristics which change after the wafer and its laminate have been heated. The wafer would be used in a device for connecting/disconnecting plastic tubes wherein the device includes a sensor which would deactivate the device if the sensor detects the change in light transmission characteristics thereby indicating that the wafer had been previously used.

Abstract: A sterile containment welding device for plastic tubes includes a pair of alignable tube holders each of which includes a base having a tube receiving channel and a clamping jaw pivotally mounted to the base. The outer end of the tube receiving channel is outwardly flared preferably at an angle of about 14.degree..

Abstract: A method of forming a hollow elongated or tubular body consisting of the steps of winding one or more strips of material in self-overlapping fashion to produce a multi-layer tubular structure, the or each strip prior to winding being pre-formed to provide a transverse cross-section having at least one step which, in each convolution of the strip accommodates the overlapping portion of the next convolution.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching abutting ends of first and second coaxial pipe sections together includes a support frame, at least two spaced-part fixed pipe clamping jaws having respective upper and lower jaw halves carried by the support frame for positioning the first pipe section in a fixed position, at least two movable pipe clamping jaws having respective upper and lower jaw halves carried by the support frame for translating movement of the second pipe section relative to the fixed clamping jaws and into aligned abutment with the first pipe section, and a joining device for joining the first and second abutted pipe sections together without interference between the clamping jaws and the pipe sections. The clamping jaw pivots respective fixed and movable upper and lower jaw halves into and out of clamping engagement with the first and second coaxial pipe sections.

Abstract: A device for butt welding pipes of thermoplastic plastic includes two pipe clamping units, aligned flush relative to each other, for clamping pipe ends therein. A first of the two units can be moved in the alignment direction by an electric motor and via mechanical drive elements. The reaction force corresponding to the infeed force is supported on the bottom via a support structure and a pipe end held in the second of the two units which is fixed in relation to the bottom. The mobile pipe end, held in the first pipe clamping unit, can be pressed against the fixed pipe end which is clamped in the second pipe clamping unit with a force measurable by a measurement device.

Abstract: A method for fixedly attaching covered wires to a load beam during the manufacturing of a head suspension assembly in order to provide an electrical connection to a head slider. The method includes the steps of passing the covered wires through a transparent tube, inserting a filler into the tube at a point where clamping is required, curing the filler, visually identifying the filer location, and clamping the tube at the filer location.

Abstract: A sheave liner for an elevator system sheave that supports a hoist rope with an elevator car suspended therefrom is replaced without having to remove the hoist ropes and without having to hang the elevator car by means other than the hoist ropes. The existing liner is cut and removed while the elevator car is suspended from the hoist ropes resting on the sheave. The new liner is rotated into its position and two ends of the liner are joined by either a mechanical bond or by a room temperature adhesive bond.

Abstract: Forming a novel double containment polymeric piping assembly by interfitting slidably interfittable polymeric inner pipe components, including a first induction responsive layer therebetween, and slidably interfittable polymeric outer pipe components, preferably including a second induction responsive layer therebetween, to form an inner connection and an outer connection, while causing the inner connection to be axially offset from the outer connection, applying an electrical induction force around the periphery of the outer pipe components, axially aligned with the inner connection but not with said outer connection, and thereby fusing the inner pipe components and the first polymeric layer together, and moving the components relative to said electrical induction force, axially away from the inner connection, and axially aligned with the outer connection, applying an inductive force around the periphery of the outer pipe components, and thereby fusing the outer pipe components and the second polymeric layer

Abstract: A device capable of co-operating with an outer pressure member to form a sealing block between two or more elongate substrates and a hollow housing within which the substrates extend, the device comprisingi) an elongate support member andii) two or more elongate flexible leaves each of which comprises a sealing material that (a) is not heat fusible, (b) is secured relative to the support member, and (c) extends laterally of the elongate support member,the device being positioned, in use, between the elongate substrates, so that a first of the flexible leaves extends at least part of the way around the periphery of a first of the elongate substrates, and a second of the flexible leaves extends at least part of the way around the periphery of a second of the elongate substrates, so that in co-operation with the action of the outer pressure member acting inwardly on the substrates and the device, and outwardly onto the housing, a sealing block is made between the elongate substrates and the housing.

Abstract: After a warp beam on a loom is used up, its old warp threads are separated from a material being woven on the loom. The used-up beam, together with its residual old warp threads, is then mounted on a transport device and moved away from the loom. A winding element rotatably mounted on a maintenance device is positioned adjacent the transport device. Leading ends of the old threads are affixed to the winding element and separated from the used-up beam, whereafter the used-up beam is replaced by a new beam. Leading ends of new threads on the new beam are attached to trailing ends of respective ones of the old threads, whereafter the winding element is rotated to wind-up the old threads and parts of the new threads, while pulling the new threads through a loom device (such as a warp stop motion device, and/or a shedding device, and/or a weaving reed) carried on the transport device. Then, the winding element is rolled along a guide surface to a removal device.

Abstract: In a process for the connecting of plastic tubes the wall of which has a corrugated cross section by electro-thermal welding, filling cores of plastic are inserted in the corrugation troughs of the tubes to be connected on both sides of a welding joint in order to form a resting surface on the outer circumference of the tubes and an electric heating mat which surrounds the resting surface of all filling cores is placed on the resting surface.

Abstract: A compact fiber rotator has a guiding and support Device (2) which comprises suction channels (17) formed in the angle of two blocks (3, 5), and a rotation device (32) which is attachable to the guide device (2) and comprises a house (33), a rotating toothed wheel part (37), a platform (31) attached thereto and an electric step motor (43). The fiber (1) is secured on the platform (31) by means of a standard fiber retainer (61) which is retained at the platform (31) by means of magnets (29), the rotating part (37) being located between the support (2) and the retainer (61). The suction channels (17) of the support device can be provided with a suitably low negative pressure, so that the fiber which is to be rotated and welded can be retained satisfactorily but still may be rotated against smooth surfaces of the angle of the blocks (3, 5).

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching abutting ends of first and second coaxial pipe sections together. The apparatus includes a support frame, a fixed pipe clamping jaw having upper and lower jaw halves carried by the support frame for positioning the first pipe section in a fixed position, a movable pipe clamping jaw having upper and lower jaw halves carried by the support frame for translating movement of the second pipe section relative to the fixed clamping jaw and into aligned abutment with the first pipe section, heating means for heating adjacent pipe ends to a butt fusion temperature and a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic pressure pump for supplying pressure to hydraulic movement means to translate the movable pipe clamping jaws towards fixed pipe clamping jaws to the join the first and second heated pipe sections together under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for joining and repairing pipes. More particularly, the invention provides a means for quickly repairing or sealing pipes utilizing photocurable resins in the form of a fabric patch. A photocurable flexible prepreg fabric is wrapped over the entire area of the pipe to be joined or repaired. Preferably, the prepreg fabric contains multiple layers of varying widths and lengths. The prepreg fabric is then exposed to UV radiation which cures and seals the pipe.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter carries a helical reinforcement member embedded within at least a portion of the tubular wall of the catheter. The helical reinforcement member comprises a helical first portion having coils of greater pitch than the pitch of helical coils of a second portion. Preferably, the catheter is for insertion into brain arteries, and comprises a flexible tube having an outer diameter of no more that about 0.05 inch, for example 3 French or smaller. The flexible tube defines outer and inner tubular layers. The inner tubular layer surrounds a catheter lumen and comprises chemically inert fluorinated polymer such as PTFE. The outer tubular layer comprises at least three longitudinally spaced, connected tubular sections. The sections are of successively increasing flexibility from the proximal toward the distal catheter end.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for splicing together a pair of drip irrigation hoses using splicing means internal to the pair of hoses. The pair of hoses are joined in axial alignment to form a junction with the splicing means interposed internal to each hose. A splicing means is bonded to an inside surface of each hose to fashion the pair of hoses and splicing means into a unitary structure using means for fixing the splicing means to another surface. A seal is formed using means for sealing circumferentially at the junction to create a water-tight seal.

Abstract: Plastic tube sections are connected together by providing a pair of tubes each of which is inserted into the holder of a welding device in a bent condition so that each tube has a primary tube section and a secondary tube section with the primary tube sections being aligned with each other and the secondary tube sections aligned with each other. The tubes are heated by a wafer to create four separate tube sections which are then joined together in a dual weld wherein one of the welds joins the primary tube sections together and the other of the welds joins the secondary tube sections together. The welded primary tube sections are then separated from the secondary tube sections. Communication between each pair of tube sections is achieved by pressing the tube section open at the weld.

Abstract: In the case of fixing an optical fiber array to a substrate, wherein the optical fiber includes a V-groove substrate having at least one V-groove used for arranging an optical fiber, a fix substrate for fixing the optical fiber in the V-groove, and a pair of guide grooves arranged at both ends of the V-groove through which a guide pin used for a connection is arranged, the guide pin is arranged in the guide groove and the optical fiber array is fixed to the substrate under such a condition that one point of the guide pin is brought into contact with the substrate.

Abstract: In this method a short pipe element (2) with a radially outwards directed bead (3) at its end rim (4) is inserted into a pipe, and a radially outwards directed bead (7, 8) is rolled in the other end (5) of the pipe element (2) and in the pipe (1), such that the pipe element is fixed inside the pipe. The pipe element (2) may before insertion into the pipe be provided with at least two radially outwards directed beads (9, 10), causing the pipe element after insertion to be tightly clamped and fixed inside the pipe, and the pipe element (2) may over a part of its outer surface be coated with a sealing material (13).

Abstract: A flangeless pipe joint including lined pipes with the end section of the outer pipe spaced radially outwardly from the liner and insulating material filling the space between the end sections of pipe and liners. The ends of the liners are sealed to each other and the outer pipe ends are joined by an outer sleeve.

Abstract: A method for welding tubular thermoplastic parts includes the steps of (a) providing first tubular and second tubular parts made of thermoplastic material and each having an end face; (b) determining a desired butt weld length for the parts; (c) providing a clamping member for coaxially clamping the parts, the clamping member including a first clamp for clamping the first part and a second clamp for clamping the second part, at least one of the first clamp and the second clamp being axially displaceable relative to the other between a part loading position and a butt weld position; (d) adjusting the butt weld position of the first and second clamps to a final butt weld position corresponding to the desired butt weld length; (e) clamping the parts in the clamps when the clamps are in the part loading position; (f) positioning a cutter between the end faces of the parts; (g) displacing the at least one of the first and second clamps toward the final butt weld position so that the cutter machines the end faces o

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of splicing a hollow gasket such that the final welded joint remains highly flexible and does not impair the fluid flow between the two spliced sections. The two gasket sections having identical multiple-chambered cross-sections are held in a splice mold by precision tooling and air drawn through small holes in the splice mold by a vacuum pump. Heat is applied to each end of the gasket sections and the ends are brought into contact with one another. As the ends cool, a welded joint is formed. The integrity of each individual chamber is maintained so that, when spliced, the two gaskets sections become one, with the chambers forming continuous channels. The continuous channels create a higher insulating quality than if the channels were blocked at the welded joints. Further, corners spliced in this manner remain as flexible as the adjoining gasket sections.

Abstract: The invention provides a bi-material tubing formed of a composite member and a noncomposite member. The tubing has a locking portion where the composite member is secured to the noncomposite member by chemically bonding alone or in combination with mechanical joining techniques. A method of making the tubing is also provided.

Abstract: A consumable fusion block for fusing optical fibers includes non-conducting substrate with at least one flat surface. A pair of electrodes overlay the flat surface of the substrate and are spaced apart on either side of a passline such that each electrode tip end is adjacent the passline. A space between the electrode tips defines an arc region which can be covered to form a semi-enclosed arc region. A method is also provided for manufacturing a plurality of fusion blocks from a single slab of non-conducting material by overlying the non-conducting material with a length of conducting material, bonding the conducting material to the non-conducting material, and cutting the slab into smaller fusion blocks.

Abstract: Process for coating flexible belt seams including providing a flexible belt having an outwardly facing surface and a welded seam, forming a smooth liquid coating comprising a hardenable film forming polymer on the welded seam, the coating being substantially free of fugitive solvent, and hardening the coating to form a smooth solid coating on the seam.

Abstract: Glass-fibre reinforced plastic tank, for example for liquid petroleum gas under high pressure, compressed air for air brakes or for storage of acetylene. The tank is composed of two halves (10, 12), the open ends of which are conically bevelled to form a male end (20) and a female end (22), which are joined to each other by an adhesive. The reinforcement in the outer and inner layers of the halves contains essentially longitudinal glass-fibre strands and the intermediate layer contains essentially transverse glass-fibre strands. In the half with the male end (20), the longitudinal glass-fibre strands in the inner layer (35) are densely located adjacent to each other, while the longitudinal glass-fibre strands in the outer layer lie in separate groups (30) of densely arranged glass-fibre strands with the predetermined spacing between the groups to form channel-shaped spaces (31). In the half with the female end (22), the order is reverse.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for winding a cord continuously. A rotation of a winding bobbin around which a cord to be a tension member of a belt and so on is wound is detected directly or indirectly. A cord is forwarded in an axial direction of a winding bobbin at a pitch, which corresponds to a diameter of the cord, in relation to a rotation of a winding bobbin. And a bobbin axis of the winding bobbin is rotated at a constant speed by rotation driving means so that the cord is wound around the winding bobbin. The rotation of the bobbin axis is detected by rotation detection means directly or indirectly. The cord is forwarded in the axial direction of the winding bobbin in relation to the rotation of the winding bobbin at a pitch which corresponds to the diameter of the cord by receiving signals from the rotation detection means.

Abstract: An optical device, e.g. a signal generator adapted to provide an optical signal to a fibre tail or to a socket adapted to receive a fibre tail, is assembled by two thin films of adhesive. One film is normal to the beam path and, preferably 50-200.mu. thick. The other film is parallel to the beam path, e.g. surrounding the beam path, and preferably 30-90.mu. thick. Conveniently the device includes an intermediary component and end of said film adheres one of said components to said intermediary component.

Abstract: A hand-holdable, portable welding apparatus for smoothly joining the lumens of sections of thermoplastic tubing systems, including those that may be located in a cramped work site. The integrity of the lumens is maintained when the tubes are being welded by use of a selectively rigidizable, non-elastomeric mandrel of PTFE or PFA having a predetermined maximum size dimensioned to the ID of the lumens being joined. The welding unit employs a resiliently mounted coaxial heater block in conjunction with arcuate radiator inserts that are centered about the tubes to be welded regardless of the diameter of the tubes. Spring-loaded dogs grab the periphery of the tubes as they are inserted into the welding unit and prevent them from moving apart when heat is applied.

Abstract: A process for optically joining a plurality of optical fibers to an opponent member, comprising the steps of forming an optical fiber array by fixing the optical fibers between a V-grooved base plate and a fixing base plate in the state that the optical fibers are fitted to respective V-grooves formed on a surface of the V-grooved base plate, and optically joining the optical fibers of the optical fiber array to the opponent member by using, as a joining reference surface, either one of a first surface of the fixing base plate at which the optical fibers are fixed and a second surface of the fixing base plate opposite to said surface.

Abstract: Thermo-weldable coupling for connecting in particular at least two members made from an identical or compatible plastics material, comprising a body (1) which is of the type constituted at least partly by a thermo-fusible material compatible with the plastics material of these members and which comprises an inner wall (2) or connection surface, directly opposite the outer wall of the members, provided with an electrically conducting element (3). This electrically conducting element (3) is resilient and of non-rectilinear shape. Application to the connections of fluid-carrying pipes made from plastics material.

Abstract: A quick connect coupling for tubing. The coupling includes a tubular male connector member adapted to be telescopically received within a tubular female connector member. The female connector member includes a tubular housing and a tubular retainer cap which is permanently bonded to the housing utilizing a sonic welding technique and which defines prong portions for latching coaction with an annular bead on the male member. The coupling further includes a unitary elastomeric seal positioned in a bore of the female member housing and defining a series of axially spaced, radially inwardly extending seal ribs slidably and sealingly engaging the outer circumferential surface of the male connector member.

Abstract: A method for laying underwater pipelines in deep water, using the J launching technique, comprising joining together mixed-structure pipes consisting of a steel core reinforced with a composite material consisting of a hardenable material containing continuous fibers and in which:the continuous fiber is wound about the steel core as a helical winding which forms an angle of between 65.degree. and 87.degree. with the pipe axis;the ratio of the thickness of the composite layer to the thickness of the steel core is between 2 and 8;the weight of the mixed-structure pipe in water is between about 40 and 100 kg/m.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and testing integrated optical composites in which fiber pigtails are aligned with and attached to the optical output ports of a plurality of integrated optical components on a wafer, prior to separation into individual components. The multiple pigtails are arranged at the ends opposite the wafer, to facilitate optical connections during active alignment and measurement testing.

Abstract: A method for joining spirally wound thermoplastic pipes is disclosed. The method includes providing a first spirally wound thermoplastic pipe and a second spirally wound thermoplastic pipe, wherein each thermoplastic pipe includes a spirally wound hollow profile. The method further includes placing the end of the first thermoplastic pipe against the end of the second thermoplastic pipe such that a gap having a step is formed between the end surfaces, applying a stainless steel band over the gap and heating the steel band, positioning an extruder and a slide and smoothing organ inside the thermoplastic pipes, heating the end surface of the first thermoplastic pipe and the end surface of the second thermoplastic pipe with a heating means, and extruding melted thermoplastic from the extruder and into the gap between the end surfaces and applying pressure to the melted thermoplastic with the slide and smoothing organ.

Abstract: The present relates to the protective structure for an optical fiber coupler made from bare fiber parts of a plurality of optical fibers therein, the bare fiber parts being formed by removing the coating of the plurality of optical fibers and comprises a case made of material having a coefficient of thermal expansion equivalent to optical fibers and having space for enclosing the optical fiber coupler, and fiber supporting portions, being arranged inside of the space of the case and being fused with the bare fiber parts.

Abstract: The invention provides for a cold applied oval port seal particularly useful for sealing optical fiber cables. The closure includes two shell members which fit together to define the enclosure edge wedge seals and internal flexible fingers to locate the optical fibers, restrain movement of the sealing material, and provide strain relief along the longitudinal axis of the cables.