JP2014209166A - Optical composite power cable, and connection box for optical composite power cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical connection box which has sufficient capacity applicable also to an optical cable having a large number of coated optical fibers, and can keep flexibility of an optical composite power cable, and to provide an optical composite power cable provided with the same.SOLUTION: A storage unit 29b is arranged in a part of a space in the outer peripheral side of a power cable of an optical composite power cable. The storage unit 29b stores a connection unit of an optical cable 5 and the like therein. The storage unit 29b includes a main body portion 51 and a lid portion 53. The main body portion 51 and the lid portion 53 include a moisture-impermeable material such as metal. The lid portion 53 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body portion 51. The plurality of storage units 29b are connected by a connecting unit 43. The connecting unit 43 is, for instance, an interlocking pipe. The optical cable 5 passes through each of ends of the storage unit 29b arranged in both ends thereof, and is introduced into the storage unit 29b.

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical composite power cable having sufficient space for accommodating an optical fiber connecting portion and excellent in flexibility.

  For submarine cables, optical composite power cables are increasingly used. By using the optical composite power cable, a communication line can be secured simultaneously with the construction of the power transmission line, and the installation cost of the optical cable can be reduced. In the optical composite power cable, for example, the optical cable is arranged in a space formed at the shoulder of a twisted three-phase power cable for three-phase AC power transmission. In this way, by using the empty space between the power cables, the power cable and the optical cable can be combined without increasing the outer diameter of the entire cable.

  Each of the optical cable and the power cable has a limit in the length that can be manufactured. For this reason, in order to obtain a longer optical composite power cable, manufactured power cables or optical cables are connected and used. Further, when a failure occurs in the communication circuit after installing the optical composite power cable, it may be necessary to pull the optical composite power cable to the offshore work ship and reconnect the optical cable.

  Such a connection portion of the optical cable is accommodated in a connection box arranged in an empty space between the power cables as described above (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2004-134288 A US 2012 / 0033928A1

  However, it is difficult for the optical cable connection box of Patent Document 1 to accommodate optical functional parts such as an optical amplifier.

  On the other hand, the junction box of Patent Document 2 can accommodate an optical amplifier and an optical amplifier together with a connection portion. However, when the number of optical fiber cores is large, it is necessary to increase the total length of this connection box. When the length of the connection box is increased in this way, the flexibility of the composite power cable is deteriorated due to the rigidity of the connection box. That is, since the junction box is rigid, it becomes more difficult to follow the bending and twisting of the optical composite power cable as the junction box becomes longer.

  Further, in order to ensure the rigidity and water shielding properties of the junction box, metal is usually used as the material of the junction box. However, if the metal connection box is repeatedly bent, the connection box may be damaged due to deformation or metal fatigue. If the junction box is damaged in this manner, the water shielding property may be lost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and has sufficient capacity to be applied to an optical cable having a large number of optical fiber cores, and can maintain the flexibility of an optical composite power cable. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connection box and an optical composite power cable provided with the same.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the first invention is an optical composite power cable in which an optical cable is combined with a power cable, and a connection portion of an optical fiber constituting the optical cable is accommodated in a connection box. The box is an optical composite power cable in which a plurality of housing portions are connected in the longitudinal direction of the optical composite power cable by a flexible connecting portion.

  Thus, since a some accommodating part is connected by the connection part in the longitudinal direction of an optical composite power cable, the followability to the bending and the twist of the optical composite power cable of a connection box can be improved. In addition, since a plurality of accommodating portions are connected, a sufficient accommodating space as a whole can be ensured. For this reason, even when there are many optical fiber core wires, it is possible to accommodate the connection part of all the optical fibers.

  An optical functional component may be accommodated in at least one of the plurality of accommodating portions.

  As described above, in the present invention, a sufficient accommodation space can be ensured by connecting a plurality of accommodation units, so that an optical functional component such as an optical amplifier can also be accommodated. Therefore, even when a functional module such as an optical amplifier is required, it can be dealt with.

