Two-pole powered ruggedized optical fiber cable and method and apparatus for forming the same
First Claim
1. An optical fiber cable for use in communication applications, said cable comprising:
- an inner tubular member formed from a first metallic material having an electrical conductivity in the range of about 25% to about 102% IACS, a yield strength of at least about 30 ksi, a yield strain in the range of about 0.15% to about 1% and a minimum tensile strength of about 45 ksi at 400°
F.;
at least one optical fiber housed within said tubular member; and
an outer tubular member surrounding said inner tubular member, said outer tubular member being formed from a non-ferrous metal alloy having a yield strength in the range of about 100 ksi to about 180 ksi and a yield strain in the range of about 0.57% to about 1%,whereby said outer tubular member acts as the primary strength member of said cable.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A two-pole ruggedized optical fiber cable suitable for use in communication applications is described. The cable has a core assembly comprising a sealed inner copper alloy tube in which at least one optical fiber is encapsulated. Surrounding the core assembly is a layer of dielectric material, an outer metallic tube and, if needed, a protective jacket. The outer tube'"'"'s primary function is to serve as the cable'"'"'s primary strength member. The outer tube is preferably formed from a high strength, non-ferrous alloy having a relatively low modulus of elasticity. The outer tube is preferably a drawn tube having a substantially straight axial seam. If added hermeticity is required, the outer tube seam may be sealed. A process and apparatus for fabricating the cable is also described.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. An optical fiber cable for use in communication applications, said cable comprising:
-
an inner tubular member formed from a first metallic material having an electrical conductivity in the range of about 25% to about 102% IACS, a yield strength of at least about 30 ksi, a yield strain in the range of about 0.15% to about 1% and a minimum tensile strength of about 45 ksi at 400°
F.;at least one optical fiber housed within said tubular member; and an outer tubular member surrounding said inner tubular member, said outer tubular member being formed from a non-ferrous metal alloy having a yield strength in the range of about 100 ksi to about 180 ksi and a yield strain in the range of about 0.57% to about 1%, whereby said outer tubular member acts as the primary strength member of said cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A process for fabricating an optical fiber cable for use in communication applications, said process comprising:
-
providing a first strip of material having an electrical conductivity in the range of about 25% to about 102%, IACS, a yield strength of at least about 30 ksi, yield strain in the range of about 0.15% to about 1% and a minimum tensile strength of about 45 ksi at 400°
F.;providing at least one forming die; forming a first tubular member by drawing said first strip through said at least one die; inserting at least one optical fiber into said tubular member; providing a second strip of material having a yield strength in the range of about 100 ksi to about 180 ksi, a yield strain in the range of about 0.57% to about 1%, and a conductivity in the range of about 2% to about 10% IACS, providing at least one additional forming die; and forming a second tubular member about said first tubular member by drawing said second strip through said at least one additional die and inserting said first tubular member and said at least one optical fiber into said forming second tubular member, whereby said second tubular member acts as the primary strength member of said cable. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. An apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber cable having drawn inner and outer tubular members, said drawn inner tubular member being formed from a first strip of material having an electrical conductivity in the range of about 25% to about 102% IACS, a yield strength of at least about 30 ksi, a yield strain in the range of about 0.15% to about 1% and a minimum tensile strength of about 45 ksi at 400°
- F. and said drawn outer tubular member being formed from a second strip of material having a yield strength in the range of about 100 ksi to about 180 ksi, a yield strain in the range of about 0.57% to about 1% and a conductivity in the range of about 2% to about 10% IACS, said apparatus comprising;
at least one die for forming said first strip into said drawn inner tubular member; means for inserting at least one optical fiber into said inner tubular member; and means for forming said drawn outer tubular member about said inner tubular member, said forming means comprising at least one additional die for forming said second strip into said outer tubular member. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- F. and said drawn outer tubular member being formed from a second strip of material having a yield strength in the range of about 100 ksi to about 180 ksi, a yield strain in the range of about 0.57% to about 1% and a conductivity in the range of about 2% to about 10% IACS, said apparatus comprising;
Specification