FR3054896A1 - OPTICAL FIBER SHEET, CABLE COMPRISING SUCH A FURNACE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SUCH A FOURREAU - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a sleeve extending in an axial direction (X) comprising at least one envelope (5) and at least one optical fiber arranged in the envelope, the envelope comprising at least one laser impression (8) forming locally. indentification mark of the sheath. The invention also relates to a cable comprising such a sleeve and a method of manufacturing such a cable.

Description

© Publication no .: 3,054,896 (to be used only for reproduction orders)

©) National registration number: 16 57513 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE

©) Int Cl ⁸ : G 02 B 6/46 (2017.01), G 02 B 6/44, H 02 G 1/08

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

©) Date of filing: 02.08.16. ©) Applicant (s): SILEC CABLE Joint-stock company ©) Priority: simplified - FR. ©) Inventor (s): FICQUENET MARJORIE, PRANGE MATHIEU, LECOURTIER NATHALIE, JAMET (43) Date of public availability of the PATRICK, RESCAN PIERRE-EMMANUEL and LEVI- request: 09.02.18 Bulletin 18/06. GOUREUX SOPHIE. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents ©) Holder (s): SILEC CABLE Société par actions simpli- related: trusted. ©) Extension request (s): Polynesia-Fr @) Agent (s): CABINET BOETTCHER.

OPTICAL FIBER SHEATH, CABLE COMPRISING SUCH A FOUR-ARRAY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A SLEEVE.

FR 3 054 896 - A1 fj) The invention relates to a sheath extending in an axial direction (X) comprising at least one envelope (5) and at least one optical fiber arranged in the envelope, the envelope comprising at least a laser imprint (8) locally forming an identification mark of the sheath.

The invention also relates to a cable comprising such a sheath and to a method of manufacturing such a cable.

i

State of the art

Optical fiber is widely used in electronic communication networks, in particular because the flow of information that it is possible to pass via an optical fiber is almost independent of the distance traveled by the information, whereas the flow routed via copper conductors depends on the length of these. Telecommunication operators therefore seek to bring optical fiber as close as possible to the user in order to improve the available speed. In buildings, an optical fiber is thus brought to each of the users. Generally, all of these fibers are grouped together in micromodules, which are themselves grouped together in a single cable.

A micromodule is usually formed of a flexible envelope, waterproof or not, containing one or more optical fibers, with a usual maximum of twelve fibers per micromodule. The micromodules contained in the cable are identified by the color of the envelope surrounding them. Twelve or thirteen marking colors are usually used because they allow easy identification of micromodules, particularly on small diameters. When the micromodules of the same cable are more than twelve in number or for specific customer requests, combinations such as alternating colors on the same envelope must be used via the use of a longitudinal border or making colored rings on the same envelope.

The possibilities remain limited, however, and also require having a color code that can be relatively complex.

Subject of the invention

An object of the invention is to facilitate the location of a fiber optic sheath, such as a fiber optic micromodule.

Statement of the invention

To this end, provision is made, according to the invention, for a sheath extending in an axial direction comprising at least one envelope having a thickness of less than 0.2 millimeter and at least one optical fiber arranged in the envelope, the envelope comprising at minus a laser print locally forming an identification mark of the sheath.

Thus, the laser imprint, without however piercing the thin envelope, creates an identification mark of the sheath.

By “identification mark” is understood within the meaning of the present invention, any distinctive sign voluntarily created on the envelope to distinguish the sheath considered from other sheaths. This can therefore be a geometric figure, a symbol, a letter, a number ... We can for example imagine having an identification mark comprising the name of a customer.

The possibilities are therefore numerous and adaptable to the needs of each client, which may be different.

According to a particular embodiment, the laser imprint is shaped so as to further form a zone of embrittlement of the envelope to allow the envelope to be opened at this zone of embrittlement without tools.

This advantageously takes advantage of the imprint of the sheath to create both a weakening zone and at the same time a dedicated location for the sheath considered.

The laser imprint will locally decrease the thickness of the envelope to its level, without, however, piercing the envelope, thus creating a zone of embrittlement vis-à-vis the rest of the envelope. It therefore suffices simply to pull the envelope at the level of the imprint to tear the envelope at the level of the embrittlement zone, an area more sensitive to external constraints.

This gives easier access to the optical fiber arranged in the sheath.

In this way, the envelope does not necessarily need to be made of a particular material for the opening to take place easily without or with very little risk for the optical fiber contained in the sheath.

The opening of the envelope is therefore done manually and without tools.

Advantageously, the cutting of the envelope at the level of the embrittlement zone is done very clearly. The opening of the envelope thus created therefore has sharp edges. This notably facilitates the work carried out behind by an operator on the sleeves.

It should be noted that the laser imprint is created so as to voluntarily reduce the thickness of the envelope in order to weaken it without, however, the laser imprint passing through the entire envelope. The laser imprint is further shaped so that it can be pulled by a user to open the envelope.

According to a particular embodiment, the imprint has a height equal to at least 30% of the thickness of the envelope.

According to a particular embodiment, the imprint has a height equal between 30% and 60%

thickness of The envelope. According to a embodiment particular, the envelope has millimeter. a thickness between 0.05 and 0.15 According to a embodiment particular, the laser print is reproduced at least once at 1 'identical on along the axial direction (X) on the scabbard predetermined distance from the first em-

laser preprint.

According to a particular embodiment, the sheath comprises at least a first laser imprint forming an identification mark of the sheath and a second laser imprint, different from the first imprint, forming an identification mark of the sheath, the first imprint and the second imprint being separated from each other in the axial direction by a predetermined distance.

According to a particular embodiment each imprint is separated from the other in the axial direction by a distance between 0.01 cm and 1.5 meters.

According to a particular embodiment, the sheath is a micromodule.

The invention also relates to a cable comprising an outer sheath and at least one sheath as previously described arranged inside the outer sheath.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a sheath as previously described, comprising a step of extruding a composition to form the envelope and a step of laser marking the envelope to create the laser imprint.

According to a particular embodiment, the envelope is marked with the laser immediately after the extrusion step.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the figures

Reference will be made to the appended figures, among which:

- the figure 1 East a schematic view of an oven- reau according to a first fashion of 1 'achievement invention, - the figure 2 East a schematic view from sec-

transverse tion of a cable comprising the sheath illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a sheath according to a second embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 4 is a schematic view of three sleeves according to a third embodiment of

The invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring to Figures 1 to 2, according to the first embodiment, the cable, generally designated 1, comprises a tubular outer sheath 2 and several micromodules 3, 4 extractable from the cable arranged in the tubular outer sheath 2. The cable 1 and the micromodules 3, 4 all extend in an axial direction X. Such a cable can be used for example for any application of data transmission and telecommunications.

Each micromodule 3, 4 is here formed of an envelope 5 (a single envelope being referenced here) flexible, waterproof or not, containing one or more optical fibers 6 (a single optical fiber being referenced here). Preferably, each micromodule 3, 4 comprises a maximum of twelve fibers per micromodule.

The envelope 5 typically has a thickness of less than 0.20 millimeters. Preferably, the envelope 5 has a thickness of between 0.01 and 0.20 millimeters. More preferably, the casing 5 has a thickness of between 0.05 and 0.15 millimeter.

At least one of these micromodules 4 has a laser imprint 7 shaped so as to form an identification mark for micromodule 4.

The envelope 5 is also chosen so that it changes color when it is subjected to laser radiation. For this purpose, a component reactive to laser radiation is for example incorporated into the composition which will be extruded for the manufacture of the envelope 5.

In this way, the laser imprint 7 is visible not only by its shape but also by its color which is therefore different from that of the rest of the envelope 7 and this thanks to the use of a single tool that is the laser.

Preferably, the laser imprint 7 is further shaped so as to locally form a zone of embrittlement of the envelope 5. This makes it possible to further facilitate the opening of the envelope 5 at this zone of embrittlement without tools.

As is more visible in FIG. 2, this laser imprint 7 here has a single pattern 8. This single pattern 8 is here composed of a single line. In particular, said line forms a zigzag extending generally along the axis X on the envelope 5.

The zigzag shape facilitates the tearing of the envelope 5 at this level.

The laser imprint 7 is here such that it has a height of at least 30% of the thickness of the envelope 5. The laser imprint 7 is typically such that it has a height of between 30 and 60% of the total thickness of the envelope 5 (that is to say that at the level of the laser imprint 7, between 40 to 70% of the thickness of the envelope 5 is destroyed by the laser radiation during creation of the laser print 7). The laser imprint 7 has for example a height of between 0.03 and 0.08 millimeter.

In this way, at the level of the laser imprint 7, the envelope 5 has a thickness of between 40% and 70% of the thickness of the rest of the envelope 5 which facilitates the tearing of the envelope 5 at this level.

Preferably, this laser imprint 7 is here reproduced identically at regular intervals along the axis X on the micromodule 4. In this way, when the sheath 2 of the cable 1 is open at any location, an imprint of the micromodule 4 always remains substantially close to the opening of the sheath 2, which in particular makes it easier to locate micromodule 4.

Typically each footprint 8 is separated from the other by a distance (along the X axis) between 0.01 cm and 1.5 meters and preferably about 6 cm.

A method of manufacturing micromodule 4 will now be described.

The envelope 5 of the micromodule 4 is produced in a manner known per se from a composition which is extruded, the composition being mixed before being extruded or being simultaneously mixed and extruded.

Then a laser marking is applied to the envelope 5 to create the laser imprint 7 there.

Controlling the power of the emitted laser radiation makes it possible to form the laser imprint 7 on the envelope 5 without, however, piercing the envelope 5.

Preferably, the envelope 5 is just laser marked immediately after its extrusion. Here, the laser is arranged at the exit of the extrusion line to perform the laser marking.

In this way, the creation of the laser imprint 7 is carried out directly on the extrusion line. The laser imprint 7 is therefore performed dynamically during the manufacture of the envelope 5 (and not statically once the envelope 5 has already been created and for example cut out).

Advantage is therefore taken advantage of the extrusion line necessary for the creation of the envelope 5 to arrange the laser directly at the outlet. This allows faster laser prints. For example, the laser can operate at 400 meters per minute.

In particular, the laser used is a fiber laser.

The laser is for example chosen so as to operate with a wavelength between 1000 and 1100 nanometers.

The laser has, for example, a power of between 20 and 100 watts.

With reference to FIG. 3, and according to a second embodiment of the invention, the laser imprint 17 forming an identification mark here takes another form than that described with regard to the first embodiment.

The laser imprint 17 thus comprises here a pattern 18 formed of three distinct lines. Each line forms, for example, a ring surrounding the envelope 15 over the entire circumference of the envelope 15.

With reference to FIG. 4, and according to a third embodiment, the laser imprints forming an identification mark here comprise a different number of patterns than those described with regard to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

In particular, the first micromodule 104 comprises a laser imprint comprising successively (along the X axis) two patterns 108, 109 separated by a distance a (along the X axis). These patterns 108, 109 are identical here. Each of these patterns 108, 109 is formed of a plurality of rings.

The second micromodule 114 comprises a laser imprint comprising successively (along the X axis) four patterns 118, 119, 120, 121 separated between them by a distance b (along the X axis) which is here more small that the distance has. These patterns 118, 119, 120, 121 are all identical to each other. Each pattern 118, 119, 120, 121 is formed of a plurality of rings. The number of rings per pattern is here less than the number of rings per pattern of the first micromodule 114.

The third micromodule 124, for its part, comprises a laser imprint successively comprising (along the X axis) two patterns 128, 129 separated by a distance c (along the X axis) still greater than the distances a and b. These patterns 128, 129 are different. Each of these patterns 128, 129 is formed of a plurality of rings and one of the patterns 129 has a much greater number of rings than the other of the patterns 128 and that of the patterns of the first micromodule and of the second micromodule.

We can thus identify a micromodule not only by the number of patterns forming the laser imprint but also by the shape, dimensions, frequency and color of these patterns.

Many possibilities of laser imprints forming identification marks are thus possible. In addition, these laser imprints here make it possible to create weakening zones simplifying access to the interior of the micromodule.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant coming within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, although here the laser imprint is shaped to form a weakening zone, the laser imprint can be shaped to allow only a specific identification of the associated sheath (for example if the laser imprint is not deep enough or large enough to allow tearing at its level). We will then open the envelope for example using a sharp tool.

In particular, although here the sheath described is a micromodule directly comprising the different optical fibers (that is to say without an intermediate container between the micromodule and the optical fibers), the sheath may be any type of container in which s extends one to several optical fibers.

The sheath can thus be a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) tube directly comprising the optical fibers. The sheath can also be an intermediate case containing several micromodules and / or several PBT tubes which themselves contain the optical fibers directly, an external sheath possibly surrounding the intermediate case with other elements such as for example other intermediate cases. . Such an intermediate case is sometimes called a "beam sheath".

Furthermore, although here the sheath envelope is colored, the envelope may not be colored. The sheath may also include at least one ordinary identification marker in the form of colored lines (ring, axial line, etc.) allowing identification of the sheath in addition to the laser imprint already shaped into an identification mark.

By ? elsewhere, the cable will include a other number of scabbards than which was indicated. The cable will born include than scabbards according to 1 ' invention

or a smaller or larger number of sleeves supplemented by sleeves according to the invention. The cable may have only one sheath in all and for all which will therefore be a sheath according to the invention.

Although here, the laser imprint is reproduced identically at regular intervals along the axis of the sheath, the sheath may have laser imprints different from each other arranged at regular intervals along the axis of the scabbard. The distance between two consecutive footprints (identical or not) may be the same or different along the axis of the sheath. The distance separating two consecutive fingerprints (identical or not) can be predetermined so that a laser imprint is easily accessible along the entire length of the scabbard or even to give an indication of the length of the scabbard (for example two fingerprints being always separated from 'one meter) or even help an operator to open the sheath on the correct length (for example on the length separating two successive laser prints).

The laser imprint may of course be different from what has been described. The laser imprint may thus be different in terms of shape, color, dimensions, or even in terms of number of patterns, dimensions, shape, color, frequency of patterns. We can also play on the frequency of the imprints themselves along the X axis.

Although the laser used here is a fiber laser, the laser used may be different and for example include a gas laser such as a CO2 laser or a crystal laser such as an Nd-YAG laser. Depending on the type of laser used and the composition of the envelope material, different reactions may thus take place: foaming, carbonization or ablation, resulting in different types of contrast between the imprint and the rest of the envelope. This type of contrast obtained may or may not be voluntarily adapted by adding one or more additives to the material of the envelope to modify its reaction to the laser. In addition, if several cable sheaths have laser imprints, their envelopes can be chosen so that the laser imprint will ultimately have a different color from one sheath to another under the action of the same laser.

Claims (10)

1. Sheath extending in an axial direction (X) comprising at least one envelope (5; 15; 105, 115, 125) and at least one optical fiber arranged in the envelope, the envelope having a thickness of less than 0.20 millimeter and comprising at least one laser imprint (8; 18; 108, 109; 118, 119, 120, 121; 128, 129) locally forming an identification mark of the sheath. 2. Sheath according to claim 1, wherein the laser imprint (8; 18; 108, 109; 118, 119, 120, 121; 128, 129) is further shaped into a weakening zone of the envelope. 2. Scabbard according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which present footprint a equal height at at less 30% of the thickness of The envelope (5; 15; 105 , 115, 125). 3. Scabbard according to claim 2, in which the imprint has a height equal to between 30% and 60% of the thickness of the envelope (5; 15; 105, 115, 125). 4. Extending sheath according to one of the preceding claims, in which the envelope (5) has a thickness of between 0.05 and 0.15 millimeter. 5. Sheath according to one of the preceding claims, in which the laser imprint (8; 18; 108, 109; 118, 119, 120, 121; 128, 129) is reproduced at least once identically along from the axial direction (X) on the sheath (4; 14; 104, 114, 124) at a predetermined distance from the first laser imprint. 6. Sheath according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a first laser imprint forming an identification mark of the sheath and a second laser imprint, different from the first imprint, forming an identification mark of the sheath, the first imprint and the second imprint being separated from each other in the axial direction by a predetermined distance. 7. Sheath according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein each cavity (8; 18; 108, 109; 118, 119, 120, 121; 128, 129) is separated from the other in the axial direction by a distance between 0.01 and 1.5 meters. 8. Sheath according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheath is a micromodule. 9. Cable comprising an outer sheath (2) and at least one sheath (4; 14; 104, 114, 124) according to one of the preceding claims arranged inside the outer sheath. 10. A method of manufacturing a sheath according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a step of extruding a composition to form the envelope (5; 15; 105, 115, 125) and a marking step envelope laser to create the laser impression (8; 18; 108, 109; 118, 119, 120, 121; 128, 129). 11. The manufacturing method according to claim 10, wherein the envelope (5; 15; 105, 115, 125) is just laser marked immediately after the extrusion step.