A central tube optical cable

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of optical fiber cables, and discloses a central tube optical fiber cable, which has an outer sheath and a cable core. The outer sheath is extruded outside the cable core. The cable core is composed of four external unit combinations and a central tube. The four external unit combinations are respectively located in the up, down, left, and right directions of the central tube. Each external unit combination is formed by stacking multiple layers of external units. The four external unit combinations enclose a closed loop, and the central tube is located between the four external unit combinations. At least one optical fiber is provided in the central tube. The present invention has beneficial effects such as simple structure, convenient cable laying, stable structure, good earthquake resistance effect, and large fiber core density.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of optical cables, and in particular discloses a central tube optical cable. Background Art

[0002] An optical cable is manufactured to meet the performance specifications of optics, mechanics or environment. It is a communication cable assembly that uses one or more optical fibers placed in a coated sheath as a transmission medium and can be used alone or in groups.

[0003] Sometimes optical cables are laid in harsh environments. Therefore, the requirements for optical cables are relatively high. In the prior art, generally one or more layers of steel wires are stranded outside the cable core, so as to effectively protect the cable core.

[0004] In the prior art, for example, CN117075279A discloses a low-attenuation and voltage-resistant underwater optical cable, including: optical fibers, optical units, a skeleton, a strengthening member, an inner sheath, a buffer layer, a middle sheath, an arc-shaped skeleton, a reinforcing member, a heat-insulating buffer layer and an outer sheath. The cable core is a hexagonal skeleton structure. The skeleton is divided into six triangular skeleton grooves. The optical units are placed in the triangular skeleton grooves. The setting of the skeleton greatly improves the tensile and compressive strength of the optical cable. The optical units are fixedly arranged in the triangular skeleton grooves to enhance the stability of the optical fibers. A strengthening member is placed in the center of the skeleton so that the optical cable can withstand sufficient tension, and a buffer layer is arranged outside the inner sheath. The above prior art has the following defects: 1. The structure is complex, the cable laying is inconvenient, and the production efficiency is low; 2. The optical fibers can only be placed in the cable core, and the fiber density difference is large; 3. The external compressive components cannot be increased, and the compressive effect is poor; 4. There are multiple optical units in the cable core, and separate extrusion is required, resulting in low production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to disclose a central tube optical cable, which is realized by the following technical solutions.

[0006] A central tube optical cable has an outer sheath and a cable core. The outer sheath is extruded outside the cable core. The cable core is composed of four external unit combinations and a central tube;

[0007] The four external unit combinations are respectively located in the four directions of up, down, left and right of the central tube. Each external unit combination is composed of multiple layers of external units stacked layer by layer;

[0008] The four external unit combinations enclose a closed loop. The central tube is located between the four external unit combinations. At least one optical fiber is provided in the central tube.

[0009] A central tube optical cable as described above, from the outside to the inside, the outer unit of the nth layer has n + 1 octagonal sheaths, where n is a positive integer. The octagonal sheath has four long sides and four short sides, and the four long sides and four short sides are arranged at intervals and connected end to end. The included angle between adjacent long sides and short sides is 135°. The octagonal sheaths of each layer of the outer unit are arranged in sequence from left to right. One short side of adjacent two octagonal sheaths is arranged opposite to each other and connected by a connecting component. Each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting component forms a groove.

[0010] The octagonal sheath of the outer unit closer to the outside is snapped into the corresponding groove closer to the outside of the outer unit closer to the inside. The outer unit closer to the outside fits against the inner wall of the corresponding groove. The four innermost outer units enclose a closed loop, and adjacent long sides of adjacent two innermost outer units coincide and are in contact with each other.

[0011] A central tube optical cable as described above, each of the octagonal sheaths at both ends of the outer unit is provided with a second strengthening member.

[0012] A central tube optical cable as described above, each of the octagonal sheaths of the outer unit except for the octagonal sheaths at both ends is provided with a second strengthening member.

[0013] A central tube optical cable as described above, each of the octagonal sheaths of the outer unit except for the octagonal sheaths at both ends is provided with a loose tube, and at least one optical fiber is provided in the loose tube.

[0014] A central tube optical cable as described above, the central tube is composed of multiple sleeve layers with the same thickness sleeved in sequence. From the outside to the inside, the outer edge of the mth sleeve layer is tangent to the outer edge of the (m + 1)th sleeve layer, where m is a positive integer. A cavity is formed between adjacent two sleeve layers, and at least one optical fiber is provided in the cavity. At least one optical fiber is provided in the innermost sleeve layer.

[0015] A central tube optical cable as described above, when m is odd, the tangent point of the outer edge of the mth sleeve layer and the outer edge of the (m + 1)th sleeve layer is located at the bottom of the two sleeve layers; when m is even, the tangent point of the outer edge of the mth sleeve layer and the outer edge of the (m + 1)th sleeve layer is located at the top of the two sleeve layers.

[0016] A central tube optical cable as described above, a butterfly unit is provided between the innermost outer units of the combination of adjacent two outer units. The butterfly unit is snapped into the adjacent two grooves between the adjacent two octagonal sheaths of the adjacent two innermost outer units in contact with each other. The central tube is fixed between the four butterfly units.

[0017] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the butterfly unit is composed of a butterfly unit sheath, two first strengthening members and at least one optical fiber. The two first strengthening members and all optical fibers are located within the butterfly unit sheath, and all optical fibers are located between the two first strengthening members.

[0018] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the sleeve layers of all odd layers of the central tube are concentric.

[0019] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the distance between the two opposite long sides of the octagonal sheath is 2.0 ± 0.1 mm.

[0020] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the length of the butterfly unit is 2.0 ± 0.1 mm, and the width is 3.0 ± 0.1 mm.

[0021] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the material of the loose tube is polybutylene terephthalate or modified polypropylene.

[0022] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the material of the central tube is polybutylene terephthalate or modified polypropylene.

[0023] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the material of the outer sheath is high-density polyethylene.

[0024] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the second strengthening member and the first strengthening member are phosphated steel wires or glass fiber reinforced plastic rods.

[0025] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the material of the butterfly unit sheath is flame-retardant polyolefin.

[0026] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the materials of the octagonal sheath and the connecting component are flame-retardant polyolefin.

[0027] The above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the optical fiber is a single-mode optical fiber or a multi-mode optical fiber.

[0028] This application has the following beneficial effects:

[0029] 1. Inside the central tube, it is separated by multiple sleeve layers to form multiple cavities for accommodating optical fibers, and different types of optical fibers can be placed separately.

[0030] 2. The sleeve layers of odd layers in the central tube are concentric, making the center of gravity of the central tube more stable.

[0031] 3. A part of adjacent two sleeve layers overlaps, so that there is a larger cavity between adjacent two sleeve layers for accommodating optical fibers, and the central tube is integrally formed, which is more convenient for processing.

[0032] 4. The part within the third sleeve layer is located in the middle of the central tube, making the part within the third sleeve layer have better earthquake resistance.

[0033] 5. The central tube and the butterfly unit are located within the combination of four external units. The combination of external units has multiple layers of second reinforcing members, enabling the optical cable to have better compressive resistance and be capable of being deployed in more severe environments, such as underwater.

[0034] 6. The combination of external units is formed by stacking multiple layers of external units. Compared with traditional underwater optical cables, such as the optical cable with the model number GYTS33, the armored steel wires do not need to be stranded, making the cable formation more convenient.

[0035] 7. For the external units other than the outermost one, loose tubes are provided within the octagonal sheath except at both ends. There is a layer of second reinforcing member on the outermost circle of the entire cable core, and the rest are all loose tubes, increasing the density of the optical fibers within the cable core.

[0036] 8. The butterfly unit functions to support the combination of external units, making the structure of the cable core more stable.

[0037] 9. The adjacent two external units are stacked in a toothed manner, preventing displacement between the adjacent two external units and making the structure more stable. Description of the Drawings

[0038] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of a section of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 It is the front view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 It is the front view of the central tube of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 It is the front view of the inner external unit of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional structure schematic diagram of a section of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 6 It is the front view of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 7 It is the front view of the central tube of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 It is the front view of Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0046] Figure 9 It is the front view of the second-layer external unit of Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

[0047] In the figure, the names of the attached drawings corresponding to the attached drawing reference numerals are respectively: 1. Outer sheath, 2. External unit, 21. Octagonal sheath, 22. Second reinforcing member, 23. Connecting member, 24. Groove, 25. Loose tube, 3. Loose tube, 31. First tube layer, 32. Second tube layer, 33. Third tube layer, 34. First cavity, 35. Second cavity, 36. Third cavity, 37. Fourth tube layer, 38. Fifth tube layer, 39. Fourth cavity, 310. Fifth cavity, 4. Butterfly unit, 41. Butterfly unit sheath, 42. First reinforcing member, 43. Optical fiber. Detailed implementation mode

[0048] Example 1: As Figures 1 to 4 , a central tube optical cable has an outer sheath 1 and a cable core. The outer sheath 1 is extruded outside the cable core. The cable core is composed of four combined external units, four butterfly units 4 and a central tube 3;

[0049] The central tube 3 is composed of a first tube layer 31, a second tube layer 32 and a third tube layer 33 with the same thickness. The second tube layer 32 is located inside the first tube layer 31. The outer edge of the bottom of the second tube layer 32 is tangent to the outer edge of the bottom of the first tube layer 31. The third tube layer 33 is located inside the second tube layer 32. The outer edge of the top of the third tube layer 33 is tangent to the outer edge of the top of the second tube layer 32. The first tube layer 31 and the third tube layer 33 are concentric. The first tube layer 31, the second tube layer 32 and the third tube layer 33 are integrally formed. A first cavity 34 is formed between the first tube layer 31 and the second tube layer 32. A second cavity 35 is formed between the second tube layer 32 and the third tube layer 33. A third cavity 36 is formed inside the third tube layer 33. At least one optical fiber 43 is provided in the first cavity 34, the second cavity 35 and the third cavity 36;

[0050] The butterfly unit 4 is composed of a butterfly unit sheath 41, two first reinforcing members 42 and an optical fiber 43. The two first reinforcing members 42 and an optical fiber 43 are located inside the butterfly unit sheath 41. An optical fiber 43 is located between the two first reinforcing members 42;

[0051] The four combined external units are respectively located in the four directions of up, down, left and right of the central tube 3. Each combined external unit is composed of two stacked external units 2;

[0052] From the outside to the inside, the outer unit 2 of the first layer is composed of two octagonal sheaths 21, two second reinforcing members 22, and a connecting member 23. The octagonal sheath 21 has four long sides and four short sides. The four long sides and four short sides are arranged at intervals and connected end to end. The included angle between adjacent long sides and short sides is 135°. The second reinforcing members 22 are respectively located within the corresponding octagonal sheaths 21. One short side of the two octagonal sheaths 21 is arranged oppositely and connected by the connecting member 23. A groove 24 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting member 23;

[0053] The outer unit 2 of the second layer is composed of three octagonal sheaths 21, three second reinforcing members 22, and two connecting members 23. The second reinforcing members 22 are respectively located within the corresponding octagonal sheaths 21. The three octagonal sheaths 21 are arranged in sequence from left to right. One short side of adjacent two octagonal sheaths 21 is arranged oppositely and connected by the connecting member 23. A groove 24 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting member 23;

[0054] The two octagonal sheaths 21 of the outer unit 2 of the first layer are snapped into the two outermost grooves 24 of the outer unit 2 of the second layer, and the inner walls of the corresponding grooves 24 of the outer unit 2 of the first layer are in contact with the inner walls of the grooves 24 of the outer unit 2 of the second layer;

[0055] Four outer units 2 of the second layer enclose a closed loop. One adjacent long side of adjacent two outer units 2 of the second layer coincides and adheres to each other. A butterfly unit 4 is provided between adjacent two outer units 2 of the second layer. The butterfly unit 4 is snapped into the space between two adjacent grooves 24 of the adjacent two octagonal sheaths 21 that are adhered to each other of the outer units 2 of the second layer. The central tube 3 is located between the four butterfly units 4.

[0056] Embodiment 2: As Figure 5 and Figure 6 and referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A central tube type optical cable. This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that each outer unit combination is composed of three outer units 2 stacked layer by layer;

[0057] From the outside to the inside, the outer unit 2 of the first layer is composed of two octagonal sheaths 21, two second reinforcing members 22, and a connecting member 23. The octagonal sheath 21 has four long sides and four short sides. The four long sides and four short sides are arranged at intervals and connected end to end. The included angle between adjacent long sides and short sides is 135°. The second reinforcing members 22 are respectively located within the corresponding octagonal sheaths 21. One short side of the two octagonal sheaths 21 is opposite and connected by the connecting member 23. A groove 24 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting member 23;

[0058] The external unit 2 of the second layer is composed of three octagonal protective layers 21, three second reinforcing members 22, and two connecting members 23. The second reinforcing members 22 are respectively located within the corresponding octagonal protective layers 21. The three octagonal protective layers 21 are arranged in sequence from left to right. One short side of two adjacent octagonal protective layers 21 is arranged opposite to each other and is connected by the connecting member 23. One groove 24 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting member 23;

[0059] The external unit 2 of the third layer is composed of four octagonal protective layers 21, four second reinforcing members 22, and three connecting members 23. The second reinforcing members 22 are respectively located within the corresponding octagonal protective layers 21. The three octagonal protective layers 21 are arranged in sequence from left to right. One short side of two adjacent octagonal protective layers 21 is arranged opposite to each other and is connected by the connecting member 23. One groove 24 is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting member 23;

[0060] The octagonal protective layer 21 of the outer external unit 2 is snapped into the corresponding outer groove 24 of the inner external unit 2, and the outer external unit 2 is in contact with the inner wall of the corresponding groove 24.

[0061] Four external units 2 of the third layer enclose a closed loop. One long side of two adjacent external units 2 of the third layer coincides and abuts against each other. One butterfly unit 4 is provided between two adjacent external units 2 of the third layer. The butterfly unit 4 is snapped into the two adjacent grooves 24 between the two adjacent octagonal protective layers 21 of the two adjacent external units 2 of the third layer that abut against each other. The central tube 3 is located between the four butterfly units 4.

[0062] Embodiment 3: As Figure 7 , and with reference to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 4, a central tube optical cable. This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 1, except that: the central tube 3 is composed of a first sleeve layer 31, a second sleeve layer 32, a third sleeve layer 33, a fourth sleeve layer 37 and a fifth sleeve layer 38 with the same thickness. The second sleeve layer 32 is located inside the first sleeve layer 31, and the outer edge of the bottom of the second sleeve layer 32 is tangent to the outer edge of the bottom of the first sleeve layer 31. The third sleeve layer 33 is located inside the second sleeve layer 32, and the outer edge of the top of the third sleeve layer 33 is tangent to the outer edge of the top of the second sleeve layer 32. The fourth sleeve layer 37 is located inside the third sleeve layer 33, and the outer edge of the bottom of the fourth sleeve layer 37 is tangent to the outer edge of the bottom of the third sleeve layer 33. The fifth sleeve layer 38 is located inside the fourth sleeve layer 37, and the outer edge of the top of the fifth sleeve layer 38 is tangent to the outer edge of the top of the second sleeve layer 32. The first sleeve layer 31, the third sleeve layer 33 and the fifth sleeve layer 38 are concentric. The first sleeve layer 31, the second sleeve layer 32, the third sleeve layer 33, the fourth sleeve layer 37 and the fifth sleeve layer 38 are integrally formed. A first cavity 34 is formed between the first sleeve layer 31 and the second sleeve layer 32, a second cavity 35 is formed between the second sleeve layer 32 and the third sleeve layer 33, a third cavity 36 is formed between the third sleeve layer 33 and the fourth sleeve layer 37, a fourth cavity 39 is formed between the fourth sleeve layer 37 and the fifth sleeve layer 38, and a fifth cavity 310 is formed inside the fifth sleeve layer 38. At least one optical fiber 43 is provided in the first cavity 34, the second cavity 35, the third cavity 36, the fourth cavity 39 and the fifth cavity 310.

[0063] Embodiment 4: As Figure 8 and Figure 9 and referring to Figure 3 , a central tube optical cable. This embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 2, except that:

[0064] One of the second reinforcing members 22 in the octagonal protective layer 21 in the external unit 2 of the second layer is replaced by a loose tube 25, and at least one optical fiber 43 is provided in the loose tube 25;

[0065] Two of the second reinforcing members 22 in the octagonal protective layers 21 in the external unit 2 of the third layer are replaced by loose tubes 25, and at least one optical fiber 43 is provided in each loose tube 25.

[0066] For the above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the distance between the two opposite long sides of the octagonal protective layer 21 is 2.0 ± 0.1 mm.

[0067] For the above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the length of the butterfly unit 4 is 2.0 ± 0.1 mm, and the width is 3.0 ± 0.1 mm.

[0068] For the above-mentioned central tube optical cable, the material of the loose tube 25 is polybutylene terephthalate or modified polypropylene.

[0069] A central tube optical cable as described above, the material of the central tube 3 is polybutylene terephthalate or modified polypropylene.

[0070] A central tube optical cable as described above, the material of the outer sheath 1 is high density polyethylene.

[0071] A central tube optical cable as described above, the second strengthening member 22 and the first strengthening member 42 are phosphated steel wires or glass fiber reinforced plastic rods.

[0072] A central tube optical cable as described above, the material of the butterfly unit sheath 41 is flame retardant polyolefin.

[0073] A central tube optical cable as described above, the materials of the octagonal sheath 21 and the connecting member 23 are flame retardant polyolefin.

[0074] A central tube optical cable as described above, the optical fiber 43 is a single mode optical fiber or a multi mode optical fiber.

[0075] This application can be used as an intelligent sensor or an intelligent sensing element; since it can transmit voice and images, it can also be used as a physical sensor, such as a voice sensor or an image sensor; since it transmits optical signals through the total reflection principle, it can also be used as a distance sensor; the optical fiber in this application itself is an optical waveguide, so it can be used as an optical waveguide, such as an array optical waveguide or a diffraction optical waveguide; this application can also be used in the field of optical computing, as part of optical computing, optical computing, optical network computing, and optical chip computing.

[0076] This application has the following beneficial effects:

[0077] 1. Inside the central tube 3, there are multiple sleeve layers separated from each other, forming multiple cavities for accommodating the optical fiber 43, and different models of optical fiber 43 can be placed respectively.

[0078] 2. The sleeve layers of the odd layers inside the central tube 3 are concentric, making the center of gravity of the central tube 3 more stable.

[0079] 3. A part of the adjacent two sleeve layers overlaps, so that there is a larger cavity between the adjacent two sleeve layers for accommodating the optical fiber 43, and the central tube 3 is integrally formed, which is more convenient for processing.

[0080] 4. The part inside the third sleeve layer 33 is located in the middle of the central tube 3, so that the part inside the third sleeve layer 33 has better earthquake resistance.

[0081] 5. The central tube 3 and the butterfly unit 4 are located inside four external unit combinations, and the external unit combinations have multiple layers of the second strengthening member 22, making the optical cable have better compressive resistance and capable of being arranged in more severe environments, such as underwater.

[0082] 6. The external unit combination is formed by stacking multiple layers of external units in two layers. Compared with traditional underwater optical cables, such as the optical cable with the model GYTS33, the armored steel wires do not need to be stranded, making cable formation more convenient.

[0083] 7. For the external units 2 other than the outermost external unit 2, loose tubes 25 are provided inside the octagonal sheath 21 except at both ends. A layer of second strengthening member 22 is provided on the outermost circle of the entire cable core, and the rest are loose tubes 25, increasing the density of the optical fibers in the cable core.

[0084] 8. The butterfly unit 4 functions to support the external unit combination, making the structure of the cable core more stable.

[0085] 9. Two adjacent external units 2 are stacked in a toothed manner, preventing displacement between two adjacent external units 2 and making the structure more stable.

[0086] The above embodiments are only the preferred technical solutions of the present invention and should not be regarded as limitations on the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be the technical solutions recorded in the claims, including the equivalent replacement solutions of the technical features in the technical solutions recorded in the claims. That is, equivalent replacement improvements within this scope are also within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A central tube optical cable, having an outer sheath and a cable core, the outer sheath is extruded outside the cable core, and the cable core is composed of four external unit combinations and a central tube; It is characterized in that: The four external unit combinations are respectively located in the four directions of up, down, left and right of the central tube, and each external unit combination is composed of multiple layers of external units stacked layer by layer; The four external unit combinations enclose a closed loop, the central tube is located between the four external unit combinations, and at least one optical fiber is provided in the central tube; From the outside to the inside, the nth layer of the external unit has n + 1 octagonal sheaths, where n is a positive integer. The octagonal sheath has four long sides and four short sides, and the four long sides and four short sides are arranged at intervals and connected end to end. The included angle between adjacent long sides and short sides is 135°. The octagonal sheaths of each layer of the external unit are arranged in sequence from left to right. One short side of two adjacent octagonal sheaths is arranged opposite to each other and is connected by a connecting member. A groove is formed on each of the upper and lower sides of the connecting member; The octagonal sheath of the outermost external unit is snapped into the corresponding outer groove of the innermost external unit, and the outermost external unit is attached to the inner wall of the corresponding groove. The four innermost external units enclose a closed loop, and adjacent long sides of two adjacent innermost external units overlap and are attached to each other; A second reinforcing member is provided in each of the octagonal sheaths at both ends of the external unit; The central tube is composed of multiple sleeve layers with the same thickness sleeved in sequence. From the outside to the inside, the outer edge of the mth sleeve layer is tangent to the outer edge of the m + 1th sleeve layer, where m is a positive integer. A cavity is formed between two adjacent sleeve layers, and at least one optical fiber is provided in the cavity. At least one optical fiber is provided in the innermost sleeve layer; A butterfly unit is provided between the innermost external units of two adjacent external unit combinations. The butterfly unit is snapped into the adjacent two grooves between the adjacent two octagonal sheaths of the two adjacent innermost external units that are attached to each other, and the central tube is fixed between the four butterfly units.

2. The central tube optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second reinforcing member is provided in the octagonal sheath of the external unit except for the octagonal sheaths at both ends; 3. A central tube optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: A loose tube is provided in the octagonal sheath of the external unit except for the octagonal sheaths at both ends, and at least one optical fiber is provided in the loose tube; 4. The central tube optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: When m is odd, the tangent point of the outer edge of the mth sleeve layer and the outer edge of the m + 1th sleeve layer is located at the bottom of the two sleeve layers. When m is even, the tangent point of the outer edge of the mth sleeve layer and the outer edge of the m + 1th sleeve layer is located at the top of the two sleeve layers; 5. A central tube optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that: The butterfly unit is composed of a butterfly unit sheath, two first reinforcing members and at least one optical fiber. The two first reinforcing members and all optical fibers are located in the butterfly unit sheath, and all optical fibers are located between the two first reinforcing members; 6. The central tube optical cable according to claim 5, characterized in that: All odd-layer sleeve layers of the central tube are concentric.

Images