EP0137720A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Technique for repairing and joining small diameter optical fiber cables
Assignee: Olin Corp
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Filing: 1984-09-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-09-06
Abstract
Abstract A technique for repairing or joining lengths of ultra-fine, small diameter optical fiber cables is described. The technique comprises: positioning a hollow cylindrical ferrule (28) over one of two cable portions (10, 12); forming a splice joint between the optical fibers (14) to be joined together; forming a protective buffer layer (50) about the splice joint; sliding the ferrule over the protective buffer layer and into overlapping relationship with each cable portion; and bonding the ferrule to each cable portion. An apparatus for performing the repair or joining technique is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Winter
- 👤 Michael J. Pryor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:52
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/255; G02B6/2558; B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14549; B29C2045/14557
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of joining or repairing optical fibre cables of the kind comprising one or more optical fibres (14) positioned within a metallic tubular outer casing (16), which comprises exposing the ends (26) of the optical fibre or fibres to be joined, splicing the exposed ends together, and rejoining the opposite ends of the tubular casing, characterised in that the opposite ends of the tubular casing are rejoined by positioning a cylindrical metal ferrule (28) about the join between said fibre ends, said ferrule having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the tubular outer casing (16) and a length greater than the distance between the opposed ends of the outer casing, whereby said ferrule overlaps with the opposed ends of said outer casing (16), and thereafter bonding the ferrule at its opposite ends to the opposed ends of said tubular casing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of joining or repairing optical fibre cables of the kind comprising one or more optical fibres (14) positioned within a metallic tubular outer casing (16), which comprises exposing the ends (26) of the optical fibre or fibres to be joined, splicing the exposed ends together, and rejoining the opposite ends of the tubular casing, characterised in that the opposite ends of the tubular casing are rejoined by positioning a cylindrical metal ferrule (28) about the join between said fibre ends, said ferrule having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the tubular outer casing (16) and a length greater than the distance between the opposed ends of the outer casing, whereby said ferrule overlaps with the opposed ends of said outer casing (16), and thereafter bonding the ferrule at its opposite ends to the opposed ends of said tubular casing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the ferrule (28) is placed in position by sliding the ferrule (28) on to one of the exposed ends prior to the formation of said join, and retracting the ferrule over the casing of said one end during the formation of said joint, and thereafter sliding the ferrule axially into position surrounding the join and overlapping the tubular casing at both ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, before or after bonding of the ferrule (28) to the outer casing (16), the annular void surrounding the joined ends (26) of the optical fibre and extending between the opposed ends of said tubular casing (16) is filled with a buffer material (50).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the buffer material (50) is injected into said void before the positioning of the ferrule (28) around the join.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method according to claim 4, characterised in that following the formation of said join and before the positioning of the ferrule therearound, the joined ends (26) of the optical fibre are laid in a mould having a cylindrical mould cavity defined therein which receives said joint and defines therearound said annular void, which void is then filled by injecting said buffer material (50) into said mould cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 5, characterised in that said mould cavity has a diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the outer casing (16) of the optical fibre, whereby the annulus of buffer material (50) formed around said join has an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of said ferrule.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method according to claim 6 characterised in that said mould cavity is defined between two platens (34, 36) each having a semicircular groove (38) therein of a width substantially equal to the external diameter of said outer casing (16), and which platens may be brought together with the joined optical fibre cable seating in the groove therein, thereby to form an annular cavity surrounding said joined ends (26) and into which the buffer material (50) is then injected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 7, characterised in that one or other of said platens (34, 36) has a vent (48) therein for venting air or excess buffer material during the injection of said buffer material (50) into the mould cavity.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
30 words
A method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterised in that the ferrule (28) is bonded to the opposed ends of the tubular casing (16) by soldering or brazing.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
37 words
A method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterised in that the ferrule (28) has a wall thickness that is less than the wall thickness of said tubular casing (16), and is tapered at both ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A kit for the joining or repair of optical fibre cables by a method claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the kit comprises: means (58) for splicing together the exposed ends of the optical fibre; means (34, 36) for receiving the joined ends and defining therearound a cylindrical cavity having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the outer metallic casing (16) of the optical fibre cable; and means (42) permiting injection of a buffer material into said cavity around the joined ends of said optical fibre.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A kit according to claim 11, characterised in that the second said means comprise a pair of platens (34, 36) positionable about said optical fibre cable and each having a semicylindrical groove (38) formed therein of a width substantially equal to the external diameter of said casing (16), said grooves, when the platens are brought together forming a seating for the optical fibre cable and defining around said join an annular mould cavity having an internal diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the optical fibre casing (16).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
A kit according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that it additionally comprises a cylindrical metallic ferrule (28) having an internal diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the outer tubular casing (16) of the optical fibre cable to be joined, and means (56) for bonding the ferrule to the casing (16) after the positioning of the ferrule around the join.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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