Source: http://www.google.ca/patents/US4217028
Timestamp: 2017-02-20 17:58:02
Document Index: 667370711

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 12', 'arts 11', 'art 11', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'art 13', 'art 13', 'arts 11', 'art 13', 'arts 12']

Patent US4217028 - Fiber optic electromechanical submarine cable termination - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsTermination device for anchoring a fiber optic cable, especially in a fiber optic cable submarine signaling system wherein the cable must be periodically interrupted and anchored to the housing of a repeater, or the like. A central cable or strength member of steel, for example, is built into the cable...http://www.google.ca/patents/US4217028?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US4217028 - Fiber optic electromechanical submarine cable terminationAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS4217028 APublication typeGrantApplication numberUS 05/927,667Publication date12 Aug 1980Filing date24 Jul 1978Priority date24 Jul 1978Publication number05927667, 927667, US 4217028 A, US 4217028A, US-A-4217028, US4217028 A, US4217028AInventorsOswald R. Reh, Hans E. HeinzerOriginal AssigneeInternational Telephone And Telegraph CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (7), Referenced by (26), Classifications (11), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetFiber optic electromechanical submarine cable termination
US 4217028 AAbstract
Termination device for anchoring a fiber optic cable, especially in a fiber optic cable submarine signaling system wherein the cable must be periodically interrupted and anchored to the housing of a repeater, or the like. A central cable or strength member of steel, for example, is built into the cable along with a plurality of optical fibers. A compression block accepts the cable through an axial bore which flares out into a conical shape. A pressure cone has an axially slotted wall to form a plurality of tines which tend to compress radially inward against the strength member of the cable actually inserted therein when the cone is axially compressed into the conical cavity of the pressure block. Individual optical fiber passages through the compression block flare out from the small end of the conical cavity and pressure cone. The compression block fits into a cup of insulating material, the cable entering through a bore in the closed end of the cup. The insulating cup electrically isolates the compression block and pressure cone assembly which would normally be of a conductive metallic material from the housing of the repeater assembly, etc., into which the entire assembly is mechanically fitted. The pressure cone is held within the compression block by a circle of bolts and a torsion resisting bolt holds the compression block in the congruent cavity of the cup.
1. Apparatus for terminating a cable having at least one optical fiber and a strength member therein, comprising:a compression block having an axial conical cavity therethrough and at least one optical fiber clearance passage passing through said block outside of but adjacent to said conical cavity; a pressure cone having an axial bore therethrough, said cone having at least one axial slot through the wall formed by said bore and the conical outside surface of said pressure cone; and means for securing said pressure cone into said compression block conical cavity and for exerting axial compression therebetween to cause said axial slot to tend to close therby exerting a radially inward gripping force against said strength member inserted into said axial cavity from the narrow end of said compression block axial cavity, said optical fiber passing substantially freely through said passage. 2. The invention according to claim 1 further defined in that said axial slots through said pressure cone wall are at least two in number and are uniformly spaced circumferentially to form tines which tend to deflect radially inward to grip said strength member in response to said axial compression between said pressure cone and said compression block.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said pressure cone axial bore contains internal generally circumferential ridges whereby said gripping force produces large resistance to axial tension forces applied to said strength member.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said ridges are formed as a thread.
5. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which said axial slots are four in number thereby forming four of said tines.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said pressure cone axial bore contains internal generally circumferential ridges whereby said gripping force produces large resistance to axial tension forces applied to said strength member.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said compression block and said conical cavity are of circular cross section, said pressure cone is a circular cone, and additional means are provided comprising an insulating cup having a generally axial cavity therein for receiving said compression block slip-fit into the open end of said cup, in which means are supplied for constraining rotation of said block within said cup, and in which means are provided for mounting said cup in a housing, said block and said pressure cone being thereby mechanically attached to said housing but electrically insulated therefrom.
The invention relates to apparatus for anchoring or terminating cables mechanically and electrically, and especially to submarine optic cable systems.
Submarine cables in electric signaling systems are well-known and have been used for many years. Therein the requirement for anchoring submarine cables of the electric type has long existed, i.e., where these cables are to be interrupted and coupled into and out of submarine housings enclosing repeater amplifier equalizers or the like.
The field of fiber optic signaling is so comparatively recent in its development, especially in respect to submarine cables of the fiber optic type, that truly analogous prior art has not yet developed. Obviously terminations for anchoring the electric cables aforementioned exist, but the requirements therefor are considerably different than for fiber optic cables.
The manner in which the present invention addresses the problem of anchoring or terminating a fiber optic cable having a built-in steel cable or the like as a strength member will be evident as this description proceeds.
A typical cable for a submarine fiber optic signaling system is relatively small in size, since the signal carrying optical fibers themselves are small. A fiber optic cable for such purposes can be selected from commercially available cables, and might typically include a copper-plated steel cable as a strength member essentially at the core of the cable. Such a cable might typically be one millimeter in diameter, surrounded by a polyethylene coating on the order of 3 millimeters thickness outside of which three 120° circumferentially spaced optical fibers of approximately 6 millimeters diameter each are placed and run generally parallel to the steel cable strength member. Overall outside this configuration is an outer polyethylene jacket also on the order of 3 millimeters thickness.
The cable passes through an axial bore in an insulating cylindrical cup and, with the polyethylene coatings removed the strength member and optical fibers then pass into a compression block and pressure cone assembly. The strength member is held by the compressed tines of a pressure cone member as it passes axially through a bore in the pressure cone. The radially inwardly directed compression of these tines is effected by inclined plane action produced as the pressure cone is axially forced into a conical cavity in the compression block. The optical fibers are each conducted independently through a corresponding relatively free-fitting passage in the compression block running roughly parallel to the conical cavity.
Since, in optical fiber signaling systems of the type to which the invention most directly applies some electrical power is required for the operation of repeater amplifiers and the like, the strength member of the cable doubles as an electrical conductor, the insulating cylindrical cup serving to electrically isolate the compression block and pressure cone subassembly from the repeater housing and other apparatus into which the insulating cup may be fixed.
The details of a typical embodiment for the practice of the invention will be evident as this description proceeds.
FIG. 1 is an axially-sectioned view of the compression block and pressure cone assembled into the cylindrical insulating cup, but without the cable inserted therein.
FIG. 2a is a detail of the insulating cylindrical cup of FIG. 1, similarly sectioned axially.
FIG. 2b is a full end view of the part represented in the FIG. 2a sectioned view.
FIG. 3a is an axially-sectioned view of the compression block according to FIG. 1.
FIG. 3b is a full end view of the compression block part represented in sectioned view 3a.
FIG. 4a is a similarly axially sectioned view of the pressure cone of FIG. 1 in independent detail.
FIG. 4b is a full end view of the pressure cone part represented in FIG. 4a.
FIG. 5 is an axially sectioned assembly according to FIG. 1 with a typical fiber optic cable installed therein.
The compact, lightweight, highly-reliable termination device according to the invention is capable of withstanding comparatively high tensile forces as encountered during cable assembly handling and deployment. In addition, the termination device according to the invention provides full protection and insulation of the electric power carrying, copper-clad strength member of the optical fiber cable and safe tension-free bypasses in the termination device for the optical fiber transmission elements.
FIGS. 1 and 5 are essentially the same except that FIG. 5 shows the assembly with cable installed. These two figures will be described together but first FIGS. 2a and b, 3a and b and 4a and b will be discussed in order that the individual parts of the assembly can be better understood before they are discussed assembled together.
Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2b. A cylindrical cup 11 of insulating material such as teflon, nylon or fiberglass is shown in axially sectioned from 2(a) and as a full end view in FIG. 2(b). This part has a bore 23 from the left end as viewed in FIG. 2(a) for accepting the fiber optic cable in a manner which will be more clearly presented in FIG. 5 subsequently. A counterbore 24 produces a cavity into which the metallic parts are assembled. A bolt cavity 18 and a semi-annular integral ring 11a provide attachment means, the bolt in 18 serving to secure part 12, the compression block of FIG. 3(a), in place and prevent torsional forces from rotating parts 11 and 12 with respect to each other. The semi-annular ring 11a provides an anti-rotational device operative between the cup 11 and a housing into which it may be mounted, for example, the housing of a submarine repeater, the part 11 can fit into a cavity or opening having a corresponding shape, the flange 11a thereby preventing rotation of the cup 11 with respect to any such housing in which it may be mounted. That housing itself is not illustrated, since it is not a part of the present invention, it being understood that it may be of a type extant in the prior art respecting submarine electric signaling systems.
In FIG. 3(a) a compression block part 12 is illustrated in axially-sectioned form; and in FIG. (b) the same part is illustrated in a full end view. Considering FIGS. 3(a) and (b) together it will be seen that there is a conical bore or cavity 25, and three optical fiber passages 19, 21 and 22 are also provided. The three optical fiber passages aforementioned correspond to the three optical fibers assumed in the typical fiber optical cable corresponding to the example illustration. Of course it will be realized that fewer or more than three optical fibers might be involved in such an arrangement and accordingly it will be obvious to those skilled in this art that fewer or more optical fiber passages such as 19, 21 and 22 can be provided, these being understood to be clearance passages through which the optical fibers are discretely inserted in a slip-fit relationship. Threaded bores receiving the anti-torsion bolt through 18 and for mounting the pressure cone of 4(a) and (b) are illustrated at 17 and at 16, 20 and 36 respectively.
Referring now to FIGS. 4(a) and (b), a detail of the pressure cone is presented. FIG. 4(a) is the axially sectioned view corresponding to the FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a) and FIG. 4(b) is the full end view of the part represented in FIG. 4(a). This pressure cone 13 has a conical portion 26a and four axial cuts through the wall formed between the conical perimeter surface 26a and the internal bore 27. These are most clearly seen in FIG. 4(b) at 14, 28, 29 and 30. The openings through the flange portion of pressure cone 26 identified at 19a, 21a, and 22a are spaced 120° as indicated and in between are bolt holes 16a, 20a and 36a. Those at 19a, 21a and 22a correspond to fiber optic passages 19, 21 and 22 in part 12. The optical fibers passing therethrough also pass loosely through the aforementioned pressure cone flange openings.
Bolt holes 16a, 20a and 36a receive bolts which engage the threaded bores 16, 20 and 36 respectively in the compression block 12.
At this point it will be realized that the axial compression exerted by these bolts free-fitting through 16a, 20a and 36a forces the pressure cone surface 26a into a tight fit within the conical bore or chamber 25 in block 12. In fact, it will be evident that the proper relative shapes of the conical surfaces 25 and 26a will provide for exertion of a radially inward force over the circumference of part 13 by inclined plane action, this radial pressure tending to close the axial grooves or cuts 14, 28,29 and 30 so that the tines formed in the pressure cone wall by those slots or cuts tend to be deflected radially inward in response. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5 taken together, the relationship of the block 12 and the pressure cone 13 which produces this inward deflection of the aforementioned tines of part 13 will cause those tines to strongly grip the fiber optic cable strength member 32, tensile loads applied to that cable tending to act to increase the seating pressure of the pressure cone 13 within the compression block 12 corresponding to a further increase of the radially inward tine-gripping force resulting. In FIG. 4a, it will be noted that there is internal ridging 37 within the bore 27. These may be simple internal threads and may be of only partial thread depth. During manufacture, these threads or ridges are most easily produced by an internal threading operation before the axial slots 14, 28, 29 and 30 are cut. The purpose of these ridges or threads which are generally circumferential within bore 27 is enhancement of the gripping action against the cable strength member.
Referring now to FIG. 1, the assembled relative positions of the parts 11, 12 and 13 are illustrated, just one of the three assumed pressure cone bolts 15 being shown typically. From FIG. 1, the similarly identified parts are readily related to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
In FIG. 5, the typical fiber optic cable 31 illustrated comprises a steel cable strength member which is copper-clad (plated) and is on the order of 1 millimeter in diameter. Over this, a polyethylene sleeve 33 on the order of 3 millimeters in thickness is provided and outside that, three optical fibers, of which 34 is a typical one, are implaced at approximately 120° circumferential spacing. Finally, an outside polyethylene jacket 35 on the order of 3 millimeters in thickness covers the entire cable. The steel cable or strength member 32 will be seen in FIG. 5 to be implaced in the axial bore 27 of the pressure cone part 13 and is gripped therein in accordance with the ridges or threads in 27. Projecting through bore 27 is the copper-clad strength member 32, a lug 37 having been placed thereon for electrical connection to power repeater/amplifier components or the like within the housing with which the termination device of the invention is associated. Quite obviously from FIG. 5, the right side of the view of FIG. 5 is the repeater housing internal side, the left side where the cable 32 enters being the sea side.
Once assembled, the entire structure may be impregnated or filled with a tack, bubble and oxidation free solid, liquid or semliquid insulating filler or a type known to those skilled in this art to prevent any water or moisture penetration and assure higher electrical safety. Depending upon the prevailing differential expansion coefficient between the electrical filler and water under pressure, an equalizing membrane may be added so that the filler material will not be subjected to the full differential of pressure between the submarine environment on the one hand and a much lower pressure on the other hand. Seals may also be provided at the cable entry, insulating cup flange and matching parts of the termination structure if desired. The protrusion of the strength member at the right of the FIG. 5 permits electrical connection 37, and it will be realized that in view of the insulating cup 11, this strength member, which doubles as an electrical conductor is isolated electrically from the housing or other apparatus associated with the device.
The apparatus according to the invention may be associated with a connector, an end module, or an end line unit such as a submarine repeating housing, etc., in its described and illustrated configuration.
Parts 12 and 13 may typically be fabricated by machining processes of stainless steel, titanium or other environmentally suited metal or metallic alloy.
Modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in this art, once the invention is understood. Matters of scale, materials including impregnating material and mechanical details and shapes are within the skill of the art. Accordingly, such modifications and variations would be expected to fall within the scope of the invention. The drawings and this description are to be regarded as typical and illustrative only.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS2155650 *10 Nov 193725 Apr 1939Bell Telephone Labor IncHousing for repeater apparatusUS2697739 *15 May 195021 Dec 1954Submarine Cables LtdSubmarine cable repeater housingUS3883218 *8 Nov 197313 May 1975British Insulated CallendersOptical guidesUS3910678 *22 Nov 19747 Oct 1975IttFiber optic tubular star connectorUS3946467 *9 Dec 197430 Mar 1976Northern Electric Company, LimitedClamp for an optical fibreUS3982815 *3 Jun 197528 Sep 1976Nippon Electric Company, Ltd.Connector for light-transmitting cablesUS4110000 *1 Mar 197629 Aug 1978Amp IncorporatedFiber optic connector* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS4253729 *6 Aug 19793 Mar 1981Compagnie Industrielle Des Telecommunications Cit-AlcatelSealed connection between an optical fibre cable and a submerged housingUS4339171 *4 Mar 198013 Jul 1982Bunker Ramo CorporationFiber optic cable retainer memberUS4556281 *19 Dec 19833 Dec 1985Gte Products CorporationEnd plug for a fiber optic in-line splice case assemblyUS4598290 *27 Apr 19841 Jul 1986Mobil Oil CorporationFiber optic penetrator for offshore oil well exploration and productionUS4606603 *7 Apr 198319 Aug 1986Lockheed CorporationUnderwater connector including integral bladder and seal with a set of constricting meansUS4657340 *19 Dec 198414 Apr 1987E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And CompanyTerminal device for optical fibersUS4674832 *9 Oct 198523 Jun 1987Fujikura Ltd.End assembly for connection to end of ground wire with optical fiberUS4744622 *12 Sep 198617 May 1988Amp IncorporatedOptical fiber splice caseUS4767173 *17 Jun 198630 Aug 1988Societa' Cavi Pirelli S.P.A.Submarine telecommunication line with optical fibersUS4787703 *4 Jun 198729 Nov 1988Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.Cable containing epoxy-modified encapsulation compositionUS4790626 *7 Oct 198713 Dec 1988Les Cables De LyonConnection between an optical fiber cable and a junction boxUS4883336 *17 Feb 198928 Nov 1989Conseil National De Recherches Du CanadaMethod and leadthrough system for laying out optical fibres across an aperture of a container shellUS4974925 *2 Feb 19904 Dec 1990Gte Products CorporationSplice casing assemblyUS4989945 *12 Apr 19905 Feb 1991Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Branch device for multi-core optical fiberUS5013125 *2 Oct 19897 May 1991Alcatel Na Cable Systems Inc.Pulling eye assembly for connectorized optical fiber cablesUS5050960 *12 Oct 199024 Sep 1991Stc PlcAerial optical fibre cableUS5128086 *15 Aug 19887 Jul 1992Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.Epoxy-modified encapsulation compositionUS5140075 *18 Jan 199018 Aug 1992Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.Epoxy-modified encapsulation compositionUS5666457 *19 Aug 19969 Sep 1997Fujitsu LimitedOptical submarine repeaterUS5692090 *30 Nov 199425 Nov 1997John Mezzalingua Assoc. Inc.Fiber optic cable end connectorUS7906727 *26 Aug 200815 Mar 2011Oceaneering International, Inc.Umbilical bullet connectorUS9057837 *4 Sep 201316 Jun 2015Te Connectivity Nederland B.V.End cap, arrangement and kit for terminating a transmission cableUS20100052309 *26 Aug 20084 Mar 2010Oceaneering International, Inc.Umbilical Bullet ConnectorUS20140064672 *4 Sep 20136 Mar 2014Tyco Electronics Nederland BvEnd Cap, Arrangement and Kit for Terminating a Transmission CableWO2005086289A2 *5 Mar 200515 Sep 2005Fischer Connectors Holding S.A.Connector provided with a cable holding systemWO2005086289A3 *5 Mar 20051 Dec 2005Fischer Connectors Holding S AConnector provided with a cable holding system* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification385/87, 385/136, 174/70.00SInternational ClassificationG02B6/44, G02B6/38Cooperative ClassificationG02B6/4472, G02B6/4477, G02B6/3887European ClassificationG02B6/44C8Z3, G02B6/44C8Z1, G02B6/38D12Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescription22 Apr 1985ASAssignmentOwner name: ITT CORPORATIONFree format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:004389/0606Effective date: 19831122RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services