Power cable with ability to provide optical fiber upgrade

• US 9,343,882 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2014
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited), Tyco Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Kachmar, Wayne M., Wright, William F., Huegerich, Thomas P., Yang, Lizhang, Jacobsen, William, Fahd, Aly
• Primary Examiner(s): RAHLL, JERRY T
• Application Number:
  US14/192,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20140241679A1
• Time in Patent Office: 810 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2558 Reinforcement of splice joint
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4417 High voltage aspects, e.g. in cladding
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/475 Mechanical aspects of installing cables in ducts or the like for buildings
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/54 using mechanical means, e.g. pulling or pushing devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/06 for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/14 for joining or terminating cables
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/18 protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable two-part covers H02G15/10 ; preforms having internal stresses B29C61/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49194 Assembling elongated conductors, e.g., splicing, etc.

Abstract

The disclosed power cable enables optical fibers to be installed after the power cable has been installed, thereby forming a hybrid cable. Segments of the power cable are manufactured with fiber installation tubes containing pulling members. When the power cable segments are coupled together, the fiber installation tubes and pulling members also are coupled together to form a fiber installation conduit and an extended pulling member. A fiber pull arrangement can be coupled to the extended pulling member and drawn through the fiber installation conduit within the power cable at any time subsequent to installation of the power cable.

Claims

1. A hybrid cable comprising:

(a) a plurality of sheaths having axial ends coupled together by sheath connecting members to form an extended cable;

(b) a plurality of insulated conductor having axial ends coupled together by conductor splice arrangements to form extended insulated conductors within the extended cable;

(c) a plurality of fiber installation tubes having axial ends coupled together by tube connecting members to form a fiber installation conduit within the extended cable; and

(d) a fiber pull arrangement disposed within the fiber installation conduit, the fiber pull arrangement including a plurality of optical fibers coupled to a strength member.

2. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the conductor splice arrangements comprise shear bolt assemblies.

3. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the tube connecting members include closure members configured to secure to exterior surfaces of the axial ends of adjacent ones of the fiber installation tubes.

4. The hybrid cable of claim 3, wherein the closure members include clam-shell housings.

5. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber pull arrangement includes at least one optical fiber ribbon adhered to a reinforcing tape.

6. The hybrid cable of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing tape includes aramid tape.

7. The hybrid cable of claim 5, wherein the reinforcing tape includes Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fiber or tape.

8. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber installation tubes are at least partially formed from cross-linked polyethylene.

9. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber pull arrangement includes an optical cable including a plurality of optical fibers, a strength layer, and a jacket.

10. The hybrid cable of claim 9, wherein the optical fibers are arranged in multiple layers.

11. The hybrid cable of claim 9, wherein the fiber pull arrangement also includes a center rod disposed within the jacket.

12. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber pull arrangement includes a dry lubricant disposed over an exterior of the fiber pull arrangement.

13. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber pull arrangement includes a liquid lubricant disposed over an exterior of the fiber pull arrangement.

14. The hybrid cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber pull arrangement includes a textured surface to decrease surface area contact between the fiber pull arrangement and the fiber installation conduit.