US4606604A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber submarine cable and method of making
Assignee: Optelecom Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-16
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Granted: 1986-08-19
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Expires: 2004-05-16
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber submarine cable includes a fiber optic bundle sealed within a precompressed electrically conductive tube defining a hermetic cavity. An inner layer of helically wound copper-plated steel wires is disposed around the electrically conductive tube. An outer layer of oppositely helically wound copper-plated steel wires is preferably disposed around the inner layer. The wires are tightly wound at a pitch of between 8 DEG and 20 DEG and the outer wires balance the torque from the inner wires. An insulation layer of polyethylene surrounds the outer armor layer. A method of making the cable uses precompression of the tube to increase the strength of the cable.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Soodak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 00:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4486; G02B6/449
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An optical fiber submarine cable comprising; (a) at least one optic fiber; (b) a longitudinally precompressed electrically conductive tube defining a hermetic cavity in which said optic fiber is disposed; (c) an inner armor layer having a plurality of electrically conductive inner wires helically wound tightly around said tube in one direction at a pitch of between 8° and 20°; and (d) an external insulation layer; and wherein said cable is less than 1/2" in diameter, and wherein said tube is longitudinally precompressed to approximately 50% of its yield point such that said tube will return from a stressed yield condition to within 0.1% of its precompressed length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An optical fiber submarine cable comprising; (a) at least one optic fiber; (b) a longitudinally precompressed electrically conductive tube defining a hermetic cavity in which said optic fiber is disposed; (c) an inner armor layer having a plurality of electrically conductive inner wires helically wound tightly around said tube in one direction at a pitch of between 8° and 20°; and (d) an external insulation layer; and wherein said cable is less than 1/2" in diameter, and wherein said tube is longitudinally precompressed to approximately 50% of its yield point such that said tube will return from a stressed yield condition to within 0.1% of its precompressed length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical fiber submarine cable of claim 1 wherein said tube is a high conductivity copper alloy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
The optical fiber submarine cable of claim 1 further comprising: an outer armor layer having a plurality of electrically conductive outer wires helically wound tightly around said inner armor layer in an opposite direction to said one direction and having a pitch of between 8° and 20°, torque from said outer armor layer balancing torque from said inner armor layer, and wherein said insulation layer surrounds said outer armor layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical fiber submarine cable of claim 3 wherein said inner wires and said outer wires are copper plated steel wires.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
An optical fiber submarine cable comprising: (a) at least one optic fiber; (b) a longitudinally precompressed electrically conductive tube defining a hermetic cavity in which said optic fiber is disposed; (c) an inner armor layer having a plurality of electrically conductive inner wires helically wound tightly around said tube in one direction at a pitch of between 8° and 20°; and (d) an external insulation layer; and wherein said tube is longitudinally precompressed to approximately 50% of its yield point such that said tube will return from a stressed yield condition to within 0.1% of its precompressed length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
An optical fiber submarine cable comprising: (a) at least one optic fiber; (b) a longitudinally precompressed electrically conductive tube defining a hermetic cavity in which said optic fiber is disposed; (c) an inner armor layer having a plurality of electrically conductive inner wires helically wound tightly around said tube in one direction at a pitch of between 8° and 20°; and (d) an external insulation layer; and wherein said tube is longitudinally precompressed to approximately 50% of its yield point such that said tube will return from a stressed yield condition to within 0.1% of its precompressed length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
70 words
The optical fiber submarine cable of claim 5 further comprising: an outer armor layer having a plurality of electrically conductive outer wires helically wound tightly around said inner armor layer in an opposite direction to said one direction and having a pitch of between 8° and 20°, torque from said outer armor layer balancing torque from said inner armor layer, and wherein said insulation layer surrounds said outer armor layer.
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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) | 1989-08-18 | 1990-02-17 | 1990-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-18 | 1994-02-17 | 1994-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-18 | 1998-02-17 | 1998-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |