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WO2005001537A1 - Optical fiber cable for being blown into ducts - Google Patents

Optical fiber cable for being blown into ducts Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005001537A1
WO2005001537A1 PCT/GB2004/002585 GB2004002585W WO2005001537A1 WO 2005001537 A1 WO2005001537 A1 WO 2005001537A1 GB 2004002585 W GB2004002585 W GB 2004002585W WO 2005001537 A1 WO2005001537 A1 WO 2005001537A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal transmitting
protrusions
layer
transmitting portion
cable assembly
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2004/002585
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
George Henry Platt Brown
Original Assignee
Emtelle Uk Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Emtelle Uk Limited filed Critical Emtelle Uk Limited
Publication of WO2005001537A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005001537A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
    • H01B7/18—Protection against damage caused by wear, mechanical force or pressure; Sheaths; Armouring
    • H01B7/184—Sheaths comprising grooves, ribs or other projections
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4401—Optical cables
    • G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
    • G02B6/4438—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables for facilitating insertion by fluid drag in ducts or capillaries
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/4482—Code or colour marking
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
    • G02B6/4485—Installing in protective tubing by fluid drag during manufacturing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/36—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks
    • H01B7/365—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks being indicia imposed on the insulation or conductor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cable assemblies, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to optical fibre cable assemblies .
  • the invention also relates to a method of manufacture of such cable assemblies.
  • Fibre optic cable assemblies usually have an outer coating of a thermoplastic such as high-density polyethylene which can be a very difficult material to print onto, the print generally having very poor adhesion to the polyethylene.
  • hot foil printing has several drawbacks. Firstly, this method is unsuitable for printing onto delicate surfaces. Not all fibre optic cable assemblies are reinforced, and the heat and pressure applied by the rollers may well damage certain types of cable. Secondly, hot foil printing is unsuitable for printing onto optic fibre cables of small diameter.
  • ink jet printing In order to overcome the above disadvantages, some manufacturers use ink jet printing to print on fragile or small diameter optic fibre cables. In ink jet printing, there is no contact between the printer head and the cable surface. Ink jet printing deposits tiny droplets of ink (typically 50 to 60 microns in diameter) onto the printing surface in order to create the desired pattern. Ink jet printers can produce very small characters and can operate at higher speeds than hot foil printers .
  • Ink jet printing also has disadvantages however.
  • Optical fibre cables are typically installed into ducts by either blowing or pulling.
  • blowing a jet of air is used to push the cable along a duct.
  • pulling the cable is simply pulled through the duct by a suitable line. In either of these cases, the cable will encounter abrasion against the duct surfaces and any dirt or grit contained in the duct, which can rub the print off the surface of the cable.
  • Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art.
  • a cable assembly comprising : -
  • a signal transmitting portion comprising at least one elongate flexible signal transmitting member; and a protective thermoplastic layer arranged outwardly of said signal-transmitting portion, the protective layer carrying printed information and a plurality of elongate protrusions on an outer surface thereof, the protrusions being arranged such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the said signal transmitting portion, at least some of said printed information being arranged between a plurality of said protrusions, wherein said elongate protrusions are integral with the protective thermoplastic layer .
  • a cable assembly including protrusions running parallel to the longitudinal axis has the advantage that it is quick and easy to manufacture, in that it simply requires a suitable die orifice through which the material of the outer layer is extruded.
  • the cable assembly may further comprise at least one intermediate layer arranged between said signal transmitting portion and said protective layer.
  • At least one said intermediate layer may comprise at least one acrylate material.
  • Said protective layer may comprise polyethylene.
  • said protective layer comprises high-density polyethylene.
  • said protective layer includes at least one friction-reducing additive.
  • a method of manufacturing a cable assembly comprising :-
  • a protective layer outwardly of a signal transmitting portion comprising at least one flexible signal transmitting member, forming a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface of the protective layer such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said signal transmitting portion, and printing information on said outer surface between a plurality of said protrusions, wherein the protrusions are formed by a process of extrusion.
  • said printing step comprises printing by a non-contact means.
  • Said printing step may comprise printing by means of an ink jet printer.
  • the method may further comprise the step of forming at least one intermediate layer between said signal transmitting portion and said protective layer.
  • the step of forming at least one intermediate layer may further comprise applying at least one layer of curable material to said signal transmitting portion, and curing the or each said layer of curable material.
  • at least one said layer of curable material is cured by means of UV radiation.
  • Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fibre optic cable of a first embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure IB is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fibre optic cable of a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of apparatus for manufacturing the cables of Figure 1A and IB.
  • a fibre optic cable 1 includes a core of primary coated optical fibres 2 , which will be familiar to persons skilled in the art, embedded in an inner layer 3 of UV-curable acrylate material having sufficient tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres 2 in place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly for termination and splicing purposes.
  • Suitable materials for this application are DS Cabelite 950-706 and DSM Cabelite 3287-9-41. These materials are available from DSM Desotech BV.
  • the hardness of the acrylate layer 3 is such that at least the outermost fibres 2 of the bundle are restricted from moving axially relative to the inner layer 3.
  • the inner layer 3 is then surrounded by a loose thin jacket 4 formed from a mixture of high density polyethylene having -a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 as measured by means of ISO R868 and a generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material.
  • a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material.
  • the mixture from which the outer layer 4 is formed is compacted by means of heat and pressure.
  • the outer layer 4 may also contain a mineral filler, such as calcium carbonate and/or titanium dioxide, in order to improve the stability of the dimensions of the outer layer 4 to temperature changes.
  • a plurality of longitudinal protrusions in the form of ribs 5 is formed integrally with the outer layer 4.
  • the ribs 5 extend along the length of cable 1 and are spaced generally equiangularly around the circumference of cable 1.
  • the cable is 1.1 mm in diameter and the individual ribs 5 have a height of 50 microns from the outer jacket 4.
  • the ribs 5 have the effect of supporting the cable 1 when in contact with other surfaces such that only ribs 5 contact the surface (not shown) , and the portions 6 of outer jacket 4 between ribs 5 are held away from the surface.
  • the primary coated optical fibres 2 are supplied from a bank of payoff reels (not shown) , the number of reels being equal to the number of fibres 2 to be included in the cable 1.
  • the fibres 2 are unwound with a generally constant traction force.
  • the fibres 2 are then bundled together into a bundle of suitable shape, and are passed through a resin application station, where an acrylate resin forming the inner layer 3 is applied to the bundle of fibres 2, the acrylate resin being a UV-curable resin.
  • the coated assembly of fibres 2 is then pulled through a series of curing ovens which cure the inner layer 3 to the desired dimensions.
  • the above process can be carried out, for example, using a modified fibre ribbon line provided by Nextrom, Vantaa, Helsinki, Finland.
  • the external coating 4 formed from a mixture of polymer and friction reducing material which has previously been compounded by means of heat and pressure, is applied to the inner layer 3 of the coated optical fibre bundle described above by pulling the coated fibre bundle through a thermoplastic extrusion line as shown in Figure 2.
  • a die (not shown) incorporating appropriately sized ribs is mounted onto the extrusion line, and the outer polyethylene jacket 4 incorporating ribs 5 is extruded in a single process.
  • the thermoplastic extrusion line 10 has a payoff stand 11 which allows the coated fibre bundle to be paid off a reel 12 at a generally steady rate.
  • a tensioning device 13 ensures that the coated bundle is taut before entering an extrusion crosshead 14, which applies the mixture of high-density polyethylene incorporating the suitable silicone slip agent to the coated bundle at a temperature between 190 degrees C and 230 degrees C.
  • the polyethylene coated cable is then pulled through a vacuum tank 15 which applies a vacuum to the outer coating 4 by surrounding it with water, the vacuum being between lOOmbar and 50mbar, and also cools the fibre unit as it leaves the extrusion crosshead 14. Additional cooling is provided by pulling the cable through a water trough 16, the water bein.g at a temperature of approximately 20 degrees C.
  • the cable 1 is then printed with information for identification purposes using an ink jet printer 20. In this process, the majority of the ink is deposited on portions 6 between ribs 5, and only a very small amount of ink is deposited on ribs 5. When the cable 1 is installed into a duct, only ribs 5 come into contact with the duct, and the ink deposited on flat portions 6 does not come into contact with the duct. The print on cable 1 is therefore very resistant to abrasion.
  • a caterpillar unit 17 pulls the fibre unit through the entire thermoplastic extrusion line 10, the cable 1 " then being coiled into a pan 18 by means of a coiler 19. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the two processes described above could be arranged in a single manufacturing line and the process completed in a single stage.
  • the longitudinal ribs may be replaced by discontinuous protrusions formed on the outer surface of the cable, and formed by other means than extrusion.
  • the cable assembly of the present invention comprises an inner and an outer layer, however it will be JO- obvious to those skilled in the art that it might be constructed from more than two layers.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)

Abstract

A cable assembly (1) comprises: - a signal transmitting portion (2) comprising at least one elongate flexible signal transmitting member; and a protective thermoplastic layer (4) arranged outwardly of said signal transmitting portion (2), the protective layer (4) carrying printed information and a plurality of elongate protrusions (5) on an outer surface thereof, the protrusions being arranged such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the said signal transmitting portion (2), at least some of said printed information being arranged between a plurality of said protrusions (5), wherein said elongate protrusions (5) are integral with the protective thermoplastic layer (4).

Description

OPTICAL FIBER CABLE FOR BEING BLOWN INTO DUCTS
The present invention relates to cable assemblies, and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to optical fibre cable assemblies . The invention also relates to a method of manufacture of such cable assemblies.
It is often desirable to print on the outer surface of optical fibre cable assemblies in order to provide means of identification and other such information. Fibre optic cable assemblies usually have an outer coating of a thermoplastic such as high-density polyethylene which can be a very difficult material to print onto, the print generally having very poor adhesion to the polyethylene.
For this reason, it has become common practice in the fibre optic cable industry to print onto cable assemblies using a hot foil printing process. In hot foil printing, a heated roller with the desired print is placed into direct contact with the outer surface of the cable assembly. The print is then embedded into the polyethylene surface under heat and pressure. This method is well known in the fibre optic industry and generally generates printed cable at rates of 60 metres per minute.
However, hot foil printing has several drawbacks. Firstly, this method is unsuitable for printing onto delicate surfaces. Not all fibre optic cable assemblies are reinforced, and the heat and pressure applied by the rollers may well damage certain types of cable. Secondly, hot foil printing is unsuitable for printing onto optic fibre cables of small diameter.
In order to overcome the above disadvantages, some manufacturers use ink jet printing to print on fragile or small diameter optic fibre cables. In ink jet printing, there is no contact between the printer head and the cable surface. Ink jet printing deposits tiny droplets of ink (typically 50 to 60 microns in diameter) onto the printing surface in order to create the desired pattern. Ink jet printers can produce very small characters and can operate at higher speeds than hot foil printers .
Ink jet printing also has disadvantages however. Optical fibre cables are typically installed into ducts by either blowing or pulling. In blowing, a jet of air is used to push the cable along a duct. In pulling, the cable is simply pulled through the duct by a suitable line. In either of these cases, the cable will encounter abrasion against the duct surfaces and any dirt or grit contained in the duct, which can rub the print off the surface of the cable.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantages of the prior art.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cable assembly comprising : -
a signal transmitting portion comprising at least one elongate flexible signal transmitting member; and a protective thermoplastic layer arranged outwardly of said signal-transmitting portion, the protective layer carrying printed information and a plurality of elongate protrusions on an outer surface thereof, the protrusions being arranged such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the said signal transmitting portion, at least some of said printed information being arranged between a plurality of said protrusions, wherein said elongate protrusions are integral with the protective thermoplastic layer .
By providing a plurality of protrusions extending outwardly of the outer layer of the fibre optic cable, this provides the advantage that only the protrusions will come into contact with the cable duct and any dirt or grit. Only print deposited on the protrusions will therefore be rubbed off, leaving the print between the protrusions unaffected. Consequently, the print can be made more resistant to abrasion on installation into the duct.
A cable assembly including protrusions running parallel to the longitudinal axis has the advantage that it is quick and easy to manufacture, in that it simply requires a suitable die orifice through which the material of the outer layer is extruded.
Furthermore, in having parallel protrusions, protection to print is provided along the entire length of the cable, while not impairing blowing performance of the cable. The cable assembly may further comprise at least one intermediate layer arranged between said signal transmitting portion and said protective layer.
By providing an intermediate layer having suitable properties, this enables the flexibility of the cable to be optimised .
At least one said intermediate layer may comprise at least one acrylate material.
Said protective layer may comprise polyethylene.
In a preferred embodiment, said protective layer comprises high-density polyethylene.
In a preferred embodiment, said protective layer includes at least one friction-reducing additive.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cable assembly, the method comprising :-
forming a protective layer outwardly of a signal transmitting portion comprising at least one flexible signal transmitting member, forming a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface of the protective layer such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said signal transmitting portion, and printing information on said outer surface between a plurality of said protrusions, wherein the protrusions are formed by a process of extrusion.
By providing parallel protrusions on the outer protective layer of an optical fibre cable during the forming process of extrusion, this provides the advantage that the protrusions can be formed integrally with the outer layer, and with little modification to known fabrication processes. It has been found that cable can be printed at rates in excess of 150 metres per minute using this process.
In a preferred embodiment, said printing step comprises printing by a non-contact means.
This provides the advantage of reducing the risk of damaging delicate or thin optical fibre cables.
Said printing step may comprise printing by means of an ink jet printer.
The method may further comprise the step of forming at least one intermediate layer between said signal transmitting portion and said protective layer.
The step of forming at least one intermediate layer may further comprise applying at least one layer of curable material to said signal transmitting portion, and curing the or each said layer of curable material. In a preferred embodiment, at least one said layer of curable material is cured by means of UV radiation.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whic :-
Figure 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fibre optic cable of a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure IB is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fibre optic cable of a second embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of apparatus for manufacturing the cables of Figure 1A and IB.
Referring to Figures 1A and IB, a fibre optic cable 1 includes a core of primary coated optical fibres 2 , which will be familiar to persons skilled in the art, embedded in an inner layer 3 of UV-curable acrylate material having sufficient tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres 2 in place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly for termination and splicing purposes. Suitable materials for this application are DS Cabelite 950-706 and DSM Cabelite 3287-9-41. These materials are available from DSM Desotech BV. The hardness of the acrylate layer 3 is such that at least the outermost fibres 2 of the bundle are restricted from moving axially relative to the inner layer 3. The inner layer 3 is then surrounded by a loose thin jacket 4 formed from a mixture of high density polyethylene having -a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 as measured by means of ISO R868 and a generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material. The mixture from which the outer layer 4 is formed is compacted by means of heat and pressure. The outer layer 4 may also contain a mineral filler, such as calcium carbonate and/or titanium dioxide, in order to improve the stability of the dimensions of the outer layer 4 to temperature changes.
A plurality of longitudinal protrusions in the form of ribs 5 is formed integrally with the outer layer 4. The ribs 5 extend along the length of cable 1 and are spaced generally equiangularly around the circumference of cable 1. In one embodiment of the invention, the cable is 1.1 mm in diameter and the individual ribs 5 have a height of 50 microns from the outer jacket 4. The ribs 5 have the effect of supporting the cable 1 when in contact with other surfaces such that only ribs 5 contact the surface (not shown) , and the portions 6 of outer jacket 4 between ribs 5 are held away from the surface.
In order to manufacture the cables 1 of Figures 1A and IB, the primary coated optical fibres 2 are supplied from a bank of payoff reels (not shown) , the number of reels being equal to the number of fibres 2 to be included in the cable 1. The fibres 2 are unwound with a generally constant traction force. The fibres 2 are then bundled together into a bundle of suitable shape, and are passed through a resin application station, where an acrylate resin forming the inner layer 3 is applied to the bundle of fibres 2, the acrylate resin being a UV-curable resin. The coated assembly of fibres 2 is then pulled through a series of curing ovens which cure the inner layer 3 to the desired dimensions. The above process can be carried out, for example, using a modified fibre ribbon line provided by Nextrom, Vantaa, Helsinki, Finland.
Referring now to Figure 2, the external coating 4, formed from a mixture of polymer and friction reducing material which has previously been compounded by means of heat and pressure, is applied to the inner layer 3 of the coated optical fibre bundle described above by pulling the coated fibre bundle through a thermoplastic extrusion line as shown in Figure 2. A die (not shown) incorporating appropriately sized ribs is mounted onto the extrusion line, and the outer polyethylene jacket 4 incorporating ribs 5 is extruded in a single process. The thermoplastic extrusion line 10 has a payoff stand 11 which allows the coated fibre bundle to be paid off a reel 12 at a generally steady rate. A tensioning device 13 ensures that the coated bundle is taut before entering an extrusion crosshead 14, which applies the mixture of high-density polyethylene incorporating the suitable silicone slip agent to the coated bundle at a temperature between 190 degrees C and 230 degrees C.
The polyethylene coated cable is then pulled through a vacuum tank 15 which applies a vacuum to the outer coating 4 by surrounding it with water, the vacuum being between lOOmbar and 50mbar, and also cools the fibre unit as it leaves the extrusion crosshead 14. Additional cooling is provided by pulling the cable through a water trough 16, the water bein.g at a temperature of approximately 20 degrees C. The cable 1 is then printed with information for identification purposes using an ink jet printer 20. In this process, the majority of the ink is deposited on portions 6 between ribs 5, and only a very small amount of ink is deposited on ribs 5. When the cable 1 is installed into a duct, only ribs 5 come into contact with the duct, and the ink deposited on flat portions 6 does not come into contact with the duct. The print on cable 1 is therefore very resistant to abrasion.
A caterpillar unit 17 pulls the fibre unit through the entire thermoplastic extrusion line 10, the cable 1 " then being coiled into a pan 18 by means of a coiler 19. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the two processes described above could be arranged in a single manufacturing line and the process completed in a single stage.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible with departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the longitudinal ribs may be replaced by discontinuous protrusions formed on the outer surface of the cable, and formed by other means than extrusion. Furthermore, although the cable assembly of the present invention comprises an inner and an outer layer, however it will be JO- obvious to those skilled in the art that it might be constructed from more than two layers.

Claims

Claims
1. A cable assembly comprising:-
a signal transmitting portion comprising at least one elongate flexible signal transmitting member; and
a protective thermoplastic layer arranged outwardly of said signal transmitting portion, the protective layer carrying printed information and a plurality of elongate protrusions on an outer surface thereof, the protrusions being arranged such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the said signal transmitting portion, at least some of said printed information being arranged between a plurality of said protrusions, wherein said. elongate protrusions are integral with the protective thermoplastic layer.
2. A cable assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one intermediate layer arranged between said signal transmitting portion and said protective layer.
3. A cable assembly according to claim 2, wherein at least one said intermediate layer comprises at least one acrylate material .
4. A cable assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protective layer comprises polyethylene.
5. A cable assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protective layer comprises high-density polyethylene .
6. A cable assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said protective layer includes at least one friction-reducing additive.
7. A cable assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A method of manufacturing a cable assembly, the method comprising :-
forming a protective layer outwardly of a signal transmitting portion comprising at least one flexible signal transmitting member, forming a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface of the protective layer such that they run substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said signal transmitting portion, and
printing information on said outer surface between a plurality of said protrusions, wherein the protrusions are formed by a process of extrusion.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said printing step comprises printing by a non-contact means.
10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein said printing step comprises printing by means of an ink jet printer.
11. A method according to any one of claims 8, 9 or 10, further comprising the step of forming at least one intermediate layer between said signal transmitting portion and said protective layer.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of forming at least one intermediate layer further comprises applying at least one layer of curable material to said signal transmitting portion, and curing the or each said layer of curable material.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein at least one said layer of curable material is cured by means of UV radiation.
14. A method of manufacturing a cable assembly, the method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings .
PCT/GB2004/002585 2003-06-26 2004-06-17 Optical fiber cable for being blown into ducts WO2005001537A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0314935A GB0314935D0 (en) 2003-06-26 2003-06-26 Signal transmitting cable
GB0314935.8 2003-06-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2005001537A1 true WO2005001537A1 (en) 2005-01-06

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WO (1) WO2005001537A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2584390A1 (en) * 2011-10-18 2013-04-24 Yangtze Optical Fibre And Cable Company, Ltd. A central tube type optical fibre micro-cable
WO2015009672A1 (en) * 2013-07-19 2015-01-22 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with print protective outer surface profile
CN105304172A (en) * 2015-10-28 2016-02-03 合肥安奎思成套设备有限公司 Anti-deformation cable
US9389387B2 (en) 2014-08-22 2016-07-12 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with print protective outer surface profile
US9513449B2 (en) 2013-07-19 2016-12-06 Corning Cable Systems Llc Optical fiber cable with protective translucent outer layer

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JPS6153079A (en) * 1984-08-23 1986-03-15 Hitachi Cable Ltd Printing method on corrugated cable sheath
EP0415674A2 (en) * 1989-09-01 1991-03-06 AT&T Corp. Article having marking thereon and methods of making
US5111523A (en) * 1990-01-03 1992-05-05 Filotex Laser-markable optical fiber or electric cable
US5121133A (en) * 1989-12-04 1992-06-09 Hong Fu Electronics Co., Ltd. Marking method showing a sequence of side-by-side conductors in series for information purposes
DE4126559A1 (en) * 1991-08-10 1993-02-11 Philips Patentverwaltung Electrical, optical, communications or power cable for blowing into channel - has radial protrusions on surface, and thin covering sheath applied for smooth movement in channel
EP0683495A1 (en) * 1994-05-06 1995-11-22 France Telecom Apparatus for installing a telecommunication cable in a duct
US5557703A (en) * 1991-07-01 1996-09-17 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Optical fibres for blown installation
US6293081B1 (en) * 1997-06-12 2001-09-25 Siecor Operations, Llc Fiber optic cable marking process and a sensor device use therewith

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JPS6153079A (en) * 1984-08-23 1986-03-15 Hitachi Cable Ltd Printing method on corrugated cable sheath
EP0415674A2 (en) * 1989-09-01 1991-03-06 AT&T Corp. Article having marking thereon and methods of making
US5121133A (en) * 1989-12-04 1992-06-09 Hong Fu Electronics Co., Ltd. Marking method showing a sequence of side-by-side conductors in series for information purposes
US5111523A (en) * 1990-01-03 1992-05-05 Filotex Laser-markable optical fiber or electric cable
US5557703A (en) * 1991-07-01 1996-09-17 British Telecommunications Public Limited Company Optical fibres for blown installation
DE4126559A1 (en) * 1991-08-10 1993-02-11 Philips Patentverwaltung Electrical, optical, communications or power cable for blowing into channel - has radial protrusions on surface, and thin covering sheath applied for smooth movement in channel
EP0683495A1 (en) * 1994-05-06 1995-11-22 France Telecom Apparatus for installing a telecommunication cable in a duct
US6293081B1 (en) * 1997-06-12 2001-09-25 Siecor Operations, Llc Fiber optic cable marking process and a sensor device use therewith

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2584390A1 (en) * 2011-10-18 2013-04-24 Yangtze Optical Fibre And Cable Company, Ltd. A central tube type optical fibre micro-cable
WO2015009672A1 (en) * 2013-07-19 2015-01-22 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with print protective outer surface profile
US9297975B2 (en) 2013-07-19 2016-03-29 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with print protective outer surface profile
US9435977B2 (en) 2013-07-19 2016-09-06 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with print protective outer surface profile
US9513449B2 (en) 2013-07-19 2016-12-06 Corning Cable Systems Llc Optical fiber cable with protective translucent outer layer
EP3022600B1 (en) * 2013-07-19 2021-11-24 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with protective translucent outer layer
US9389387B2 (en) 2014-08-22 2016-07-12 Corning Optical Communications LLC Optical fiber cable with print protective outer surface profile
CN107076950A (en) * 2014-08-22 2017-08-18 康宁光电通信有限责任公司 Fiber Optic Cable with Printed Protective Outer Surface Profile
CN107076950B (en) * 2014-08-22 2020-02-07 康宁光电通信有限责任公司 Optical fiber cable with printed protective outer surface profile
CN105304172A (en) * 2015-10-28 2016-02-03 合肥安奎思成套设备有限公司 Anti-deformation cable

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