US3887265A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical guides
Assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
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Filing: 1973-11-08
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Granted: 1975-06-03
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Expires: 1993-11-08
Abstract
Abstract An optical cable comprises at least one optical bundle, at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member, and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath. The or each optical bundle of the cable includes a plurality of elongate optical elements each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material throughout the length of the bundle which substantially reduces relative movement between the embedded optical elements. The optical elements may be embedded in the encapsulating material in a predetermined configuration, the encapsulating material being of such a nature that the position of each optical element with respect to the positions of the other optical elements is maintained substantially constant to provide for ready identification of an optical element at any transverse cross-section of the cable.
Inventors
- 👤 David Saul Margolis
- 👤 John Edward Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4403; G02B6/441
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle including a plurality of elongate optical elements, each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material in a predetermined configuration throughout substantially the whole length of the optical bundle, the encapsulating material being of such a nature that relative movement between the embedded optical elements is at least substantially reduced and that the position of each optical element, with respect to the positions of the other optical elements is maintained substantially constant to provide for ready identification of an optical element at any transverse cross-section along the lengTh of the bundle, at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member; and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath; the reinforcing member or members being of such a material and of such a cross-sectional area having regard to the material or materials and cross-sectional area of the bundle or bundles that the reinforcing member or members at least substantially reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the or each bundle when the cable is stressed such a way as to tend to subject the or any optical fibre of the bundle to a tensile force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle including a plurality of elongate optical elements, each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material in a predetermined configuration throughout substantially the whole length of the optical bundle, the encapsulating material being of such a nature that relative movement between the embedded optical elements is at least substantially reduced and that the position of each optical element, with respect to the positions of the other optical elements is maintained substantially constant to provide for ready identification of an optical element at any transverse cross-section along the lengTh of the bundle, at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member; and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath; the reinforcing member or members being of such a material and of such a cross-sectional area having regard to the material or materials and cross-sectional area of the bundle or bundles that the reinforcing member or members at least substantially reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the or each bundle when the cable is stressed such a way as to tend to subject the or any optical fibre of the bundle to a tensile force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
216 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle including a plurality of elongate optical elements, each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material in a predetermined configuration throughout substantially the whole length of the optical bundle, the encapsulating material being of such a nature that relative movement between the embedded optical elements is at least substantially reduced and that the position of each optical element, with respect to the positions of the other optical elements is maintained substantially constant to provide for ready identification of an optical element at any transverse cross-section along the lengTh of the bundle, at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member; and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath; the reinforcing member or members being of such a material and of such a cross-sectional area having regard to the material or materials and crosssectional area of the bundle or bundles that the reinforcing member or members at least substantially reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the or each bundle when the cable is stressed such a way as to tend to subject the or any optical fibre of the bundle to a tensile force.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
216 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle including a plurality of elongate optical elements, each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material in a predetermined configuration throughout substantially the whole length of the optical bundle, the encapsulating material being of such a nature that relative movement between the embedded optical elements is at least substantially reduced and that the position of each optical element, with respect to the positions of the other optical elements is maintained substantially constant to provide for ready identification of an optical element at any transverse cross-section along the lengTh of the bundle, at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member; and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath; the reinforcing member or members being of such a material and of such a cross-sectional area having regard to the material or materials and crosssectional area of the bundle or bundles that the reinforcing member or members at least substantially reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the or each bundle when the cable is stressed such a way as to tend to subject the or any optical fibre of the bundle to a tensile force.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle including a plurality of elongate optical elements each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material throughout substantially the whole length of the optical bundle which at least substantially reduces relative movement between the embedded optical elements; at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member; and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath, the reinforcing member or members being of such a material and of such a cross-sectional area having regard to the material or materials and cross-sectional area of the bundle or bundles that the reinforcing member or members at least substantially reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the or each bundle when the cable is stressed in such a way as to tend to subject the or any optical fibre of the bundle to a tensile force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
163 words
An optical cable comprising at least one optical bundle including a plurality of elongate optical elements each consisting of at least one optical fibre, the optical elements being at least partially embedded in and mutually separated by encapsulating material throughout substantially the whole length of the optical bundle which at least substantially reduces relative movement between the embedded optical elements; at least one separate elongate non-optical reinforcing member; and, surrounding the bundle or bundles and the reinforcing member or members, an outer protective sheath, the reinforcing member or members being of such a material and of such a cross-sectional area having regard to the material or materials and cross-sectional area of the bundle or bundles that the reinforcing member or members at least substantially reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the or each bundle when the cable is stressed in such a way as to tend to subject the or any optical fibre of the bundle to a tensile force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optical bundle, or at least one of the optical bundles, includes at least one non-optical reinforcing fibre.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each non-optical reinforcing fibre of the optical bundle or of each of said optical bundles is a non-optical glass fibre.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each non-optical reinforcing fibre of the optical bundle or of each of said optical bundles is a carbon fibre.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optical elements of the optical bundle, or of at least one of the optical bundles, are arranged in at least one row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 3, wherein the encapsulating material of the or each optical bundle is a synthetic resin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer protective sheath of the cable is an extruded sheath of plastics material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein the outer protective sheath of the cable has an oversheath of a material having a low friction co-efficient.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each optical bundle is enclosed in an outer protective covering.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 10, which comprises at least two optical bundles each enclosed in an outer protective covering, wherein the outer protective covering of each bundle is of a colour distinguishable from that of the covering of the or each other optical bundle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8, which comprises at least two optical bundles, wherein the encapsulating material of each bundle is of a colour distinguishable from that of the encapsulating material of the or each other optical bundle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8, which includes at least two electrical conductors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each non-optical reinforcing member is of a material which has a Young''s Modulus of at least 6.9 X 104 MN/m2.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each non-optical reinforcing member is a single solid element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein the single element is of steel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the or each non-optical reinforcing member comprises a plurality of elements stranded together.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 17, wherein the or each stranded reinforcing member is die-formed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of elements is of steel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-02 | 1978-12-02 | 1979-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-02 | 1982-12-02 | 1983-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-02 | 1986-12-02 | 1987-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |