US5487126A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical cable and process for producing the same
Assignee: Corning Research and Development Corp
•
Filing: 1993-02-19
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Granted: 1996-01-23
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Expires: 2013-02-19
Abstract
Abstract Supporting elements designed as independent profiles are provided between ribbon stacks of optical waveguide ribbons of an optical cable. The supporting elements contribute to positing securing of the ribbon stacks within the opposite table.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Oestreich
- 👤 Reiner Schneider
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4403; G02B6/4407; G02B6/4408; G02B6/4479; G02B6/448; G02B6/4489
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An optical cable comprising: a core element, a plurality of ribbon stacks, each stack being formed by a plurality of optical waveguide ribbons, said stacks being arranged in at least one layer around said core element and supporting elements adjacent to the ribbon stacks said supporting elements being designed as independent profiles and each of said supporting elements being arranged in the interspace between two adjacent ribbon stacks, said supporting elements extending in radial direction at least as far as the ribbon stacks and lying with their inner ends on the core element such that said supporting elements contribute for positionally securing the ribbon stacks relative to each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical cable comprising: a core element, a plurality of ribbon stacks, each stack being formed by a plurality of optical waveguide ribbons, said stacks being arranged in at least one layer around said core element and supporting elements adjacent to the ribbon stacks said supporting elements being designed as independent profiles and each of said supporting elements being arranged in the interspace between two adjacent ribbon stacks, said supporting elements extending in radial direction at least as far as the ribbon stacks and lying with their inner ends on the core element such that said supporting elements contribute for positionally securing the ribbon stacks relative to each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the core element further comprises at least one tensile-load-resistant element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical cable of claim 2 wherein a thickening layer is applied to the tensile-load-resistant element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the core element is a tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical cable of claim 4 wherein at least one optical waveguide is located in the tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the plurality of ribbon stacks are curved in an arcuate manner around the core element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the optical waveguide ribbons form approximately rectangular ribbon stacks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the optical waveguide ribbons within a their ribbon stack are provided with an increasing number of optical waveguides towards the outside.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein a radial extent of a ribbon stack is smaller than its extent about the circumference.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The optical cable of claim 9 wherein the radial extend is between 1 mm and 3 mm, and the extend along the circumference is between 1.5 mm and 5 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein each of the ribbon stacks has between 2 and 10 optical waveguide ribbons and each of the waveguide ribbons has from 2 to 16 optical waveguides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical cable of claim 1 further comprising: a filling material between the optical waveguide ribbons.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The optical cable of claim 12 wherein the filling material is adhesive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the ribbon stacks are laid up on the core element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical cable of claim 14 wherein a lay length of the ribbon stacks is between 400 mm and 700 mm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein adjacent ribbon stacks have a clearance at their base between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements only partly fill interstices between the ribbon stacks.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements completely fill the interstices between the ribbon stacks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements have an approximately wedge-shaped cross section.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements comprise a stiff material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements comprise an easily deformable material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements comprise a material containing a swelling agent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements are comprised of a material having a modulus of elasticity between 0.001 and 1N/mm 2 .
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements are further comprised of a radially extending hard supporting body in the interior and a cushioning outer region.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein a stiff supporting body runs transversely to a radial extent of the supporting elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting element is further comprised of a T-girder-shaped supporting body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the supporting elements are in a fixed position.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical cable of claim 1 further comprising: a cover layer applied onto the ribbon stacks and the supporting elements.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical cable of claim 28 wherein the cover layer comprises a thin, hard outer layer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical cable of claim 28 wherein the cover layer comprises a cushioning inner layer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical cable of claim 28 further comprising: an outer sheath applied to the cover layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical cable of claim 1 wherein the ribbon stacks are located in chamber elements.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for producing an optical cable comprising the steps of: supplying a plurality if ribbon stacks, each of said stacks being formed by at least one layer of optical waveguide ribbons; attaching the plurality of ribbon stacks to a core element; and supplying and securing support elements into interspaces between adjacent ribbon stacks on the core element to secure the ribbon stacks in position relative to each other.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for producing an optical cable comprising the steps of: supplying a plurality if ribbon stacks, each of said stacks being formed by at least one layer of optical waveguide ribbons; attaching the plurality of ribbon stacks to a core element; and supplying and securing support elements into interspaces between adjacent ribbon stacks on the core element to secure the ribbon stacks in position relative to each other.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising: the additional step of applying an additional layer of ribbon stacks and support elements.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the ribbon stacks and supporting elements are laid up jointly in a respective layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the step of supplying a plurality of ribbon stacks comprises the additional step of removing optical waveguide ribbons from an optical waveguide supply bobbin, and wherein the step of supplying support elements comprises the additional step of removing support elements from a support element bobbin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 33 wherein after the step of attaching the ribbon stacks the method further comprises: the additional step of passing the ribbon stacks through an extruder and extruding profiles for support elements.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 33 comprising the additional step of applying a cover layer on top of the ribbon stacks and support elements.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 33 comprising the additional step of externally applying an outer sleeve on top of the ribbon stacks and support elements.
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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) | 1999-01-22 | 1999-07-24 | 2000-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-22 | 2003-07-24 | 2004-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-22 | 2007-07-24 | 2008-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |