WO1997026575A1 - Procede et appareil pour manipuler des câbles en fibres optiques legeres - Google Patents

Procede et appareil pour manipuler des câbles en fibres optiques legeres Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997026575A1
WO1997026575A1 PCT/GB1996/003131 GB9603131W WO9726575A1 WO 1997026575 A1 WO1997026575 A1 WO 1997026575A1 GB 9603131 W GB9603131 W GB 9603131W WO 9726575 A1 WO9726575 A1 WO 9726575A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cable
receptacle
pulling
length
conduit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1996/003131
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Philip Clayton
George Henry Platt Brown
Original Assignee
Mainetti Technology Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mainetti Technology Ltd. filed Critical Mainetti Technology Ltd.
Priority to AU11846/97A priority Critical patent/AU1184697A/en
Publication of WO1997026575A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997026575A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H54/00—Winding, coiling, or depositing filamentary material
    • B65H54/76—Depositing materials in cans or receptacles
    • B65H54/80—Apparatus in which the depositing device or the receptacle is rotated
    • 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
    • G02B6/46—Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables
    • G02B6/50—Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
    • H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
    • H02G1/08—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling light weight fibre optic cables and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for handling light weight fibre optic cables containing bundles of optical fibres.
  • Fibre optic cables are presently used a variety of signal transmission applications, such as the underground transmission of telephone or cable television signals.
  • the installation of such fibre optic cables involves introducing an end of the cable into a conduit such as an underground cable duct via a duct access chamber (e.g. a man hole) , and then pulling the end of the cable through the duct, for example by means of a wire, to the other end of the duct located in a second duct access chamber at a location remote from the first access chamber (for example 1km away) .
  • This process is then repeated for successive lengths of duct, successive lengths of cable being spliced together.
  • a technique is known in which a light weight fibre optic bundle is blown along a conduit by means of compressed air such that the length of fibre optic bundle to occupy a first length of conduit can be blown down the first length of conduit, as well as a further length to occupy one or more subsequent lengths of conduit.
  • the subsequent length of fibre optic bundle on exiting the first length of conduit is then recoiled into a receptacle in preparation for a subsequent blowing operation.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present invention therefore seek to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art .
  • a method of handling light weight fibre optic cable comprising pulling a length of said cable out of a first receptacle adjacent a first end of a conduit by means of a pulling device adjacent a second end of the conduit, and simultaneously coiling a length of the cable into a second receptacle adjacent the second end of the conduit, wherein each turn of the cable coil in the second receptacle is laterally displaced relatively to the preceding turn.
  • the pulling device pulls a length of cable out of the first receptacle, through a conduit such as an underground duct or the like while a length of cable is simultaneously coiled into the second receptacle in such a manner as to minimise tangling of the cable as it is subsequently withdrawn from the second receptacle, for instance during subsequent installation into a further underground duct.
  • the turns of each successive pair of turns of the cable coil in the second receptacle are displaced relative to each other by substantially the same amount .
  • This provides the advantage of enabling the coiling process to be automated in synchronisation with the operation of the pulling device in a simple manner.
  • each turn of the cable coil is substantially circular .
  • the method further comprises the step of laterally displacing the cable as it enters the second receptacle, and simultaneously rotating the second receptacle relative to the outlet of the pulling device.
  • This provides the advantage of enabling automatic coiling of the cable into the second receptacle to be achieved in a simple manner.
  • the method may further comprise the step of directing the cable as it enters the second receptacle in response to rotation of the second receptacle relative to the outlet of the pulling device.
  • the method preferably further comprises the step of controlling the pulling device in response to the tension in the cable.
  • a method of installing a light weight fibre optic cable into a conduit comprising pulling an end of the cable from a first end of a length of the conduit to a second end thereof, handling a length of the cable at a second end of the length of conduit according to a method as defined above, and pulling the end of the cable from a first end of a further length of the conduit to a second end thereof.
  • the cable can be drawn through the first length of conduit, a length of cable can be drawn out of the first length of conduit at the second end thereof, and coiled into the second receptacle in such a manner as to minimise tangling thereof.
  • the second receptacle By suitable construction of the second receptacle, access to the end of the cable can be obtained, in order to remove the cable from the second receptacle for subsequent installation thereof, for instance into a further length of conduit .
  • a single length of fibre optic cable can thus be installed in successive manageable lengths by pulling a length of the cable through a first length of conduit and coiling the cable into a receptacle, and repeating the pulling and recoiling process for subsequent installation of the cable, in successive lengths of conduit.
  • an apparatus for handling light weight fibre optic cable comprising a pulling device for pulling a length of cable therethrough; and a coiling device arranged adjacent to the pulling device for simultaneously coiling cable received from the pulling device into a receptacle supported in use by the coiling device, wherein each turn of the cable coil in the receptacle is displaced relative to the preceding turn.
  • apparatus can be provided at a single location which can pull a cable through a first conduit and then coil a further length of the cable into a receptacle in a single operation.
  • the provision of apparatus at a single location enables simplified synchronisation of the operation of the pulling coiling devices.
  • the pulling device may comprise an endless friction belt co-operating with a pulley, wherein the cable is driven in use between the belt and the pulley.
  • the pulling device further comprises tension sensor means for providing a sicfnal representing the tension in the cable during pulling thereof, and control means for controlling operation of the pulling device in response to said signal .
  • This provides the advantage of enabling operation of the pulling device to be controlled to prevent the tension in the cable from exceeding a level which would otherwise cause damage and / or breakage of the cable.
  • the coiling device comprises directing means arranged adjacent an outlet of the pulling device for controlling the direction of movement of the cable at the outlet, and drive means for rotating the receptacle in use relative to the directing means.
  • the apparatus preferably further comprises mechanical means interconnecting the guide means and drive means such that each turn of the cable coil is laterally displaced relative to the preceding turn.
  • the mechanical means may comprise a gear box.
  • the apparatus may further comprise electronic means interconnecting the drive means and guide means such that each turn of the cable coil is displaced relative to the preceding turn.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram (not to scale) of an arrangement for installing a fibre optic cable by a method embodying the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic elevational view of an apparatus embodying the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 2 without the fibre pan installed
  • Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the apparatus of Figure 2.
  • Figure 5 shows a detailed view of a fibre optic cable for use in the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 an arrangement is shown for installing a fibre optic cable 1 in an underground conduit 2 comprising successive lengths of cable duct 3 (typically 1km in length) interconnected by duct access chambers 4, 5 in the form of manholes.
  • the cable 1 is drawn from a first receptacle, known as a fibre pan 7, over a pulley 8, through the duct 3 between access chambers 4, 5, over a pulley 9 and is coiled by means of a combined pulling and coiling apparatus 10 into a second fibre pan 11 supported by the apparatus 10.
  • a suitable pulling means such as a wire (not shown) extending along the cable duct 3.
  • the end of the cable 1 is attached to the pulling means at the end of the duct 3 in access chamber 4, and is then pulled to the end of the duct 3 in access chamber 5, where the end of the cable 1 is mounted to the combined pulling and coiling apparatus 10.
  • the combined pulling and coiling apparatus 10 is then actuated such that the length of cable 1 which is to be installed beyond access chamber 5 (i.e. passing through portion 6 of the conduit and beyond) is pulled through the apparatus 10 and coiled into the fibre pan 11.
  • the fibre pan 11 By suitable construction of the fibre pan 11, after coiling of the cable 1, the fibre pan 11 can be turned over to allow access to the end of the cable 1, such that the process can be repeated at a subsequent duct access chamber (not shown) with a similar combined pulling and coiling apparatus 10 to that shown in Figure 1, and with the second fibre pan 11 taking over the role of the first fibre pan 7.
  • FIG 2 shows the combined pulling and coiling apparatus 10 shown in Figure 1.
  • the apparatus 10 comprises a puller unit 12 and a coiling unit 13 mounted to an extruded aluminium frame 14 having feet 15.
  • the puller unit 12 comprises a guide pulley 16 over which the cable 1 passes, a free wheeling pulley 17, around generally 90° of which the cable 1 passes, and a drive means comprising an idling pulley 18 over which the cable 1 passes, and which co- operates with an endless friction belt 19 passing around a timing pulley 20 driven by a 12 volt dc electric motor 21, an idling pulley 22 and a belt tensioning pulley 23.
  • the tension of the belt 19 is manually adjustable for inserting the cable 1.
  • the puller unit 12 also includes a tension sensor 24 arranged co-axially with the free wheeling pulley 17 and which provides an electrical signal representative of the tension in the cable 1 at the free wheeling pulley 17.
  • the electrical signal is passed to electrical control means 25 which in turn controls the electric motor 21 and timing pulley 20 to regulate the speed of operation of the puller unit 12. In this way, if the tension in the cable 1 exceeds a predetermined level, the speed of operation of the puller unit automatically slows down in a manner readily appreciated by persons skilled in the art to prevent the cable 1 from being damaged or broken.
  • the electrical control means 25 synchronises the operation of the puller unit 12 and coiling unit 13, as well as measuring the length of cable 1 passing through the puller unit 12 by means of an encoder (not shown) mounted on electric motor 21.
  • the cable 1 Downstream of the friction belt 19, the cable 1 passes through a guide tube 26 having a removable cover for allowing access thereto to enable fibres of the cable 1 to be changed during the coiling process. Thereafter, the cable 1 passes through a guide 27 mounted to the frame 14 by means of a pivot 28 such that movement of the guide 27 about pivot 28 adjusts the direction of cable 1 exiting the guide 27.
  • the guide 27 also has a removable cover for inserting or demounting of cables midway through the coiling operation.
  • the coiling unit 13 has a rotatable platform 29 having three locating blocks 30 for receiving the fibre pan 11.
  • the fibre pan has an annular channel 31 of width x and having inner diameter approximately 33cm and outer diameter approximately 50cm for receiving the cable 1 and disposed directly below the guide 27 such that pivoting of the guide 27 about pivot 28 adjusts the direction of the cable across the entire width x of the annular channel 31.
  • the rotatable platform 29 is mounted to a vertical shaft 32 which forms part of a gear box 33, the gear box 33 also having a horizontal output shaft 34 to which a crank wheel 35 is mounted.
  • the gear box 33 is covered by a sheet metal box 37.
  • a cable 36 is mounted to the radially outermost part of the crank wheel 35 and is supported by a block 38 adjacent its other end mounted to the frame 14.
  • the end of the cable 36 remote from the crank wheel 35 is mounted via a coupling arm 39 to the guide 27 such that rotation of the crank wheel 35 through 360° causes a single oscillation of the guide 27 about pivot 28 such that the direction of the cable exiting the guide 27 scans the entire width x of annular channel 31.
  • the gear box 33 is driven by a 12 volt dc motor 40 having a helical gear in mesh with the gear on the vertical shaft 32 of the gear box, the ratio of the helical gear and gear on the vertical shaft 32 being 1 : 1.
  • the gear box 33 has two helical gears, one on the vertical shaft 32 and one on the horizontal shaft 34, the ratio of the gears being 1 : 1.02.
  • the coiling unit 13 rotates the fibre pan 11 as the cable 1 is fed into the fibre pan 11.
  • synchronisation of the movement of the guide 27 with that of the coiling unit 13 via vertical shaft 32, gear box 33, horizontal shaft 34, crank wheel 35 and cable 36 is such that as the fibre pan 11 rotates through 360°, a single loop of the cable coil is laid into annular channel 31.
  • a single loop of the cable coil has diameter of approximately 41.5cm.
  • the starting point of the subsequent turn of the cable coil is circumferentially off set by approximately 0.1° (which corresponds roughly to 20mm) relative to the preceding turn.
  • the turns of the cable coil are progressively offset with respect to respective preceding turns, which minimises twisting of the fibres and tangling of the cable 1 as the cable 1 is subsequently removed from the fibre pan 11. This also ensures that the risk of tangling is minimised when the cable coil in the fibre pan 11 is turned upside down in a manner known to persons skilled in the art to provide access to the leading end of the cable 1.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé pour manipuler des câbles en fibres optiques légères (1), consistant à tirer une longueur du câble (1) depuis un premier récipient adjacent à une première extrémité d'un conduit à l'aide d'une unité de traction (12) adjacente à une deuxième extrémité d'un conduit. Ce procédé consiste simultanément à lover une longueur du câble (1) dans un bac à fibres (11) adjacent à la deuxième extrémité du conduit, de sorte que chaque spire de la couronne de câble dans ledit bac présente un décalage latéral par rapport à la spire précédente.
PCT/GB1996/003131 1996-01-16 1996-12-18 Procede et appareil pour manipuler des câbles en fibres optiques legeres WO1997026575A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU11846/97A AU1184697A (en) 1996-01-16 1996-12-18 Method and apparatus for handling light weight fibre optic cables

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9600721.6 1996-01-16
GBGB9600721.6A GB9600721D0 (en) 1996-01-16 1996-01-16 Method and apparatus for handling light weight fibre optic cables

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997026575A1 true WO1997026575A1 (fr) 1997-07-24

Family

ID=10787021

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1996/003131 WO1997026575A1 (fr) 1996-01-16 1996-12-18 Procede et appareil pour manipuler des câbles en fibres optiques legeres

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1184697A (fr)
GB (1) GB9600721D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997026575A1 (fr)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1581707A (fr) * 1968-07-19 1969-09-19
US4576362A (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-03-18 Langston Ralph C Method for pulling long runs of fiber optic cable
GB2182360A (en) * 1985-11-04 1987-05-13 Itt Winding optical fibres
WO1988010230A1 (fr) * 1987-06-22 1988-12-29 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Enroulement de fibres
FR2702099A1 (fr) * 1993-02-23 1994-09-02 Pecot Alain Dispositif pour la traction et l'enroulement d'un câble, notamment pour télécommunications.

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1581707A (fr) * 1968-07-19 1969-09-19
US4576362A (en) * 1984-09-07 1986-03-18 Langston Ralph C Method for pulling long runs of fiber optic cable
GB2182360A (en) * 1985-11-04 1987-05-13 Itt Winding optical fibres
WO1988010230A1 (fr) * 1987-06-22 1988-12-29 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Enroulement de fibres
FR2702099A1 (fr) * 1993-02-23 1994-09-02 Pecot Alain Dispositif pour la traction et l'enroulement d'un câble, notamment pour télécommunications.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU1184697A (en) 1997-08-11
GB9600721D0 (en) 1996-03-13

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