US4984869A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibre cable and method of making same
Assignee: Satcables SNC
•
Filing: 1989-09-19
•
Granted: 1991-01-15
•
Expires: 2009-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A cable comprises strength members twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact, an outer coating covering the strength members and providing helicoidal reception spaces, each of which is delimited by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact. The optical fibres extend in the helicoidal spaces and the length of the fibres is greater than that of the lines of contact defining their reception spaces in order to provide an overlength and to allow variations in length in the strength members.
Inventors
- 👤 Gaston Roche
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443; G02B6/4432
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A cable having at least one optical fibre, comprising strength members which are twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact, an outer coating covering the strength members and providing helicoidal reception spaces each of which is defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strenght members and their line of contact, characterised by the fact that the fibre extends in one of said helicoidal spaces and the length of the fibre is greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space in order to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A cable having at least one optical fibre, comprising strength members which are twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact, an outer coating covering the strength members and providing helicoidal reception spaces each of which is defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strenght members and their line of contact, characterised by the fact that the fibre extends in one of said helicoidal spaces and the length of the fibre is greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space in order to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, in which two strength members are provided which are twisted along a helicoidal contact line extending about an axis of symmetry of the cable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, in which at least three strength members are provided which are in contact in pairs and provide an internal space containing no fibre.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material for the strength members is selected from the group consisting of: steel, glass fibre/hardenable resin compound and carbon fibre/hardenable resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, in which the strength members have a circular section which defines a free space which has a curvilinear contour.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, in which the strength members have a polygonal section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, in which the optical fibres are embedded in a lubricating filling material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cable having at least one optical fibre, comprising: strength members twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact; a thin film made of flexible material covering the outer surface of the twist formed by said strength members; and an outer coating covering the strength members and providing helicoidal reception spaces each of which is defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, wherein the optical fibre extends in one of said helicoidal spaces and the length of the optical fibre is greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
116 words
A cable having at least one optical fibre, comprising: strength members twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact; a thin film made of flexible material covering the outer surface of the twist formed by said strength members; and an outer coating covering the strength members and providing helicoidal reception spaces each of which is defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, wherein the optical fibre extends in one of said helicoidal spaces and the length of the optical fibre is greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical cable as claimed in claim 1, in which a helicoidal tape is provided around said strength members and optical fibres.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical fibre is placed in a flexible tube having cross section diameter smaller than the diameter of said strength members.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of manufacturing a cable having at least one optical fibre comprising the steps of: encasing the strength members with an outer coating covering the strength members such that helicoidal reception spaces are each defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, inserting said optical fibre in one of said helicoidal spaces with the length of the optical fibre being greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members, and simultaneously twisting the strength members and the optical fibre in a single die whereby the strength members are twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
122 words
A method of manufacturing a cable having at least one optical fibre comprising the steps of: encasing the strength members with an outer coating covering the strength members such that helicoidal reception spaces are each defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, inserting said optical fibre in one of said helicoidal spaces with the length of the optical fibre being greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members, and simultaneously twisting the strength members and the optical fibre in a single die whereby the strength members are twisted along helicoidal lines of mutual contact.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein an elongating force is applied to the strength members between cable drums which unwind said strength members and a first capstan.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the strength members and the optical fibres are wrapped in a tape which is placed helicoidally by means of a tape-lapping device, and then in an outer sheath by means of an extruder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, in which an elongating force is applied to the strength members between drums which unwind said strength members and a capstan, and the capstan is disposed downstream of said extruder.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, in which the drums unwinding the strength members and the drums unwinding the optical fibres are rotated by means of a rotating cage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 12, in which the drums unwinding the strength members and the drums unwinding the optical fibres are driven by means of two synchronous rotating cages respectively.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a second capstan is disposed between said rotating cages and receives said strength members, which are stranded by means of a die, said first capstan cooperating with said second capstan to apply said elongating force.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of manufacturing a cable having at least one optical fibre comprising the steps of: encasing the strength members with an outer coating covering the strength members such that helicoidal reception spaces are each defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, inserting said optical fibre in one of said helicoidal spaces with the length of the optical fibre being greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members, and twisting the strength members along helicoidal lines of mutual contact.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
107 words
A method of manufacturing a cable having at least one optical fibre comprising the steps of: encasing the strength members with an outer coating covering the strength members such that helicoidal reception spaces are each defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, inserting said optical fibre in one of said helicoidal spaces with the length of the optical fibre being greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members, and twisting the strength members along helicoidal lines of mutual contact.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein two strength members are provided, said strength members twisted along a helicoidal contact line extending about an axis of symmetry of the cable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least three strength members are provided which are in contact in pairs and provided an internal space containing no optical fibre.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the material for the strength members is selected from the group consisting of: steel, glass fibre/hardenable resin compound and carbon fibre/hardenable resin.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strength members have a circular section which defines a free space which has a curvilinear contour.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strength members have a polygonal section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the optical fibre is embedded in a lubricating filling material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, a helicoidal tape is provided around said strength members and optical fibre.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cable as claimed in claim 8, wherein the optical fibre is placed in a flexible tube having a cross section smaller than the diameter of said strength members.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
102 words
A cable manufactured according to the process comprising the steps of: encasing the strength members with an outer coating covering the strength members such that helicoidal reception spaces are each defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, inserting said optical fibre in one of said helicoidal spaces with the length of the optical fibre being greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members, and twisting the strength members along helicoidal lines of mutual contact.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
102 words
A cable manufactured according to the process comprising the steps of: encasing the strength members with an outer coating covering the strength members such that helicoidal reception spaces are each defined by the outer coating, two adjacent strength members and their line of contact, inserting said optical fibre in one of said helicoidal spaces with the length of the optical fibre being greater than the length of the contact line defining its reception space so as to provide an overlength and to permit variations in the length of the strength members, and twisting the strength members along helicoidal lines of mutual contact.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 27, wherein the strength members and the fibre are twisted simultaneously in a single die.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 28, wherein an elongating force is applied to the strength members between cable drums which unwind said strength members and a first capstan.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 28, wherein the strength members and the optical fibres are wrapped in a tape which is placed helicoidally by means of a tape-lapping device, and then in an outer sheath by means of an extruder.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 30, wherein an elongating force is applied to the strength members between cable drums which unwind said strength members and a first capstan, said first capstan disposed downstream of said extruder.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 29, wherein the drums unwinding the strength members and a drum unwinding the optical fibre are rotated by means of a rotating cage.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
31 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 29, wherein the drums unwinding the strength members and a drum unwinding the optical fibre are driven by means of two synchronous rotating cages respectively.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
43 words
A cable manufactured according to claim 33, wherein a second capstan is disposed between said rotating cages and receives said strength members, which are stranded by means of a die, said first capstan cooperating with said second capstan to apply said elongating force.
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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) | 1994-01-14 | 1994-07-16 | 1995-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-01-14 | 1998-07-16 | 1999-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-01-14 | 2002-07-16 | 2003-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |