Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US5222176?dq=7,053,767
Timestamp: 2014-07-10 21:26:44
Document Index: 742049134

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 7', 'arts 7', 'Application No. 2224757', 'arts 7', 'art 7', 'arts 7', 'arts 7']

Patent US5222176 - Optical fiber cable joints and terminations - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA cable joint or termination has a plastics insulating layer formed by a pair of pre-formed polyethelene parts 7 and 8 which are a close fit around the casing 3 and the cable insulations 1C, 2C. The parts are bonded by ring moulds 9, 10 and 11. This is quicker and cheaper than previous techniques of...http://www.google.com/patents/US5222176?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US5222176 - Optical fiber cable joints and terminationsAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS5222176 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 07/889,153Publication dateJun 22, 1993Filing dateMay 27, 1992Priority dateJun 1, 1991Fee statusPaidAlso published asDE69210307D1, DE69210307T2, EP0517417A2, EP0517417A3, EP0517417B1Publication number07889153, 889153, US 5222176 A, US 5222176A, US-A-5222176, US5222176 A, US5222176AInventorsGraham Webber, Stuart E. WrightOriginal AssigneeNorthern Telecom LimitedExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (17), Referenced by (31), Classifications (14), Legal Events (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetOptical fiber cable joints and terminationsUS 5222176 AAbstract A cable joint or termination has a plastics insulating layer formed by a pair of pre-formed polyethelene parts 7 and 8 which are a close fit around the casing 3 and the cable insulations 1C, 2C. The parts are bonded by ring moulds 9, 10 and 11. This is quicker and cheaper than previous techniques of injection moulding to a sleeve and the cable at the end regions of the casing, and prevents occlusion caused by cable outgassing.
We claim: 1. An underwater joint for coupling first and second submarine cables each said cable having optical transmission means, a metal strength member and an outer plastics insulating sheath, the joint comprising a pressure resistant tubular metal casing or sea case having reduced diameter end portions each adapted to receive a respective sheathed cable end, each said cable end being a sliding fit in the respective end portion, first and second clamp means whereby the strength member of each cable end is secured to the respective end portion of the housing member, means for splicing the optical transmission means of the first and second cables, and an outer plastics layer comprising two similar preformed plastics parts each fitted to a respective cable and extending over the metal casing, the plastics parts being secured to each other and to the plastics cable sheaths whereby to effect a watertight construction.
2. A joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said plastics housing part is sealed to its respective cable end by a ring-shaped moulded region which penetrates the cable insulation by an amount less than the thickness of the cable insulation.
3. A cable provided with one or more joints as claimed in claim 1.
This invention relates to cable joints and terminations particularly joints for underwater use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The existing practice for underwater cable joints and terminations is to provide an electrically insulating layer over a cable joint which provides electrical insulation continuity from the insulation of one cable to the insulation of the other cable to be joined to it. This is done by moulding using an injection moulding technique. Conventionally polyethylene moulding is used, comprising a polyethylene moulding sleeve which is positioned centrally over the joint. The cable core i.e. the cable insulation, and the polyethylene sleeve ends are then heated in a moulding unit ready for molten polyethylene to be injected, which then amalgamates the sleeve and the core ends together.
The insulating layer can also provide the main or only barrier against water penetration into the joint or termination.
This existing technique is time consuming and we have found that the heat produced by the moulding process can have a deleterious effect not only on the joint but also on the cable, particularly where an adhesive, such as an EVA adhesive is used to bond component parts of the cable to prevent relative movement between those parts, or to act as a water blocking material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention an underwater cable joint or termination comprising a pressure-resistant tubular metal casing provided with a plastics electrically-insulating layer, said plastics layer consisting of a pre-formed part which comprises a tubular housing portion which has been fitted on to the metal casing and a tubular end portion of smaller diameter than the housing portion which has been fitted on to a tubular insulation layer of the cable, said end portion being bonded to the cable insulation by a hot moulding process in such manner as to prevent hot moulding material contacting component parts of the cable other than the cable insulation, said preformed part being supported against external hydraulic pressure by the casing and the cable over substantially all its internal surface area.
Conveniently, where a cable joint is concerned, a second pre-formed part similar to the first one can be fitted to the other side of the joint and bonded to the second cable insulation by a hot moulding process in such manner as to prevent hot moulding material contacting component parts of the cable other than the cable insulation, and bonded also to the first pre-formed part.
Preferably a tubular end portion is a sliding fit over the cable insulation and is bonded thereto by a ring-shaped moulded region which penetrates the cable insulation by an amount less than the thickness of the cable insulation.
Preferably also, where two pre-formed parts are fitted to opposite ends of a joint, they are joined together by a ring-shaped moulded region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be clearly understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawing which shows schematically and partially in cross section a submarine cable joint having a plastics electrically-insulating layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawing there is shown a deep sea underwater telecommunications cable 1 joined to a similar deep sea telecommunications cable 2 by means of a joint 3. The joint 3 comprises a steel sea case 3A to which the strength member wires 1A and 2A of the respective cables, are clamped in opposite ends of the sea case 3A. These clamps are represented schematically by blocks 4 and 5 respectively, but each may be like the one described in our co-pending British Application No. 2224757A. The joint internally and the casing could be similar to that disclosed in our co-pending application 2229545A.
Within the casing the optical fibres of the two cables will be spliced as represented at 6, the optical fibres of the respective cables being represented by reference numeral 1B and 2B.
There will also be an electrical continuity in the joint and may be represented by the sea case itself or by an electrical conductor within the sea case extending between the conductive portions of the two cables. Normally the central strength member wires 1 and 2 will themselves provide electrical conductivity, together with a tubular electrical conductor within the wires or a tubular electrical conductor closely surrounding and in intimate contact with the wires, neither of which is shown in the drawings but a typical example of which is shown in our British Patent 1550588, and this cable shows both an electrical conductor within the strength member wires and surrounding and in intimate contact with the strength member wires.
Each submarine cable 1 and 2 has an electrically insulating layer 1C and 2C of polyethelyne. Prior to completing an electrically insulating layer over the joint housing, the insulating layers are shaved to bring them to an accurate outer diameter.
A pair of plastics pre-manufactured i.e. pre-formed housing parts 7 and 8 of polyethelene are slid towards each other to cover the sea case and provide electrical insulating integrity and watertightness between the layer 2C and the layer 1C.
Each housing part 7 and 8 has a larger diameter housing portion 7A and 8A which encircles the sea case and a tubular end portion 7B and 8B. Portions 7B and 8B are a sliding fit on the shaved cable insulation and when the parts are in position around the sea case, the end portions 7B and 8B are bonded to the respective cable insulation 1C and 2C by respective ring moulds represented schematically by 9 and 10 where the polyethylene is molten to a depth in the insulation which is less than the thickness of the insulation so the molten moulding material does not come into contact with the underlying component parts of the cable.
Similarly a ring mould is made to amalgamate the facing ends of the housing portions 7A and 8A and this is represented by reference numeral 11.
It is emphasised that the pre-formed parts 7 and 8 fit accurately around the sea casing and the cable insulation so that when subjected to the pressures existing on the sea bed, there is no distortion of the pre-moulded parts because the sea casing and the cable insulation support the parts against such pressure substantially over the whole internal surface area of the two parts.
Because the moulding technique used to bond the parts 7 and 8 to the cable insulation does not heat up the cable parts nor the joint to any appreciable extent, then any parts of the cables or the joint which are susceptible to heat are thus protected, and in particular where an EVA adhesive is used to bond the cable insulation 1C and 2C to the respective strength member wires 1A and 2A, this adhesive is not affected by the ring moulding technique.
We have found that whereas previous techniques cause moulding material to impregnate component parts of the cable causing out gassing and inclusions of gas in the moulding, thereby sometimes producing defective insulating parts, with the arrangement described above, no outgassing occurs and good insulation properties are maintained throughout the joint from one cable insulation to the other. Furthermore the process has proved to be much quicker than previous techniques.
Although a cable joint is shown a similar technique would be applicable to a cable termination.
The ring mould 11, being located at the centre of the sea case 3, reduces the chance of the housing portions flexing and disturbing the moulding during the ring moulding operation because the sea casing accurately locates the housing parts.
The tubular end portions 7B and 8B are coextensive with the cable insulation 1C and 2C over an axial length of about three inches, more than three times the diameter of the cable insulation.
In the embodiment described the pre-formed parts are the only means of rendering the joint watertight at ocean depths, as well as providing electrical insulation up to 11,000 volts. The thickness of the pre-formed parts is not less than 10 mm throughout to achieve this.
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CaryFiber optic device sealed by compressed metal seals and method for making the sameUS5724723 *May 23, 1996Mar 10, 1998The Whitaker CorporationApparatus for assembling an optical fiber connectorUS5734767 *Jul 11, 1996Mar 31, 1998Belt; Richard W.Fiber optic couplerUS5764348 *Oct 1, 1996Jun 9, 1998Bloom; CaryOptical switching assembly for testing fiber optic devicesUS5805757 *Dec 10, 1996Sep 8, 1998Bloom; CaryApparatus and method for preserving optical characteristics of a fiber optic deviceUS5815619 *Dec 10, 1996Sep 29, 1998Bloom; CaryFiber optic connector hermetically terminatedUS5871559 *Dec 10, 1996Feb 16, 1999Bloom; CaryArrangement for automated fabrication of fiber optic devicesUS5917975 *Jun 30, 1997Jun 29, 1999Bloom; CaryApparatus for, and method of, forming a low stress tight fit of an optical fiber to an external elementUS5931983 *Aug 5, 1997Aug 3, 1999Bloom; CaryMethod of forming a fiber optic coupler by dynamically adjusting pulling speedUS5948134 *Aug 5, 1997Sep 7, 1999Bloom; CaryApparatus for forming a fiber optic coupler by dynamically adjusting pulling speed and heat intensityUS5970749 *Aug 21, 1997Oct 26, 1999Bloom; CaryArrangement for automated fabrication of fiber optic devicesUS5971629 *May 30, 1997Oct 26, 1999Bloom; CaryApparatus and method bonding optical fiber and/or device to external element using compliant material interfaceUS5999684 *Jun 4, 1998Dec 7, 1999Bloom; CaryApparatus and method for preserving optical characteristics of a fiber optic deviceUS6000858 *Jun 20, 1997Dec 14, 1999Bloom; CaryApparatus for, and method of, forming a low stress tight fit of an optical fiber to an external elementUS6003341 *Jul 22, 1997Dec 21, 1999Bloom; CaryDevice for making fiber couplers automaticallyUS6074101 *Jan 20, 1999Jun 13, 2000Bloom; CaryApparatus for, and method of, forming a low stress tight fit of an optical fiber to an external elementUS6085001 *Dec 11, 1997Jul 4, 2000Belt; Richard W.Fiber optic couplerUS6108074 *Aug 6, 1997Aug 22, 2000Bloom; CaryOptical switching assembly for testing fiber optic deviceUS6167176 *Mar 30, 1998Dec 26, 2000Belt; Richard W.Fiber optic couplerUS6177985Jun 27, 1997Jan 23, 2001Cary BloomApparatus and method for testing optical fiber system componentsUS6236776 *Apr 21, 1998May 22, 2001Nec CorporationSubmarine optical gain equalizer, submarine optical transmission line and its installation methodUS6237370Aug 21, 1998May 29, 2001Cary BloomApparatus for automated production, and/or packaging and/or testing of fiber optic devices including optical fiber system components and optical fibersUS6244756Aug 3, 1999Jun 12, 2001Cary BloomApparatus and method bonding optical fiber and/or device to external element using compliant material interfaceUS6326550Nov 13, 2000Dec 4, 2001General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems, Inc.Cable sealUS6366718Dec 8, 2000Apr 2, 2002Nec CorporationSubmarine optical gain equalizer, submarine optical transmission line and its installation methodUS6434317 *Nov 13, 2000Aug 13, 2002General Dynamics Advanced Technology Systems, Inc.Pressure vessel assemblyUS7103257 *Feb 27, 2002Sep 5, 2006Codeon CorporationHermetically sealed fiber tail assembly for polarization maintaining fiberUS8333519Aug 27, 2009Dec 18, 2012Adc Telecommunications, Inc.Splice of fiber optic cables* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification385/99, 385/100, 385/86, 385/77, 385/76, 385/95International ClassificationH02G15/10, G02B6/44Cooperative ClassificationG02B6/4428, G02B6/4446, G02B6/4427European ClassificationG02B6/44C6B, G02B6/44C6B1, G02B6/44C8A2KLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 1, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: INDEPENDENCE MANZANAR LLC, NEVADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:017286/0465Effective date: 20050406Dec 8, 2004FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12Nov 7, 2000FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Aug 30, 2000ASAssignmentOwner name: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED, CANADAFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:NORTEL NETWORKS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:011195/0706Effective date: 20000830Owner name: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED WORLD TRADE CENTER OF MONTOwner name: NORTEL NETWORKS LIMITED,CANADAFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:NORTEL NETWORKS CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:11195/706Dec 23, 1999ASAssignmentOwner name: NORTEL NETWORKS CORPORATION, CANADAFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:NORTHERN TELECOM LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:010567/0001Effective date: 19990429Owner name: NORTEL NETWORKS CORPORATION WORLD TRADE CENTER OFNov 22, 1996FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jul 2, 1992ASAssignmentOwner name: NORTHERN TELECOM LIMITED, CANADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:WEBBER, GRAHAM;WRIGHT, STUART E.;REEL/FRAME:006218/0162Effective date: 19920617RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google