EP0032761A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method of producing an optical communication element and a device for carrying out the method
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
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Filing: 1981-01-12
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-01-12
Abstract
Abstract An optical communication element assembled from an optical fibre bonded in a state of axial compressive stress to a metal tape. The tape may be folded-up into a tube and sealed by soldering. Such elements are strong and not sensitive to stress corrosion. Such an optical communication element may be produced by passing a metal tape and an optical fibre in contact around a drum with the optical fibre on the outside. An adhesive, which solidifies or cures during the passage around the drum is applied to the metal tape. The method is further explained by reference to Fig. 3.
Inventors
- 👤 Adrianus Jacobus Jozef Franken
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:11
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4403; G02B6/441; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1007; Y10T156/1008; Y10T156/1013; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
An optical communication element for incorporation in an optical telecommunication cable, the element comprising at least one optical fibre bonded to a metal tape by means of an adhesive, characterized in that the optical fibre is bonded to the metal tape in a state of axial compressive stress.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
An optical communication element for incorporation in an optical telecommunication cable, the element comprising at least one optical fibre bonded to a metal tape by means of an adhesive, characterized in that the optical fibre is bonded to the metal tape in a state of axial compressive stress.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical communication element as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the length of the fibre is reduced by at least 0,5 parts per thousand by the axial compressive stress.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical communication element as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the metal tape is folded-up into a tube and sealed by soldering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical communication element as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in thah the folded-up metal tape is filled by injecting a foam or a gel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical communication element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 inclusive, characterized in that the metal tape is made of an alloy which has approximately the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the optical fibre.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An optical communication element as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the optical fibre is made of a glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 9 to 11 x 10 -6 °C and is bonded to a metal tape made of a Fe-Cr-alloy having 17 to 19% by weight Cr.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical communication element as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the optical fibre is made of quartz glass bonded to a metal tape made of a Fe-Ni-alloy having 36% by weight of nickel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical communication element as claimed in any preceding Claims, characterized in that the optical fibre has been bonded to the metal tape with a melt adhesive.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of producing an optical communication element for incorporation in an optical telecommunication cable, the element comprising at least one optical fibre bonded to a metal tape by means of an adhesive, characterized in that the fibres are applied to the metal tape with an adhesive which has not yet been cured, the metal tape being thereafter passed around a drum, the surface of the metal tape onto which the optical fibre has been applied facing away from the drum and the adhesive being cured during its passage around the drum, the diameter of the drum, the thickness of the metal tape and the diameter of the optical fibre being chosen so that the path length of the metal tape is at least 0.5 parts per thousand shorter than the path length of the optical fibre.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of producing an optical communication element for incorporation in an optical telecommunication cable, the element comprising at least one optical fibre bonded to a metal tape by means of an adhesive, characterized in that the fibres are applied to the metal tape with an adhesive which has not yet been cured, the metal tape being thereafter passed around a drum, the surface of the metal tape onto which the optical fibre has been applied facing away from the drum and the adhesive being cured during its passage around the drum, the diameter of the drum, the thickness of the metal tape and the diameter of the optical fibre being chosen so that the path length of the metal tape is at least 0.5 parts per thousand shorter than the path length of the optical fibre.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in Claim 9, characterized in that a molten hot melt adhesive is applied onto the metal tape and the hot melt adhesive is cured on the drum by solidifying.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, characterized in that the drum does not rotate and is heated at the feeder side of the metal tape and is cooled at the discharge side of the metal tape.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 11 ; inclusive, characterized in that after bonding the optical fibre the metal tape is folded up to form a tube and is thereafter sealed by soldering.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that a foam or a gel is applied into the folded-up metal tape.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in anyone of Claims 9 to 13 inclusive, characterized in that a metal tape made of a Fe-Ni-alloy having 36% by weight of Ni and an optical fibre of quartz glass are used.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 13 inclusive, characterized in that a metal tape made of a Fe-Cr-alloy having 17 to 19% by weight Cr and an optical fibre made of a glass having a coefficient of thermal expansion of 9 to 11 x 10 -6 °C. are used.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
An arrangement for producing an optical communication element for incorporation in an optical telecommunication cable, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a first feeder element for a metal tape, a second feeder element for applying one or more optical fibres onto the tape and a drum around which the metal tape carrying the optical fibre can be slid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
An arrangement for producing an optical communication element for incorporation in an optical telecommunication cable, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a first feeder element for a metal tape, a second feeder element for applying one or more optical fibres onto the tape and a drum around which the metal tape carrying the optical fibre can be slid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
An arrangement as claimed in Claim 16, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises elements for folding-up the metal tape into a tube and for sealing it by soldering.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An arrangement as claimed in Claim 16 or Claim 17, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises an element for applying a foam or a gel into the folded-up tape.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical telecommunication cable comprising one or more optical communication elements as claimed in any one of the Claims 1 to 8 inclusive.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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