Locatable fiber optic cable
First Claim
1. A fiber optic cable comprising:
- a buffer tube comprising one or more optical fibers;
a single layer conductive tape wrapped at least partially around the buffer tube and extending along a length of the fiber optic cable, the conductive tape having a resistance less than about ten ohms per mile and configured to transmit an electrical signal along the length of the fiber optic cable; and
a jacket circumferentially covering the conductive tape.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A communication cable, such as a fiber optic cable, can comprise a conductive tape that extends along the cable and that facilitates locating the cable from a remote location, for example when the cable is buried under ground. The tape can comprise a low resistance for transmitting a locate signal along the length of the cable that can be detected remotely by a detector without exposing the cable. The conductive tape can be circumferentially applied around the core of the cable under the cable'"'"'s jacket. Thus, the conductive tape can be accessed without exposing the core. The cable can include one or more buffer tubes for housing optical fibers. The buffer tubes and/or the jacket can comprise an antioxidant for preventing degradation associated with contact with copper or other metal of the conductive tape.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A fiber optic cable comprising:
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a buffer tube comprising one or more optical fibers; a single layer conductive tape wrapped at least partially around the buffer tube and extending along a length of the fiber optic cable, the conductive tape having a resistance less than about ten ohms per mile and configured to transmit an electrical signal along the length of the fiber optic cable; and a jacket circumferentially covering the conductive tape. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for locating a fiber optic cable buried under ground, comprising:
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coupling an electrical locate signal onto a single layer conductive tape disposed in the fiber optic cable, the conductive tape having a resistance less than about 10 ohms per mile and configured to carry the locate signal along the length of the fiber optic cable; and detecting energy radiating from the conductive tape above the ground with a signal detector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fiber optic cable comprising:
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a jacket extending lengthwise and defining an internal volume; a plurality of buffer tubes stranded and extending lengthwise in the internal volume, each circumferentially surrounding a respective stack of optical fibers; and an electrically conductive tape, extending lengthwise within the internal volume, and having a resistance not greater than about 10 ohms per mile, wherein at least one of the buffer tubes comprises a polymer and an antioxidant that is operative to avert degradation of the polymer due to contact with the electrically conductive tape. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification