COMPOUND OPTICAL COUPLER AND SUPPORT MECHANISM

摘要

A support mechanism for protecting an object is described. The support sy stem includes at least one support or friction ring for providing dynamic pr otection to the object. One embodiment includes a support ring having corrug ated bumps. Another embodiment includes multiple support rings axially separ ated by spacers. In another embodiment a support mechanism is provided havin g at least one friction ring in combination with O-rings. A compound optical coupler is also described, which has a self-wetting clear optical coupling gel and an elastomeric load ring. In another aspect a compound optical coupl er assembly comprises a self- wetting optical coupling gel and also an amoun t of a stiffening agent.