Optical waveguides – Miscellaneous
Patent
1990-12-31
1992-04-28
Lee, John D.
Optical waveguides
Miscellaneous
244 31, 244 312, G02B 600
Patent
active
051094703
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to data transmission lines and is particularly though by no means exclusively concerned with data transmission lines to extend between a missile and a missile launcher for the communication of data therebetween.
2. Description of Related Art
There is a need to provide a spooled optical fibre data transmission line which may be stored for considerable periods of time, perhaps years, and which, when deployed, must serve its intended purpose that it functions efficiently as a data transmission element. Notwithstanding existing methods of protection for such fibre optic lines they remain vulnerable to damage by penetration of water vapour and possibly the freezing of such water at defects, minor fissures in the optical fibre cladding. Such damage may render the optical fibre ineffective.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention a data transmission line comprises: a fluid tight substantially rigid hollow body having first and second separable parts, within said body a continuous very substantial length of optical fibre carried by one separable part and being capable of supporting optical data transmission therealong; first penetration terminal means in a wall of one of the separable parts; second penetration terminal means in a wall of the other separable part; first electro-optic signal transducer means carried by said one of the separable parts and connected between the said first terminal means and one end of the optical fibre; and second electro-optic signal transducer means carried by the other separable part and connected between the other end of the optical fibre and said second terminal means.
Preferably, the first and second separable parts meet at a tear line; and secured to one separable part adjacent the tear line there is tag means which, when pulled, creates a complete rupture between the two parts along the tear line.
Conveniently, the hollow body is in the form of a generally cylindrical metal can; and the tear line is defined in an end surface thereof.
Desirably, the said tear line defines along part of its length the boundary of a tear strip zone; and the tag means is secured to the said tear strip zone.
Desirably, also, the said tag means is integral with a puller means carrying further terminal means connected to the said second penetration terminal means by an electrical conductor of a length such that when under force applied to the puller means the said electrical conductor remains in an unstressed state throughout the lifting of the tear strip zone in the course of the complete rupture between the two separable parts along the tear line.
The invention also extends to the combination comprising: a missile; a missile launcher; and, between the missile and the missile launcher, a data transmission line as hereinbefore specified, said separable parts being respectively attached to said missile and said missile launcher.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One data transmission line in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic longitudinal section of the transmission line; and
FIG. 2 shows a section on 2--2 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The data transmission line comprises a fluid tight substantially rigid hollow body 11 having first and second separable parts 13a, 13b, respectively; a continuous very substantial length of optical fibre 15; first penetration terminal means 17; second penetration terminal means 19; first electro-optic transducer means 21; and second electro-optic signal transducer means 23.
The hollow body 11 defines a substantially contaminant free space 29 being charged with dry inert gas such, for example, as nitrogen. The optical fibre 15 is carried as a spooled pack 25 by the separable part 13a. The first and second penetration terminal means 17, 19 are, respectively, in walls 31a, 31b of the separable parts 13a, 13b.
The first transducer mean
REFERENCES:
patent: 3319781 (1967-05-01), Simpson et al.
patent: 3868883 (1975-03-01), Tucker
patent: 4860968 (1989-08-01), Pinson
Barns Stephen W.
GEC--Marconi Limited
Lee John D.
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