Device by which the end of an optical cable incorporated in a power cable unwindable from a drum is maintained fixed relative to an optical reader

• US 5,212,760 A
• Filed: 05/05/1992
• Issued: 05/18/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Specimas SPA
• Original Assignee: Specimas SPA
• Inventors: Goetz, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US07/878,863
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 385/88, 385/100, 385/101, 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137, 385/147, 250/227.11, 250/227.14, 250/227.28, 250/571, 242/1, 242/117, 242/118, 242/170, 242/171, 242/172, 242/166, 242/167, 242/174, 242/176, 242/54 R
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4457 Bobbins; Reels

Abstract

A device by which the end of an optical cable incorporated in a power cable is maintained fixed relative to an optical reader while the power cable is being wound onto or unwound from a cable winding drum. The device comprises a first roller on which there can be wound a number of turns of said optical cable equal at least to a fraction of the number of turns of power cable wound on said cable winding drum. The free end of said optical cable is locked in front of said optical reader after it has been wound through at least one turn or a portion of a turn on a roller on which there can be wound a number of turns equal at least to the number of turns which can be wound on said first roller. This latter is rotatably driven. At least said second roller is associated with a mobile structure rotating about and in mechanical synchronization with said roller.

Claims

1. A device by which the end of an optical cable incorporated in a power cable is maintained fixed relative to an optical reader while the power cable is being wound onto or unwound from a cable winding drum, characterized by comprising a first roller (2) on which there can be wound a number of turns of said optical cable (6) equal at least to a fraction of the number of turns of said power cable wound on said cable winding drum, the free end of said optical cable being locked in front of said optical reader (E) after it has been wound through at least one turn or a portion of a turn on a second roller (4) on which there can be wound a number of turns equal at least to the number of turns which can be wound on said first roller (2), said first roller (2) being rotatably driven and said second roller (4) being associated with a mobile structure (5) rotating about said first roller (2).

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that means are provided for determining an equal length relationship between the optical cable unwound from and the optical cable wound onto said rollers (2, 4).

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said means are a plurality of gear wheels (13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21) mechanically connecting said rollers (2, 4) and said mobile structure (5) together.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first roller (2) is rotated by said cable winding drum, and said second roller (4) is fixed rotationally about its own axis.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said second roller (4) is idly mounted on said mobile structure (5).

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first roller (2) comprises an axial inlet and a peripheral outlet for said optical cable (6), said second roller (4) comprising a peripheral inlet and an axial outlet for said optical cable (6) wound on it.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first and second roller (2, 4) are in coaxial relationship, said mobile structure (5) comprising guide means for said optical cable.

8. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said means are a plurality of gear wheels mechanically connecting said first roller (2) and said mobile structure (5) together.

9. A device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said means are a plurality of flexible transmission elements such as belts, chains or similar elements.

10. An arrangement comprising a drum, a power cable wound on said drum, said power cable including at least one optical fiber means and electrical conductors, driving means for rotating said drum, a hollow shaft connected to said drum and passing through said driving means, said power cable extending through said shaft, a rotary collector means connected to said shaft for connecting said electrical conductors to a power source, a first winding roller drivingly connected to said rotary collector means optical fiber means extending through said rotary collector means and entering into said first roller to be wound thereon, a first power transmission means drivingly connected to said first roller, a second winding roller for winding said optical fiber in exchange relationship with said first winding roller, a support means for rotatably supporting said second winding roller, said support means being rotatably supported in coaxial relationship to said first winding roller, a reduction gearing unit for rotating said support means, said reduction gearing being drivingly connected to said rotary collector means, said power transmission means being drivingly connected to said second winding roller to transmit its rotary motion thereto, a stationary optical reader means, and outlet means in said second winding roller for guiding said optical fiber means to said stationary optical reader means.