Abstract: A process for manufacturing an optical fiber light sensor or panel wherein the optical fibers and the panel or sensor are formed simultaneously employing a perforated platen. The platen is covered with a layer of thermofusible product material so that the material when melted will flow through the holes in the platen to create a series of short vertical fibers. The fibers are then drawn to a desired length and sheathed before being gathered into a bundle.

Abstract: The present invention involves a multiple cavity optical fiber splice made of a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material. The unistructural mass has a longitudinal dimension with opposite ends which includes at least a first bore at one end and at least a second bore and a third bore at the other end wherein the bores go into the mass and at least two connect to each other. The unistructural mass has two shapes, the first shape is a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein each bore has a preset diameter to accommodate and tightly hold end segments of denuded optical fibers of predetermined diameter and the second shape is a deformed shape which may be caused by solvent swelling and partial shrinking of the inherent memory polymer material such that each bore has enlarged predetermined diameters greater than the diameters of the segments of the denuded optical fibers so as to freely receive the end segments of the denuded optical fibers.

Abstract: A method for consolidating a green body is disclosed which involves: (1) drying and partially sintering the green body at a temperature above about 1000.degree. C. and in an atmosphere containing chlorine; (2) fully sintering the green body under vacuum at a temperature above about 1720.degree. C.; and (3) hot isostatic pressing ("hipping") the green body at a temperature above about 1150.degree. C. and at a pressure above about 100 psig. The process produces glass articles which have a low water content and are essentially bubble free.This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/271,709 filed Nov. 16, 1988, now abandoned which is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 07/052,619, filed May 20, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,389.

Abstract: A fibre optic element is disclosed capable of a wide range of uses, including illumination, lighted fixed or variable signs, and decorative applications. The element is formed in one piece of transparent material and has one or more generally planar areas with integral extensions from one or opposite sides formed as a number of separable filaments such that the filaments can be bunched to form a flexible light conducting cable. Except for light escape zones via which light can escape from the planar area or areas, and the distal ends of the filaments, the element is covered by an internally reflective cladding layer such as to enable propagation of light through the filaments from the light source and in the plane of the planar areas, which rather than being strictly planar can be curved into various shapes.

Abstract: A cable-like synthetic composite body which can be used as a support element for technical cables comprises a string of endless filaments of high modulus of elasticity which extend parallel to one another and to the cable axis, with the string being impregnated with a first thermoplastic material (12) in the form of a hot melt adhesive. The string (11') which is held together in this way is then sleeved by extrusion with the second thermoplastic material (13) which is filled with staple fibers (23) of a high modulus of elasticity. A sleeve of a third thermoplastic material (14) is then applied by means of extrusion onto the sleeve layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming ceramic or metal powders has a plasma generator, a source of material in the form of powder particles and a projection torch for passing the material through the plasma to melt the powder particles and then projecting a stream of plasma and material via an outlet. A container is provided for containing the projected stream. A plurality of spray diffusers are arranged to diffuse a spray of cryogenic liquid into a space through which the projected stream travels, whereby the projected stream is quenched. A console controls the flow rates of the powder particles and the plasma into the projection torch.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a fixed cylindrical housing and a centrifugal disc closing the housing in the manner of a base, which disc is rigidly connected to a motor driven shaft. Above the centrifugal disc a ring is fitted into the housing. The distance of that ring from the centrifugal disc is such that material propelled outwards by the centrifugal disc and upwards at the wall of the housing is positively deflected at the lower curved surface of the ring.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrule is disclosed which comprises positioning a wire inside a cavity in a molding die for forming the ferrule, introducing plastic material in the cavity thereby forming the ferrule with the wire extending through an end of the ferrule, and withdrawing the wire from the ferrule whereby a small hole is formed in which a core of an optical fiber is to be received.

Abstract: A long acting sustained release pharmaceutical composition for dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers wherein the calcium channel blocker and a pH-dependent binde are intimately admixed in essentially spherically shaped non-rugose particles of up to 1.2 mm in diameter.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive sensor comprises an optical wave guide consisting of a core and a clad, and a light emitting means and a light receiving means each connected to the optical wave guide. The core is made from a transparent material having a refractive index somewhat larger than that of a material constituting the clad and selected from chloroprene rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber and epichlorohydrin rubber.

Abstract: The problem which has existed heretofore, of maintaining the protection of optical fibers under all circumstances from axial traction loads in cables used for the transmission of data by means of a number of signal transmitting optical fibers by means of electromagnetic radiations of wavelengths under 1 mm, essentially in the longitudinal sense of the fibers and the related problem of being able to exclude completely, even under extreme working conditions, the danger of rupture of the optical fibers during thermal expansion and very strong bending of the cable have been solved by guidance means (7, 9, 10 for the guidance of the fibers (8) on paths (12) located on the inside of at least one cylinder-jacket-shaped shell (13) and assuming an essentially wave-shaped course with excursions (13) in relation to imaginary median lines (11) attributed to each and situated inside the cylinder-jacket-shaped shell (13) in a position which is essentially parallel to the cylinder axis (53) of said shell and which are freel

Abstract: The invention provides a working equipment for roughening the side of optical fiber having a hot stamper, a sheet having rough surface to be transferred, a cushion, and a cushion-mounted plate having a portion formed in stepwise or continuously curved or sloped form.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing an improved optical cable comprised of a cable core including optical fibers. The method includes the steps of continuously drawing a cable core through a sheathing station that forms a sheath of halogen free, low flammability material of high density about the cable core; continuously drawing the sheathed cable core through a jacketing station that forms a jacket of halogen free, low flammability, cross-linkable plastic material about the sheath; and continuously drawing the sheated and jacketed cable core through a high radiation source that causes a cross-linking of the jacket material, while the sheath prevents any radiation from penetrating the optical fibers of the cable core.

Abstract: Optical fibers formed by rolling crystals of infrared transmissive material, such as potassium chloride, have been made into a smooth optical fiber by rolling between smooth grooved rolls (16) and (20) in a heated, atmosphere controlled environment.The Government of the United States of America has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract Number N00014-79-0-0691 awarded by the Department of Defense.

Abstract: A method of pelletizing polymer utilizing a liquid medium characterized in that the liquid medium boils at a temperature greater than the melting temperature of the polymer and is immiscible with the molten polymer so that (1) polymer can be heated in the liquid medium to a temperature that causes particulates to melt, (2) the melted polymer can be allowed to agglomerate and (3) the agglomerated polymer can be cooled in a liquid to form pellets.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling excess fiber length (EFL) in a loose tube optical fiber buffer tube which includes traversing a just extruded plastic buffer tube, containing optical fibers and a filling compound, through a vertical cooling tower along a buffer tube path of travel in the cooling tower where the cooling tower contains a water blocking device disposed at a predetermined point along the buffer tube path of travel and the water blocking device has a body containing (a) a chamber with inlet and outlet ports, defining a buffer tube path of travel aligned with the cooling tower path of travel, a conical shaped portion circumscribing a part of the buffer tube path of travel and an annulus shaped portion circumscribing the buffer tube path of travel and a portion of the conical shaped portion; (b) a device disposed near the outlet port for providing a stream of gas directed at the buffer tube path of travel; and, (c) a drain port to remove accumulated water from the annulus-shaped portion.

Abstract: High-efficiency optical couplers for polymer optical waveguides are obtained when optical waveguides are bundled and fused by means of a piece of plastic shrink sleeve, the plastic shrink sleeve being heated above the shrinkage temperature. The process is simple and cost-advantageous.

Abstract: A granular water treatment material and a process for the production thereof, the material being in the form of spherical granules, each having a thermoplastic polymeric matrix (1) and a more dense adjuvant in the form of micro-grains (3) dispersed in the matrix; each granule has on the surface a porosity in the form of micro-cavities (4) and cationic hydrophilic sites distributed on the surface; the process includes providing a mixture of an oxidizable thermoplastic resin and an adjuvant in powdered form, heating the mixture to make it plastic, extruding the plastic material to a diameter corresponding to the size of the granules to be obtained and cutting the extrusions to a length equal to this diameter, achieving a beading of the extruded pieces, oxidizing the surface of the spherical granules thus obtained, then ionically grafting a cationic polyelectrolyte to the surface of said granules.

Abstract: Drawn optical fiber is provided with at least one layer of a coating material. The coating material typically is a UV curable material and provides the optical fiber with mechanical and environmental protection. It has been found that the temperature at which the optical fiber is cured has a pronounced effect on the modulus of the cured coating material. In order to provide a coated optical fiber of which the coating material has a desired modulus, the temperature of the coating material during cure is controlled by controlling the amount of energy of infrared wavelength which impinges on the coating material.

Abstract: A light pipe is formed from an elongated substrate having a highly reflective coating formed on one surface thereof. The elongated ribbon is formed into a tubular structure, with a reflective inside surface. If desired, the elongated ribbon can be formed from a composite material having variable Young's modulus, thereby providing a neutral surface close to the reflective surface, thereby promoting adherence of the coating to the inner surface of the tubular structure. If desired, the longitudinal seam and the resulting tubular structure can be welded. In an alternative form of the hollow light pipe, the tubular structure can be placed inside a tubular housing which can be either formed in the appropriate dimensions or drawn down to the appropriate dimensions. The reflective layer can be formed by vacuum evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, anodizing, sputtering, flame spraying, among other methods.

Abstract: A connector 1 for an optical fiber 2 comprising; an alignment ferrule 9 for encircling an optical fiber 2, a precision algnment surface 23 of the ferrule constructed for nonreformation upon alignment in a cavity having a shape complementary to that of the precision alignment surface 23, the precision alignment surface 23 is constructed on a front end portion 10 of said ferrule, said first portion is constructed for assembly with a separate remainder of said ferrule in a manner to isolate said precision alignment surface 23 from distortion.

Abstract: A helically grooved flexible optical cable core comprising a plurality of helically laid flexible bodies 1 of sector-shaped cross-section is manufactured by drawing a multiplicity of flexible non-metallic reinforcing elements 2 under tension through electrically insulating plastics material 3 in a semi-liquid state; causing the plastics encapsulated reinforcing elements to pass through an elongate die 23 having an outlet orifice 25 of sector-shape, which die, between its ends, is of such a shape that reinforcing elements adjacent the arcuate surface 4 of the body are travelling at a greater linear speed than reinforcing elements remote therefrom, and which has a blade 26 protruding inwardly of the die and forming in the arcuate surface of the body a longitudinally extending groove 5; causing the body as it emerges from the die to follow a helical path with its grooved arcuate surface outermost and so cooling the helically advancing body that the plastics material sets; partially filling the groove in the arcu

Abstract: Forming an optical fiber so as to have a relatively constant bend loss characteristic includes apparatus for continuously bending the optical fiber downstream from a preform from which it is drawn and continuously detecting light withdrawn from the fiber at the bend so created to determine the fiber bend loss characteristic, the fiber bend loss characteristic being maintained constant by using feedback control to vary a drawing speed of the fiber and hence a diameter of a core of the fiber.

Abstract: A toner for producing electrostatic latent images is produced by smoothing classified resinous particles so that the ratio of the smallest diameter to the largest diameter thereof is 0.70-0.90, mixing the smoothed base particles (A) with modifier particles (B) to attach the modifier particles (B) to the surfaces of the base particles (A), and fixing the modifier particles (B) to the base particles (A) under the action of a mechanical impact force.

Abstract: The optical fiber paid out from a reel passes through an extrusion head, then through a cooling vat, the sheath extruded around it being pulled by a withdrawal device. The sheath then passes through a second vat, when the stranding element is withdrawn by an auxiliary withdrawal device under as low a tension as possible. In the second vat, the stranding element is reduced to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature so that contraction of the sheath ensures the excess length of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for making spherical particles, which includes:(a) kneading powdered raw material, preferably a refractory inorganic material, liquid and wax to form a dough/agglomerated granules,(b) separating, preferably by sieving, the dough/agglomerated granules to a predetermined size fraction without extruding, and(c) spheridizing the granules in a heated rotating bowl.The method is particularly useful for the production of catalysts from refractory inorganic materials.

Abstract: Inorganic granules are characterized in that when the maximum extent of a granule is termed D and the dimension perpendicular to the maximum extent has a maximum extent termed A, A/D is 0.5 to 0.9; and in at least 80% of the granules, the position of A crossing with D is within 0.3D on either side of the center of D. Such granules can be obtained in a high yield by introducing inorganic powders capable of calcination into an organic porous body having a 3-dimensional net-like structure and subjecting the porous body to isotropic pressing thereby to form inorganic granules in pores of the porous body. The organic porous body is then burned off and at the same time, the inorganic granules are calcined. The inorganic granules are useful as bone fillers and the like.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing reinforced optical fiber including conveying optical fiber from a source; symmetrically, coaxially winding reinforcing fiber to a selected density per unit length around the optical fiber; forming an resin matrix among the reinforcing fibers; and coating the resin matrix with an external coating. Reinforcing a predetermined length of an elongated optical fiber comprises gradually reducing the thickness of the external coating and then gradually reducing the density of reinforcing fiber and the thickness of the resin matrix to form a transition from a reinforced fiber and a non-reinforced fiber.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing spherical objects which includes the steps of ejecting into a reaction medium layer a predetermined amount of liquid material which form spherical objects and allowing the spherical mass produced by the ejection to react and set while floating in the reaction medium layer. The reaction medium layer is restricted by a first blocking and protective liquid layer having a smaller specific gravity than the reaction medium layer and located above the level of ejection and a second blocking and protective layer having a greater specific gravity than that of the reaction medium and located below the level of ejection.

Abstract: There is provided a resinous optical transmitting element in which a core, through which light is transmitted, is formed into a predetermined non-linear configuration, and a cladding lower in refractive index than the core is in close contact with the core. A method of manufacturing the optical transmitting element comprises the steps of polymerizing polymeric material forming the core, within a mold having a predetermined non-linear cavity, subsequently removing the mold, and forming the cladding about the core. The resinous optical transmitting element obtained by the method can be formed into a selected one of various configurations in compliance with the purpose. In addition, the resinous optical transmitting element is less in distortion, making it possible to reduce the transmission loss.

Abstract: Apparatus for making a grooved support member for carrying optical fibers having an extrusion die for forming a plastics sheath upon a strength member so as to form the support member. The die aperture has projections extending into it so as to form the grooves in the support member. To form the grooves into sinuous configuration, a twisting device is located upstream from the die. The twisting device comprises a plurality of gripping wheels on each side of the passline of the strength member, the gripping wheels staggered along the passline. The gripping wheels are rotatable alternately in opposite directions around the passline.

Abstract: A quadrangular optical waveguide is formed by the coextrusion of polymeric materials. The waveguide comprises a solid light conducting core which is encased in a cladding layer having a lower index of refraction. Taps may be formed in the waveguide by a heated probe to deflect light out of the waveguide.

Abstract: An optical cable, especially suitable for use as an aerial cable, comprises a circumferentially rigid flexible tube which is of composite form and comprises a plurality of elongate flexible bodies helically laid up together, each of which bodies is of a cross-section approximating to a sector of an annulus and comprises extruded electrically insulating plastics material and a mulitiplicity of longitudinally stressed elongate flexible non-metallic reinforcing elements encapsulated in said plastics material, e.g. polypropylene or nylon, the multiplicity of non-metallic reinforcing elements being substantially evenly distributed throughout the cross-sectional area of the body. An outer protective non-metallic sheath surrounds the tube and at least one flexible optical guide, e.g. a separate optical fibre, optical bundle or optical fibre ribbon structure, is housed in the bore of and is movable relative to the tube.

Abstract: A method for preparing a gas sensor includes forming a mixture containing an aqueous buffer solution including a dissolved dye, a polymeric precursor of a cross-linked polymeric material, and a cross-linking agent and reacting the polymeric precursor and the cross-linking agent in the mixture to form a gas sensor including micro-compartments of the aqueous buffer solution dispersed in the cross-linked polymeric material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming an integral structure, such as a lens, on a fiber, such as an optical fiber, which includes a device which imparts centrifugal force to an end of the fiber while the end of the fiber is being heated. An arc or heat source which heats the end of the fiber can both rotate about the longitudinal axis of the fiber and move laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fiber. The apparatus also includes a device for longitudinally moving the fiber relative to the arc. When a fiber is inserted into the apparatus, centrifugal force is exerted on the end of the fiber as the fiber is heated. The fiber is advanced longitudinally relative to the arc until a sphere of a predetermined size is formed. Then, depending upon the shape or lens desired, the sphere may be allowed to cool and be removed from the apparatus, or other operations are performed.

Abstract: A crystalline metal halide optical fiber having a two or a three layer structure. The core consists of relatively small crystals. An inner crust surrounds the core and has the same composition but consists of relatively large crystals. An optical outer crust surrounds the inner crust and has a different composition from the inner crust but has generally the same sized crystals. The differing crystal sizes can be produced from a preform by extruding a crystal at a low uniform temperature at a relatively high speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a granular calcium hypochlorite composition having a calcium hypochlorite content of at least 55 wt. % and composed of particles having an ellipsoidal shape in section, wherein at least 50 wt. % of the ellipsoidal particles have a short diameter of 0.3-5 mm, a long diameter of 0.5-20 mm, and a long diameter/short diameter ratio larger than 1.5 but not larger than 5. This composition is prepared by a process wherein a wet calcium hypochlorite composition comprising at least 40 wt. % of calcium hypochlorite and 25-45 wt.% of water is extruded through a die having an orifice diameter of 0.3-5 mm; the extrudate is cut to a length of 0.5-20 mm so that the length/orifice diameter ratio is larger than 1.5 but not larger than 5 to form columnar shaped particles; the columnar shaped particles are subjected to rolling granulation; and the resulting granules are dried until the water content is reduced to 4-22 wt. %.

Abstract: A method for producing fine particles of a thermoplastic resin by mixing the thermoplastic resin with a medium which does not dissolve the resin, at a temperature not lower than the softening point or melting point of the resin to prepare a hot dispersion, cooling the dispersion to a temperature lower than the softening point or melting point of the resin and separating the solidified particles of thermoplastic resin from the medium. The medium is a silicone oil with a viscosity of 100 cst/25.degree. C. or higher.

Abstract: A method for identifying measured quantity proportions for the length difference between an optical element and the envelope for the optical lead when forming an optical lead, which has the envelope loosely receiving the optical element and the method includes extruding the envelope around the element and then passing the lead through at least one cooling path. The speed of the envelope is identified both proceeding as well as following the cooling path, and the desired quantities are formed by different uses of the two measured speeds.

Abstract: A method of making activated carbon microspherules including kneading activated carbon particles of a size below 100 .mu.m, together with a dispersion of a water-insoluble synthetic resin to form an intimate mixture; pressing the mixture through a screen having holes related to the size of the desired microspherules; powdering the pressed material; and granulating and drying the resulting microspherules.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing a light waveguide cable having a light waveguide bundle of at least one lead with the filling material received in an outer sheath characterized by the method including applying an outer sheath on the bundle with the filling material, said sheath being of a material at least partially light permeable and cross-linking the filling material by irradiating the sheath with light radiation, such as ultraviolet light, which will pass through the sheath to cross-link the filling material.

Abstract: An optical fiber (21) which has been drawn from a preform (22) is moved into and through a chamber (38) of a housing. A source of vacuum is connected to the chamber to prevent the attachment of air pockets to the optical fiber as it is being moved through the chamber and through an opening of a die. The die includes a flow path (55) which is substantially normal to the path of travel of the optical fiber and the die opening is substantially larger than the diameter of the optical fiber. The thickness of the flow path in a direction along the path of travel is sufficiently small so as to prevent the recirculation of the coating material in the vicinity of the point of application to the optical fiber. Also, the fiber draw rate, the pressure of the coating material the direction of the flow path relative to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber and the diameter of the die opening are such that a gap forms between the coating material and the die.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a preform of barium containing heavy metal fluoride glass comprising a core and a jacket for drawing infrared light waveguides for optical communications technology by casting molten glass onto a predetermined body of solid glass. Hitherto, such a method was executed such that molten core glass was cast into a tube of jacket glass. In order to achieve thicker preforms, one proceeds such here that a solid row of the core glass is surrounded with molten jacket glass. The boundary surface between core and jacket of the generated preform can be improved in the method disclosed herein that the surface of the solid rod is etched before being surrounded with the jacket glass. A nearly perfect boundary surface is obtained by etching with a ZrOCl.sub.2 solution.

Abstract: A fiber optic chemical sensor and the method of making it are provided, such being useful in medical, biological and industrial applications. The sensor includes an optical fiber waveguide having a photocrosslinked polymeric gel at a portion thereof, which gel is crosslinked in place and undergoes substantial volume expansion. A dye is absorbed into the gel, the dye being responsive to different degrees depending on the presence and concentration of any one of particular parameters of a fluid being monitored, such parameters being pH, oxygen concentration, carbon dioxide concentration and the like.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for producing compacted chopped strands having a high density, wherein flattened wetted chopped strands are prepared and subjected in the wetted state to a rolling action to change the flattened form into rounded rod-like form while being compacted. The chopped strands are conveyed horizontally along a vibrating carrier plate (44, 151, 151') so that the rolling action is imparted to the chopped strands during the convey. The chopped strands moving among the carrier plate (151, 151') is dried by heated air applied from the lower side of the chopped strands.

Abstract: Incorporation of fluorine into a porous silica body, such as an unsintered body produced by a sol-gel method, by VAD or OVPO, reduces or eliminates bubble or pore formation upon re-heating of the glass formed by sintering of the porous material. Effective fluorine concentrations are between 0.01 and 5% by weight. The invention can be used advantageously in producing preforms and optical fiber.

Abstract: A light wave conductor-sensor for tension, comprises a primary coated light wave conducting element, at least one coil wound on the primary light wave conducting element and forming together with the latter a sensor core, and a compound including longitudinally extending tension-proof fibers embedded in a synthetic plastic matrix, the compound forming a casing for the sensor core.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for illumination comprising a core made of a transparent polymer having a glass transition temperature not higher than 50.degree. C. and a cladding made of a polymer having a lower refractive index than that of the core, which has good light transmission property and flexibility and is useful as an illumination element of an optical sensor.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (21) comprising a plurality of units (22--22). Each unit is formed by a plurality of optical fibers (24--24) which are assembled together without intended stranding. The plurality of units are enclosed in a common tube (34) which provides a predetermined packing density and which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable. In one embodiment, a waterblocking material (36) is disposed within the tube to fill the interstices between the optical fibers and between the units. The waterblocking material is such that its critical yield stress does not exceed about 70 Pa at 20.degree. C. and such that it has a shear modulus of less than about 13 KPa at 20.degree. C. The common tube is enclosed with non-metallic or metallic strength members and a plastic inner jacket and by another layer of strength members and by a plastic outer jacket.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing superfine powder in spherical form with a diameter of about 5 to 30 microns in a laval nozzle system. The material to be powdered is melted in a crucible, and is then superheated after it emerges from the crucible.