EP0092441A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fibre optic cables
Assignee: Raychem SA
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Filing: 1983-04-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An assembly (4) for terminating a fibre optic cable (2) that has the optical fibres (10) located in external channels (12) of a cable core member (8) has a plurality of polymeric sleeves (16) forfitting over the individual exposed optical fibres (10) to protect them up to the cut-back end of the cable (2). The sleeved fibres are provided as a snap fit into longitudinal channels (26) in the outer surface of a cylindrical support member (18) that is mounted on the end of the cable (2). A heat-recoverable polymeric sleeve (24) is recovered over the end of the cable (2) and the support member (18), and is provided with meltable inserts (20, 22), whereby the cable end is enviromentally sealed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Jacques Sibille
- 👤 Didier Jacques M.M.J. Watine
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4471; G02B6/4476; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4407
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An assembly suitable for terminating a fibre-optic cable having a plurality of optical fibres extending from an end thereof, the assembly comprising a plurality of polymeric sleeves for positioning around respective individual optical fibres, and a support member having a plurality of channels for receiving and locating sleeved portions of respective optical fibres within the channels, the support member being arranged for mounting at the end of the cable to support the sleeved optical fibres where they extend from the cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An assembly suitable for terminating a fibre-optic cable having a plurality of optical fibres extending from an end thereof, the assembly comprising a plurality of polymeric sleeves for positioning around respective individual optical fibres, and a support member having a plurality of channels for receiving and locating sleeved portions of respective optical fibres within the channels, the support member being arranged for mounting at the end of the cable to support the sleeved optical fibres where they extend from the cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the support member is so arranged that at least at the transition from the cable to the support member the optical fibres undergo substantially no change in direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the channels are open-sided.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein the channels form part of the outer surface of the support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly according to any preceding Claim, wherein the polymeric sleeves are arranged to be a snap fit in respective ones of the support member channels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member is arranged to be engaged with the end of the cable and to be secured thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the sleeves and the support member are made from compatible materials such that they can adhere together to prevent relative movement therebetween.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the polymeric sleeves are made from crosslinked polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising a further polymeric sleeve arranged so as to extend, in use, over at least the transition between the cable end and the support member environmentally to protect the end of the cable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly according to Claim 9, comprising sealing material for sealing the further polymeric sleeve to the cable and to the support member to provide said environmental protection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly according to Claim 10, wherein the sealing material is in the form of two rings arranged as inserts within the further polymeric sleeve, one of said rings being arranged to seal the further polymeric member to the cable and the other ring being arranged to seal the further polymeric sleeve to the support member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the further polymeric sleeve is heat-shrinkable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fibre optic cable having a plurality of optical fibres extending from an end thereof, terminated with an assembly according to any preceding claim.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
A terminated cable according to claim 13, wherein the cable comprises an outer protective sleeve that is stripped back to expose the optical fibres mounted on a carrier member of the cable, and wherein the polymeric sleeves are positioned around respective ones of the optical fibres so as to extend along the carrier member up to the stripped-back end of the outer protective sleeve.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of terminating a fibre optic cable having a plurality of optical fibres extending from an end thereof, the method comprising positioning a plurality of polymeric sleeves around respective ones of the optical fibres, mounting a support member at the end of the cable, the support member having a plurality of channels and being arranged such that the channels locate and receive sleeved portions of respective ones of the optical fibres and such that the sleeved optical fibres are supported where they extend from the cable.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of terminating a fibre optic cable having a plurality of optical fibres extending from an end thereof, the method comprising positioning a plurality of polymeric sleeves around respective ones of the optical fibres, mounting a support member at the end of the cable, the support member having a plurality of channels and being arranged such that the channels locate and receive sleeved portions of respective ones of the optical fibres and such that the sleeved optical fibres are supported where they extend from the cable.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
36 words
A method of terminating a fibre optic cable having a plurality of optical fibres extending from the end thereof, wherein the cable is terminated by an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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