Optical waveguides – Optical transmission cable – Tightly confined
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-17
2001-10-09
Lester, Evelyn A (Department: 2873)
Optical waveguides
Optical transmission cable
Tightly confined
C385S100000, C385S101000, C385S102000, C385S105000, C385S106000, C385S107000, C385S109000, C385S110000, C385S112000, C385S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301414
ABSTRACT:
This application is based on and claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 198 45 172.5 filed Oct. 1, 1998, which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a communications cable network in a duct or pipe system primarily used for other purposes in accordance with the preamble of claim
1
.
DE 197 01 737 A discloses a method for installing optical fiber cables in accessible or non-accessible water, sewage, or rainwater ducts, or also gas pipes. This ensures that the fiber optic cables can be installed in simple manner all the way into the individual buildings without costly earthwork. The fiber optic cables are fastened to the inner wall of the ducts or pipes by means of straps using a remote control duct robot. The fiber optic cable used here has an outer metal protective tube holding the optical waveguides. Many such fiber optic cables can be fastened next to each other on the walls. The fiber optic cables can also extend within cable conduits, i.e. the cable conduits are first fastened to the wall and the fiber optic cable is subsequently pulled or blown into the cable conduit. A disadvantage of this method is that it requires two operations to install the fiber optic cable, namely installing the cable conduit and pulling in the fiber optic cable. As mentioned above, the fiber optic cables have an outer metal tube with good bending properties combined with good stability. Due to these good bending properties, the straps have to be spaced relatively closely, for example, at a distance of 1-2 m to prevent marked sagging by the cable. The good bending properties must make it possible for the cable, as it exits the conduit end enters the shaft in the case of a sewage pipe, to bend by 90° within a relatively small space without kinking of the metal tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a cable for a communications cable network of the initially described type, which on the one hand is rigid but can be wound onto conventional cable drums for transport and on the other hand can be readily transformed into an easily bendable communications cable.
This object is attained by the features set forth in the characteristic part of claim
1
.
The essential advantage of the invention is that it provides two different cables in one. The cable core is designed as a self-contained, fully functional cable. The combination cable core and sheath is a relatively rigid structure, whereas the cable without its sheath is highly flexible. The cable without its sheath can be installed directly in the ground, in empty pipes in the ground, or in ducts.
Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34516 (1994-01-01), Houghton
patent: 4097119 (1978-06-01), Kumamaru et al.
patent: 4199224 (1980-04-01), Oestreich
patent: 4342500 (1982-08-01), Oestreich et al.
patent: 4662712 (1987-05-01), Tabata et al.
patent: 4815813 (1989-03-01), Arroyo et al.
patent: 4826278 (1989-05-01), Gartside, III et al.
patent: 4844575 (1989-07-01), Kinard et al.
patent: 4946237 (1990-08-01), Arroyo et al.
patent: 5013127 (1991-05-01), Bernard
patent: 5199096 (1993-03-01), Kathiresan et al.
patent: 5249248 (1993-09-01), Arroyo et al.
patent: 5838864 (1998-11-01), Patel et al.
patent: 6188821 (2001-02-01), McAlpine et al.
patent: 197 01 787-A (1998-07-01), None
patent: 19734274A1 (1999-02-01), None
Haag Helmut
Liese Wolfgang
Menze Bernd
Weiss Alexander
Alcatel
Lester Evelyn A
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
LandOfFree
Communication cable network in a duct or tube system used... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Communication cable network in a duct or tube system used..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Communication cable network in a duct or tube system used... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2577788