Method and apparatus for use in the assembly of optical cables
US4195468A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 1979 |
| Grant date | Apr 1, 1980 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01B13/02
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An optical cable is assembled by inserting dielectric optical waveguides into periodically reversing helical grooves in the surface of a central filament. The invention is concerned with minimizing longitudinal tension in the waveguides. Powered rollers draw dielectric optical waveguide from fixed reels and delivers it, in a slack condition, to a guide unit which is mounted by means of a thrust bearing. The guide unit supports rods with apertures at their ends through which dielectric optical waveguide is guided, the rod ends being disposed within the grooves so that respective dielectric optical waveguides and grooves are maintained circumferentially coincident. Cable is drawn downstream of the guide unit to pull the filament and dielectric optical waveguides together at the guide unit and also to reciprocally drive the guide unit. As the filament, with dielectric optical waveguides positioned in its grooves, exits the guide unit, it is helically wound with tape.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.