US4740054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber cable including irreversibly preshrunk supporting element and method of making same
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1984-07-30
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Granted: 1988-04-26
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Expires: 2004-07-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a cable. In the cable, the conductors are surrounded entirely or partly by synthetic resin supporting elements. In order to avoid shrinkage of the supporting elements, and hence extra loads on cable at high temperatures, the supporting elements are preshrunk before assembly of the cable. The elements are preshrunk by heating a temperature just below the softening temperature of the synthetic resin in question, maintaining them at this temperature, and then cooling them. During the heating process, the strength elements are mounted in such a way that their contraction will not put them into tension.
Inventors
- 👤 Johann A. Becker
- 👤 Werner Zell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:53
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/448; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4484
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of manufacturing a cable, said method comprising the steps of: providing a synthetic resin supporting element, said synthetic resin having a softening temperature; arranging the supporting element so it can contract without putting it into tension; heating the supporting element to a temperature just below the softening temperature and maintaining the supporting element at this temperature for a period of time sufficient to irreversibly shrink the supporting element; cooling the heated supporting element to ambient temperature; and then providing the preshrunk strength member in a cable.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of manufacturing a cable, said method comprising the steps of: providing a synthetic resin supporting element, said synthetic resin having a softening temperature; arranging the supporting element so it can contract without putting it into tension; heating the supporting element to a temperature just below the softening temperature and maintaining the supporting element at this temperature for a period of time sufficient to irreversibly shrink the supporting element; cooling the heated supporting element to ambient temperature; and then providing the preshrunk strength member in a cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the supporting element is heated for a time on the order of magnitude of a few hours.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the step of arranging the supporting element so it can contract without putting it in tension comprises the step of winding the supporting element on a drum coated with a compressible material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the supporting element is heated for a time on the order of magnitude of a few hours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the step of arranging the supporting element so it can contract without putting it in tension comprises the step of winding the supporting element on a synthetic resin drum having a softening temperature lower than the softening temperature of the supporting element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the supporting element is heated for a time on the order of magnitude of a few hours.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cable comprising: at least one conductor, said conductor having a length; at least one synthetic resin supporting element extending alongside the conductor for the entire length of the conductor; and a sheath surrounding the conductor and the supporting element; characterized in that the supporting element has been irreversibly preshrunk so that the supporting element will experience substantially no further shrinkage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A cable comprising: at least one conductor, said conductor having a length; at least one synthetic resin supporting element extending alongside the conductor for the entire length of the conductor; and a sheath surrounding the conductor and the supporting element; characterized in that the supporting element has been irreversibly preshrunk so that the supporting element will experience substantially no further shrinkage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cable as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: the conductor is an optical conductor; and the cable has a circular cross-section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the cable further comprises stress relief elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cable as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the supporting element is a tape having at least one groove in which the conductor is arranged.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-10-26 | 1992-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-26 | 1995-10-26 | 1996-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-26 | 1999-10-26 | 2000-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |