GB2144879A - Optical cables - Google Patents
Optical cables Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2144879A GB2144879A GB08419848A GB8419848A GB2144879A GB 2144879 A GB2144879 A GB 2144879A GB 08419848 A GB08419848 A GB 08419848A GB 8419848 A GB8419848 A GB 8419848A GB 2144879 A GB2144879 A GB 2144879A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- optical
- optical cable
- dry gas
- optical fibre
- 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.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 37
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 abstract description 22
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000032683 aging Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004925 Acrylic resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000178 Acrylic resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010410 dusting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
- H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
- H01B7/28—Protection against damage caused by moisture, corrosion, chemical attack or weather
-
- 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
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4415—Cables for special applications
- G02B6/4427—Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
-
- 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
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/44382—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables the means comprising hydrogen absorbing materials
-
- 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
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/44384—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables the means comprising water blocking or hydrophobic materials
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
To reduce migration of hydrogen into an optical fibre (1) of an optical cable (3) which might otherwise have a detrimental effect on the optical transmission efficiency of the optical fibre, any spaces (2) within the optical cable are filled with a dry gas which is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure and is caused or permitted to flow continuously at a controlled rate out of the cable carrying with it any hydrogen evolved within the cable. <IMAGE>
Description
1 GB2144879A 1
SPECIFICATION
Optical cables This invention relates to optical cables cornprising at least one optical fibre and is especially, but not exclusively, concerned with optical cables in which at least one optical fibre is loosely housed in a bore or other elongate compartment which extends through- out the length of the optical cable and which has an internal diameter substantially greater than the overall diameter of the or each optical fibre.
We have found that, in some circum- 80 stances, ageing of an optical fibre or optical fibres of an optical cable can occur to such an extent that the optical transmission efficiency of the optical fibre is detrimentally affected; such ageing may occur whilst the optical 85 cable is in store and before it is installed and/or whilst the optical cable is in service. It is believed that a principal cause of ageing of an optical fibre is migration of hydrogen into the optical fibre to an extent sufficient to have a detrimental effect on the optical transmis sion efficiency of the optical fibre. Insofar as multi-mode optical fibres are concerned, hy drogen migration through the cladding into the core of an optical fibre will have a detri mental effect on the transmission efficiency of the optical fibre; in the case of single mode optical fibre, migration of hydrogen into the cladding only of the optical fibre may be sufficient to affect detrimentally its transmis sion efficiency.
It is believed that hydrogen that has mig rated into an optical fibre or optical fibres of an optical cable may be evolved from any one or more of several sources. It is the normal practice to apply a buffer coating of acrylic resin or other resin or of polymeric material to the glass surface of an optical fibre and one of the most likely sources of hydrogen is be lieved to be a hydrogen-producing reaction 110 which occurs on the glass surface of the optical fibre, possibly between moisture on the glass surface and a constituent of the resin or polymeric material of the buffer coat- ing which, in some circumstances, may not have been completely cured. Moisture on the surface of a buffer-coated optical fibre may also result from the use, during manufacture of the optical cable, of a hygroscopic dusting powder applied to the optical fibre. Other possible sources of hydrogen are those components or materials of or within the optical cable which themselves contain hydrogen or from a reaction with which, during the course of time, hydrogen may be evolved. 1 It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved optical cable in which the risk of ageing of an optical fibre or optical fibres of the optical cable whilst the optical cable is in store and/or is in service as a result of migration of hydrogen into the optical fibre or fibres is substantially reduced.
According to the invention, any spaces within the improved optical cable are filled with a dry gas which is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure and which is caused or permitted to flow continuously at a controlled rate out of the cable carrying with it any hydrogen evolved within the cable.
Dry gas may be continuously fed into and caused to flow along and out of the optical cable or the optical cable may be leaky so that dry gas is allowed to leak from the cable at a controlled rate. Preferred dry gases for this purpose include dry air and dry inert gases such as nitrogen and argon.
Preferably, the dry gas is maintained at an excess pressure within the range 0.6 to 0.75 atmospheres.
The invention is further illustrated by a description, by way of example, of a preferred optical cable with reference to the accompany diagrammatic drawing which shows a side view of the optical cable.
Referring to the drawing, the optical cable comprises a tube 3 of plastics material having a bore 2 in which an optical fibre 1 is loosely housed. Dry air from a source 4 is fed contin- uously at a pressure of 1.7 atmospheres through an inlet port 5 into the bore 2 of the optical cable and flows continuously along the bore towards and out of an outlet port (not shown) carrying with it any hydrogen evolved within the cable.
Claims (6)
1. An optical cable wherein any spaces within the cable are filled with a dry gas which is maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure and which is caused or permitted to flow continuously at a controlled rate out of the cable carrying with it any hydrogen evolved within the cable.
2. An optical cable as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dry gas is continuously fed into and caused to flow along and out of the cable.
3. An optical cable as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the optical cable is leaky so that dry gas is allowed to leak from the cable at a controlled rate.
4. An optical cable as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the dry gas is dry air or a dry inert gas.
5. An optical cable as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the dry gas is maintained at an excess pressure within the range 0.6 to 0.75 atmospheres.
6. An optical cable substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.
2 GB 2 144 879A 2 Printed in the United Kingdom for Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Dd 8818935, 1985, 4235. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings. London, WC2A l AY, from which copies may be obtained-
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB838321229A GB8321229D0 (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1983-08-05 | Optical cables |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8419848D0 GB8419848D0 (en) | 1984-09-05 |
GB2144879A true GB2144879A (en) | 1985-03-13 |
GB2144879B GB2144879B (en) | 1986-02-26 |
Family
ID=10546919
Family Applications (4)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB838321229A Pending GB8321229D0 (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1983-08-05 | Optical cables |
GB08419847A Withdrawn GB2144878A (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-08-03 | Optical cables |
GB08419846A Expired GB2144559B (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-08-03 | Optical cables |
GB08419848A Expired GB2144879B (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-08-03 | Optical cables |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB838321229A Pending GB8321229D0 (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1983-08-05 | Optical cables |
GB08419847A Withdrawn GB2144878A (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-08-03 | Optical cables |
GB08419846A Expired GB2144559B (en) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-08-03 | Optical cables |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (4) | GB8321229D0 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2159978A (en) * | 1984-05-23 | 1985-12-11 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
US4717236A (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1988-01-05 | Stc, Plc | Optical fiber cable having a hydrogen-absorbing zeolite |
US6658186B1 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2003-12-02 | Abb Kraft As | Cable arrangement |
WO2005103437A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-11-03 | Schlumberger Canada Limited | Optical fiber equipped tubing and methods of making and using |
WO2008051945A2 (en) | 2006-10-24 | 2008-05-02 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Breathable downhole fiber optic cable and a method of restoring performance |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB8401089D0 (en) * | 1984-01-16 | 1984-02-15 | Gen Electric Co Plc | Coating optical fibres |
JPS60218710A (en) * | 1984-04-16 | 1985-11-01 | 住友電気工業株式会社 | Optical fiber composite aerial wire |
IT1176134B (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1987-08-12 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | OPTICAL FIBER CABLE EQUIPPED WITH PROTECTION AGAINST THE ABSORPTION OF GASEOUS HYDROGEN BY OPTICAL FIBERS |
IT1176135B (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1987-08-12 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | OPTICAL FIBER PROTECTED AGAINST GAS HYDROGEN ABSORPTION |
GB2159290B (en) * | 1984-05-22 | 1987-11-18 | Stc Plc | Cables containing amorphous metals |
US4696543A (en) * | 1984-05-22 | 1987-09-29 | Standard Telephone And Cables, Plc | Optical fiber cable having a low permeability to hydrogen |
GB8506497D0 (en) * | 1985-03-13 | 1985-04-17 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Cables |
IT1184428B (en) * | 1985-04-12 | 1987-10-28 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | HYDROGEN ABSORBENT COMPOSITION FOR CABLES AND ELECTRIC CABLES, FIBER OPTIC CABLES AND THEIR INCORPORATING COMPONENTS SAID COMPOSITION |
IT1185667B (en) * | 1985-08-30 | 1987-11-12 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | FIBER OPTIC TELECOMMUNICATION CABLE |
IT1186003B (en) * | 1985-10-08 | 1987-11-18 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | ABSORBENT HYDROGEN MIXTURE AND HYDROGEN ABSORBENT MIXTURE FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLE |
US4974926A (en) * | 1989-04-06 | 1990-12-04 | At&T Bell Laboratories | Underwater optical fiber cable |
DE4108032A1 (en) * | 1991-03-13 | 1992-09-17 | Bayer Ag | PALLADIUM-CONTAINING POLYMER COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF |
IT1264902B1 (en) * | 1993-06-29 | 1996-10-17 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | HYDROGEN-ABSORBENT COMPOSITION FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLES AND FIBER OPTIC CABLE INCLUDING THE ABOVE COMPOSITION |
FR2803045B1 (en) * | 1999-12-22 | 2002-10-11 | Cit Alcatel | OPTICAL FIBER AND FIBER OPTIC CABLE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE HYDROGEN-ABSORBING INTERMETALLIC ELEMENT |
FR2811242B1 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2003-02-14 | Seppic Sa | NOVEL HYDROGEN ABSORBING COMPOSITION FOR ITS PREPARATION AND USE AS A FILLING COMPOSITION FOR FIBER OPTIC CABLES |
US20040109652A1 (en) * | 2002-12-04 | 2004-06-10 | Alcatel | Fiber optic cables with a hydrogen absorbing material |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2946027C2 (en) * | 1979-11-14 | 1982-05-06 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | Longitudinally watertight fiber optic cable and process for its manufacture |
ATE4046T1 (en) * | 1980-02-12 | 1983-07-15 | The Post Office | OPTICAL GLASS FIBER AND METHOD OF METAL COATING PLASTIC COATED GLASS FIBER. |
US4407561A (en) * | 1980-10-14 | 1983-10-04 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Metallic clad fiber optical waveguide |
US4418984A (en) * | 1980-11-03 | 1983-12-06 | Hughes Aircraft Company | Multiply coated metallic clad fiber optical waveguide |
GB2101798B (en) * | 1981-04-23 | 1985-03-27 | Bicc Plc | Electric cable |
GB2101392B (en) * | 1981-04-23 | 1984-11-14 | Bicc Plc | An electric and/or optical cable |
US4525702A (en) * | 1981-10-09 | 1985-06-25 | Tadao Kitagawa | Flexible tying member for theftproof device |
GB2114114A (en) * | 1982-01-25 | 1983-08-17 | Chloride Silent Power Ltd | Beta-alumina electrolyte material |
GB2114771B (en) * | 1982-02-15 | 1985-07-31 | Bicc Plc | Optical cable manufacture |
GB2122370B (en) * | 1982-05-28 | 1985-09-11 | Ass Elect Ind | Mineral insulated electric cable |
GB2105865B (en) * | 1982-07-09 | 1985-08-07 | Philips Nv | Optical communication cable having a light wave guide and a tensile secondary coating |
-
1983
- 1983-08-05 GB GB838321229A patent/GB8321229D0/en active Pending
-
1984
- 1984-08-03 GB GB08419847A patent/GB2144878A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1984-08-03 GB GB08419846A patent/GB2144559B/en not_active Expired
- 1984-08-03 GB GB08419848A patent/GB2144879B/en not_active Expired
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4717236A (en) * | 1984-05-18 | 1988-01-05 | Stc, Plc | Optical fiber cable having a hydrogen-absorbing zeolite |
GB2159978A (en) * | 1984-05-23 | 1985-12-11 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
US6658186B1 (en) | 1998-11-30 | 2003-12-02 | Abb Kraft As | Cable arrangement |
WO2005103437A1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2005-11-03 | Schlumberger Canada Limited | Optical fiber equipped tubing and methods of making and using |
EA010141B1 (en) * | 2004-04-23 | 2008-06-30 | Шлюмбергер Текнолоджи Б.В. | A tubing equipped with an optical fiber and methods of its making and using |
WO2008051945A2 (en) | 2006-10-24 | 2008-05-02 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Breathable downhole fiber optic cable and a method of restoring performance |
EP2076655A2 (en) * | 2006-10-24 | 2009-07-08 | AFL Telecommunications LLC | Breathable downhole fiber optic cable and a method of restoring performance |
EP2076655A4 (en) * | 2006-10-24 | 2010-09-01 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Breathable downhole fiber optic cable and a method of restoring performance |
US8213756B2 (en) | 2006-10-24 | 2012-07-03 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Breathable downhole fiber optic cable and a method of restoring performance |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2144559B (en) | 1987-07-01 |
GB2144878A (en) | 1985-03-13 |
GB8419847D0 (en) | 1984-09-05 |
GB8419846D0 (en) | 1984-09-05 |
GB8321229D0 (en) | 1983-09-07 |
GB2144559A (en) | 1985-03-06 |
GB8419848D0 (en) | 1984-09-05 |
GB2144879B (en) | 1986-02-26 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
GB2144879A (en) | Optical cables | |
US5169126A (en) | Method and apparatus for installing transmission lines | |
CA2053596A1 (en) | Lightweight optical fiber cable | |
US4183621A (en) | Water resistant high strength fibers | |
EP0445622B1 (en) | Method for laying optical fiber unit and apparatus therefor | |
US4948097A (en) | Method and apparatus for installing transmission lines | |
GB2082790A (en) | Optical fibre in grooved central member type cable and manufacture | |
CA2338517A1 (en) | Optical fiber cable for use in harsh environments | |
GB2353309A (en) | Composite hybrid riser | |
WO1988007693A1 (en) | Optical fibre installation | |
DE59306434D1 (en) | Method and device for producing an optical ribbon cable | |
EP0169751A3 (en) | Optical fiber with single ultraviolet cured coating | |
EP0472944A1 (en) | Method and apparatus for producing hermetic coated optical fiber | |
BG103682A (en) | Cable core and protection cable sheathing for cable system with armoured core | |
GB2157019A (en) | Manufacture of optical cable | |
GB2156858A (en) | Coating optical fibres with hydrogen-impermeable material | |
EP0163401A3 (en) | Cables | |
AU577574B2 (en) | Optical fibre cable with hydrogen scavenger | |
ES8301395A1 (en) | Tension limiting device and method for drawing cable through ducting | |
GB2109581A (en) | Colour coding optic fibres | |
GB2145840A (en) | Optical fibres | |
DE3361827D1 (en) | Tube accumulator for sz stranding | |
US5049415A (en) | Method for applying particulate matter to a cable core | |
JPS57124314A (en) | Optical fiber composite type overhead line | |
JPS5614207A (en) | Optical cable |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |