CA1197122A - Cable element and an optical fiber cable, capable more especially of withstanding high tractive efforts and/or pressures and a process for manufacturing same - Google Patents

Cable element and an optical fiber cable, capable more especially of withstanding high tractive efforts and/or pressures and a process for manufacturing same

Info

Publication number
CA1197122A
CA1197122A CA000397699A CA397699A CA1197122A CA 1197122 A CA1197122 A CA 1197122A CA 000397699 A CA000397699 A CA 000397699A CA 397699 A CA397699 A CA 397699A CA 1197122 A CA1197122 A CA 1197122A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
threads
cable
cable element
optical fiber
central core
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000397699A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Claude Staath
Jean-Pierre Hulin
Michel De Vecchis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lignes Telegraphiques et Telephoniques LTT SA
Original Assignee
Lignes Telegraphiques et Telephoniques LTT SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lignes Telegraphiques et Telephoniques LTT SA filed Critical Lignes Telegraphiques et Telephoniques LTT SA
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1197122A publication Critical patent/CA1197122A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/449Twisting
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401Optical cables
    • G02B6/441Optical cables built up from sub-bundles
    • G02B6/4413Helical structure
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401Optical cables
    • G02B6/4415Cables for special applications
    • G02B6/4427Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/449Twisting
    • G02B6/4491Twisting in a lobe structure

Abstract

A CABLE ELEMENT AND AN OPTICAL FIBER CABLE, CAPABLE MORE ESPECIALLY OF
WITHSTANDING HIGH TRACTIVE EFFORTS AND/OR PRESSURES AND A PROCESS FOR
MANUFACTURING SAME

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A cable element is provided comprising a plurality of threads laid helically or with alternate pitch so as to form a rigid assembly, said threads presenting therebetween at least one gap and at least one optical fiber disposed in at least one gap between said threads.
According to a variation, the threads are laid about a solid central core generally made from metal. Said threads may also be made from metal as well as an outer cover disposed about said cable ele-ment. A thermoplastic material or an adhesive may be used for solidly binding said threads together. The manufacturing process consists in twisting a plurality of threads together so as to form a rigid assembly and in disposing at least one optical fiber in at least one gap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF T~E IN~NTION
The present invention relates to a cable elemen-t and an optical f`iber cable, capable more especially of withstanding high tractive efforts and/or pressures and a process for manufac-turing same.
In the prior art an optical fiber cable elemen-t is known in which the optical f`ibers are disposed in grooves or notches, arranged helically or with al-ternate pitch provided in the surf`ace of a cylindrical structure. The cylindrical struc-ture is formed generally of a central carrier surrounded by plastic material. The shape of the notches as well as their surface condition are important elements in ~his structure. For example, French patent n 2 419 524 filed by the Applicant discloses ~
grooved cylindrical structure in which the grooves assume a curvilinear V-shaped pro~ile, the concavity of the sides being directed outwardly of the groove.
rrhe present inven-tior. thus relates to an optical fiber cable element presenting all the desired characteristic~ for the grooved cylindrical structure but which presents an increased resistance to tractive efforts and/or to pressure.
SUMMAR~ OF T~E lNV~NllON
An optical fiber cable element in accordance with the lnvention comprises a plurality of threads twisted helically or with alternate pitch so as -to form a rigid assembly, said threads presenting therebetween at least one gap, and at least one optical ~iber freely disposed in at least one gap between the elements.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the threads are twisted about a central core, preferably made from metal. The central core may be solid or else be formed for example by a strand.
According to a varia-tion, the threads and the central 3~

core are formed from the same material. The ou-ter cover may also be ~ormed ~rom the same material.
According -to a variation, the gaps present between the internal part of the thrcads and the core are filled with a thermoplastic material or a resin.
According to another ~ariation, the internal profile o~
the -threads corresponds to the external pro~ile of the core.
Finally, according to yet another variation, the threads are disposed in helical or alternate pitch grooves provided in the core.
The invention also relates to a process ~or manufacturing a cable element such as mentioned above, and which consists in laying helically or with al-ternate pitch a plurality of -threads so as to form a rigid assembly and in disposing at least one optical fiber in at least one gap between the threads.
According to a variation, -the twisting takes place about a central core and i-t comprises a preliminary step for coating said core or said threads with a thermoplastic material or a resin. The thickness of said layer is advantageously determined so as to compensate fDr the volume of the internal gaps between the threads and the central core.
BRIE~ DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
Fig. 1 shows a cable element in accordance with the invention ;
Figs. 2a and 2b illustrate a variation of Fig. 1 compris-ing a s-tep ~or coa-ting a central core ;
Figs. 3a and 3b shows a variation o~ Fig. 1 ~ mprising a step ~or coating twisted threads ;
Figs. 4a to 4 e shows pro~ile variations of the twisted threads ;

~9~7~2~

Figs. 5, 6a, 6b and 7 show varia-tions of -the invention comprising a grooved central core ;
Figs. 8a, 8b and g show variations of the invention not presen-ting a central core ;
Fig. 10 sho~s a variation of the invention in which a central core extends radially as far as the external diameter of the element ;
Fig. 11 shows an optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of cable elements in accordance with the inven-tion.
D~SCBI~TION OE TH~ PREFERRED EMBODIMENT~
Fig. 1 shows a central core 1 about which are twisted th~eads 2, here eight in number. ~he central core 1 may be solid or may be formed for example by a strand. Threads 2 have a shape cyli~arical in revolution and are laid ~ helically or with alternate pitch, each of the .. .. . . .. . .. .
threads being tangent to the -two adjacent threads as ~ell as to the central core 1. Curvilinear txiangles 5 thus exist between two threads and the central core, as well as external open gaps ~. These gaps 6 have in section the shape of a curved V ~/hose concavity is directed outwaraly.
These gaps, whose shape corresponds to that taught by the abo~e mentioned 20 French pa-tent 2 ~19 524, are used for disposing optical fibers 3 therein.
Thus, in Fig. 1, there is shown an optical fiber disposed in each of the gaps. Of course, to form a cable in accordance with the invention, it is no-t necessary to lay an optical fiber in each of the gaps. Furthermore, seve~al optical fibers may be disposed in the same gap. A cable element in accordance with the invention is surrounded by taping or wrappin~
and/or a sheath andfor an outer e~ver 4. More specifically, a -taping or wrapping will perform the function of holding the -fibers in the gaps, while a sheath or an ou-ter cover will be able to protec-t the fibers -from mechanical stresses and/or damage.
Figures 2a and 2b show a variation of Fig. l in which the curvilinear triangles 5 are filled for example with a thermoplastic mat-erial or a resin. For -this, the central core 1 is coated wi-th a layer 8 of plas-tic material or resin and elements 2 are then -twisted, possibly after pre-hea-ting of layer 8. During twisting, layer 8 assumes the shape shown in Fig. 2b at 8' and fills up the inner closed gaps 5. The thickness of layer 8 will be chosen so tha-t, after twisting, the amount of material which it represents just fills the curvilinear triangles 5. Such a variation allows a structure to be obtained which is mechanically more coherent since the twisted threads 3 are held in place by layer 8' which fills the curvilinear triangles and thus avoids sliding about central core 1, more especially during an untwisting movement o~ the cable element.
Ano-ther variation is shown in Figs. 3a and 3b and corresponds to coating thread~ 16 with a layer 17 of thermoplastic material and/or adhesive. After twisting, an element is obtained such as shown in Fig.
3b and in which the curvilinear triangles 17" are also filled up and in which the outer gaps are defined by the geometrical connection o~ layer 17 corresponding to adjacent threads 16. For defining the geometrieal parameters of the notches, the diameter of threads 16 corrected by layer 17 must be taken into account. The threads may be secured against movem-ent fairly close to one another by ex-truding a thermoplas-tic material around -threads 16 after twisting thereof. In this case, they are ~e?eured against movement from the outside and the dimensions of notches 6 must, as in the preceding case, be corrected by the thickness of layer 17'.
The curvilinear triangles 17" then rem-ain empty.
Fig. ~a shows threads 7 t~isted about a central core 1.
Each of the threads has a concave part 10 whose profile corresponds to the outer profile of the central core 1. Thus, a better contact surfac(?
is obtained be-tween -threads 7 and central core 1, which cor esponds -to a bettt!l r;ech~lnical binding together of the assembly. In Fig. ~b, threads 7' have their concave part 10' extended until the inner gaps are caused to disappear.
Fig. 4c shows threads 20 whose lateral parts comprise flat portions 11. Fig. ~d shows a combination of -the two preceding solutions in the form of -threads 27 having a concave part 10 as well as ~lat pPrtions 11. F~g. 4e shows threads 27' ha~ing flat portions 11 and whose profile has been modified so that, with two half grooves provided in each of threads 27', gaps 6' with rounded profile receive the optical fibers 3. In this case also~ a concave part 10 may be provided.
Fig. 5 shows a central core 21 whose periphery is provided with helical or alternate pitch grooves 22 and which are joined together. Threads 2 are then laid in these grooves under the same conditions as in the case of Fig. 1, except that grooves 22 hold threads 2 in place.
Fig. 6a shows a central core 21 having grooves 22' whose radius is greater than that of threads 2, the corresponding gaps 25 being filled for example with a resin and/or a thermoplastic material.
This filling of gaps 25 is achieved by previously coating the central core 21.
~ig. 6b shows a variation of Fig. 6a where such ~illing is achieved by previously coating threads 36 with a layer 37 of a thermo-plastic ma-terial and/or resin.
Fig. 7 shows a variation of Figs. 5 and 6 in which grooves 32 are no-t interconnected, but present therebetween a narrow portion 33, which means tha~t -the gaps in which optical fibers 3 are disposed present -this time a flat bottom.
Fig. 8a illustrates a varia-tion of the inven-tion in which the -threads 2 are twisted directly together to form a triplet, without using a central core. Fig. 8b corresponds -to twisting threads 2 so as to form a quadruplet.
Fig. 9 shows a plurali-ty of threads 71 twisted together wi-thout central core and which are secured mechanically solidly together by means of lateral flat portions 73 which extend practically as far as the center of the element concerned.
Fig. 10 shows a variation ~ Fig. 9 in which a thread 12 extends radially from one edge to the other of the cable element and thus fulfils both -the mechanical function of a central element and Or two threads. The assembly is twisted from threads 72 having lateral flat portions 74.
Fig. 11 shows a cable formed from a plurality of cable elements in accordance with the invention, twisted together and each being possibly provided with an outer cover 4' such as wrapping, taping, or by means of a thin extruded sheath. The assembly is then surrounded with a sheath and/or envelope 4".
Since the i~vention relates more especially to a cable element capable of resisting high tractive efforts and~or prsssures, while maintaining a correct environment for the fiber, the material forming -the -threads and -the material forming the central core will in this case be chosen so that the core ~ thread assembly does not creep when high -tractive efforts and/or pressures, which the cable is likely to ~mdergo,is applied thereto. Thus, for example, me-tal t~reads may be chosen for example obtained by extrusion and assembled helically or with an al-terna-t,e pitch, if need be about a central core preferably formed from the same metal (solid or stranded for example).
1~en the cable element is intended to withs-t~nd high temperatures,-the same ma-terial is preferably used for the threads, the core and -the ou-ter cover. This material may be for example Invar so as ~97~ 'Z

obtain very good stability.
The dimensions of the notches, which must be imposed for fixing the freedom of the op-tical fibers, allows the radills r oE the threads -to be determined. The number of notches desired determines the radius R of the circle on which the centers oE the threads are located, from which the diameter o:E the central core may be deduced.
The process for manufacturing a cable element in accord-ance with the invention consists in laying together helically or with an alternate pitch a plurality of threads so as to form a rigid assembly.
The laying may take place about a central core. It may in this case comprise a preliminary step for coating the core or the threads with a thermoplastic material or resin layer, the thickness of said layer being preferably chosen so as to compensate for the volume of -the gaps between the threads and the centralcore.
If a thermoplastic material is used about the core or about the threads, it will be chosen so that its softening temperature is greater than the m~;mllm -temperature in use of the cable element. The assembly of the threads takes place then at a temperature slightly greater than -the softening temperature of the thermoplas-tic material.

Claims (12)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclu-sive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An optical fiber cable element, comprising a plurality of threads made of high tensile and creep re-sistance material laid in contact with each other so as to form a rigid assembly, said threads presenting therebetween at least one peripheral gap and at least one optical fiber freely disposed in said at least one gap between the threads.
2. The cable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fibers are held in said gaps by wrapping.
3. The cable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said laid threads are surrounded with a sheath.
4. The cable element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said laid threads are metal threads.
5. The cable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lateral faces of the threads comprise flat portions.
6. The cable element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said threads are laid about a central core.
7. The cable element as claimed in claim 6, wherein said central core is made from metal.
8. The cable element as claimed in claim 6, wherein said threads, said central core and an outer cover are formed from the same material.
9. The cable element as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said gaps present between the internal part of said threads and said core are filled with a thermo-plastic material or a resin.
10. The cable element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the internal profile of said threads corresponds to the outer profile of said core.
11. The cable element as claimed in claim 10, wherein said threads are disposed in helical grooves provided in said core.
12. A cable comprising a plurality of cable elements, such as claimed in claim 1, laid together and surrounded by at least a sheath.
CA000397699A 1981-03-06 1982-03-05 Cable element and an optical fiber cable, capable more especially of withstanding high tractive efforts and/or pressures and a process for manufacturing same Expired CA1197122A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8104537A FR2501382A1 (en) 1981-03-06 1981-03-06 CABLE ELEMENT AND OPTICAL FIBER CABLE, PARTICULARLY CAPABLE OF RESISTING HIGH TRACTIONS AND / OR PRESSURES, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
FR8104537 1981-03-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1197122A true CA1197122A (en) 1985-11-26

Family

ID=9255958

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000397699A Expired CA1197122A (en) 1981-03-06 1982-03-05 Cable element and an optical fiber cable, capable more especially of withstanding high tractive efforts and/or pressures and a process for manufacturing same

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0060180A1 (en)
JP (1) JPS57161703A (en)
CA (1) CA1197122A (en)
FR (1) FR2501382A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2547066A1 (en) * 1983-06-03 1984-12-07 Cables De Lyon Geoffroy Delore OPTICAL FIBER SUBMARINE CABLE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A CABLE
GB8619308D0 (en) * 1986-08-07 1986-09-17 Telephone Cables Ltd Optical cables
CA1321089C (en) 1988-05-06 1993-08-10 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Optical switch
FR2732120B1 (en) * 1995-03-24 1997-04-30 Alcatel Cable OPTICAL FIBER CABLE
US10133017B2 (en) * 2015-08-07 2018-11-20 Pgs Geophysical As Vented optical tube

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4154049A (en) * 1978-06-08 1979-05-15 Northern Telecom Limited Method and apparatus for forming optical cables
DE2836314A1 (en) * 1978-08-18 1980-02-28 Siemens Ag Optical fibre telecommunication cable - has central plastics fibre cord abutted by silicone rubber covered optical fibre conductors held apart by glass fibre rovings
FR2444282A1 (en) * 1978-12-12 1980-07-11 Cables De Lyon Geoffroy Delore UNDERWATER CABLE WITH OPTICAL FIBERS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
DE2900302A1 (en) * 1979-01-05 1980-07-17 Felten & Guilleaume Carlswerk Camera cable with multiple wound cable elements - has readily deformable outer insulation for peripheral elements filling gaps to provide regular outer surface
GB2051398B (en) * 1979-04-24 1983-04-13 Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Optical fibre submarine cable

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0060180A1 (en) 1982-09-15
FR2501382B1 (en) 1985-03-29
JPS57161703A (en) 1982-10-05
FR2501382A1 (en) 1982-09-10

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