  The plurality of optical fibers are preferably classified into a plurality of optical fiber groups by a plurality of tubes or slots, and a connection portion for each of the optical fiber groups is desirably distinguished and accommodated in the plurality of accommodating portions.

  By doing in this way, the connection part of the optical fiber accommodated in each accommodating part can be distinguished easily. Therefore, when repairing the connecting portion, it is easy to grasp which optical fiber is accommodated in which accommodating portion, so that workability is good.

  2nd invention is a connection box for accommodating the connection part of the optical fiber which comprises the optical cable used for the optical composite power cable by which an optical cable is combined with a power cable, Comprising: The accommodating part which has space inside And a connecting portion that has flexibility and connects the housing portions, and the cross section of the housing portion corresponds to a gap on the outer peripheral side formed by combining two or more phases of power cables. It is the junction box for optical composite power cables characterized by having a substantially fan shape.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if there are many optical fiber core wires, it has sufficient storage capacity, and the connection box which can maintain the flexibility of an optical composite power cable, and optical composite power provided with the same Cables etc. can be provided.

Sectional drawing which shows the optical composite power cable 1. FIG. The exploded perspective view which shows the accommodating part 29. FIG. The conceptual diagram which shows the connection part vicinity of optical cables 5. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the accommodating part 29, (a) is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 3, (b) is sectional drawing on the BB line of FIG. 3, (c) is sectional drawing on the CC line of FIG. . Sectional drawing which shows the optical composite power cable 1a. Sectional drawing which shows the optical composite electric power cable 1b. The figure which shows the state which connected the accommodating part 29b. The figure which shows the other state which connected the accommodating part 29b. The figure which shows the state which put the accommodated accommodating part 29b along the disk 65. FIG.

<Embodiment 1>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The optical composite power cable 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a power box 3, an optical cable 5, a presser tape 21, a floor tape 23, an armor 25, an outer jacket 27, a housing portion 29, and a connecting portion 50. (FIG. 3) etc.

  The power cable 3 is provided with a conductor 7, an inner semiconductive layer 9, an insulating layer 11, an outer semiconductive layer 13, a shield layer 15, and a floor tape 17 from the center. The three power cables 3 are twisted together, and a presser tape 21 and a floor tape 23 are wound around the three power cables 3 so as to cover the entire three cables. An armor 25 is provided on the outer periphery of the floor tape 23, and a jacket 27 is provided on the outermost periphery.

  The optical cable 5 is disposed in the space between the external valleys of the power cable 3 in which the optical composite power cable 1 is twisted. In addition, a housing portion 29 is disposed at the approximate center of the power cable 3 in which the optical composite power cable 1 is twisted. The accommodating portion 29 accommodates a connection portion of the optical cable 5 and an optical amplifier. The accommodating portion 29 has a cross-sectional shape that branches substantially equally in three directions so as to be disposed in the respective gaps of the three-phase power cable 3. That is, the cross section is formed in a substantially Y shape. In the space formed by the twisted power cable 3 excluding the accommodating portion 29, the interposition 19 is provided so as to fill the space.

  The cross-sectional structure of the optical composite power cable 1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. If the accommodating part 29 is provided in the approximate center of the power cable 3, the configuration, shape, arrangement, quantity, and the like of each part are not limited to the illustrated example, and can be appropriately designed. For example, the power cable 3 only needs to have two or more phases, and the shape of the housing portion 29 is appropriately set according to the number of the power cables 3.

  Next, the detail of the accommodating part 29 is demonstrated. The accommodating portion 29 shown in FIG. 2 includes a main body 31 and a lid 33. The main body 31 is provided with a hole 35a for introducing and leading out an optical fiber on one end face, and a hole 35b for connecting the accommodating portions 29 to each other on the other end face. The hole 35a is arranged on the front end side of the branching shape. Moreover, the hole 35b is provided in the branch-shaped base side (substantially center of the accommodating part 29). The positions of the holes 35a and 35b will be described later.

  The lid 33 can be attached to and detached from the main body 31. The lid 33 is mounted from three directions of the main body 31. The lid 33 has a shape corresponding to the branching shape of the main body 31. That is, the lid 33 has a substantially V shape. By attaching the lid 33 to the frame-shaped main body 31, a closed space can be formed inside.

  Next, the usage method of the accommodating part 29 is demonstrated. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the vicinity of the connecting portion between the optical cables 5. The optical cable 5 includes a tension member 41 and a plurality of optical fibers. Although a detailed description of the cross-sectional configuration of the optical cable 5 is omitted, a conventionally used slot type or loose tube type optical cable can be used.

  In the example of FIG. 3, an example in which the optical fiber 37 a is introduced into the housing portion 29 is shown. A part of the optical fiber 37 a of the optical cable 5 is introduced into the accommodating portion 29, and a connecting portion between the optical fibers 37 a and an optical amplifier are disposed inside the accommodating portion 29. In this case, the other optical fiber 37b is disposed on the outer periphery (FIG. 1) of the power cable 3 together with the tension member 41.

  A plurality of the accommodating portions 29 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the optical cable 5 (optical composite power cable 1). Out of the plurality of connected accommodating portions 29, the accommodating portions 29 at both ends are provided with optical fiber introducing / extracting portions 45. The optical fiber 37 a is introduced into the accommodating portion 29 from the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 of the accommodating portion 29. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the accommodating portion 29 taken along line AA in FIG. In FIG. 4, illustration of an optical fiber and the like inside the housing portion 29 is omitted. The optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 is a portion corresponding to the hole 35a, and is formed, for example, by joining a protective tube or the like to the hole 35a.

  The optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 is provided in the vicinity of the branched end portion of the accommodating portion 29. Therefore, the optical fiber introduction / extraction part 45 is disposed at a position close to the valley portion formed on the outer peripheral side of the power cable 3. For this reason, the positions of the optical cable 5 and the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 are close, and the optical fiber 37a can be easily introduced into the accommodating portion 29.

  The accommodating portions 29 are connected to each other through the connecting portion 43 at the hole 35b. That is, the connecting portion 43 is provided in the facing portion between the accommodating portions 29. In the example of FIG. 3, since the three accommodating parts 29 are connected, the accommodating part 29 provided with two holes 35b is arranged in the middle. Note that the number of connections of the accommodating portions 29 is appropriately designed according to the configuration accommodated inside.

  The connecting portion 43 is a flexible tube body that can be twisted, and for example, an interlock tube can be used. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the accommodating portion 29 taken along line BB in FIG. The connecting portion 43 is a portion corresponding to the hole 35b, and is formed by joining a tubular body to the hole 35b. The connecting portion 43 is provided in the vicinity of the branch-shaped base of the storage portion 29 (the center of the storage portion 29). Accordingly, the connecting portion 43 is disposed at the approximate center of the optical composite power cable 1. For this reason, the connection part 43 is excellent in the followability to the flexibility of the optical composite power cable 1.

  An optical fiber 37a is passed through the connecting portion 43. In other words, the optical fiber 37 a and the like are introduced between the adjacent accommodating portions 29 via the connecting portion 43. As described above, since the optical fiber 37a and the like are accommodated in the connecting portion 43 at the substantially center of the accommodating portion 29, it is easy to route the optical fiber 37a and the like between the accommodating portions 29.

  Inside the plurality of accommodating portions 29, a connecting portion (such as a connection cassette) between the optical fibers 37a, an optical amplifier, and the like are accommodated. For example, the optical fiber 37 a that has been optically amplified by the optical amplifier is led out from the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 of the accommodating portion 29 at the end, and merges with the optical cable 5.

  FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the accommodating portion 29 taken along line CC in FIG. As described above, the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 is provided in the vicinity of the branched end portion of the accommodating portion 29. Therefore, the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 is disposed on the side close to the valley portion on the outer peripheral portion side of the power cable 3. For this reason, the positions of the optical cable 5 and the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 are close, and the optical fiber 37a can be easily joined to the optical cable 5.

  Here, the optical composite power cable 1 has flexibility. Therefore, the accommodating portion 29 is formed with a length that does not adversely affect the flexibility of the optical composite power cable 1. Further, the plurality of accommodating portions 29 are connected by a connecting portion 43 having flexibility. Therefore, the entire accommodating portion 29 formed in this way follows the flexibility of the optical composite power cable 1 and can be deformed in the bending direction and the twisting direction.

  Moreover, what is necessary is just to arrange | position the accommodating part 29 previously connected between the power cables 3 with the optical composite power cable 1 simultaneously with the process of twisting the power cables 3, for example. By doing in this way, the accommodating part 29 can be arrange | positioned, without increasing a process with respect to a normal manufacturing process.

  As mentioned above, according to this Embodiment, the accommodating part 29 is arrange | positioned in the approximate center of the three-phase electric power cable 3. FIG. For this reason, even when the outer diameter of the power cable 3 is small, a sufficient space can be secured. In particular, since the accommodating portion 29 has a three-way branching shape, the accommodation efficiency between the three-phase power cables 3 is high. Moreover, since the connection box 50 which connected the some accommodating part 29 with the connection part 43 which has flexibility is used, it can also follow the flexibility of the optical composite power cable 1, and ensure sufficient space. Can do.

  In addition, when the plurality of accommodating portions 29 are connected, the optical fiber introducing / extracting portions 45 are provided in the accommodating portions 29 at both ends. Since the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 is provided in the vicinity of the branched end portion, the introduction and extraction of the optical fiber 37a from the optical cable 5 is good. Moreover, since the connection parts 43 are arrange | positioned in the center of the accommodating part 29, they are excellent also in flexibility, the followability with respect to the bending | flexion of an optical composite power cable is good, and the optical fiber 37a between the accommodating parts 29, etc. It is easy to handle.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those of the optical composite power cable 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. The optical composite power cable 1a shown in FIG. 5 has substantially the same configuration as that of the optical composite power cable 1, but is different in that a housing portion 29a is used.

  The accommodating portion 29a has substantially the same configuration as the accommodating portion 29, but has a different cross-sectional shape. The accommodating portion 29a has a bifurcated shape. That is, it has a substantially V-shape without one branch of the accommodating portion 29. In this case, branching portions are arranged at two locations in three gaps between the three-phase power cables 3. Accordingly, the branch-shaped base is arranged at the approximate center of the optical composite power cable 1 a in the same manner as the accommodating portion 29.

  Also in the case where the accommodating portion 29a is used, the optical fiber introducing / extracting portion 45 (FIG. 4) is disposed on the branched tip end side, and the connecting portion 43 (FIG. 4) is disposed on the branched base portion. Moreover, although the accommodating part 29a is also comprised from a main body and a lid | cover, the lid | cover 33 of the accommodating part 29 can also be used as it is. Therefore, the accommodating portions 29 and 29a may be properly used according to the necessary accommodating space.

  According to the second embodiment, an effect similar to that of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, the number of branching shapes of the accommodating portions in a plurality of directions is not particularly limited as long as it can be arranged at substantially the center of the optical composite power cable. In addition, if the necessary and sufficient space (cross-sectional area) can be secured as in the housing portion 29a, the outer diameter of the optical composite power cable 1a can be reduced by the amount of branching.

  In addition, the shape of the accommodating parts 29 and 29a does not necessarily need to be a branched shape. As long as the power cable 3 can be arranged at substantially the center, the shape may be another shape.

<Embodiment 3>
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The optical composite power cable 1b shown in FIG. 6 has substantially the same configuration as the optical composite power cable 1, but the accommodating portion 29b of the connection box 50 is different.

  An accommodation portion 29b is arranged in a part of the space D (the space D formed between the presser tape 21 and the twisted power cable 3) on the outer peripheral side of the power cable 3 of the optical composite power cable 1. . A connecting portion of the optical cable 5 and the like are accommodated in the accommodating portion 29b. The accommodating portion 29b has a substantially triangular (substantially fan-shaped) cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the space D, and is formed to have a size that does not increase the outer diameter of the optical composite power cable 1.

  Next, the detail of the accommodating part 29b is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 7, the housing portion 29 b includes a main body portion 51 and a lid portion 53. The main body 51 and the lid 53 are made of a material that does not transmit moisture, such as metal. When the main body 51 and the lid 53 are made of resin or the like, it is desirable to cover the outer periphery of the main body 51 and the lid 53 with a metal material such as lead.

  The lid 53 can be opened and closed with respect to the main body 51. In addition, when the accommodating part 29b is arrange | positioned inside the optical composite power cable 1, the cover part 53 is arrange | positioned so that it may face the outer peripheral side of the optical composite power cable 1, and the main-body part 51 is the center of the optical composite power cable 1. Placed on the side.

  Here, since the optical composite power cable 1 has flexibility, when the optical composite power cable 1 is bent, the housing portion 29b needs to be strong enough not to be damaged by this deformation. . The accommodating portion 29b has a length that does not impair the flexibility of the optical composite power cable 1. A plurality of the accommodating portions 29b designed in this way are connected by a flexible connecting portion 43 such as an interlock pipe.

  The optical cables 5 penetrate through the ends of the accommodating portions 29b arranged at both ends, respectively, and the optical cables 5 are introduced into the accommodating portions 29b. In the penetrating portion of the optical cable 5 of the main body 51, the main body 51 and the lead sheath of the optical cable 5 are joined by, for example, welding or lead work. The accommodating portion 29b is configured to ensure water shielding by closing the lid portion 53.

  The optical cable 5 includes a plurality of optical fiber groups 55 and tension members 59 inside. The optical fiber group 55 includes a plurality of optical fibers. For example, if the optical cable 5 is a slot type, the optical fiber group 55 is a set of optical fibers accommodated in each slot, or if the optical cable 5 is a loose tube type optical cable, it is inserted into each tube, for example. A collection of optical fibers.

  Each accommodating portion 29b accommodates a connection portion and an extra length portion of the optical fiber 39. The optical fibers 39 are connected using a fusion sleeve 57 or the like. At this time, a guide portion is appropriately formed in the accommodating portion 29b, and the extra length optical fiber 39 is accommodated in a state of being maintained at a predetermined bending radius or more.

  Here, it is desirable that the connection portion and the extra length portion of the optical fiber 39 for each of the optical fiber groups 55 are accommodated in the respective accommodation portions 29b. For example, when using the optical cable 5 composed of the three optical fiber groups 55 of eight cores with respect to the 24-fiber optical cable 5, the eight optical fibers of each optical fiber group 55 are provided in each of the three accommodating portions 29b. The connecting portion of the fiber 39 is accommodated. In this way, the optical fiber 39 can be easily distinguished.

  In addition, what is accommodated in the accommodating part 29b is not restricted only to the connection part and extra length part of the optical fiber 39. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which another configuration is accommodated in the accommodating portion 29b.

  For example, the tension member connecting portion 61 can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 29b. As described above, the optical cable 5 includes the tension member 59 together with the optical fiber 39 (optical fiber group 55). For this reason, when connecting the optical cable 5, it is necessary to connect the tension members 59 to each other. Such a tension member connecting portion 61 can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 29b.

  Further, for example, an optical functional component such as the optical amplifier 63 can be accommodated in the accommodating portion 29b. Since the optical composite power cable 1 may be laid over a long distance, the intensity of light transmitted to the optical cable 5 may be reduced. Therefore, light can be amplified by arranging optical amplifiers 63 using erbium-doped fibers or the like at predetermined intervals.

  FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the connection box 50 configured by connecting the accommodating portions 29b is bent along the disk 65. As shown in FIG. For example, by setting the length of one accommodating portion 29b to 350 mm and connecting with a flexible connecting portion 43 having a length of 500 mm, damage to the accommodating portion 29b, such as cracks, even with a disk 65 having a radius of 1 m. It is possible to bend without generating. That is, when the optical composite power cable 1b is laid, even if it is bent with a radius of 1 m, the internal accommodating portion 29b is not damaged, and waterproofness can be maintained.

