US4944570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic cable having an extended elongation window
Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-30
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Granted: 1990-07-31
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Expires: 2009-06-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed toward a fiber optic cable comprising a central core which has one or more helical channels in its periphery. One or more tubes containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and one or more optical fibers are positioned in the channels. The fibers are randomly arranged within the tubes in such a way that tensile stresses on the cable are not transmitted to them, thus providing an elongation window. Finally, the assembly formed by the core and the tube or tubes is wrapped with a serving of metal wires. In one embodiment, the core and tubes may be wrapped with a tape layer before the outer metal wires are applied. Any interstices among the core, the tube or tubes, and tape may also be filled with another dielectric water-blocking compound.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Oglesby
- 👤 Kenneth E. Cornelison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4407; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4422; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443; G02B6/44384
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A fiber optic cable suitable for use as an overhead static wire, comprising: an electrically conducting core having at least one helical channel with a predetermined lay in its periphery; a tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within said helical channel, and the tube, the optical fiber and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window greater than 0.5%; and a plurality of metal wires wrapped around and in electrical contact with the core, and providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength for the cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A fiber optic cable suitable for use as an overhead static wire, comprising: an electrically conducting core having at least one helical channel with a predetermined lay in its periphery; a tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within said helical channel, and the tube, the optical fiber and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window greater than 0.5%; and a plurality of metal wires wrapped around and in electrical contact with the core, and providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength for the cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cable of claim 1, further comprising a dielectric water-blocking compound filling interstices between the tube, the core and the metal wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cable of claim 1, wherein the lay of the helical channel reverses peridically.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cable of claim 1, wherein the core has a plurality of helical channels, and the cable comprises a plurality of tubes, with a tube containing at least one optical fiber positioned within each channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The cable of claim 1 further comprising a helically-wrapped overlapping layer of an electrically conducting tape disposed around said tube and the core and providing electrical contact between said core and said metal wires.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cable of claim 5 wherein each of said core, said tape and said metal wires includes the same conductive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cable of claim 6 wherein said conductive material is aluminum.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein said metal wires are aluminum-clad steel wires.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cable of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a heat-resistant dielectric hydrogen gas-permeable material, whereby hydrogen gas can diffuse through the tube to the atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cable of claim 9, wherein the material of the tube is a fluoropolymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cable of claim 2, wherein the water-blocking compound filling said tube and said interstices is hydrogen gas-permeable, whereby hydrogen gas can diffuse through the compound and escape to the atmosphere.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
The cable of claim 1, wherein the helical channel has a pitch in the range of 1.5 to 4.0 inches, a central axis of the tube has a helical diameter in the range of 0.15 to 0.60 inch, and the tube has an inside diameter in the range of 0.03 to 0.10 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cable of claim 5, further comprising a dielectric water-blocking compound filling interstices between the tape layer, the tube and the core.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cable of claim 5, wherein said helically-wrapped overlapping layer is wrapped to allow the escape of hydrogen gas through the overlapped areas.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
An overhead-mounted fiber optic cable suitable for use as an overhead static wire, comprising: a metal electrically conducting core having at least one helical channel with a predetermined lay in its periphery; a tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within the helical channel, and the tube, the optical fiber, and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window greater than 0.5%; and a plurality of meal wires wrapped around the core and in electrical contact therewith.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
An overhead-mounted fiber optic cable suitable for use as an overhead static wire, comprising: a metal electrically conducting core having at least one helical channel with a predetermined lay in its periphery; a tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within the helical channel, and the tube, the optical fiber, and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window greater than 0.5%; and a plurality of meal wires wrapped around the core and in electrical contact therewith.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The cable of claim 15, further comprising a dielectric water-blocking compound filling interstices between the tube, the core and the metal wires.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cable of claim 15, wherein the lay of the helical channel reverses periodically.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The cable of claim 15, wherein the core has a plurality of helical channels, and the cable comprises a plurality of tubes, with a tube containing at least one optical fiber positioned within each channel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cable of claim 15, wherein the tube is a dielectric hydrogen gas-permeable material, whereby hydrogen gas can diffuse through the tube and escape to the atmosphere.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
70 words
The cable of claim 19 wherein said tube is constructed of a dielectric material having a melting point greater than 150° C. optical fiber, and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window; and a plurality of metal wires wrapped around the tube and the core for providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength of the cable and being in electrical contact with the core.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cable of claim 19, wherein the material of the tube is a fluoropolymer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cable of claim 16, wherein the eater-blocking compound filling said tube and said interstices is hydrogen gas-permeable, whereby hydrogen gas can diffuse through the compound and escape to the atmosphere.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
53 words
The cable of claim 15, wherein the helical channel has a pitch in the range of 1.5 to 4.0 inches, a central axis of the tube has a helical diameter in the range of 0.15 to 0.60 inch, and the tube has an inside diameter in the range of 0.03 to 0.10 inch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
117 words
An overhead-mounted optical static wire for carrying fault and lightning currents and for fiber optic telecommunication, comprising: a metal electrically conducting core having at least one helical channel with a predetermined lay in its periphery; a dielectric tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within the helical channel, and the tube, the optical fiber and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window greater than 0.5%; and a plurality of metal wires wrapped around the tube and the core for providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength of the cable and being in electrical contact with the core.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
117 words
An overhead-mounted optical static wire for carrying fault and lightning currents and for fiber optic telecommunication, comprising: a metal electrically conducting core having at least one helical channel with a predetermined lay in its periphery; a dielectric tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within the helical channel, and the tube, the optical fiber and the helical channel being arranged to provide an elongation window greater than 0.5%; and a plurality of metal wires wrapped around the tube and the core for providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength of the cable and being in electrical contact with the core.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical static wire of claim 24, further comprising a dielectric water-blocking compound filling interstices between the tube, the core and the metal wires.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical static wire of claim 24, wherein the lay of the helical channel reverses periodically.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The optical static wire of claim 24, wherein the core has a plurality of helical channels, and the cable comprises a plurality of tubes, with a tube containing at least one optical fiber positioned within each channel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical static wire of claim 27, wherein the core is aluminum, the tubes are fluoropolymer, and the wires are aluminum-clad steel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical static wire of claim 28, wherein each of the tubes contains a plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The optical static wire of claim 28 further including a helically-wrapped overlapping layer of an aluminum tape disposed between said aluminum core and said aluminum-clad steel wires.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cable of claim 24, wherein the tube comprises a heat-resistant dielectric hydrogen gas-permeable material, whereby hydrogen gas can diffuse through the tube to the atmosphere.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The cable of claim 24, wherein the water-blocking compound filling said tube and said interstices is hydrogen gas-permeable, whereby hydrogen gas can diffuse through the compound and escape to the atmosphere.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
The cable of claim 24, wherein the helical channel has a pitch in the range of 1.5 to 4.0 inches, a central axis of the tube has a helical diameter in the range of 0.15 to 0.60 inch and the tube has an inside diameter in the range of 0.03 to 0.10 inch.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical static wire of claim 30, further comprising a dielectric water-blocking compound filling interstices between the aluminum tape layer, the tube and the core.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical static wire of claim 30, wherein said helically-wrapped overlapping layer is wrapped to allow escape of hydrogen gas through the overlapped areas.
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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) | 1993-07-30 | 1994-01-29 | 1994-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-30 | 1998-01-29 | 1998-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-30 | 2002-01-29 | 2002-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |