An undersea telecommunications cable

Abstract

The application provides a submarine communication cable, relates to the cable field, and comprises a core and an inner protective layer, a shielding layer and an outer protective layer which are sequentially wrapped from inside to outside, further comprises an elastic layer and a gas delivery assembly, the elastic layer is wrapped outside the outer protective layer, there is a gap between the outer protective layer and the elastic layer, and the gas delivery assembly is located in the gap; the gas delivery assembly comprises a gas delivery pipe, solenoid valves and a bus, the gas delivery pipe is connected with the solenoid valves, and the solenoid valves are arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the gas delivery pipe; a plurality of radial partitions are arranged in the gap, the radial partitions are arranged around the outer protective layer, the inner ring of the radial partitions is fixedly connected with the outer side surface of the outer protective layer, and the outer ring is fixedly connected with the inner side surface of the elastic layer; the radial partitions divide the gap into a plurality of annular cavities, the gas delivery pipe penetrates through the radial partitions, and the solenoid valves are located in the annular cavities, respectively; the bus is fixed to the outer surface of the gas delivery pipe, and the solenoid valves are connected with the bus, respectively.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of cables, in particular to a submarine communication cable. BACKGROUND

[0002] The submarine communication cable is a kind of cable laid on the seabed, usually used for data communication. The environment of the seabed is relatively complex, there are soft silt, hard rock, gully, mountain, etc. When the cable crosses the silt, gully and mountain, the cable will bend under the action of gravity. For example, when crossing the silt and gully, the support force of the silt and gully on the cable is less than the self-gravity of the cable at that position, which will cause the cable to bend downward at that position. When crossing the mountain, the cable needs to bend upward to climb over the mountain. The bending of the cable when crossing the silt and gully will increase the total length of the cable, increase the cable laying cost, and the bending of the cable when crossing the mountain is easy to cause the surface damage of the cable and even the deformation of the internal core due to the collision and extrusion of the mountain stones, which will affect the communication effect. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application provides a submarine communication cable to solve the above technical problems in the prior art when the cable crosses the three areas of silt, gully and mountain.

[0004] In the embodiment of the present application, a submarine communication cable is provided, which comprises a core and an inner protective layer, a shielding layer and an outer protective layer wrapped in turn from inside to outside, and further comprises an elastic layer and a gas delivery assembly. The elastic layer is wrapped outside the outer protective layer, and a gap is formed between the outer protective layer and the elastic layer. The gas delivery assembly is located in the gap, and the elastic layer and the gas delivery tube are arranged in a direction parallel to the core.

[0005] The gas delivery assembly comprises a gas delivery tube, solenoid valves and a bus. A plurality of solenoid valves are connected to the gas delivery tube, and each solenoid valve is arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the gas delivery tube. The solenoid valves are adapted to control the communication state between the gas delivery tube and the gap.

[0006] A plurality of radial partitions are arranged in the gap. Each radial partition surrounds the outer protective layer. The inner ring of each radial partition is fixedly connected to the outer side of the outer protective layer, and the outer ring of each radial partition is fixedly connected to the inner side of the elastic layer. Each radial partition is arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the outer protective layer.

[0007] Each radial partition divides the gap into a plurality of annular cavities. The gas delivery tube penetrates through each radial partition, and each solenoid valve is located inside each annular cavity.

[0008] The bus is fixed to the outer surface of the gas delivery tube, and each solenoid valve is connected to the bus.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the submarine communication cable further comprises three axial partitions, each of the axial partitions is located in the gap, each of the axial partitions is arranged along the axial direction of the outer protective layer, one side of each of the axial partitions is fixedly connected to the outer side of the outer protective layer, the other side of each of the axial partitions is fixedly connected to the inner side of the elastic layer, and each of the axial partitions is distributed in a 120-degree circumferential array around the central axis of the outer protective layer.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present application, the axial partitions and the radial partitions are arranged orthogonally and separate the annular cavity into three arc cavities of the same shape.

[0011] The gas delivery assemblies are three groups, each of the gas delivery assemblies is arranged by each of the axial partitions, and each of the arc cavities has one electromagnetic valve.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present application, the axial partitions are elastic.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the radial lengths of the radial partitions in a natural state are equal.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the radial partitions are elastic.

[0015] In some embodiments of the present application, the radial lengths of the axial elastic layers in a natural state are equal.

[0016] In some embodiments of the present application, the submarine communication cable further comprises a gas pump and a gas storage tank, one end of a gas delivery pipe is located in the gap, the other end of the gas delivery pipe extends to the outside of the elastic layer and is sequentially connected to the gas pump and the gas storage tank.

[0017] In some embodiments of the present application, the submarine communication cable further comprises a controller, one end of the bus extends to the outside of the elastic layer and is connected to the controller, and the controller is adapted to control the working states of the electromagnetic valves.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the submarine communication cable further comprises a gas pressure sensor, the gas pressure sensor is connected to the gas delivery pipe, and the gas pump is located between the gas pressure sensor and the gas storage tank.

[0019] The gas pump and the gas pressure sensor are respectively connected to the controller, and the gas pressure sensor is adapted to detect the gas pressure in the gas delivery pipe.

[0020] The controller is adapted to control the working states of the gas pump and the electromagnetic valves according to the gas pressure detected by the gas pressure sensor.

[0021] The application has the following advantages:

[0022] 1. After the submarine communication cable crosses the mountains, the annular cavity in which the submarine communication cable is located in the mountains is inflated, and the support force of the mountains on the submarine communication cable is reduced by relying on the buoyancy, that is, the extrusion force between the submarine communication cable and the mountains can be reduced, and the sharp stone on the surface of the mountains may exist, since the pressure between the submarine communication cable and the mountains is reduced, the extrusion damage caused by the sharp part of the stone to the surface of the submarine communication cable can be reduced, and the inside of the extrusion part is filled with compressed gas, which can avoid the extrusion of the stone to the outer protective layer or avoid the impact of the broken stone to the outer protective layer, and buffer and shock absorption to the submarine communication cable;

[0023] 2. After the submarine communication cable crosses the gully, the annular cavity in which the submarine communication cable is located in the gully is inflated, the buoyancy of the part of the submarine communication cable in the gully is increased, and the degree of sag of the submarine communication cable in the gully is reduced, or the submarine communication cable in the gully is suspended into a substantially straight line state, that is, the degree of bending of the submarine communication cable when crossing the gully can be reduced, and the length required for the submarine communication cable to cross the gully can be shortened, the total length of the submarine communication cable can be reduced, and the laying cost of the submarine communication cable can be reduced;

[0024] 3. After the submarine communication cable crosses the silt, the annular cavity in which the submarine communication cable is located in the silt is inflated, the buoyancy of the part of the submarine communication cable in the silt is increased, and the degree of sag of the submarine communication cable in the silt is reduced, or the submarine communication cable in the silt is suspended into a substantially straight line state, that is, the degree of bending of the submarine communication cable when crossing the silt can be reduced, and the length required for the submarine communication cable to cross the silt can be shortened, the total length of the submarine communication cable can be reduced, and the laying cost of the submarine communication cable can be reduced. At the same time, the submarine communication cable is prevented from sinking into the silt, which is convenient for finding the submarine communication cable in the silt during later maintenance, and can also avoid the difficulty encountered when pulling out the submarine communication cable from the silt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to these drawings without any creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the submarine communication cable in the embodiments of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the submarine communication cable in the embodiments of the present application; Figure 1A partial sectional view of line AA in the middle;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the control module in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a submarine communication cable crossing a mountain range in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a submarine communication cable crossing a trench in an embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the submarine communication cable crossing silt in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] 110. Core wire; 120. Inner protective layer; 200. Shielding layer; 300. Outer protective layer; 400. Elastic layer; 500. Radial partition; 600. Axial partition; 700. Gas transmission assembly; 710. Gas transmission pipe; 720. Solenoid valve; 730. Rubber strip; 740. Busbar; 800. Gas storage tank; 910. Air pump; 920. Pressure sensor; 930. Controller; a. Seabed; b. Mountain range; c. Trench; d. Silt; s. Submarine communication cable. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The terminology used in the embodiments section of this application is only used to explain the specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit this application.

[0035] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the embodiments of this application, a submarine communication cable is provided, including a conductor 110 and an inner protective layer 120, a shielding layer 200, and an outer protective layer 300 wrapped from the inside out. It also includes an elastic layer 400 and a gas transmission assembly 700. The elastic layer 400 is wrapped around the outer protective layer 300, and there is a gap between the outer protective layer 300 and the elastic layer 400. The gas transmission assembly 700 is located in the gap, and the elastic layer 400 and the gas transmission pipe 710 are arranged in a direction parallel to the conductor 110.

[0036] The gas delivery assembly 700 includes a gas delivery pipe 710, a solenoid valve 720, and a bus 740. A plurality of solenoid valves 720 are connected to the gas delivery pipe 710. The solenoid valves 720 are arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the gas delivery pipe 710. The solenoid valves 720 are adapted to control the communication state between the gas delivery pipe 710 and the gap.

[0037] A plurality of radial partitions 500 are arranged in the gap, each of the radial partitions 500 is arranged around the outer protective layer 300, the inner ring of each of the radial partitions 500 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the outer protective layer 300, the outer ring of each of the radial partitions 500 is fixedly connected to the inner side of the elastic layer 400, and each of the radial partitions 500 is arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the outer protective layer 300;

[0038] Each of the radial partitions 500 divides the gap into a plurality of annular cavities, the gas conveying pipe 710 penetrates each of the radial partitions 500, and each of the electromagnetic valves 720 is arranged inside each of the annular cavities.

[0039] The bus 740 is fixed to the outer surface of the gas conveying pipe 710, and each of the electromagnetic valves 720 is connected to the bus 740.

[0040] In combination with Figure 4 As shown in the above embodiment of the present embodiment, when the submarine communication cable s is laid on the seabed a, and the submarine communication cable s crosses the mountain b, the annular cavities in which the submarine communication cable s is located at the mountain b are inflated to increase the volume per unit length of the submarine communication cable s at the mountain b. Since the weight per unit length of the submarine communication cable s is basically unchanged, the buoyancy of the part of the submarine communication cable s at the mountain b can be increased by inflating the annular cavities in which the submarine communication cable s is located at the mountain b. When the buoyancy is large enough, the submarine communication cable s can be floated up. In order to reduce the cost, the submarine communication cable s can be inflated appropriately to reduce the support force of the mountain b on the submarine communication cable s, that is, the extrusion force between the submarine communication cable s and the mountain b can be reduced. There can be sharp stones on the surface of the mountain b. Since the pressure between the submarine communication cable s and the mountain b is reduced, the extrusion damage to the surface of the submarine communication cable s caused by the sharp stones can be reduced. The inside of the extrusion part is filled with compressed gas, which can avoid the extrusion of the stones to the outer protective layer 300 or the impact of the stones to the outer protective layer 300, and can buffer and dampen the submarine communication cable s.

[0041] In combination with Figure 5 As shown in the above embodiment of the present embodiment, when the submarine communication cable s crosses the ditch c, the annular cavities in which the submarine communication cable s is located at the ditch c are inflated to increase the buoyancy of the part of the submarine communication cable s at the ditch c, and to reduce the degree of sagging of the submarine communication cable s at the ditch c, or to make the submarine communication cable s at the ditch c float in a substantially straight line state, that is, to reduce the degree of bending of the submarine communication cable s when it crosses the ditch c, and to shorten the length of the submarine communication cable s required to cross the ditch c, to reduce the total length of the submarine communication cable s, and to reduce the laying cost of the submarine communication cable s.

[0042] Combining Figure 6 As shown in the above embodiments of the present embodiment, after the submarine communication cable s crosses the silt d, the annular cavity in the silt d is inflated, the buoyancy of the part of the submarine communication cable s in the silt d is increased, the degree of sagging of the submarine communication cable s in the silt d is reduced, or the submarine communication cable s in the silt d is suspended in a substantially straight line state, that is, the degree of bending of the submarine communication cable s when crossing the silt d can be reduced, the length required for the submarine communication cable s to cross the silt d can be shortened, the total length of the submarine communication cable s can be reduced, and the laying cost of the submarine communication cable s can be reduced. At the same time, the submarine communication cable s is prevented from sinking into the silt d, which facilitates the maintenance of the submarine communication cable s in the silt d in the later period, and can also avoid the difficulty encountered when pulling out the submarine communication cable s from the silt d (when sinking too deep, the silt d covering the submarine communication cable s needs to be dug out first, and then the submarine communication cable s is maintained, which increases the cost and difficulty of the preparation work before maintenance).

[0043] The outer side surface of the gas transmission pipe 710 is fixedly connected with the outer side surface of the outer protective layer 300 through the rubber strip 730.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the submarine communication cable s further comprises three axial separators 600, each of the axial separators 600 is located in the gap, each of the axial separators 600 is arranged along the axial direction of the outer protective layer 300, one side of each of the axial separators 600 is fixedly connected with the outer side surface of the outer protective layer 300, the other side of each of the axial separators 600 is fixedly connected with the inner side surface of the elastic layer 400, and each of the axial separators 600 is distributed in a 120-degree circumferential array around the central axis of the outer protective layer 300.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the axial separators 600 and the radial separators 500 are arranged orthogonally and separate the annular cavity into three arc-shaped cavities with the same shape.

[0046] The gas transmission assembly 700 has three groups, each of the gas transmission assemblies 700 is arranged by each of the axial separators 600, and each of the arc-shaped cavities has one electromagnetic valve 720.

[0047] By the above-mentioned embodiments of the present embodiment, the inflation of the arc-shaped cavities in different directions of a certain section of the submarine communication cable s is facilitated, the section of the submarine communication cable s is caused to roll over the central axis due to uneven force, and the rolling of the submarine communication cable s is realized, so as to facilitate the inspection and maintenance of different positions in the circumferential direction of the submarine communication cable s. For example, the inflation is performed in one of the arc-shaped cavities in the same annular cavity, under the action of the buoyancy, the core 110, the inner protective layer 120, the outer protective layer 300 and the shielding layer 200 move as a whole to the side away from the arc-shaped cavity being inflated, and the arc-shaped cavity being inflated floats upward, so as to realize the upward rolling of the side of the submarine communication cable s corresponding to the arc-shaped cavity being inflated.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the axial partition layer 600 is elastic.

[0049] By the above-mentioned embodiments of the present embodiment, in the natural state (without inflation), the elastic layer 400 is tightly attached to the outer protective layer 300, the axial partition layer 600 restores the natural length and is clamped between the elastic layer 400 and the outer protective layer 300, and the overall structure of the submarine communication cable s is compact, facilitating storage and transportation; after inflation, the elastic layer 400 is inflated, the axial partition layer 600 is stretched under the radial tension, and the outer protective layer 300, the inner protective layer 120, the shielding layer 200 and the core 110 are hung in the center of the elastic layer 400, providing good cushioning and shock absorption for the outer protective layer 300, the inner protective layer 120, the shielding layer 200 and the core 110.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the radial lengths of the radial partition layers 500 in the natural state are equal.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the radial partition layer 500 is elastic.

[0052] By the above-mentioned embodiments of the present embodiment, in the natural state (without inflation), the elastic layer 400 is tightly attached to the outer protective layer 300, the radial partition layer 500 restores the natural length and is clamped between the elastic layer 400 and the outer protective layer 300, and the overall structure of the submarine communication cable s is compact, facilitating storage and transportation; after inflation, the elastic layer 400 is inflated, the radial partition layer 500 is stretched under the radial tension, and the outer protective layer 300, the inner protective layer 120, the shielding layer 200 and the core 110 are hung in the center of the elastic layer 400, providing good cushioning and shock absorption for the outer protective layer 300, the inner protective layer 120, the shielding layer 200 and the core 110.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the radial lengths of the axial elastic layers 400 in the natural state are equal.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the submarine communication cable s further comprises an air pump 910 and an air tank 800, one end of an air pipe 710 is located in the gap, the other end of the air pipe 710 extends out of the elastic layer 400 and is connected with the air pump 910 and the air tank 800 in sequence.

[0055] Through the above-mentioned embodiments of the present embodiment, the air pump 910 realizes the air charging or discharging of the specified arc-shaped cavity by air charging or discharging radially after the opening of the electromagnetic valve 720.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the submarine communication cable s further comprises a controller 930, one end of the bus 740 extends out of the elastic layer 400 and is connected with the controller 930, and the controller 930 is adapted to control the working state of each electromagnetic valve 720.

[0057] Through the above-mentioned embodiments of the present embodiment, the controller 930 controls each electromagnetic valve 720 outside the submarine communication cable s, and realizes the opening or closing of the specified electromagnetic valve 720.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present embodiment, the submarine communication cable s further comprises an air pressure sensor 920, the air pressure sensor 920 is connected with the air pipe 710, and the air pump 910 is located between the air pressure sensor 920 and the air tank 800.

[0059] The air pump 910 and the air pressure sensor 920 are connected with the controller 930 respectively, and the air pressure sensor 920 is adapted to detect the air pressure in the air pipe 710.

[0060] The controller 930 is adapted to control the working state of the air pump 910 and each electromagnetic valve 720 according to the air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor 920.

