Fiber optic groundwire with coated fiber enclosures
First Claim
1. An optical static wire assembly suitable for use as an overhead static wire, comprising:
- an electrically conducting core having a helical channel in its periphery;
a tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within said helical channel, the tube having at least one coating, said coating comprising a thermal insulation material; and
a plurality of metal wires wrapped around and in electrical contact with the core, and providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength for the assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward an optic static wire assembly comprising a central core which has one or more helical channels in its periphery. One or more tubes containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and one or more optical fibers are positioned in the channels. The tubes are coated with a thermal insulation material, and then a heat reflective material. The optical fibers are randomly arranged within the tubes in such a way that tensile stresses on the cable are not transmitted to them. Finally, the assembly formed by the core and the tube or tubes is wrapped with a serving of metal wires. In one embodiment, the core and tubes may be wrapped with a tape layer before the outer metal wires are applied. Any interstices among the core, the tube or tubes, and tape may also be filled with another dielectric water-blocking compound.
291 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical static wire assembly suitable for use as an overhead static wire, comprising:
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an electrically conducting core having a helical channel in its periphery; a tube containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and at least one optical fiber randomly arranged within the tube, the tube being positioned within said helical channel, the tube having at least one coating, said coating comprising a thermal insulation material; and a plurality of metal wires wrapped around and in electrical contact with the core, and providing at least the major portion of the tensile strength for the assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification