An optical cable with energy absorption, impact resistance and recoverable damage

Abstract

The present invention discloses an optical cable capable of absorbing energy, resisting impact and recovering from damage, which comprises a cable core, a stainless steel armor, a water-blocking material, a shape memory alloy spiral tape, a water-blocking filling material, a shape memory alloy tape and an outer sheath. The stainless steel armor wraps the cable core, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is wound around the stainless steel armor, the water-blocking filling material wraps the shape memory alloy tape, and the shape memory alloy tape wraps the water-blocking filling material, and the outer sheath wraps the shape memory alloy tape. The shape memory alloy tapes on the outer layer of the armor and the shape memory alloy spiral tape on the inner layer of the cable core of the optical cable of the present invention are both energy-absorbing structures. When being impacted, the shape memory metal can be heated by timely power-on or heating to restore the high-temperature phase shape, so as to recover from the impact damage. The optical cable of the present invention can be used in application scenarios vulnerable to repeated impacts. After being impacted, the optical cable can quickly restore its original shape by heating, reducing the maintenance time and avoiding the losses caused by replacing the optical cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of optical cables, and more specifically, relates to an optical cable that can absorb energy, resist impact, and recover from damage. Background Art

[0002] The mechanical properties of optical cables include properties such as tensile resistance, impact resistance, and flattening resistance. In actual construction and daily use, optical cables may be affected by various external forces, such as rolling stone impact, vehicle rolling, dragging, etc. During actual use, it is very common for optical cables to be stretched, impacted, and flattened. Therefore, the requirements for such properties of optical cables are also getting higher and higher to ensure the safety and stability of construction and use.

[0003] Currently, the application scope and fields of optical cables are becoming more and more extensive. Existing optical cables have poor impact resistance. When subjected to impact force, they are prone to deformation of the optical cable. The long-term change in shape causes the optical cable to have large stress or makes the optical cable prone to aging, resulting in damage to the optical cable, and causing the optical signal not to be transmitted in the optical cable, affecting the transmission of information. In some special environments, it is particularly difficult to replace the optical cable after damage, and some special optical cables are expensive, and the cost of replacement after being damaged by impact is very high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above defects or improvement requirements of the prior art, the present invention provides an optical cable that can absorb energy, resist impact, and recover from damage, which can absorb impact energy and can quickly return to its original shape by heating or electrifying after impact deformation, thereby reducing the damage probability of the optical cable.

[0005] To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an optical cable that can absorb energy, resist impact, and recover from damage, characterized in that it includes a cable core, a stainless steel armor, a shape memory alloy spiral tape, a water-blocking filling material, a shape memory alloy tape, and an outer sheath. The stainless steel armor wraps the cable core, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is wound around the stainless steel armor, the water-blocking filling material wraps the shape memory alloy tape, and the shape memory alloy tape wraps the water-blocking filling material, and the outer sheath wraps the shape memory alloy tape.

[0006] Preferably, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is in a straight line as a whole before being wound around the stainless steel armor, and is in a spiral shape as a whole after being wound around the stainless steel armor;

[0007] The shape memory alloy spiral tape in a straight line as a whole is composed of N straight segments of equal length, and the spiral directions of any two adjacent straight segments are opposite;

[0008] After each straight segment is wound around the stainless steel armor, it respectively forms a spiral segment, and the first turn and the last turn of each spiral segment are in contact with each other to prevent any two adjacent spiral segments from being embedded in each other.

[0009] Preferably, any two adjacent helical segments abut against each other.

[0010] Preferably, there are multiple memory alloy helical tapes, each of which is respectively wound around the stainless steel armor. The winding directions of any two adjacent memory alloy helical tapes are opposite.

[0011] Preferably, any two adjacent memory alloy helical tapes abut against each other.

[0012] Preferably, the cable core includes a central strengthening core, optical cable sub-units and water-blocking yarns. Multiple optical cable sub-units are stranded together around the central strengthening core, and the water-blocking yarns are arranged between the central strengthening core and the optical cable sub-units;

[0013] Alternatively, the cable core includes a tube, optical fibers arranged in the tube and fiber paste;

[0014] Alternatively, the cable core includes a skeleton, optical fiber ribbons placed on the skeleton and water-blocking tapes wound around the skeleton.

[0015] Preferably, the water-blocking filling material is water-blocking ointment, water-blocking yarn or water-blocking tape.

[0016] Preferably, the memory alloy helical tape is made of nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy, copper-based shape memory alloy or iron-based shape memory alloy.

[0017] Preferably, the width L of the stainless steel armor in the flattened state is L = π(d + 1)+x, where 2mm ≤ x ≤ 10mm, d is the diameter of the cable core and the units of both L and d are mm.

[0018] Preferably, for the memory alloy tape, according to the difference in the use scenario, the material can be nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy, copper-based shape memory alloy, iron-based shape memory alloy, and the embossing process is used with an embossing depth of 0.5mm to 0.8mm.

[0019] Preferably, the optical cable of the present invention is heated by electrifying to make the memory alloy helical tape and the memory alloy tape reach the phase change temperature.

[0020] Preferably, the optical cable of the present invention can adjust the impact resistance of the optical cable and the weight per unit length of the optical cable by using ointment-type or dry-type fillers.

[0021] Generally speaking, compared with the prior art by the above technical solutions conceived by the present invention, the following beneficial effects can be achieved:

[0022] The outer armored shape memory alloy tape and the inner shape memory alloy spiral tape of the cable core of the optical cable of the present invention are both energy-absorbing structures. When the outer sheath is subjected to external force impact, the impact energy can be greatly absorbed through its own structure. In the case of a small amount of impact, the shape memory alloy spiral tape can absorb a large amount of energy to avoid damaging the optical fibers inside the optical cable. When the impact energy is too large, causing deformation of the outer armored shape memory alloy tape and the inner shape memory alloy spiral tape, the shape memory metal is heated by timely power-on or heating to restore its high-temperature phase shape, thereby restoring the impact damage. The optical cable of the present invention can be used in usage scenarios that are vulnerable to repeated impacts. After being impacted, the optical cable can quickly restore its original shape by heating, reducing the maintenance time and avoiding the losses caused by replacing the optical cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the optical cable of the present invention when it is a stranded optical cable;

[0024] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the optical cable of the present invention when it is a tube-type optical cable;

[0025] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the optical cable of the present invention when it is a skeleton-type optical cable. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. In addition, the technical features involved in the various embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0027] Refer to Figures 1 to 3, An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable, comprising a cable core, a stainless steel armor 2, a shape memory alloy spiral tape 3, a water-blocking filling material 4, a shape memory alloy tape 5 and an outer sheath 6. The stainless steel armor 2 wraps the cable core to enhance the impact resistance of the optical cable and prevent the impact force from directly acting on the optical fiber. The shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 is wound around the stainless steel armor 2. The water-blocking filling material 4 wraps the shape memory alloy tape 5, and the shape memory alloy tape 5 also wraps the water-blocking filling material 4, enabling the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 to maintain its coiled position without random displacement, thus increasing the integrity of the impact-resistant structure of the optical cable. The outer sheath 6 wraps the shape memory alloy tape 5. When the optical cable is impacted, the outer sheath 6, the shape memory alloy tape 5 and the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 can absorb the impact energy through elastic deformation. Since the impact toughness of the stainless steel armor 2 is stronger than that of the shape memory alloy, impact energy absorption elements made of shape memory alloy, namely the shape memory alloy tape and the shape memory alloy spiral tape, are filled outside the stainless steel armor 2, which can effectively resist lateral impact. Under the protection of the stainless steel armor, the impact energy is first absorbed by the impact energy absorption elements made of shape memory alloy, and the good support performance of the stainless steel armor 2 can provide good protection for the internal optical unit optical fiber. When the impact energy is too large, the shape memory alloy tape 5 and the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 are deformed by the impact and absorb the impact energy, thereby protecting the internal optical fiber from damage.

[0028] Further, if the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 is a single piece, the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 is linearly shaped as a whole before being wound around the stainless steel armor 2, with a straight central axis. After being wound around the stainless steel armor 2, the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 is helically shaped as a whole, and the central axis also becomes helical.

[0029] The linearly shaped shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 as a whole is composed of N straight segments of equal length. The straight segments are formed by helically winding shape memory alloy wires. The N straight segments can be connected end to end by welding, and the spiral directions of any two adjacent straight segments are opposite. After each straight segment is wound around the stainless steel armor 2, it forms a spiral segment respectively. The first turn and the last turn of each spiral segment are in contact with each other to prevent any two adjacent spiral segments from being embedded in each other. That is to say, there are two meanings of "spiral" on the helically shaped shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 as a whole. If the finer spiral formed by winding the shape memory alloy wire is the first-level spiral (the linearly shaped shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 as a whole is formed by shape memory alloy wires), then the first-level spiral is helically wound again to form a coarser second-level spiral, and the second-level spiral is the helically shaped shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 as a whole. One "turn" of the second-level spiral is a spiral segment, and the second-level spiral has N turns (one "turn" of the second-level spiral is different from one "turn" of the first-level spiral. One "turn" of the first-level spiral is formed by one turn of the helically wound shape memory alloy wire, and one "turn" of the second-level spiral is formed by a spiral segment).

[0030] Since the overall straight-shaped shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 is to be wound around the outside of the stainless steel armor 2 to form an overall spiral-shaped shape memory alloy spiral tape 3, there will be a gap between the turns of the spiral section during winding, which makes it easy for the turns between two adjacent spiral sections to be embedded in each other. To prevent the turns between any two adjacent spiral sections from being embedded in each other during winding, the spiral directions of any two adjacent straight sections need to be opposite to prevent the spiral sections from being entangled together after being embedded, resulting in bulges during subsequent wrapping and too large a gap between adjacent spiral sections. Preferably, any two adjacent spiral sections are abutted against each other, which can fully play a role in protecting the internal optical fiber.

[0031] Furthermore, there are multiple shape memory alloy spiral tapes 3, and each shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 is respectively wound around the stainless steel armor 2. The spiral directions of any two adjacent shape memory alloy spiral tapes 3 are opposite, which can prevent the turns between any two adjacent shape memory alloy spiral tapes 3 from being embedded in each other when the multiple shape memory alloy spiral tapes 3 are twisted together. Preferably, any two adjacent shape memory alloy spiral tapes 3 are abutted against each other, which can fully play a role in protecting the internal optical fiber.

[0032] Furthermore, the cable core includes a central strength member 111, an optical cable sub-unit 112, and a water-blocking yarn. Multiple optical cable sub-units 112 are twisted together around the central strength member 111, and the water-blocking yarn is arranged between the central strength member 111 and the optical cable sub-units 112. In this case, the optical cable is a layer-stranded optical cable.

[0033] Alternatively, the cable core includes a tube 121, an optical fiber 122 arranged in the tube, and a fiber paste 123. In this case, the optical cable is a tube-type optical cable.

[0034] Alternatively, the cable core includes a skeleton 131, an optical fiber ribbon 132 placed on the skeleton 131, and a water-blocking tape 133 wound around the skeleton 131. In this case, the optical cable is a skeleton-type optical cable.

[0035] Furthermore, the water-blocking filling material 4 is a water-blocking ointment and / or a water-blocking tape 133. If no water-blocking ointment is used and only the water-blocking tape 133 is adopted, it is a dry-type optical cable.

[0036] Furthermore, the shape memory alloy spiral tape 3 can use a nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy, a copper-based shape memory alloy, or an iron-based shape memory alloy according to the difference in the usage scenario. The shape memory alloy spiral tape is wound with a shape memory metal sheet, and different thicknesses of shape memory metal sheets and parameters for winding the spiral, such as pitch, spiral outer diameter, and spiral winding ratio, can be selected according to the required impact resistance strength.

[0037] Furthermore, the width of the stainless steel armor 3 in the flattened state L = π( d (+1)+ x, where 2 mm ≤ x ≤ 10 mm , d is the core diameter and L and d are both in mm. With such a design, it can well adapt to the size of the core and is convenient to be quickly wound around the core during production.

[0038] Furthermore, preferably, for the shape memory alloy strip 5, according to the differences in usage scenarios, the material can be nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy, copper-based shape memory alloy, or iron-based shape memory alloy. Using the grooving process with a grooving depth of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm can better adapt to impacts and restore the shape.

[0039] Those skilled in the art can easily understand that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable, characterized in that, it includes a cable core, a stainless steel armor, a shape memory alloy spiral tape, a water-blocking filling material, a shape memory alloy tape and an outer sheath. The stainless steel armor wraps the cable core, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is wound around the stainless steel armor, the water-blocking filling material wraps the shape memory alloy spiral tape, and the shape memory alloy tape wraps the water-blocking filling material, and the outer sheath wraps the shape memory alloy tape; Before being wound around the stainless steel armor, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is in a straight shape as a whole. The shape memory alloy spiral tape in a straight shape as a whole is formed by shape memory alloy wires, and the spiral formed by coiling the shape memory alloy wires is a primary spiral; after being wound around the stainless steel armor, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is in a spiral shape as a whole, and the primary spiral is further spirally wound to form a secondary spiral; the shape memory alloy spiral tape is one whole piece or multiple pieces; When the shape memory alloy spiral tape is one whole piece, the shape memory alloy spiral tape in a straight shape as a whole is composed of N straight segments with equal lengths. The straight segments are formed by spiral coiling of shape memory alloy wires and the spiral directions of any two adjacent straight segments are opposite; after each straight segment is wound around the stainless steel armor, it respectively forms a spiral segment of the secondary spiral, and each spiral segment is one turn of the secondary spiral to prevent any two adjacent spiral segments from being embedded in each other; When there are multiple shape memory alloy spiral tapes, each shape memory alloy spiral tape is respectively wound around the stainless steel armor, and the spiral directions of any two adjacent shape memory alloy spiral tapes are opposite.

2. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the shape memory alloy spiral tape is one whole piece, any two adjacent spiral segments are abutted against each other.

3. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, when there are multiple shape memory alloy spiral tapes, any two adjacent shape memory alloy spiral tapes are abutted against each other.

4. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, the cable core includes a central strength member, optical cable subunits and water-blocking yarns. Multiple optical cable subunits are stranded together around the central strength member, and the water-blocking yarns are arranged between the central strength member and the optical cable subunits; alternatively, the cable core includes a tube, optical fibers arranged in the tube and fiber paste; alternatively, the cable core includes a skeleton, an optical fiber ribbon placed on the skeleton and a water-blocking tape wrapped around the skeleton.

5. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, the water-blocking filling material is water-blocking ointment, water-blocking yarn or water-blocking tape.

6. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, the shape memory alloy spiral tape is made of a nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy, a copper-based shape memory alloy or an iron-based shape memory alloy.

7. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of the stainless steel armor in the flattened state L = π ( d +1)+ x, where 2mm ≤ x ≤ 10mm , d is the core diameter and L and d are both in mm.

8. An energy-absorbing, impact-resistant and recoverable-damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape memory alloy strip is made of nickel-titanium-based shape memory alloy, copper-based shape memory alloy or iron-based shape memory alloy, and the embossing process is used with an embossing depth of 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm.

Images