US3740116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Strength members and structural components integrally containing fiber optic elements
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-08-27
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A bundle of fiber optic elements functions as the mechanical (usually tensile) load bearing member in telemetry applications calling for the transfer of data between two points. The superior data transfer capabilities of optical fibers, for example, elmiination of cross-talk between adjacent fibers and immunity from ambient electromagnetic interference, are realized by modifying load bearing structures to include the optical fibers. The substantial tensile load bearing capacity of narrow diameter, light weight glass fibers more than adequately supports considerable loads at a fraction of the weight and bulk of a conventional cable. After an electro-optical conversion has been made at one end of the optical fibers, image intensifier or similar devices optionally, are included to further enhance the degree of reliability of the optical radiation representative of data.
Inventors
- 👤 D Andrews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:45
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4417; G02B6/4439; G02B6/4471
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A member providing structural strength while having a datatransfer capability comprising: a protective envelope having a cross-sectional configuration designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag; a first and a second securing means each disposed at opposite longitudinal extremes, the first being carried on a high-speed towing platform and the second being connected to a towed sensor to exert a tensile force; and a bundle of glass fiber-optic elements held between said first and said second securing means formed from a material having a modulus for ensuring tensile strength for towing said sensor when tensile forces are exerted between said first and said second securing means and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of said data; electrical conductors disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed with said fiber-optic elements providing illuminating and other power to said sensor allowing the generation of said data; and reinforcing elements disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed wIth said fiber-optic elements for increasing said structural strength.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A member providing structural strength while having a datatransfer capability comprising: a protective envelope having a cross-sectional configuration designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag; a first and a second securing means each disposed at opposite longitudinal extremes, the first being carried on a high-speed towing platform and the second being connected to a towed sensor to exert a tensile force; and a bundle of glass fiber-optic elements held between said first and said second securing means formed from a material having a modulus for ensuring tensile strength for towing said sensor when tensile forces are exerted between said first and said second securing means and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of said data; electrical conductors disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed with said fiber-optic elements providing illuminating and other power to said sensor allowing the generation of said data; and reinforcing elements disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed wIth said fiber-optic elements for increasing said structural strength.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
156 words
A member providing structural strength while having a data-transfer capability comprising: means forming a protective envelope having a cross-sectional configuration designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag; a first and a second securing means each carried on a high-speed towing platform and a towed sensor, respectively, and disposed at opposite longitudinal extremes of said protective envelope; a plurality of elements held between said first and said second securing means, each of said elements is formed from a material having a modulus ensuring said structural strength when a composite force including torsional and bearing stresses are exerted between both said securing means and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of said data; electrical conductors disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed with said elements providing illumination and other power to said sensor allowing the generation of said data; and reinforcing elements disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed with said elements for increasing said structural strength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
156 words
A member providing structural strength while having a data-transfer capability comprising: means forming a protective envelope having a cross-sectional configuration designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag; a first and a second securing means each carried on a high-speed towing platform and a towed sensor, respectively, and disposed at opposite longitudinal extremes of said protective envelope; a plurality of elements held between said first and said second securing means, each of said elements is formed from a material having a modulus ensuring said structural strength when a composite force including torsional and bearing stresses are exerted between both said securing means and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of said data; electrical conductors disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed with said elements providing illumination and other power to said sensor allowing the generation of said data; and reinforcing elements disposed in said protective envelope juxtaposed with said elements for increasing said structural strength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
144 words
A member providing structural strength while having a data-transfer capability extending from a towing platform to a towed sensor comprising: means forming an elongate protective envelope having a cross-sectional configuration designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag; a first securing means disposed at one end of said elongate protective envelope and mounted on said towing platform; a second securing means disposed on the other end of said elongate protective envelope and mounted on said towed sensor; and a bundle of fiber optics interconnecting said first securing means and said second securing means having a modulus for bearing the severe tensile load created as said towed sensor is pulled through the water and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of data, said bundle of fiber optics is operatively disposed in said elongate protective envelope to serve as the primary load bearing element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
144 words
A member providing structural strength while having a data-transfer capability extending from a towing platform to a towed sensor comprising: means forming an elongate protective envelope having a cross-sectional configuration designed to reduce hydrodynamic drag; a first securing means disposed at one end of said elongate protective envelope and mounted on said towing platform; a second securing means disposed on the other end of said elongate protective envelope and mounted on said towed sensor; and a bundle of fiber optics interconnecting said first securing means and said second securing means having a modulus for bearing the severe tensile load created as said towed sensor is pulled through the water and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of data, said bundle of fiber optics is operatively disposed in said elongate protective envelope to serve as the primary load bearing element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An elongate towing cable according to claim 3 in which a self-contained source of electrical power is carried in said towed sensor for providing said optical radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
An elongate towing cable according to claim 4 further including: means for intensifying said optical radiation interposed between said first securing means and said second securing means and coupled to said bundle of glass fiber optic elements for ensuring the passing of said data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
A member providing structural strength while having a data-transfer capability reaching from a marine habitat to a support vessel comprising: means forming an elongate protective envelope being resistant to the effects of a marine environment; a first securing means disposed at one end of said elongate protective envelope and connected to said marine habitat; a second securing means disposed at the other end of said elongate protective envelope and connected to said support vessel; at least one life-support conduit joining said supprt vessel to said marine habitat and passing a fluid therebetween and disposed in said protective envelope to occupy a substantial volume therein; and a bundle of glass fiber-optic elements disposed in said elongate protective envelope and held between said first and said second securing means formed from a material having a modulus for ensuring tensile strength for bearing the weight of said life-support conduit, said fluid, and said elongate protective envelope and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
A member providing structural strength while having a data-transfer capability reaching from a marine habitat to a support vessel comprising: means forming an elongate protective envelope being resistant to the effects of a marine environment; a first securing means disposed at one end of said elongate protective envelope and connected to said marine habitat; a second securing means disposed at the other end of said elongate protective envelope and connected to said support vessel; at least one life-support conduit joining said supprt vessel to said marine habitat and passing a fluid therebetween and disposed in said protective envelope to occupy a substantial volume therein; and a bundle of glass fiber-optic elements disposed in said elongate protective envelope and held between said first and said second securing means formed from a material having a modulus for ensuring tensile strength for bearing the weight of said life-support conduit, said fluid, and said elongate protective envelope and having a transparency ensuring the passive guidance of optical radiation representative of data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
An elongate life-support conduit according to claim 6 further including: means for intensifying said optical radiation joined to said bundle of glass fiber-optic elements for ensuring the passing of said data.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |