A composite optical cable

Abstract

This invention discloses a composite optical cable, relating to the field of optical cable technology. It includes a cable core, a wrapping tape layer, an armor layer, and a sheath layer arranged sequentially from the inside out. An inner heat-absorbing layer is disposed between the armor layer and the sheath layer. The inner heat-absorbing layer includes two sets of wrapping first and second heat-conducting layers, and a phase change material layer disposed between the first and second heat-conducting layers. An outer insulation layer is disposed outside the sheath layer. The outer insulation layer is composed of several sets of insulation units spliced ​​together. Each insulation unit includes an airbag body disposed inside, a first heat insulation layer wrapped around the airbag body, and a second heat insulation layer disposed outside the first heat insulation layer. A protective layer is disposed outside the outer insulation layer, and the protective layer is composed of several sets of protective units enclosing the protective layer. This invention can prevent the cable sheath layer from undergoing multiple freeze-thaw cycles, thereby effectively protecting the service life of the cable sheath layer and facilitating the repair and replacement of the optical cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical cable technology, specifically to a composite optical cable. Background Technology

[0002] Optical cables are manufactured to meet optical, mechanical, or environmental performance specifications. They are communication cable assemblies that use one or more optical fibers placed in a sheath as the transmission medium and can be used individually or in groups.

[0003] In winter, the electrical wires and cables used in daily life generally harden, and their outer sheaths are prone to cracking and breaking. This is because the outer insulation of most electrical wires is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or rubber. When exposed to sub-zero temperatures, they harden, and the entire wire and cable product becomes hard and brittle. This can cause the outer sheath to detach and break even with slight external force. In winter, especially in northern regions, outdoor temperatures are often below zero, and ground temperatures may be even lower. Therefore, if electrical wires and cables are placed outdoors or directly on the ground, the outer sheath is likely to detach.

[0004] Especially in areas with large temperature differences between day and night, temperature changes can cause cable materials to expand and contract. Cables undergo multiple freezing and thawing cycles during freezing-heating cycles (freeze-thaw cycles), which can cause stress on the outer sheath of the cable, leading to cracking of the outer sheath.

[0005] In addition, the impact or pressure from frozen ground or other objects may cause the cable's outer sheath to crack. In frigid outdoor regions, it is difficult to repair or replace damaged optical cables. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a composite optical cable.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] This invention provides a composite optical cable, comprising, from the inside out, a cable core, a wrapping tape layer, an armor layer, and a sheath layer.

[0009] An inner heat-absorbing layer is provided between the armor layer and the sheath layer. The inner heat-absorbing layer includes two sets of inner and outer wrapping first heat-conducting layers, a second heat-conducting layer, and a phase change material layer disposed between the first heat-conducting layer and the second heat-conducting layer.

[0010] An outer heat insulation layer is provided on the outside of the sheath layer. The outer heat insulation layer is composed of several sets of heat insulation units spliced ​​together. The heat insulation unit includes an airbag body disposed inside, a first heat insulation layer wrapped around the outside of the airbag body, and a second heat insulation layer disposed outside the first heat insulation layer.

[0011] A protective layer is provided on the outside of the outer insulation layer. The protective layer is formed by several groups of protective units that cover the outside of the outer insulation layer. The protective unit includes an elastic insulation layer that abuts against the outer insulation layer and a protective layer that covers the outside of the elastic insulation layer. A heat dissipation unit is provided between two adjacent groups of the protective units.

[0012] Several sets of fixing units are equidistantly arranged on the outer side of the protective layer along the axial direction of the cable core, and the protective units are arranged on the outer side of the outer insulation layer through the fixing units.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first thermally conductive layer and the second thermally conductive layer are copper strips.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first heat insulation layer is an aerogel heat insulation film, the second heat insulation layer is aluminum foil fiberglass cloth, and the airbag body is a PE polyethylene airbag.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insulation units are spliced ​​together by aerogel felt units.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic insulation layer is insulation cotton, the protective layer is made of polyurethane rubber, and the outer side of the polyurethane rubber is coated with a nano-ceramic coating.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two ends of the heat dissipation unit are respectively placed inside the two sets of protective layers, and the heat dissipation unit is a heat dissipation fin.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixing unit includes an outer support layer, an elastic layer disposed inside the support layer, and a plurality of limiting blocks disposed inside the elastic layer. A fixing plate is disposed on the outer side of the support layer, and a mounting protrusion is fixedly disposed on one side of the fixing plate.

[0019] The outer side of the protective layer has a limiting groove at the position corresponding to the limiting block.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support layer is nitrile rubber and the elastic layer is thermal insulation cotton.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cable core includes a central reinforcing member and a plurality of optical cable units twisted together on the outside of the central reinforcing member, and the gap between the central reinforcing member and the optical cable units is filled with a filler.

[0022] The optical cable unit includes a loose tube, multiple optical fibers disposed inside the loose tube, and fiber grease filling the gap between the loose tube and the optical fibers.

[0023] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wrapping tape layer is a double-sided fluorophlogopite mica tape wrapping layer with an overlap rate of not less than 30%.

[0024] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0025] 1. In this invention, by setting an inner heat-absorbing layer in conjunction with an outer insulation layer and a protective layer, some of the heat generated by the cable core during operation is absorbed by the inner heat-absorbing layer, and the heat transferred to the sheath layer will not cause the temperature of the sheath layer to rise too high. At the same time, the setting of the outer insulation layer and the protective layer can provide a good heat preservation effect for the sheath layer. Even if the outside temperature is low or high, the temperature of the sheath layer will not change significantly. This setting can avoid the cable sheath layer from undergoing multiple freeze-thaw cycles, thereby effectively protecting the service life of the cable sheath layer.

[0026] 2. In this invention, a protective layer and a fixing unit are provided. The protective layer consists of multiple sets of protective units and is set on the outside of the outer insulation layer through the fixing unit. When the optical cable is squeezed or impacted by other objects, the outer protective layer will be impacted instead of the sheath layer. If the outer protective layer is damaged, the operator only needs to replace the damaged protective unit. Furthermore, the detachable arrangement of the protective unit and the fixing unit also facilitates the replacement of the protective unit. Therefore, the optical cable in this invention is easy to repair and replace when damaged. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used in conjunction with embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the airbag when it is inflated.

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A cross-sectional view.

[0034] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a portion of point C.

[0035] In the diagram: 1. Cable core; 11. Central reinforcing member; 12. Optical cable unit; 121. Loose tube; 122. Optical fiber; 123. Fiber grease; 13. Filler; 2. Wrapping tape layer; 3. Armor layer; 4. Sheath layer; 5. Inner heat-absorbing layer; 51. First heat-conducting layer; 52. Second heat-conducting layer; 53. Phase change material layer; 6. Outer insulation layer; 61. Insulation unit; 611. Airbag body; 612. First heat insulation layer; 613. Second heat insulation layer; 62. Aerogel felt unit; 7. Protective layer; 71. Protective unit; 711. Elastic insulation layer; 712. Protective layer; 7121. Limiting groove; 72. Heat dissipation unit; 8. Fixing unit; 81. Support layer; 82. Elastic layer; 83. Limiting block; 84. Fixing plate; 85. Mounting protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0037] like Figures 1-7 As shown, a composite optical cable includes, from the inside out, a cable core 1, a wrapping tape layer 2, an armor layer 3, and a sheath layer 4. An inner heat-absorbing layer 5 is disposed between the armor layer 3 and the sheath layer 4. The inner heat-absorbing layer 5 includes two sets of wrapped first heat-conducting layers 51 and second heat-conducting layers 52, and a phase change material layer 53 disposed between the first heat-conducting layer 51 and the second heat-conducting layer 52. An outer heat-insulating layer 6 is disposed on the outside of the sheath layer 4. The outer heat-insulating layer 6 is composed of several sets of heat-insulating units 61 spliced ​​together. Each heat-insulating unit 61 includes a layer of insulation material disposed on the inner... The airbag body 611, the first heat insulation layer 612 wrapped around the outside of the airbag body 611, and the second heat insulation layer 613 disposed outside the first heat insulation layer 612; a protective layer 7 is disposed on the outside of the outer heat insulation layer 6, the protective layer 7 is formed by a plurality of protective units 71 covering the outside of the outer heat insulation layer 6, the protective unit 71 includes an elastic heat insulation layer 711 that abuts against the outer heat insulation layer 6 and a protective layer 712 covering the outside of the elastic heat insulation layer 711, and a heat dissipation unit 72 is disposed between two adjacent sets of the protective units 71.

[0038] By setting an inner heat-absorbing layer 5 in conjunction with an outer heat-insulating layer 6 and a protective layer 7, some of the heat generated by the cable core 1 during operation is absorbed by the inner heat-absorbing layer 5, and the heat transferred to the sheath layer 4 will not cause the temperature of the sheath layer 4 to rise too high. At the same time, the outer heat-insulating layer 6 and the protective layer 7 can provide good heat preservation for the sheath layer 4. Even if the outside temperature is low or high, the temperature of the sheath layer 4 will not change significantly. This setting can prevent the cable sheath layer 4 from undergoing multiple freeze-thaw cycles, thereby effectively protecting the service life of the cable sheath layer 4.

[0039] In detail, the heat insulation unit 61 in this invention is provided in six groups. The six groups of heat insulation units 61 with arc-shaped cross sections surround a circle and cover the outside of the protective layer 4. The airbag body 611 will expand when the outside temperature is high and contract when the outside temperature is low. The first heat insulation layer 612 and the second heat insulation layer 613 provided on the outside of the airbag can achieve good heat insulation and heat preservation effects.

[0040] The protective unit 71 in this invention is also provided with six sets, wherein the elastic heat insulation layer 711 in the protective unit 71 is always closely attached to the second heat insulation layer 613 in the heat insulation unit 61.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figure 4 As shown, the first thermally conductive layer 51 and the second thermally conductive layer 52 are copper strips, and the phase change material layer 53 is a phase change material layer. The copper strip has good thermal conductivity. The phase change material layer 53 can be a solid-liquid phase change material, such as: high aliphatic hydrocarbons (n-hexadecane, n-octadecane, paraffin, etc.), fatty acids and their esters (stearic acid, palmitic acid, etc.), crystalline hydrated salts (Na2SO4·10H2O, Mn(NO3)2·6H2O, etc.), molten salts (LiF, NaF, CaF2, etc.), metals and alloys (lead-tin alloys, etc.) and polymers (polyethylene glycol, etc.). This type of phase change material has the advantages of high latent heat of phase change and low price.

[0042] When the cable core 1 is working, some of the heat generated will be absorbed by the first heat-conducting layer 51 and the second heat-conducting layer 52. The absorbed heat will be transferred to the phase change material layer 53. When the cable core 1 is not working and the internal temperature of the optical cable is low, the phase change material layer 53 will release some of the stored heat to prevent the internal temperature of the optical cable from being too low.

[0043] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the first heat insulation layer 612 is an aerogel heat insulation film, the second heat insulation layer 613 is aluminum foil fiberglass cloth (or a high-purity composite aluminum foil with a nano-coating on the surface), and the airbag body 611 is a PE polyethylene airbag.

[0044] Because a first heat insulation layer 612 and a second heat insulation layer 613 are respectively provided on the inner and outer sides of the airbag body 611, even if heat passes through the first heat insulation layer 612 and the second heat insulation layer 613 on the outer side of the airbag body 611 to reach the middle airbag body 611, heat convection will be formed at the airbag body 611, and it will not easily penetrate the first heat insulation layer 612 and the second heat insulation layer 613 on the inner side of the airbag body 611, thereby achieving good heat preservation and insulation effect.

[0045] It should be noted that the main component of aerogel insulation film is aerogel, which is a material composed of fine solid particles and gas. There are a large number of voids between the solid particles of aerogel, and these voids are filled with gas. Therefore, aerogel has excellent heat insulation performance.

[0046] Furthermore, such as Figure 3 As shown, the insulation units 61 are spliced ​​together by aerogel felt units 62. The aerogel felt units 62 can be used to fix multiple sets of insulation units 61, and fill the gaps between the insulation units 61. Since the aerogel felt units 62 have good heat insulation and heat preservation performance, the aerogel felt units 62 and the insulation units 61 can provide sufficient heat preservation for the sheath layer 4.

[0047] Aerogel felt unit 62 is a flexible thermal insulation felt made of nano-silica or metal aerogel as the main material, combined with carbon fiber, ceramic glass fiber cotton or pre-oxidized fiber felt through a special process. Its characteristics are low thermal conductivity, thermal insulation effect is 2-5 times that of traditional thermal insulation materials, good tensile and compressive strength, and the aerogel felt unit 62 is lightweight. After being wrapped inside the optical cable, it will not cause a significant change in the weight of the optical cable.

[0048] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, the elastic insulation layer 711 is insulation cotton, and the protective layer 712 is made of polyurethane rubber, which has the characteristics of high hardness, high strength and low temperature resistance. The outer side of the polyurethane rubber is coated with a nano-ceramic coating, which has good wear resistance.

[0049] It should be noted that thermal insulation cotton is made by melting high-purity clay clinker, alumina powder, silica powder, chromium sand and other raw materials at high temperature in an industrial electric furnace to form a fluid. Then, it is blown into fibers by compressed air or spun into fibers by a spinning machine. The fibers are then collected by a cotton collector to form thermal insulation cotton. Thermal insulation cotton is a high-efficiency heat insulation material with the characteristics of light weight, high strength, oxidation resistance, low thermal conductivity, good softness, corrosion resistance, low heat capacity and sound insulation.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figures 5-7As shown, the two ends of the heat dissipation unit 72 are respectively placed inside the two sets of protective layers 712. Optionally, the two ends of the heat dissipation unit 72 are slidably disposed between the protective layers 712. When the airbag body 611 is in a high external temperature and expands due to heat, the airbag body 611 will push the protective unit 71 outward, and the heat dissipation unit 72 between the two adjacent sets of protective units 71 will be exposed. Optionally, the heat dissipation unit 72 is a heat dissipation fin, which can improve the heat dissipation effect of the optical cable.

[0051] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, a number of fixing units 8 are equidistantly arranged on the outer side of the protective layer 7 along the axial direction of the cable core 1. The protective unit 71 is arranged on the outer side of the outer insulation layer 6 through the fixing unit 8. The fixing unit 8 includes an outer support layer 81, an elastic layer 82 arranged inside the support layer 81, and a number of limiting blocks 83 arranged inside the elastic layer 82. A fixing plate 84 is arranged on the outer side of the support layer 81, and a mounting protrusion 85 is fixedly arranged on one side of the fixing plate 84.

[0052] The outer side of the protective layer 712 has a limiting groove 7121 at the position corresponding to the limiting block 83.

[0053] The protective layer 7 is composed of multiple protective units 71 and is fixed on the outside of the outer insulation layer 6 by the fixing unit 8. When the optical cable is squeezed or impacted by other objects, the outer protective layer 7 will be impacted instead of the sheath layer 4. If the outer protective layer 7 is damaged, the operator only needs to replace the damaged protective unit 71.

[0054] In detail, when the airbag body 611 is in a high external temperature and expands due to heat, the airbag body 611 will push the protective unit 71 outward. At this time, the airbag body 611 will first squeeze the elastic heat insulation layer 711 inside the protective unit 71, and then drive the protective layer 712 to move outward. When the protective layer 712 moves outward, it will squeeze the elastic layer 82 inside the fixing unit 8.

[0055] When the outside temperature is low, the protective layer 712 will move inward and return to its original position. Under the action of the elastic insulation layer 711 and the elastic layer 82, the airbag body 611 and the protective unit 71, and the protective unit 71 and the fixed unit 8 are always in close contact.

[0056] It should be noted that the fixing unit 8 is a detachable structure. During installation, the two sets of fixing plates 84 on the outside of the optical cable are rotated and the mounting protrusions 85 are aligned before bolts and other components are used for installation and fixing.

[0057] Therefore, when replacing the protective unit 71, first remove the fixing unit 8 on one side of the protective unit 71, separate one end of the protective unit 71 from the fixing unit 8, then fix the fixing unit 8 on that side, and then remove the fixing unit 8 on the other side of the protective unit 71, and remove the other end of the protective unit 71 to be removed. (The fixing units 8 on both sides of the protective unit 71 cannot be removed at the same time.) This setting can prevent the other protective units 71 from falling off the outside of the optical cable when one set of protective units 71 is removed.

[0058] Furthermore, such as Figure 7 As shown, the support layer 81 is nitrile rubber, and the elastic layer 82 is thermal insulation cotton.

[0059] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the cable core 1 includes a central reinforcing member 11 and several sets of optical cable units 12 twisted together on the outside of the central reinforcing member 11. The gap between the central reinforcing member 11 and the optical cable unit 12 is filled with a filler 13.

[0060] The optical cable unit 12 includes a loose tube 121, multiple optical fibers 122 disposed within the loose tube 121, and fiber grease 123 filling the gap between the loose tube 121 and the optical fibers 122.

[0061] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 As shown, the wrapping layer 2 is a double-sided fluorophlogopite mica tape wrapping with an overlap rate of not less than 30%. The fluorophlogopite mica tape is a soft mica tape composed of alkali-free glass fiber cloth reinforcement and mica paper bonded with organic silicone adhesive. It has a melting point of 1375℃, a large safety margin, and excellent high temperature resistance, and can reach Class A fire resistance rating (950-1000℃).

[0062] Finally, it should be noted that the above descriptions are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A composite optical cable, comprising, from the inside out, a cable core (1), a wrapping tape layer (2), an armor layer (3), and a sheath layer (4), characterized in that, An inner heat-absorbing layer (5) is provided between the armor layer (3) and the sheath layer (4). The inner heat-absorbing layer (5) includes two sets of inner and outer wrapping first heat-conducting layers (51), second heat-conducting layers (52), and a phase change material layer (53) provided between the first heat-conducting layer (51) and the second heat-conducting layer (52). An outer heat insulation layer (6) is provided on the outside of the sheath layer (4). The outer heat insulation layer (6) is composed of several sets of heat insulation units (61) spliced ​​together. The heat insulation units (61) are spliced ​​together by aerogel felt units (62). The heat insulation unit (61) includes an airbag body (611) disposed inside, a first heat insulation layer (612) wrapped around the outside of the airbag body (611), and a second heat insulation layer (613) disposed outside the first heat insulation layer (612). A protective layer (7) is provided on the outside of the outer insulation layer (6). The protective layer (7) is formed by a number of protective units (71) covering the outside of the outer insulation layer (6). The protective unit (71) includes an elastic insulation layer (711) that abuts against the outer insulation layer (6) and a protective layer (712) covering the outside of the elastic insulation layer (711). A heat dissipation unit (72) is provided between two adjacent sets of the protective units (71). Several sets of fixing units (8) are equidistantly arranged on the outer side of the protective layer (7) along the axial direction of the cable core (1), and the protective unit (71) is arranged on the outer side of the outer insulation layer (6) through the fixing unit (8).

2. The composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first thermally conductive layer (51) and the second thermally conductive layer (52) are copper strips.

3. The composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first heat insulation layer (612) is an aerogel heat insulation film, the second heat insulation layer (613) is aluminum foil fiberglass cloth, and the airbag body (611) is a PE polyethylene airbag.

4. A composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic insulation layer (711) is insulation cotton, and the protective layer (712) is made of polyurethane rubber, with a nano-ceramic coating on the outside of the polyurethane rubber.

5. A composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the heat dissipation unit (72) are respectively placed inside the two sets of the protective layers (712), and the heat dissipation unit (72) is a heat dissipation fin.

6. A composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing unit (8) includes an outer support layer (81), an elastic layer (82) disposed inside the support layer (81), and a number of limiting blocks (83) disposed inside the elastic layer (82). A fixing plate (84) is disposed on the outer side of the support layer (81), and a mounting protrusion (85) is fixedly disposed on one side of the fixing plate (84). The outer side of the protective layer (712) has a limiting groove (7121) at a position corresponding to the limiting block (83).

7. A composite optical cable according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support layer (81) is nitrile rubber, and the elastic layer (82) is thermal insulation cotton.

8. A composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cable core (1) includes a central reinforcing member (11) and several sets of optical cable units (12) twisted together on the outside of the central reinforcing member (11). The gap between the central reinforcing member (11) and the optical cable unit (12) is filled with filler (13). The optical cable unit (12) includes a loose tube (121), multiple optical fibers (122) disposed in the loose tube (121), and fiber grease (123) filling the gap between the loose tube (121) and the optical fibers (122).

9. A composite optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wrapping layer (2) is a double-sided fluorophlogopite mica wrapping layer with an overlap rate of not less than 30%.

Images