Optical cable with indicator
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cable comprising:
- an optical fiber having a maximum bend radius;
an indicator coupled to the optical fiber; and
wherein the indicator is activated if a portion of the optical fiber has exceeded the maximum bend radius of the optical fiber;
wherein the indicator comprises;
a first conduit comprising a first fluid; and
a second conduit comprising a second fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are allowed to mix after the maximum bend radius of the optical fiber has been exceeded.
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Abstract
Networks may include optical cables to transmit data between various devices in the network. Indicators positioned on or within optical cables may be used to identify cables that have been compromised during installation, movement and/or use of the cables. Indicators may reduce a network downtime by decreasing the time needed to identify compromised cables. In some embodiments, indicators may change color and/or emit light to indicate that an optical cable has been compromised.
56 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A cable comprising:
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an optical fiber having a maximum bend radius;
an indicator coupled to the optical fiber; and
wherein the indicator is activated if a portion of the optical fiber has exceeded the maximum bend radius of the optical fiber;
wherein the indicator comprises;
a first conduit comprising a first fluid; and
a second conduit comprising a second fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are allowed to mix after the maximum bend radius of the optical fiber has been exceeded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A cable comprising:
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an optical fiber having a maximum bend radius;
an indicator coupled to the optical fiber; and
wherein the indicator is activated if a portion of the optical fiber has exceeded the maximum bend radius of the optical fiber;
wherein the indicator comprises a first cladding proximate the optical fiber and a second cladding surrounding the first cladding, wherein the second cladding comprises;
a first fluid;
a conduit positioned in the second cladding wherein the conduit comprises a second fluid; and
a translucent portion.
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7. A cable system, comprising:
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an optical fiber;
a first conduit comprising a first fluid coupled to the optical fiber;
a second conduit comprising a second fluid, wherein the second conduit is postionable within the first conduit; and
wherein the second conduit allows the first fluid and the second fluid to mix if a portion of the optical fiber has been compromised. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A network system, comprising:
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one or more cables, wherein a cable of the one or more cables comprises;
a transmission medium;
a first conduit comprising a first fluid;
a second conduit comprising a second fluid;
an indicator configured to be activated if a portion of the cable is compromised resulting in the first fluid and the second fluid mixing; and
at least two network devices, wherein a first one of the network devices is configured to transmit data to a second one of the network devices over the transmission medium. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method comprising:
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monitoring a network system that connects components via a plurality of optical cables, each optical cable including a respective indicator, wherein each indicator is configured to be activated if a portion of its respective cable is compromised, wherein each said indicator is configured to activate upon bending a first conduit of the indicator and breaking a second conduit of the indicator upon application of a force sufficient to bend its respective cable such that a maximum bend radius of the cable is exceeded;
detecting a transmission error within the network system;
locating one or more of the optical cables having an activated indicator; and
replacing the one or more of the optical cables having an activated indicator. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A cable, comprising:
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a transmission medium;
an indicator coupled to the transmission medium; and
wherein the indicator is activated if a portion of the cable system is subjected to a physical stress condition sufficient to damage the transmission medium;
wherein the indicator comprises;
comprising a first fluid; and
a second conduit comprising a second fluid, wherein the first fluid and the second fluid are allowed to mix if a portion of the cable system is subjected to a physical stress condition sufficient to damage the transmission medium.
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Specification