EP0017319A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical cable connector for sealed containers
Assignee: Plessey Co Ltd
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Filing: 1980-02-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A cable entry gland which will provide an effective seal at the end of a pressurized fibre optic cable so that the pressurization within the cable is not lost when the cable is removed from a repeater box consists of a housing sealed to the outer covering of the cable. The optical fibres extend through the housing and out through the end wall of the housing, suitable seals being provided between the optical fibres and the wall. A strain wire connects the cable to the end wall to prevent stresses passing to the fibres. It is possible to replace a broken fibre without dismantling the gland by drilling out the seal in the end wall, withdrawing the broken fibre, threading a new fibre through the gland and re-sealing the fibre to the wall.
Inventors
- 👤 John Francis Mead
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:15
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4428; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3887; G02B6/3888; G02B6/3889
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A connector for connecting a cable (18) containing one or more optical fibres (52) to a hollow member (42) the cable (18) and the hollow member (42) being sealed characterised in that a housing (10) is sealingly connected to the outer covering of the cable (18), the or each optical fibre (52) extending through the housing (10) and out through a wall (28) thereof, means (60, 100, 110, 112, 113, 114, 124) sealing the or each fibre (52) with the wall 28 whereby the cable (18) and the housing (10) are hermetically sealed, and strain means (48) connecting the cable (18) and the housing (10) is provided to prevent the or each optical fibre (52) from being subjected to stress and/or strain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A connector for connecting a cable (18) containing one or more optical fibres (52) to a hollow member (42) the cable (18) and the hollow member (42) being sealed characterised in that a housing (10) is sealingly connected to the outer covering of the cable (18), the or each optical fibre (52) extending through the housing (10) and out through a wall (28) thereof, means (60, 100, 110, 112, 113, 114, 124) sealing the or each fibre (52) with the wall 28 whereby the cable (18) and the housing (10) are hermetically sealed, and strain means (48) connecting the cable (18) and the housing (10) is provided to prevent the or each optical fibre (52) from being subjected to stress and/or strain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the housing (10) comprises an elongate cylindrical member (10) which is secured to the cable (18) at one end and isprovided with a diaphragm (28) at the other end through which the or each optical fibre (52) passes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the strain means (48) comprises a metallic filament (48) forming part of the cable (18) and being secured (22, 58) to the interior of the cylindrical member (18).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A connector as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 characterised in that further strain means (64) are provided between the ends of the or each optical fibre (52) outside the cylindrical member (10) and the diaphragm (28).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A connector as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that the further strain means comprises one or more tube members (64) surrounding the or each optical fibre (52) and secured to the diaphragm (28).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A connector as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the or each optical fibre (52) is removably mounted within the wall (28), guide means (50) being provided between the wall (28) and the cable (18) whereby the or each optical fibre (52) can be withdrawn and replaced without dismantling the housing (10).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A connector as claimed in claim 6 characterised in that the guide means (50) comprises one or more hollow tubes (50) sealingly connected to the wall (28) and extending to the cable (18).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the or each fibre (52) is sealed to the wall (28) by removable sealing means (60) whereby the or each fibre (52) can be removed through the wall (28).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the removable sealing means (60) comprises an epoxy resin (60) bonded to the inside surface of a hole formed in the wall (28) and bonded to the outer surface of a fibre (52) which passes through the hole.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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