US5082380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fibre cable
Assignee: Nortel Networks Ltd
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Filing: 1990-06-27
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Granted: 1992-01-21
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Expires: 2010-06-27
Abstract
Abstract An optical fibre cable has a channel (2) loosely housing an optical ribbon element (3) and a non-optical ribbon element (3A) which both have an evenly distributed excess length of between 0.5% and 1% and adopt a regular undulating configuration in a thixotropic water blocking gel (28) in the channel.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph Sutehall
- 👤 Andrew Summers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:50
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4403; G02B6/4407; G02B6/4408; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4422
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An optical fibre cable consisting of a non-electrically conductive core having a longitudinal channel within which a self-supporting ribbon optical fibre element is disposed, and a non-optical ribbon element of similar tensile modulus to the optical fibre element disposed in the channel and extending alongside and in abutment with the optical fibre element, both elements adopting together an undulating configuration within the channel along the length of the cable so that an excess length of optical ribbon element is evenly distributed along the cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An optical fibre cable consisting of a non-electrically conductive core having a longitudinal channel within which a self-supporting ribbon optical fibre element is disposed, and a non-optical ribbon element of similar tensile modulus to the optical fibre element disposed in the channel and extending alongside and in abutment with the optical fibre element, both elements adopting together an undulating configuration within the channel along the length of the cable so that an excess length of optical ribbon element is evenly distributed along the cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1 said channel being filled with a grease, jelly or similarly viscous water blocking liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cable as claimed in claim 2 wherein the core is made of high strength dielectric material forming the tensile strength member of the cable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the excess length of the optical ribbon element is in the range 0.5% to 1% when the cable is straight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical element is narrower than the channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-optical element lies above the optical element in the channel.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of making an optical fibre cable, comprising providing a non-electrically conductive cable cover having a longitudinal channel therein, introducing into said channel a self-supporting optical fibre ribbon element and a non-optical ribbon element having a tensile modulus similar to that of the optical element, said elements being generally in abutment, and inducing an evenly distributed excess length of the ribbon elements within the channel, so that the elements together adopt an undulating configuration within the channel along the length of the cable.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of making an optical fibre cable, comprising providing a non-electrically conductive cable cover having a longitudinal channel therein, introducing into said channel a self-supporting optical fibre ribbon element and a non-optical ribbon element having a tensile modulus similar to that of the optical element, said elements being generally in abutment, and inducing an evenly distributed excess length of the ribbon elements within the channel, so that the elements together adopt an undulating configuration within the channel along the length of the cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, comprising filling the channel with a water blocking thixotropic gel or grease and then inducing the regular undulating configuration after the channel has been, filled.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the excess length is induced by bending the cable part in a curved path so that the channel is stretched as long as the cable part is in the curved path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the excess length is induced by bending the cable part in a curved path so that the channel is stretched as long as the cable part is in the curved path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4859025A
Cited
US4830459A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |