EP2411854A1 - Conduit à fibre optique et son procédé de fabrication - Google Patents

Conduit à fibre optique et son procédé de fabrication

Info

Publication number
EP2411854A1
EP2411854A1 EP10723306A EP10723306A EP2411854A1 EP 2411854 A1 EP2411854 A1 EP 2411854A1 EP 10723306 A EP10723306 A EP 10723306A EP 10723306 A EP10723306 A EP 10723306A EP 2411854 A1 EP2411854 A1 EP 2411854A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
optical fibre
duct
channel
optical
cable
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10723306A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth Barber
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.)
Nexans SA
Original Assignee
Nexans 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
Priority claimed from AU2009901357A external-priority patent/AU2009901357A0/en
Application filed by Nexans SA filed Critical Nexans SA
Publication of EP2411854A1 publication Critical patent/EP2411854A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4459—Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
    • H02G3/02—Details
    • H02G3/04—Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
    • H02G3/0406—Details thereof
    • H02G3/0418—Covers or lids; Their fastenings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/4484—Manufacturing methods of optical cables with desired surplus length between fibres and protection features

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an optical fibre conduit, and a method of encapsulating an optical fibre or optical fibre tape.
  • the invention is particularly suited for optical fibre tapes adapted for inclusion in cables.
  • the optical fibre conduit can be used in power cables as a distributed temperature sensor.
  • EP0825465 describes a cable with an optical fibre tube in the form of a flattened metal tube encapsulating an optical fibre tape applied to a cable core in a sinusoidal manner.
  • the cable jacket is extruded over the cable core and tube.
  • the fibres are also said to be oscillated within the tube.
  • the tube is formed by first feeding the fibres 11.012 into a circular metal tube 11.110 (see Figure 11 ), then flattening the tube 12.1 11 ( Figure 12), then applying a sinusoidal form to the tube before applying the sinusoidal flattened tube to the cable, and then extruding the jacket over the cable core and tube.
  • the overlength imposed on the optical fibre or optical fibre tape is to some extent limited by the diameter of the tube before flattening (see Figure 12).
  • This invention proposes an optical fibre tube or duct, and method of manufacturing such an optical fibre tube or duct.
  • the invention provides an optical fibre duct having a closable exterior case in which one or more optical fibres can be deployed with an overlength before the case is closed.
  • an optical fibre duct having an exterior case formed of two parts joined to form a conduit, the conduit enclosing one or more optical fibres or optical fibre tapes, the optical fibre or optical fibre tape being deployed within the conduit in an overlength configuration.
  • an elongate channel having a substantially flat base into which optical fibres or optical fibre cable can be laid in an overlength manner, and a substantially flat cover adapted to be applied to the channel after the optical fibre has been installed in the channel.
  • optical fibre or optical fibre tape can be laid on a substrate before being enclosed by the conduit.
  • a soft thixotropic filling compound, viscous liquid or jelly, such as petroleum jelly, can be incorporated with the optical fibre or optical fibre tape in the duct or on the substrate before being enclosed by the conduit.
  • the viscous liquid or jelly can be applied to the substrate before, after or simultaneously with the optical fibres or optical fibre tapes.
  • the optical fibre can be deployed in a meander path.
  • the optical fibre can be deployed in a sinusoidal path.
  • the optical fibre can be deployed on a carrier, such as a tape or ribbon.
  • the conduit can include a U-shaped channel
  • the conduit can include a cap attachable to the channel.
  • the channel and cap can be provided with a mutual attachment means.
  • the mutual attachment means can include a snap-fit arrangement.
  • the mutual attachment means can include a toothless zip closure, such as used for plastic bags.
  • the overlength configuration can be produced by gathering of the optical fibres or optical fibre tapes.
  • the overlength configuration can be produced by a differential feed rate between the fibre and the channel.
  • the overlength configuration can be produced by a reciprocating movement having a transverse component relative to the longitudinal axis of the duct
  • the duct can be glued to a cable
  • the duct need not be wrapped around a cable, (linear rather than spiral or undulating).
  • the duct can be applied on the same axis as the cable
  • the conduit can be manufactured by an assembly process including the steps of; providing an elongate conduit base member; providing an elongate conduit cover member; deploying one or more optical fibres or optical fibre tapes in an overlength configuration on the base member; applying the cover member over the base member.
  • the method can also include the step of incorporating a viscous liquid or jelly with the optical fibres or optical fibre tapes.
  • the method can also include the step of deploying the optical fibres or optical fibre tapes to a substrate before applying the optical fibres or optical fibre tapes to the base member together with the substrate.
  • the invention also provides cable duct manufacturing apparatus including: optical fibre supply means; channel supply means; cover supply means; optical fibre overlength delivery means; an optical fibre/channel combiner; and a cover/channel combiner adapted to apply the cover to the channel after the optical fibre has been deployed in the channel.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an illustrative view of a fibre cable laid in a channel according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figures 2 and 3 together form a schematic illustration of an exploded view of a channel and cover according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 4 is an illustration of an end view of an optical fibre cable in a covered duct according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a closure mechanism for joining a cap to a base.
  • Figure 6 illustrates a of an optical fibre duct according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 7 illustrates a section through a cable according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 illustrates a section through a cable according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a cable fabrication plant according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of the splaying of the arms of the latch cavity.
  • Figures 1 1 & 12 illustrate the method of forming an optical fibre duct similar to that described in EP0825465.
  • Figure 13 illustrates an optical fibre duct according to an embodiment of the invention applied to an electrical cable.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a portion of the base channel 1.002 of an elongate fibre duct according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • An optical fibre or optical fibre cable 1.010, 4.012 is deployed on the base.
  • the duct can be of substantially similar length to the electrical cable in which it is intended to be inserted.
  • the channel has a base 1.004, and side walls 1.006, 1.008.
  • the inside transverse dimension of the base 1.004 is sufficient to permit a fibre or fibre cable to be laid therein with a meander or sinusoidal path of sufficient amplitude to permit the required overlength.
  • lengthwise pitch and the transverse peak-to-peak distance ("wavelength") of the cable laid in sinusoidal form ensures that the cable is of the required overlength.
  • Figures 2 and 3 illustrate an exploded view of a duct having a cap
  • the cap includes longitudinal rims or snap-fit elements such as 2.024 adapted to provide a liquid seal along the longitudinal walls 3.006, 3.008 of the duct.
  • the cap includes a pair of projections such as 2.024, 2.026 forming a recess 2.028 along each edge of the cap.
  • the recess 2.028 is adapted to receive the walls 2.006, 2.008 of the channel 3.004 in an interference fit to provide a seal along the edges of the channel.
  • the ends of the projections 2.024, 2.026 can be chamfered or flared to facilitate initial engagement between the projections and the walls 3.006, 3.008.
  • the tops of the walls 3.006, 3.008 can be tapered for the same reason.
  • FIG. 5 a toothless zipper arrangement similar to that employed for some plastic bags can be utilized.
  • the tops of the wall 5.006 of the channel 5.004 are provided with a bulbous termination 5.007, and the ends of the cap projections are provided with tapered inward projections 5.025, 5.027.
  • the arms 5.024, 5.026 are sufficiently resilient to permit the bulbous bead 5.007 to be inserted through the tapered aperture formed by the tapered projections 5.025, 5.027.
  • withdrawal requires greater force as the inner sides of the projections 5.025, 5.027 are not tapered to facilitate withdrawal.
  • the inner sides can be tapered.
  • the corners of the cap and channel can be chamfered to reduce sharp edges and corners.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a closure mechanism for joining a cap to a base according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • 5.024, 5.026, of the cap define a closure cavity or latch recess extending along one side of the cap and adapted to receive the bead 5.007 at the end of the wall 5.006 of the base 5.004.
  • the ends of the arms 5.024, 5.026 have inwardly projecting latches
  • the cap is sufficiently resilient that, when the cap is bent with the arms on the outer side of the curve, the arms will splay apart due to the greater radius of curvature at the latch end of the arms, increasing the distance between the tips of the tapered latches 5.025, 5.027.
  • the bead is dimensioned so that it can be inserted into the latch cavity, and is retained therein by the tapered latches 5.025, 5.027 which are shaped to facilitate insertion of the bead, and to resist removal of the bead once inserted.
  • Figures 6, 7, & 8 show elements of alternative optical fibre cable arrangements according to embodiments of the invention.
  • optical fibre or optical fibre tape 6.010 s deployed in an overlength configuration on the base 6.004.
  • the duct can be formed of a unitary construction
  • 7.004 in the form of a flat strip which is sufficiently resilient to permit it to be folded over the strength members 7.032, 7.034 so the ends can be joined to form the housing, shown in dotted line, for the optical fibres.
  • Folding notches such as 7.036 can be provided to facilitate bending and assist in accommodating the compression of the material of the housing at the bends.
  • the optical fibre cable 7.012 can include a number of optical fibres
  • the dotted outlined optical fibres correspond to the solid line fibres at a further distance, such as half pitch, along the cable, as indicated at 7.016'.
  • the optical fibre cable is applied to the ribbon 7.040 before being inserted in to the channel.
  • the petroleum jelly can be applied to the ribbon 7.040 before the optical fibres are applied to the ribbon.
  • the housing 7.004 can be of a unitary construction, with the base being folded over the optical fibres and strength elements.
  • the strength elements 7.032, 7.034 such as pultruded glass reinforcement rods, can be affixed to the base prior to the deployment of the optical fibres. Thus the strength elements remain at the edges of the duct to provide structural integrity during handling of the duct.
  • the ends of the housing can be overlapped and joined by welding, ultrasonic scrubbing, gluing or other suitable means.
  • Figure 9 schematically illustrates elements of a cable drawing plant suitable for manufacturing a cable according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • a number of feed reels provide the feed stock for the cable.
  • a jelly supply 9.070 is provided to apply jelly to the tape before the fibre is applied.
  • the fibre is deployed on the tape at a first station 9.072.
  • the circled dot and cross 9.078 indicate that the fibre is applied to the tape with a transverse reciprocating motion to supply the fibre overlength.
  • the fibre can be applied at a higher delivery speed than the tape without the transverse reciprocation, relying on the speed differential to produce the overlength.
  • cap and channel from reels can be drawn from extrusion machines, cooled, and directly fed to the cable forming apparatus.
  • Figure 10 schematically illustrates the splaying of the arms 10.024,
  • the bead can be part of the cap and the latch cavity can be part of the channel, or one side can be the opposite of the other, the channel having one bead on one side and one latch cavity on the other side, and the cap having a mating arrangement.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates schematically a bared end of an electrical cable with an optical fibre duct 13.020 according to an embodiment of the invention inserted between an inner insulation layer 13.122, and an outer jacket 13.124.
  • the duct is laid parallel to the axis of the cable during manufacture of the cable without the need for the imposition on the duct of the sinusoidal configuration illustrated in EP0825465.
  • the optical fibre units have been helically applied unless they are put in the centre of the cable.
  • the duct can be applied to the insulation layer 13.122 with zero twist, as the undulation of the fibres within the duct provide adequate allowance to isolate the fibres from excess tensile load.
  • the duct can also be applied with a degree of spiral twist if necessitated by manufacturing or application purposes. For example, it may be a requirement that the fibre be accessible on one side of the cable at a point over a given distance of cable, so a spiral wrap of the duct can ensure this.
  • the duct can be attached to the exterior of the cable prior to packing the cable on a drum.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à un canal à fibre optique allongé (1.002) qui possède une base sensiblement plate (1.004) dans laquelle des fibres optiques (1.010) ou un câble à fibre optique (1.012) peuvent être disposés en surlongueur, ainsi qu'un couvercle sensiblement plat (2.022) conçu pour être appliqué sur le canal après que la fibre optique a été installée à l'intérieur.
EP10723306A 2009-03-27 2010-03-23 Conduit à fibre optique et son procédé de fabrication Withdrawn EP2411854A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2009901357A AU2009901357A0 (en) 2009-03-27 An Optical Fibre Conduit, and a Method of Manufacturing Same
PCT/IB2010/001203 WO2010109339A1 (fr) 2009-03-27 2010-03-23 Conduit à fibre optique et son procédé de fabrication

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2411854A1 true EP2411854A1 (fr) 2012-02-01

Family

ID=42543133

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10723306A Withdrawn EP2411854A1 (fr) 2009-03-27 2010-03-23 Conduit à fibre optique et son procédé de fabrication

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2411854A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2010227148A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2010109339A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102015214889A1 (de) * 2015-08-05 2017-02-09 Leoni Kabel Holding Gmbh Kabel sowie Verfahren zu dessen Herstellung
JP6314162B2 (ja) * 2016-01-07 2018-04-18 株式会社フジクラ 収納型光ケーブル、光ファイバケーブルの敷設方法、及び収納型光ケーブルの製造方法
US11187863B2 (en) 2017-09-11 2021-11-30 Prysmian S.P.A Flat optical drop cable

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2743260C2 (de) * 1977-09-26 1990-05-31 kabelmetal electro GmbH, 3000 Hannover Nachrichtenkabel mit Lichtwellenleitern und Verfahren zu seiner Herstellung
GB2233779B (en) * 1989-07-01 1993-05-05 Stc Plc Optical fibre cable
US5115260A (en) * 1990-09-04 1992-05-19 International Business Machines Corporation Compact strain relief device for fiber optic cables
NO173847C (no) * 1991-11-01 1994-02-09 Alcatel Stk As Kompositt kabel
US5999683A (en) * 1998-07-01 1999-12-07 American Pipe & Plastics, Inc Clip device for conduits containing optical fibers
NL1033918C2 (nl) * 2007-05-31 2008-12-02 Draka Comteq Bv Kabel, alsmede gebruik en werkwijze voor het aanleggen van een kabelnetwerk.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2010109339A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010109339A1 (fr) 2010-09-30
AU2010227148A1 (en) 2011-09-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9989723B2 (en) Loose tube-type optical fiber unit
JP4105792B2 (ja) 単管構造補強光ファイバケーブル
EP3115816B1 (fr) Câble optique
EP3330760A1 (fr) Câble à fibres optiques
AU2015207954C1 (en) Cable breakout assembly
EP3879323B1 (fr) Câble à fibre optique
KR20080027328A (ko) 광섬유 케이블 및 그 제조방법
JP2007279226A (ja) 光ファイバテープ心線及び前記光ファイバテープ心線を収納した光ファイバケーブル
JP2009037047A (ja) 光ファイバケーブル
US8731363B2 (en) Optical fiber management device
EP4177652A1 (fr) Câble optique et son procédé de fabrication
WO2010109339A1 (fr) Conduit à fibre optique et son procédé de fabrication
JP5940847B2 (ja) 光ファイバケーブルの製造方法及び製造装置
JP6542648B2 (ja) 光ファイバケーブル
CA1299406C (fr) Section de connexion de cable optique dans un cable composite de distribution electrique et de transmission optique
US7149392B2 (en) Round multi-fiber cable assembly and a method of forming same
JP7134861B2 (ja) 光ファイバケーブルおよび光ファイバケーブルの製造方法
CN1249439A (zh) 光缆及其制造方法
US6173101B1 (en) Fiber optic cable
US6788857B2 (en) Optical fiber cable, a method of manufacturing the optical fiber cable, and an installation for implementing the method
JP6294742B2 (ja) ワイヤハーネスおよびその製造方法
EP4177651A1 (fr) Unité de fibres optiques et son procédé de fabrication
TW201800790A (zh) 光纖單元及光纖纜線
CN102597840A (zh) 用于将光纤连接器固定到光纤电缆的方法
JP2004212960A (ja) 光ファイバケーブル

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20111027

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20151001