  The connecting portion 43 is a tube that can be twisted as well as bent. For this reason, when laying the optical composite power cable 1b, the performance against twisting can be improved. For this reason, the special protection with respect to twist is unnecessary with respect to the site | part in which the accommodating part 29b is arrange | positioned.

  As mentioned above, according to this Embodiment, since the shape of the accommodating part 29b respond | corresponds to the space D formed by twisting the power cable 3, it accommodates, without enlarging the outer diameter of the optical composite power cable 1. The part 29 b can be accommodated in the optical composite power cable 1.

  Moreover, since the some accommodating part 29b is connected by the connection part 43 which has flexibility, sufficient accommodation space can be ensured, maintaining the flexibility as a whole. For this reason, modules, such as the tension member connection part 61 and the optical amplifier 63, can be accommodated. Moreover, the connection part for every optical fiber group 55 can be accommodated in the separate accommodating part 29b. Thus, by distinguishing the configuration to be accommodated for each of the plurality of accommodating portions 29b, it is easy to visually recognize each member and the connecting portion, and the workability is excellent.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, the technical scope of this invention is not influenced by embodiment mentioned above. It is obvious for those skilled in the art that various modifications or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It is understood that it belongs.

  For example, the cross-sectional structure of the optical composite power cable 1 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. If the accommodating portion 29b having a shape corresponding to the space shape is provided in the space formed by the power cable 3, the configuration, shape, arrangement, quantity, and the like of each portion are not limited to the illustrated example, and can be appropriately designed. it can. If the power cable 3 has two or more phases, the number of phases is not particularly limited. By making the shape of the housing portion a shape corresponding to a space formed by two or more phases of power cables, the housing portion can be arranged without increasing the outer diameter of the optical composite power cable 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a, 1b .... Optical composite power cable 3 ... Electric power cable 5 ... Optical cable 7 ... Conductor 9 ... Internal semiconductive layer 11 ... Insulating layer 13 ... External semiconductive layer 15 ......... Shielding layer 17 ......... Floor tape 19 ......... Intervention 21 ......... Presser tape 23 ......... Floor tape 25 ......... Armor 27 ......... Coats 29, 29a, 29b ... ... Housing 31 ......... Main body 33 ......... Lids 35a, 35b ......... Openings 37a, 37b ......... Optical fiber 41 ......... Tension member 43 ......... Connecting part 45 ......... Optical fiber introduction / extraction part 50 ......... Connection box 51 ......... Main body 53 ......... Cover 55 ......... Fiber group 57 ......... Fusion sleeve 59 ......... Tension member 61 ......... Tension member connection 63 ......... Light Amplifier 65 ......... Disc

Claims (4)

An optical cable is combined with a power cable, and an optical composite power cable in which a connection portion of an optical fiber constituting the optical cable is accommodated in a connection box,
In the connection box, a plurality of accommodating portions are connected in the longitudinal direction of the optical composite power cable by a flexible connecting portion.   The optical composite power cable according to claim 1, wherein an optical functional component is accommodated in at least one of the plurality of accommodating portions. The plurality of optical fibers are distinguished into a plurality of optical fiber groups by a plurality of tubes or slots,
3. The optical composite power cable according to claim 1, wherein a connection portion for each of the optical fiber groups is accommodated in a plurality of the accommodating portions. It is used in an optical composite power cable in which an optical cable is combined with a power cable, and is a connection box for accommodating a connection portion of an optical fiber constituting the optical cable,
An accommodating portion having a space inside;
A connecting portion having flexibility and connecting the plurality of accommodating portions;
Comprising
A junction box for an optical composite power cable, wherein the housing section has a substantially fan shape corresponding to a gap on the outer peripheral side formed by twisting two or more phases of power cables.

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