Waterproof optical cable

• US 4,767,184 A
• Filed: 04/07/1987
• Issued: 08/30/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Nishimura, Akira, Nirasawa, Nobumasa, Ogasawara, Ichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEALY, BRIAN
• Application Number:
  US07/035,424
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.23, 174/70 R, 174/70 S, 174/23 R, 174/23 C
• US Class Current: 385/105
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4407 with internal fluted support member G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/441 built up from sub-bundles G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4427 Pressure resistant cables, e.g. undersea cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/443 Protective covering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44384 the means comprising water blocking or hydrophobic materials G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4479 Manufacturing methods of optical cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/448 Ribbon cables

Abstract

An optical fiber cable in which plural optical fibers are joined in a flat assembly. Each assembly is coated with a water-swelling resin, stacked with other such flat assemblies and fitted in a spiral groove of a spacer. A tape is wound around the so-fitted spacer.

Claims

1. A waterproof optical cable, comprising:

a rodlike spacer having a plurality of spiral grooves on its peripheral surface;

stacks fitted into at least some of said grooves, each stack comprising a plurality of substantially flat optical conductors stacked together in a radial direction of said spacer and coating resin film layer containing a water swelling material coated on a surface of each of said optical conductors; and

a water absorbent filling any of said grooves not fitted with one of said stacks.

2. A waterproof optical cable as recited in claim 1, wherein said coating resin film layer is provided on only one of plural principal surfaces of said flat optical conductors.

3. A waterproof optical cable as recited in claim 1, wherein said coating resin film layer surrounds all exterior surfaces of said flat optical conductors.

4. A waterproof optical cable as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said flat optical conductors comprises a plurality of optical fibers joined together.

5. A waterproof optical cable as recited in claim 1, further comprising a water absorbent filling said grooves between said stacks and said spacer.

6. A waterproof optical cable as recited in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said spacers each having said stacks;

a wound tape surrounding said plurality of said spacers;

a first waterproofing material filling space among said spacers, and between said spacers and said wound tape;

a sheath surrounding said wound tape; and

second waterproofing material between said sheath and said wound tape.