US4491387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Overhead electric and optical transmission systems
Assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
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Filing: 1982-08-25
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Granted: 1985-01-01
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Expires: 2002-08-25
Abstract
Abstract A flexible stranded body, such as an electric conductor of an overhead electric transmission or distribution system, comprises at least one stranded layer of elongate elements of metal or metal alloy, at least one elongate compartment within and extending throughout the length of the stranded body and, loosely housed in the elongate compartment, at least one separate optical fibre and/or at least one optical bundle. Preferably, the elongate compartment extends within a circumferentially rigid central core which is surrounded by the stranded layer or layers but it may be a bore in an elongate element of a stranded layer or an elongate space bounded by two adjacent elongate elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Phillip Dey
- 👤 Peter Fearns
- 👤 Karl W. Plessner
- 👤 Kenneth H. Pickup
- 👤 Bernard Gaylard
- 👤 Arthur B. Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:52
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4422; G02B6/4403; H; H01; H01B; H01B5/00; H01B5/08; H01B5/10; H01B5/108
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor adapted to be freely supported from spaced supports in long lengths, comprising a substantially circumferentially rigid central core consisting of a single bare elongate member of metal or metal alloy and of substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section, the space between the limbs and base of the U-shape extending throughout the length of the core and constituting an elongate compartment and the limbs of the U being folded together so that the gap between the free ends of the limbs is at least partially closed; a flexible elongate carrier member which is loosely housed in the elongate compartment and on which is supported at least one separate flexible optical guide; and, surrounding the central core, at least one stranded layer of helically wound bare elongate elements of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor adapted to be freely supported from spaced supports in long lengths, comprising a substantially circumferentially rigid central core consisting of a single bare elongate member of metal or metal alloy and of substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section, the space between the limbs and base of the U-shape extending throughout the length of the core and constituting an elongate compartment and the limbs of the U being folded together so that the gap between the free ends of the limbs is at least partially closed; a flexible elongate carrier member which is loosely housed in the elongate compartment and on which is supported at least one separate flexible optical guide; and, surrounding the central core, at least one stranded layer of helically wound bare elongate elements of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
66 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conducted as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate carrier member comprises a plurality of separately formed tubes of plastics material assembled together and surrounded by an outer protective sheath, at least one of the tubes loosely housing at least one substantially flat flexible support member of plastics material within which at least two separate flexible optical guides are embedded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate carrier member comprises a plurality of separately formed tubes of plastics material assembled together and surrounded by an outer protective sheath, at least one of the tubes loosely housing at least one substantially flat flexible support member on which at least two separate flexible optical guides are secured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate carrier member comprises a plurality of separately formed tubes of plastics material assembled together and surrounded by an outer protective sheath, at least one of the tubes loosely housing at least one separate flexible optical guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one elongate reinforcing member is assembled with the plurality of tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate carrier member comprises an extruded elongate body of plastics material which has, extending through its length, at least one bore in which the flexible optical guide is loosely housed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bore of the extruded elongate body of the flexible elongate carrier member loosely houses at least one substantially flat flexible support member of plastics material within which at least two separate flexible optical guides are embedded.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the extruded elongate body has a central elongate reinforcing member and a plurality of bores arranged around the reinforcing member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bore of the extruded elongate body of the flexible elongate carrier member loosely houses at least one substantially flat flexible support member on which at least two separate flexible optical guides are secured.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 6, wherein the extruded elongate body has at least one elongate reinforcing member embedded in and extending throughout the length of the body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 10, wherein the axes of the bore and of the reinforcing member in the extruded elongate body lie in a substantially common plane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
139 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor adapted to be freely supported from spaced supports in long lengths, comprising a substantially circumferentially rigid central core consisting of a single bare elongate member of metal or metal alloy and of substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section, the space between the limbs and base of the U-shape extending throughout the length of the core and constituting an elongate compartment and the limbs of the U being folded together so that the gap between the free ends of the limbs is at least partially closed; at least one substantially flat flexible elongate support member which is loosely housed in the elongate compartment and on which at least two separate flexible optical guides are secured; and, surrounding the central core, at least one stranded layer of helically wound bare elongate elements of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
139 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor adapted to be freely supported from spaced supports in long lengths, comprising a substantially circumferentially rigid central core consisting of a single bare elongate member of metal or metal alloy and of substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section, the space between the limbs and base of the U-shape extending throughout the length of the core and constituting an elongate compartment and the limbs of the U being folded together so that the gap between the free ends of the limbs is at least partially closed; at least one substantially flat flexible elongate support member which is loosely housed in the elongate compartment and on which at least two separate flexible optical guides are secured; and, surrounding the central core, at least one stranded layer of helically wound bare elongate elements of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 9 or 12, wherein the substantially flat flexible support member is at least one flexible tape to one surface of which said separate optical guides are secured by adhesive.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 1 or 12, wherein the limbs of the U-shaped elongate member are closed to form a circular section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
142 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor adapted to be freely supported from spaced supports in long lengths, comprising a substantially circumferentially rigid central core consisting of a single bare elongate member of metal or metal alloy and of substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section, the space between the limbs and base of the U-shape extending throughout the length of the core and constituting an elongate compartment and the limbs of the U being folded together so that the gap between the free ends of the limbs is at least partially closed; at least one substantially flat flexible elongate support member of plastics member which is loosely housed in the elongate compartment and within which at least two separate flexible optical guides are embedded; and, surrounding the central core, at least one stranded layer of helically wound bare elongate elements of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
142 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor adapted to be freely supported from spaced supports in long lengths, comprising a substantially circumferentially rigid central core consisting of a single bare elongate member of metal or metal alloy and of substantially U-shaped transverse cross-section, the space between the limbs and base of the U-shape extending throughout the length of the core and constituting an elongate compartment and the limbs of the U being folded together so that the gap between the free ends of the limbs is at least partially closed; at least one substantially flat flexible elongate support member of plastics member which is loosely housed in the elongate compartment and within which at least two separate flexible optical guides are embedded; and, surrounding the central core, at least one stranded layer of helically wound bare elongate elements of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
An overhead flexible electric transmission conductor as claimed in claim 15, wherein the limbs of the U-shaped elongate member are closed to form a circular section.
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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) | 1988-01-01 | 1988-07-02 | 1989-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-01-01 | 1992-07-02 | 1993-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-01-01 | 1996-07-02 | 1997-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |