GB2206976A - Optical fibre cable - Google Patents
Optical fibre cable Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2206976A GB2206976A GB08716362A GB8716362A GB2206976A GB 2206976 A GB2206976 A GB 2206976A GB 08716362 A GB08716362 A GB 08716362A GB 8716362 A GB8716362 A GB 8716362A GB 2206976 A GB2206976 A GB 2206976A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- optical fibre
- cable
- filler
- fibre
- tap
- 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
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 20
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000013536 elastomeric material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 241001071864 Lethrinus laticaudis Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000001939 inductive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
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
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/443—Protective covering
- G02B6/4431—Protective covering with provision in the protective covering, e.g. weak line, for gaining access to one or more fibres, e.g. for branching or tapping
-
- 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
- G02B6/4402—Optical cables with one single optical waveguide
-
- 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
- G02B6/4469—Security aspects
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
An optical fibre cable comprises a sheath 11 containing an optical fibre 13 supported in a filler material, e.g. an elastomeric filler, 14. The cable has a longitudinal split 15 at least in the filler, whereby the fibre 13 may be exposed thus allowing the insertion of one or more non-intrusive taps. <IMAGE>
Description
OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE
This invention relates to optical fibre cables and in particular to a cable construction whereby coupling of a tap to the cable is facilitated.
Fibre optic transmission systems are finding increasing use for the handling of large volumes of data and/or voice traffic. The capability of optical systems to handle large volumes of traffic is of particular value in applications such as the connection of a plurality of data terminals to a control computer or to the interconnection of plurality of active systems. The full potential of optical transmission systems in such.
applications has however not yet been exploited.
Conventional systems comprise a number of stations to which optical cables are connected. Such. systems cannot be expanded or modified without considerable recabling of the optical connections. In an attempt to overcome this disadvantage it has been suggested that, e.g. in an office environment, a system of permanent optical wiring may be provided so that terminal stations may be coupled at will to various points of this wiring system.
However, difficulties have been experienced in coupling the terminal stations to the optical fibres. Present couplers are both costly and involve intrusion into (i.e.
cutting and reconnection) the optical fibre system.
The object of the present invention is to minimise or to overcome this disadvantage.
Our copending application No. (M.M.
Ramsay - J. Lees 32-22) of even date describes and claims a non intrusive tap for coupling to an optical fibre cable, the tap having means for inducing locai microbending of the fibre whereby coupling between bound and radiating modes in the fibre is effected.
Sne present invention is concerned with a cable structure adapted to receive such a tap.
According to the invention there is provided an optical fibre cable, including an optical fibre supported within a body of filler material in a protective sheath, there being a longitudinal split at least in the filler whereby the optical fibre may be expose5 to allow application of a tap thereto.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is z cross-sectional view of an optical ire cable construction adapter to facilitate insertion of an optical tap;
and Figs. 2 an S are respectively cross-sectioned and longitudinal sectional views of the cable of Fig. 1 fitted with a tap.
Referring to Fig. 1, the cable comprises an outer sheath 11 in which a number of strength members 12 are disposed and within which an optical fibre 13 is supported with a filling 1 of an elastomer. The elastomer filling 14 has a longitudinal split 15 extending to the fibre 13 at the axis of the cable whereby, by cutting a selected portion of the sheath 11, the sheath and the elastomer filling 14 may be pushed apart to expose the fibre so as to allow the insertion of 2 tap 21 (Figs. 2 and 3) whereby a terminal station may be coupled to that region cf the cable. As the tap 21 is inserted in the cable the surfaces of the split elastomer guide the tap to the fibre 13. This makes insertion of the tap a relatively simple operation that can be performed by unskilled persons.Typically, the cable is of circular cross section with the fibre 13 disposed along the axis.
As can be seen from Figs. 2 and 3 the tap 21 comprises a mating pair of transparent plastics members 21a, 21b which together form an assembly of wedge shaped cross section, the apex of the wedge defining a cylindrical tubular cavity in which the fibre 13 is located in a self-aligning relationship with the tap 21.
The tap 21 couples to the fibre 13 by applying a stress thereto so as to induce microbending whereby coupling between bound and radiating modes is effected. This allows light to be radiated from the fibre and directed into a terminal station (not shown) via an output port 22 of the tap. The construction and operation of the tap are more fully described in our aforementioned copending application.
The cable of Fig. 1 may be manufactured by extruding the elastomeric filler 14 on to the fibre via an extruder the head of which is provided with a web whereby the longitudinal split is formed. The split is held open until the extruded material has cooled sufficiently to ensure that the split does not reseal.
The protective sheath 11 is then extruded over the assembly. The line along which the sheath may be cut to expose the split in the underlying elastomer may be indicated by a longitudinal groove or by a longitudinal strip 17 of plastics material, e.g. of a different colour from that of the sheath, applied to the sheath via a small 'piggy back' extruder. Access to the fibre 13 is provided by removal of an appropriate length of the strip 17 and cutting of the underlying sheath to expose the split. In an alternative embodiment the sheath 11 also has a longitudinal split in register with the split in the elastomer. The split in the sheath may be covered with an adhesive plastics strip, a length of which is removed to allow insertion of a tap.
The cable construction described herein may be used in a variety of applications but is of particular application in a 'wired office' environment. In such a system a network of cabling is provide, Terminal stations can be coupled at will to various points of the cable network simply by insertion of a tap into the cable. Other applications include local area telephone cable where the tap insertion facility is again of particular advantage.
Claims (7)
1. An optical fibre cable, including an optical fibre supported within a body of filler'material in a protective sheath, there being a longitudinal split at least in the filler whereby the optical fibre may be exposed to allow application of a tap thereto.
2. An optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibre is supported by an elastomeric filler within the sheath.
3. An optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a removable plastics strip is applied longitudinally to the sheath and in register with the split in the filler.
4. An optical fibre cable as claimed in claim lor 2, wnerein the sheath has a longitudinal cut in register with the split in the filler, said cut being sealed with an adhesive tap.
5. An optical fibre cable substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings
6. An optical transmissions system provided with one or more cables as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
Amendments to the claims
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows
7. An optical fibre cable, including an optical fibre supported within a body of elastomeric filler material contained within a protective outer sheath, the cable being of circular cross-section with the fibre disposed at the centre of the circle, wherein the elastomeric filler has a longitudal radial split whereby the elastomer may be displaced to expose the fibre to allow insertion of a tap, the split surfaces of the elastomeric material providing a guide for alignment of the tap with the fibre.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8716362A GB2206976B (en) | 1987-07-10 | 1987-07-10 | Optical fibre cable |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8716362A GB2206976B (en) | 1987-07-10 | 1987-07-10 | Optical fibre cable |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB8716362D0 GB8716362D0 (en) | 1987-08-19 |
GB2206976A true GB2206976A (en) | 1989-01-18 |
GB2206976B GB2206976B (en) | 1991-01-30 |
Family
ID=10620497
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB8716362A Expired - Fee Related GB2206976B (en) | 1987-07-10 | 1987-07-10 | Optical fibre cable |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2206976B (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2226270A (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1990-06-27 | Stc Plc | Moulding optical fibre cables |
EP0467757A1 (en) * | 1990-07-18 | 1992-01-22 | Comm/Scope, Inc. | Communication cable having a talk path in an enhanced cable jacket and method for its production |
GB2255836A (en) * | 1991-05-11 | 1992-11-18 | Northern Telecom Ltd | Fibre optic cable |
EP1556725A1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2005-07-27 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Peelable buffer layer having a preferential tear portion and methods of manufacturing the same |
EP2587292A1 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-01 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Buffered fibers with access features |
US9658422B2 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2017-05-23 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US9664872B2 (en) | 2011-10-13 | 2017-05-30 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features for access to a cable cavity |
US9703065B2 (en) | 2011-10-27 | 2017-07-11 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Cable having core, jacket and polymeric jacket access features located in the jacket |
US9720201B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2017-08-01 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US9720202B2 (en) | 2011-10-13 | 2017-08-01 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Methods of making and accessing cables having access features |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1448793A (en) * | 1974-05-31 | 1976-09-08 | Post Office | Optical cables |
GB2029043A (en) * | 1978-09-05 | 1980-03-12 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Overhead power cables |
GB2158963A (en) * | 1984-05-14 | 1985-11-20 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Manufacture of optical fibre cable |
GB2161614A (en) * | 1984-06-19 | 1986-01-15 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
-
1987
- 1987-07-10 GB GB8716362A patent/GB2206976B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1448793A (en) * | 1974-05-31 | 1976-09-08 | Post Office | Optical cables |
GB2029043A (en) * | 1978-09-05 | 1980-03-12 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Overhead power cables |
GB2158963A (en) * | 1984-05-14 | 1985-11-20 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Manufacture of optical fibre cable |
GB2161614A (en) * | 1984-06-19 | 1986-01-15 | Telephone Cables Ltd | Optical fibre cables |
Cited By (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2226270A (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1990-06-27 | Stc Plc | Moulding optical fibre cables |
US5007703A (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1991-04-16 | Stc Plc | Method of making optical fibre cables |
GB2226270B (en) * | 1988-12-22 | 1992-05-13 | Stc Plc | Optical fibre cables |
EP0467757A1 (en) * | 1990-07-18 | 1992-01-22 | Comm/Scope, Inc. | Communication cable having a talk path in an enhanced cable jacket and method for its production |
GB2255836A (en) * | 1991-05-11 | 1992-11-18 | Northern Telecom Ltd | Fibre optic cable |
GB2255836B (en) * | 1991-05-11 | 1995-11-08 | Northern Telecom Ltd | Fibre optic cable |
EP1556725A1 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2005-07-27 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Peelable buffer layer having a preferential tear portion and methods of manufacturing the same |
EP1556725A4 (en) * | 2002-10-31 | 2011-02-16 | Corning Cable Sys Llc | Peelable buffer layer having a preferential tear portion and methods of manufacturing the same |
US9658422B2 (en) | 2010-04-30 | 2017-05-23 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US9720201B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2017-08-01 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US10078195B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2018-09-18 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US10302891B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2019-05-28 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US10613288B2 (en) | 2010-10-28 | 2020-04-07 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features and methods of making fiber optic cables |
US9664872B2 (en) | 2011-10-13 | 2017-05-30 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Fiber optic cables with extruded access features for access to a cable cavity |
US9720202B2 (en) | 2011-10-13 | 2017-08-01 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Methods of making and accessing cables having access features |
US9703065B2 (en) | 2011-10-27 | 2017-07-11 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Cable having core, jacket and polymeric jacket access features located in the jacket |
US10228529B2 (en) | 2011-10-27 | 2019-03-12 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Cable having core, jacket and polymeric jacket access features located in the jacket |
US9176293B2 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2015-11-03 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Buffered fibers with access features |
EP2587292A1 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2013-05-01 | Corning Cable Systems LLC | Buffered fibers with access features |
US9778434B2 (en) | 2011-10-28 | 2017-10-03 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Buffered fibers with access features |
EP3413110A1 (en) * | 2011-10-28 | 2018-12-12 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Buffered fibers with access features |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2206976B (en) | 1991-01-30 |
GB8716362D0 (en) | 1987-08-19 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19930710 |