[0061] Through the above implementation of the embodiment, when inflating the specified arc-shaped cavity, the other electromagnetic valves 720 are closed, the electromagnetic valve 720 in the specified arc-shaped cavity is opened, the air pump 910 is started, the air pump 910 fills the gas (preferably nitrogen) in the gas tank 800 into the specified arc-shaped cavity through the gas conveying pipe 710, the gas pressure in the gas conveying pipe 710 is detected by the gas pressure sensor 920 on the gas conveying pipe 710, since the gas conveying pipe 710 is in communication with the arc-shaped cavity after the electromagnetic valve 720 is opened, the gas pressure in the specified arc-shaped cavity is equal to the gas pressure in the gas conveying pipe 710, the gas pressure in the gas conveying pipe 710 is the gas pressure in the specified arc-shaped cavity, when the gas pressure in the arc-shaped cavity reaches the preset value, the controller 930 controls the electromagnetic valve 720 to be closed and controls the air pump 910 to stop working. Through the pressure maintaining detection by opening each electromagnetic valve 720 one by one, if the gas pressure sensor 920 detects that the gas pressure decreases, it indicates that the opened electromagnetic valve 720 or the corresponding arc-shaped cavity has a gas leakage during the pressure maintaining, and the electromagnetic valve 720 or the arc-shaped cavity needs to be checked and maintained.

[0062] In the embodiment, the arrangement interval of the radial partition layer 500 can be set to 50-150 meters, preferably 100 meters.

[0063] The above embodiments are only explanations of the present application, and are not limitations of the present application, and those skilled in the art can make modifications to the embodiments of the present application without creative contribution after reading the present specification, but as long as the modifications are within the scope of the claims of the present application, they are protected by the patent law.

Claims

1. A submarine telecommunication cable comprising a core and, successively from the inside to the outside, an inner protection layer, a shielding layer, an outer protection layer, characterized in that, The submarine communication cable further comprises an elastic layer and a gas feeding assembly; the gas feeding assembly comprises a gas feeding pipe and a plurality of electromagnetic valves, the gas feeding pipe is connected with the electromagnetic valves, and the electromagnetic valves are arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the gas feeding pipe; The elastic layer is wrapped outside the outer protective layer, and a gap is formed between the outer protective layer and the elastic layer, the gas feeding assembly is arranged in the gap, and the elastic layer and the gas feeding pipe are arranged in parallel to the core; The electromagnetic valves are adapted to control the communication state between the gas feeding pipe and the gap; A plurality of radial partitions are arranged in the gap, each radial partition is arranged around the outer protective layer, the inner ring of each radial partition is fixedly connected with the outer side of the outer protective layer, the outer ring of each radial partition is fixedly connected with the inner side of the elastic layer, and the radial partitions are arranged at equal intervals along the axial direction of the outer protective layer; Each radial partition divides the gap into a plurality of annular cavities, the gas feeding pipe penetrates through each radial partition, and each electromagnetic valve is arranged inside each annular cavity; The bus is fixed to the outer surface of the gas feeding pipe, and each electromagnetic valve is connected with the bus; The submarine communication cable further comprises three axial partitions, each axial partition is arranged in the gap, each axial partition is arranged along the axial direction of the outer protective layer, one side of each axial partition is fixedly connected with the outer side of the outer protective layer, and the other side of each axial partition is fixedly connected with the inner side of the elastic layer, and the axial partitions are distributed in a 120-degree circumferential array around the central axis of the outer protective layer; The axial partitions and the radial partitions are arranged orthogonally and divide the annular cavities into three arc cavities of the same shape, and each gas feeding assembly comprises three groups of electromagnetic valves, each group of electromagnetic valves is arranged by each axial partition, and each arc cavity is provided with one electromagnetic valve. The submarine communication cable further comprises a gas pump and a gas tank, one end of the gas feeding pipe is arranged in the gap, the other end of the gas feeding pipe extends out of the elastic layer and is sequentially connected with the gas pump and the gas tank; The submarine communication cable further comprises a controller, one end of the bus extends out of the elastic layer and is connected with the controller, and the controller is adapted to control the working state of each electromagnetic valve; The submarine communication cable further comprises a gas pressure sensor, the gas pressure sensor is connected with the gas feeding pipe, and the gas pump is arranged between the gas pressure sensor and the gas tank; The gas pump and the gas pressure sensor are connected with the controller, and the gas pressure sensor is adapted to detect the gas pressure in the gas feeding pipe; The controller is adapted to control the working state of the gas pump and each electromagnetic valve according to the gas pressure detected by the gas pressure sensor.

2. A submarine telecommunications cable according to claim 1, characterised in that, The axial partitions are elastic.

3. A submarine telecommunications cable according to claim 2, characterised in that, The radial partitions are equal in radial length in a natural state.

4. Submarine telecommunication cable according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The radial partitions are elastic.

5. A submarine telecommunications cable according to claim 4, characterised in that, The axial partitions are equal in radial length in a natural state. The axial partitions are elastic.

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