Manufacturing process for a low loss optical fiber cable

• US 4,435,238 A
• Filed: 10/28/1982
• Issued: 03/06/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/1982
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alcatel NA Cable Systems Inc (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Telephone & Telegraph Corp. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/437,392
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.23, 350/96.24, 156/172, 156/171, 156/53, 156/178, 156/433, 156/183, 156/205, 156/210, 156/290, 156/293, 156/292, 156/425, 156/429, 156/195, 156/443, 427/207.1, 428/343, 428/182, 428/176, 428/173, 138/121, 174/126 CS, 174/70 R
• US Class Current: 156/171
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4407 with internal fluted support member G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4434 Central member to take up tensile loads
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4491 in a lobe structure

Abstract

A strength member is paid off from a neutralizer payoff in such a manner that the strength member is rotating. A tape having longitudinal grooves is paid off from a fixed payoff and passed through a forming die. The strength member is also passed through the forming die, and the tape is there applied to the exterior of the strength member. As a result of the rotation of the strength member, the tape obtains a helical lay about the strength member. An optical fiber is paid off from a neutralizer payoff and laid into a groove on said tape. An outer tape may be helically laid over the corrugated tape and a filling compound may be applied under and over the grooves of the corrugated tape. A binder may be provided to secure the outer tape over the fiber.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an optical fiber cable unit comprising the steps of:

paying off an axial strength member such that said strength member rotates;

paying off a corrugated tape;

applying said tape to said rotating strength member so that said tape is helically wrapped about said strength member and so that the corrugations form helical grooves;

paying off an optical fiber and laying said fiber in a helical groove formed by the corrugations; and

winding the cable on a reel.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

applying filling compound to said groove.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

applying filling compound about said strength member before said tape is applied.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

applying an outer tape around said corrugated tape after said fiber is laid in said groove.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the step of:

providing a binder to secure said outer tape.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

a plurality of optical fibers are paid off and laid in said grooves.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein:

not more than one fiber is laid in any one groove.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

applying filling compound to said grooves.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of:

applying filling compound about said strength member before said corrugated tape is applied.

10. The method as claimed in claim 6 further comprising the step of:

applying an outer tape over said corrugated tape after said optical fiber is laid in said groove.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10 further comprising the step of:

providing a binder to secure said outer tape.