Biological damage resistant optical cable

Abstract

The application provides a kind of anti-bio-damage optical cable.The anti-bio-damage optical cable includes: a cable core; a protective layer wrapped around the outer periphery of the cable core, the protective layer is in a spiral shape, and on a projection plane parallel to the cross section of the anti-bio-damage optical cable, the protective layer includes four arc convex parts and four arc concave parts, the four arc convex parts and the four arc concave parts are arranged alternately along the circumference of the cable core; a protective capsule is embedded on the protective layer, and a stimulating additive is arranged in the protective capsule.The technical solution of the application can solve the problem of poor protection effect of the anti-bio-damage optical cable in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of optical cable technology, and more specifically, to an optical cable resistant to biological damage. Background Technology

[0002] As a key component of communication infrastructure, optical fiber technology has a wide range of applications, especially in complex environments such as mountains, forests, hills, and nature reserves, which places higher demands on the durability and adaptability of optical cables. These areas are not only rugged and densely vegetated, but also have frequent biological activity, with rodent gnawing, bird pecking, and other biological damage becoming common problems affecting the integrity of optical cables and communication quality.

[0003] Currently, existing optical cables generally use physical protection, which involves adding a metal armor layer to the optical cable, such as wrapping it with steel wire or steel strip to form a strong external barrier. Although this can resist biological invasion to a certain extent, the protective effect is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a biological-resistant optical cable that can solve the problem of poor protective effect of existing biological-resistant optical cables.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a biological-resistant optical cable, comprising: a cable core; a protective layer covering the outer periphery of the cable core, the protective layer being twisted in shape, and on a projection plane parallel to the cross-section of the biological-resistant optical cable, the protective layer including four arc-shaped protrusions and four arc-shaped concave portions, the four arc-shaped protrusions and four arc-shaped concave portions being alternately arranged along the circumference of the cable core; and a protective capsule embedded in the protective layer, the protective capsule containing an irritant additive.

[0006] Furthermore, the curvature of the arc-shaped convex part is k1, and the curvature of the arc-shaped concave part is k2, and k1 and k2 satisfy: k1≤k2.

[0007] Furthermore, the protective layer is extruded onto the outer periphery of the cable core.

[0008] Furthermore, the curvature k1 of the arc-shaped convex part ranges from 1 / 4 to 1 / 2, and the curvature k2 of the arc-shaped concave part ranges from 1 / 2 to 1.

[0009] Furthermore, the minimum distance L between the bottom surface of the arc-shaped concave portion and the outer circumference of the cable core is in the range of 2.5mm≤L≤3.5mm.

[0010] Furthermore, the surface of the protective capsule is provided with spikes.

[0011] Furthermore, the irritant additives include at least one of bitter additives, spicy additives, and odor additives.

[0012] Furthermore, the protective capsule includes a capsule body, an irritant additive located in the inner cavity of the capsule body, the melting point of the capsule body being greater than the melting point of the protective layer, and the value of the melting point difference 'a' between the capsule body and the protective layer being 20℃≤a≤30℃.

[0013] Furthermore, there are multiple protective capsules, which are distributed along the axial and circumferential directions of the cable core. The ratio of the total volume of all protective capsules to the volume of the protective layer is b, and the value of b is 85%≤b≤95%.

[0014] Furthermore, the bio-damage resistant optical cable also includes a light strip, which is installed on the protective layer.

[0015] The present invention provides a biologically resistant optical cable comprising a cable core, a protective layer, and a protective capsule. The protective layer is twisted in shape and includes four arc-shaped protrusions and four arc-shaped concave portions on a projection plane parallel to the cross-section of the cable. These protrusions and concave portions are alternately arranged circumferentially along the cable core, increasing the structural complexity of the cable surface. This makes it difficult for organisms (such as rodents and birds) to find a stable foothold. Furthermore, when a heavier organism lands on the cable surface, the cable will rotate due to uneven force, preventing it from remaining on the cable for an extended period and reducing the probability of organisms biting the cable. The protective capsule is embedded in the protective layer and contains an irritant additive. When an organism bites the cable, if the capsule is ruptured, the irritant additive is released, repelling the organism and preventing further biting. This significantly improves the protective effect of the biologically resistant optical cable. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings:

[0017] Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a biological-resistant optical cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A partial structural schematic diagram of the bio-resistant optical cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A partial structural schematic diagram of a bio-resistant optical cable according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0021] 10. Cable core; 11. Optical fiber; 12. Water-blocking yarn; 13. Second sleeve; 20. Inner sheath; 30. Anti-biological damage layer; 40. Outer sheath; 50. Anti-volatile layer; 60. Monitoring structure; 61. Sensor unit; 62. First sleeve; 80. Protective layer; 81. Arc-shaped protrusion; 82. Arc-shaped concave part; 90. Protective capsule. Detailed Implementation

[0022] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides a biologically resistant optical cable, which includes: a cable core 10; a protective layer 80 covering the outer periphery of the cable core 10, the protective layer 80 being twisted in shape, and on a projection plane parallel to the cross-section of the biologically resistant optical cable, the protective layer 80 including four arc-shaped protrusions 81 and four arc-shaped recesses 82, the four arc-shaped protrusions 81 and four arc-shaped recesses 82 being alternately arranged along the circumference of the cable core 10; and a protective capsule 90 embedded in the protective layer 80, the protective capsule 90 containing an irritant additive.

[0024] In this embodiment, the protective layer 80 is twisted (e.g., Figure 3 As shown in the diagram, on a projection plane parallel to the cross-section of the anti-biological damage optical cable, the protective layer 80 includes four arc-shaped protrusions 81 and four arc-shaped recesses 82. These four protrusions 81 and recesses 82 are arranged alternately along the circumference of the cable core 10, increasing the structural complexity of the optical cable surface. This makes it difficult for organisms (such as rodents and birds) to find a stable foothold. Furthermore, when a heavier organism lands on the optical cable surface, the cable will rotate due to uneven force, preventing it from remaining on the cable for an extended period and reducing the probability of the organism biting the cable. A protective capsule 90 is embedded in the protective layer 80. The protective capsule 90 contains an irritant additive. When an organism bites the optical cable, if the protective capsule 90 is ruptured, the irritant additive is released, repelling the organism and preventing further biting. This significantly improves the protective effect against biological damage. When the capsule remains intact, the irritant additive is stably encapsulated within the protective capsule 90, and its effectiveness does not diminish over time.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the curvature of the arc-shaped protrusion 81 is k1, and the curvature of the arc-shaped concave portion 82 is k2, wherein k1 and k2 satisfy: k1≤k2.

[0026] The above design prevents organisms (such as rodents and birds) from easily climbing or finding a stable foothold on the protective layer 80, thereby reducing the probability of organisms biting the optical cable.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective layer 80 is extruded onto the outer periphery of the cable core 10.

[0028] In this embodiment, molten raw materials (e.g., polyimide, fluoroplastics, silicone rubber, and polycarbonate) are extruded through the die of an extruder head to form a twisted protective layer 80 on the outer periphery of the cable core 10. Furthermore, when the die of the extruder head rotates one revolution, the protective layer 80 advances 500mm to 1000mm along the axial direction of the cable core 10; that is, the length of the protective layer 80 formed on the outer periphery of the cable core 10 after one revolution of the extruder head die is 500mm to 1000mm. The complex structure of the twisted protective layer 80 makes it more difficult for rodents, termites, and other organisms to climb and gnaw on, reducing the risk of biological damage.

[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the curvature k1 of the arc-shaped protrusion 81 is in the range of 1 / 4≤k1≤1 / 2, and the curvature k2 of the arc-shaped concave portion 82 is in the range of 1 / 2≤k2≤1.

[0030] In this embodiment, the curvature k1 of the arc-shaped protrusion 81 ranges from 1 / 4 to 1 / 2, and the curvature k2 of the arc-shaped concave portion 82 ranges from 1 / 2 to 1. This not only prevents the protective layer 80 from cracking due to excessive local stress when the optical cable is subjected to external force, but also provides additional buffer space when the optical cable bends, reducing the internal stress on the cable core 10 and thus improving the bending resistance of the optical cable. Simultaneously, through the above-mentioned design, when a creature lands on the surface of the optical cable, the cable will rotate due to uneven force, preventing it from remaining on the cable for an extended period and reducing the probability of the creature biting the cable.

[0031] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the minimum distance L between the bottom surface of the arc-shaped recess 82 and the outer peripheral surface of the cable core 10 is in the range of 2.5mm≤L≤3.5mm.

[0032] By adopting the above settings, it is possible to ensure the protective effect of the protective layer 80 while avoiding excessive weight of the protective layer 80, reducing the amount of material used in the protective layer 80, and lowering production costs.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the protective capsule 90 is provided with spikes.

[0034] In this embodiment, the surface of the protective capsule 90 is provided with spikes that can pierce the mouth of an organism when it bites, thereby preventing the organism from continuing to bite the optical cable.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective capsule 90 includes a capsule body, an irritant additive is located in the inner cavity of the capsule body, the melting point of the capsule body is greater than the melting point of the protective layer 80, and the value range of the melting point difference 'a' between the capsule body and the protective layer 80 is 20℃≤a≤30℃.

[0036] In this embodiment, since the melting point of the capsule body is higher than that of the protective layer 80, it means that under normal operating conditions, the irritant additive will not be released prematurely due to the temperature rise of the protective layer 80, thereby extending the effective protective period of the irritant additive and reducing the maintenance frequency. The setting of the melting point difference between the capsule body and the protective layer 80 helps the protective capsule 90 remain stable in high-temperature environments, avoiding accidental release or failure due to temperature rise during daily operation or emergency situations.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple protective capsules 90, which are distributed along the axial and circumferential directions of the cable core 10. The ratio of the total volume of all protective capsules 90 to the volume of the protective layer 80 is b, and the value of b is 85%≤b≤95%.

[0038] In this embodiment, the protective capsules 90 are uniformly distributed along the axial and circumferential directions of the cable core 10, enabling biological protection in all directions. The ratio b of the total volume of all protective capsules 90 to the volume of the protective layer 80 ranges from 85% to 95%. This high ratio of the total volume of the protective capsules 90 means that the protective capsules 90 are highly densely distributed in the protective layer 80. When organisms attempt to bite the optical cable, almost every surface of the optical cable is covered with protective capsules 90, ensuring comprehensive and immediate biological protection and improving the efficiency of repelling or preventing biological damage.

[0039] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the bio-damage resistant optical cable also includes a light strip, which is installed on the protective layer 80.

[0040] In this embodiment, the light strip can emit strong or flashing light, which can have a visual deterrent effect on rodents, birds and other nocturnal animals, making it difficult for them to approach the optical cable, thereby reducing the possibility of biological damage to the optical cable.

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective layer 80 is made of a transparent material that can withstand high temperatures for a long time, such as polyimide, fluoroplastics, silicone rubber and polycarbonate.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the protective capsule 90 is a non-spherical irregular shape, the protective capsule 90 has edges or a polyhedral structure, the protective capsule 90 is made of a high temperature resistant material (such as polyetheretherketone), and the surface of the protective capsule 90 is coated with glass fiber powder.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the protective capsule 90 is provided with glass fiber powder, which makes the surface of the protective capsule 90 have an uneven structure, enabling the protective capsule 90 to have a high specific surface area. On the one hand, it can significantly improve the bonding force between the protective capsule 90 and the protective layer 80. On the other hand, for the protective capsule 90 partially distributed on the outer surface of the optical cable, the glass fiber powder on its surface makes it difficult for organisms to stay on its surface for a long time, and at the same time, it inhibits their behavior of biting the optical cable, thereby effectively preventing the optical cable from being damaged.

[0044] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-biological damage optical cable further includes an inner sheath 20, an anti-biological damage layer 30, an anti-volatile layer 50, and an outer sheath 40. The inner sheath 20 covers the outer periphery of the cable core 10, the anti-biological damage layer 30 covers the outer periphery of the inner sheath 20, the anti-biological damage layer 30 is made of a non-metallic elastic material and an irritant additive mixed in a preset ratio, the anti-volatile layer 50 covers the outer periphery of the anti-biological damage layer 30, the anti-volatile layer 50 is used to prevent the irritant additive from volatilizing from the anti-biological damage layer 30 to the external environment, the outer sheath 40 covers the outer periphery of the anti-volatile layer 50, and the protective layer 80 covers the outer periphery of the outer sheath 40.

[0045] In this embodiment, the cable core 10 is the core component of the anti-biological damage optical cable, primarily used for transmitting optical signals. The inner sheath 20 covers the outer periphery of the cable core 10, enhancing the physical protection performance of the anti-biological damage optical cable. The anti-biological damage layer 30 is made of a mixture of non-metallic elastic material and irritant additives, used to prevent biological invasion. The non-metallic elastic material not only ensures the flexibility and resilience of the anti-biological damage optical cable but also, through the addition of irritant additives, creates a repellent effect on animals, utilizing their instinctive reactions to avoid potential harm to biological health and the environment. The anti-volatile layer 50 covers the anti-biological damage layer 30, preventing the irritant additives from volatilizing into the external environment or reacting with other components in the material, ensuring the long-term effective protection of the anti-biological damage layer 30, and also reducing the adverse environmental impact of the irritant additives. The outer sheath 40 further strengthens the physical protection performance of the anti-biological damage optical cable. Through multi-layered protection and functional integration, the anti-biological damage optical cable of this application effectively improves its ability to resist biological invasion.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the irritant additive includes at least one of a bitter additive, a spicy additive, and an odor additive.

[0047] In this embodiment, the irritant additive includes at least one of a bitter additive, a pungent additive, and an odor additive. The bitter additive imparts a bitter taste to the bio-damage-resistant layer 30, effectively repelling rodents and other animals, preventing them from gnawing on or damaging the bio-damage-resistant optical cable. Simultaneously, the use of the bitter additive avoids potential negative impacts on the environment and humans. The pungent additive imparts a pungent taste to the bio-damage-resistant layer 30, enabling it to repel animals sensitive to pungent smells. The odor additive imparts a foul odor to the bio-damage-resistant layer 30, utilizing animals' aversion to specific odors to deter certain organisms (such as certain birds) from approaching.

[0048] In one embodiment, the anti-volatile layer 50 is made of a film material (including at least one of polyvinyl alcohol film (PVA), polyester film (PET), and polyamide film (PA)). The film material has good barrier properties, effectively blocking external moisture, oxygen, and chemicals, and is compatible with the biodegradable layer 30 without causing chemical reactions or degradation of physical properties. The anti-volatile layer 50 prevents the volatilization of irritating additives, ensuring that their concentration in the biodegradable layer 30 is not excessively reduced.

[0049] In one embodiment, the anti-volatile layer 50 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the anti-biological damage layer 30 by wrapping or wrapping.

[0050] In one embodiment, the thickness of the anti-volatile layer 50 ranges from 10µm to 500µm.

[0051] In one embodiment, the anti-biological damage layer 30 is made of a non-metallic superelastic material (such as thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, silicone rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, acrylate rubber, etc.) and irritating additives mixed in a preset ratio. The superelastic material has high elasticity, resilience, flexibility and good tear resistance.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-biological damage layer 30 is formed by extrusion of a non-metallic elastic material and an irritant additive mixed in a preset ratio. The melting point of the irritant additive is in the range of 152°C to 277°C, and the extrusion temperature of the anti-biological damage layer 30 is 10°C to 20°C higher than the melting point of the irritant additive.

[0053] In this embodiment, the use of non-metallic elastic materials gives the bio-damage-resistant layer 30 good flexibility and elasticity. When the bio-damage-resistant optical cable is subjected to biological attack, it can absorb or disperse external forces through deformation, reducing damage to the internal cable core 10. Simultaneously, the non-metallic material avoids the increased weight, decreased bending performance, and lightning strike risk that metal armor may bring, facilitating laying in complex environments such as mountainous areas and forests. The addition of irritant additives utilizes the natural aversion to irritating odors of specific organisms (such as rodents and birds) to form an external barrier for the bio-damage-resistant optical cable, providing a general repellent effect against various organisms and enhancing the bio-protective performance of the cable.

[0054] Secondly, the melting point of the irritant additive is between 152℃ and 277℃, while the extrusion temperature of the bio-protective layer 30 is set to be 10℃ to 20℃ higher than the melting point. This ensures that the irritant additive can fully melt and be evenly distributed in the non-metallic elastic material during extrusion, thereby guaranteeing the performance consistency of the bio-protective layer 30. Simultaneously, it also prevents the protective effect from weakening due to the decomposition of the irritant additive due to overheating. Through these settings, the bio-protective layer 30 can provide long-lasting biological protection.

[0055] In one embodiment, the irritant additive is a bitter additive, which is mostly extracted from natural plants. Bitter additives offer higher safety and environmental friendliness, are human- and environmentally friendly, and meet environmental protection requirements. They have a repellent effect on various animals (including rodents, birds, insects, etc.), exhibiting better versatility. Furthermore, they possess good physical properties, easily mixing with materials such as plastics and rubber without affecting the mechanical and processing properties of the materials. Bitter additives are chemically stable, mostly slightly soluble in water, and can maintain long-term protective performance even when exposed to rainwater. The extrusion temperature of the anti-biological damage layer 30 is set to 10°C~20°C higher than the melting point. This avoids excessively high temperatures that could cause the bitter additive to decompose, lose its bitterness, and weaken or eliminate its repellent effect. It also avoids excessively low temperatures that could prevent the bitter additive from being evenly distributed in the elastic material, resulting in insufficient bitterness and affecting the repellent effect.

[0056] The bittering additive is non-toxic to humans and animals, environmentally friendly, and has good chemical stability at high temperatures and over long periods of time. When producing the anti-biological damage layer 30, the bittering additive is mixed with the elastic material in a mixer or blender according to a preset ratio to ensure that the bittering additive is evenly distributed in the elastic material. When the mixed material is fed into an extruder, heated, and extruded, the anti-biological damage layer 30 with the bittering additive is formed.

[0057] It should be noted that the amount of bittering additive used must be sufficient to effectively prevent biological damage, but it should not affect the physical properties of the biologically resistant optical cable or cause unnecessary cost increases. Even at very low concentrations, it can produce a strong bitter taste. The dosage of bittering additive should be in the range of 0.01% to 0.1%.

[0058] In one embodiment, the bittering additive includes at least one of bittering, wormwood, matrine, and limonene.

[0059] In one embodiment, the bittering additive includes bittering agent, artemisia annua, matrine, and limonene. The dosage percentage of bittering agent ranges from 0.05% to 0.5%, while the dosage percentages of artemisia annua, matrine, and limonene all range from 0.1% to 0.5%.

[0060] In one embodiment, the thickness of the biohazard-resistant layer 30 ranges from 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, the thickness L1 of the anti-biological damage layer 30 and the thickness L2 of the anti-volatile layer 50 satisfy the following: the value range of L1:L2 is 3:1 to 20:1.

[0062] The above setup provides stronger protection, effectively resisting the biting and damage from rodents, birds, and other organisms, ensuring biological repellency. It also avoids excessively large diameter optical cables for biological protection, reducing weight, improving bending performance, and lowering construction difficulty. At the same time, it also controls material costs to some extent.

[0063] For biological damage prevention of optical cables, measures such as poisoning and killing are not recommended for rodent and bird control. Currently, the design of biological damage-resistant optical cables primarily focuses on preventing damage to the internal structure of the fiber optic cable, rather than providing comprehensive protection against external damage. To address these issues, [see reference...] Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-biological damage optical cable further includes a monitoring structure 60, which is embedded in the outer sheath 40. The monitoring structure 60 includes a sensing unit 61, which is used to acquire vibration signals in real time.

[0064] In this embodiment, the monitoring structure 60 enables real-time monitoring of vibration signals around the bio-damage-resistant optical cable. The monitoring structure 60 is configured to communicate with an external control system. The control system can promptly identify minute vibrations generated when organisms approach or contact the bio-damage-resistant optical cable and provide early warnings before bio-damage occurs, allowing for preventative measures such as audible warnings and organism deterrence to minimize or avoid damage. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of vibration signals provides researchers with valuable data on biological activity, such as animal migration routes, activity patterns, and habitat selection, which is of great significance for wildlife conservation and ecological research. In addition, when laid in nature reserves, forests, hilly areas, and other locations, the bio-damage-resistant optical cable not only effectively monitors and prevents bio-damage but also collects vibration data on biological activity in the area, providing a new data source for ecological research. By analyzing this data, scientists can better understand wildlife behavior, develop conservation strategies, and enhance the environmental adaptability and ecological monitoring value of the bio-damage-resistant optical cable.

[0065] Long-distance, large-area deployment of biohazard-resistant fiber optic cables in important wildlife reserves will collect and record vibration signals from the distinctive calls of protected animals into a control system. By monitoring these vibration signals, researchers can determine animal activity, record frequency, and locate frequently observed animals for behavioral studies. Furthermore, deployment at reserve boundaries and key areas can monitor human activities such as illegal hunting, enabling timely detection and intervention, and provide early warnings of potential dangers such as forest fires and mudslides, thus protecting wildlife.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, the light strip adopts a high-performance industrial-grade temperature-resistant strobe LED light strip with a thickness of 1mm to 2mm. When a creature lands on the optical cable, the monitoring structure 60 can detect the vibration signal around the optical cable to prevent the creature from damaging it. The control system converts the light signal into an electrical signal and controls the light strip to emit a red flashing light, using the creature's sensitivity to bright colors to achieve the purpose of repelling it.

[0067] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring structure 60 further includes a first sleeve 62, which is embedded in the outer protective layer 40, and the sensing part 61 is installed in the first sleeve 62. The first sleeve 62 is made of metal material.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first sleeve 62, made of metal, has high mechanical strength, providing additional physical protection for the embedded sensor 61. This prevents the sensor 61 from being damaged by external pressure, impact, or biological attack when the bio-damage-resistant optical cable is subjected to such forces. This ensures that even in harsh environments or environments with frequent biological activity, the sensor 61 can maintain its functional integrity and continuously monitor vibration signals. The first sleeve 62 not only enhances mechanical strength but also serves as a shielding layer, effectively reducing the impact of electromagnetic interference on the sensor 61 and maintaining the stability and reliability of signal transmission.

[0069] In one embodiment, the cable core 10 is located at the center of the anti-biological damage optical cable. The cable core 10 includes a second sleeve 13 and at least one optical unit and at least one water-blocking yarn 12 disposed within the second sleeve 13. The optical unit includes an optical fiber 11 and a plastic layer covering the outer periphery of the optical fiber 11. The optical fiber 11 is a single-mode optical fiber, such as B1.3 or B6. The plastic layer is a high-molecular polymer with excellent bending properties, such as polyester elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, etc. The number of optical units can be selected according to requirements. The water-blocking yarn 12 has rapid water absorption and expansion, high water absorption rate, good softness and mechanical strength. The water absorption and expansion filling rate within the second sleeve 13 is 70% to 80%, which ensures sufficient water blocking effect without affecting the bending and movement of the optical fiber 11 due to excessive tightness. The material used to make the second sleeve 13 includes at least one of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polypropylene (PP), and nylon.

[0070] Existing anti-biological damage optical cables mostly use oil filling to block water, with materials mainly including fiber grease and cable grease. However, once the grease is exposed, its distinctive odor may attract organisms, thus increasing the risk of damage to the anti-biological damage optical cable. In addition, during construction splicing, alcohol is required to clean the grease, a process that not only reduces construction efficiency but also increases construction costs. The anti-biological damage optical cable of this application, however, is oil-free and adopts a completely dry structure. After the anti-biological damage optical cable is damaged, no grease overflows, which reduces the probability of attracting organisms and eliminates the step of cleaning grease during construction, thereby improving work efficiency and reducing construction costs. It also prevents the anti-biological damage optical cable from being continuously damaged at the same point, thus preventing the fiber 11 from breaking. Furthermore, the completely dry structure is convenient and efficient to construct, and also reduces construction costs.

[0071] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple monitoring structures 60, which are arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction of the outer protective layer 40.

[0072] In this embodiment, the distributed design of multiple monitoring structures 60 ensures that environmental vibration signals around the bio-damage-resistant optical cable can be captured at multiple points. This not only increases the comprehensiveness of monitoring but also improves the accuracy of detecting biological activity signals. Furthermore, by setting up multiple monitoring structures 60, even if one monitoring structure 60 fails due to a malfunction or damage, the other monitoring structures 60 can still function normally, ensuring the continuity of monitoring data and the overall reliability of the system.

[0073] The industry of bio-damage resistant optical cables has developed for many years, with diverse application scenarios. In mountainous areas, forests, hills, or nature reserves, bio-damage resistant optical cables need to be resistant to rodent bites, bird pecks, and other forms of biological damage. Currently, the main prevention method is physical, which typically involves adding metallic or non-metallic armor layers or incorporating internal toothed metal layers to protect the cables. For example, using metal armor made of steel wire or steel strips improves protective strength but results in cables with large outer diameters, heavy weight, poor bending flexibility, and difficulties in production and installation. Furthermore, once a bio-damage resistant optical cable is damaged, the steel strip is easily corroded by rainwater, significantly reducing its protective performance. In areas prone to lightning strikes, the metal structure is also susceptible to damage from lightning strikes, and the internal toothed metal layer may damage the outer sheath of the cable when bent. This design also increases manufacturing costs. To address these issues, [further details are needed]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the protective layer 80 is a mesh structure woven from non-metallic materials, and the weaving density of the protective layer 80 ranges from 75% to 95%.

[0074] In this embodiment, the protective layer 80 is a mesh structure woven from non-metallic materials. This provides sufficient physical strength and barrier properties to resist rodent bites, bird pecking, and insect intrusion without increasing the weight of the bio-damage-resistant optical cable or its sensitivity to electromagnetic interference. A weaving density in the range of 75% to 95% ensures the tightness of the protective layer 80, effectively increasing the difficulty of biological intrusion, while simultaneously maintaining sufficient flexibility and bending performance of the bio-damage-resistant optical cable.

[0075] In addition, the high-density braided non-metallic protective layer 80 provides better waterproof, moisture-proof, and UV-resistant performance, extending the service life of the bio-damage resistant optical cable. The use of non-metallic materials woven into a mesh structure makes the protective layer 80 lighter, reducing the overall weight of the bio-damage resistant optical cable and making it easier to lay in complex terrains such as mountainous areas and forests, reducing construction difficulty. It also makes the protective layer 80 easy to peel and handle, simplifying the maintenance and repair process and reducing maintenance costs.

[0076] In one embodiment, the first sleeve 62 is a stainless steel tube or a stainless steel spiral armored tube (formed by flattening steel wire into a very narrow steel strip and winding it, with a shape similar to a spring). The diameter of the first sleeve 62 ranges from 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm. The sensing part 61 includes an optical fiber 11 and a plastic layer covering the outer periphery of the optical fiber 11. The optical fiber 11 is a low-loss, bend-resistant optical fiber 11. The plastic layer is a polymer with excellent bending performance, such as thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic elastomer, polyolefin, etc. The diameter of the sensing part 61 ranges from 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the non-metallic material is non-metallic yarn, and the linear density of the non-metallic yarn is... The value range is 100Tex~600Tex, the braiding thickness H of the protective layer 80, and the linear density of the non-metallic yarn. And the weaving density coefficient K of the protective layer 80 satisfies: Where K ranges from 1.2 to 1.5.

[0078] In this embodiment, the linear density of the non-metallic yarn is set between 100 Tex and 600 Tex. This ensures that the non-metallic yarn has sufficient strength to resist biological damage while maintaining good flexibility, without excessively increasing the outer diameter and weight of the biological-resistant optical cable. The protective layer 80 woven from high-density non-metallic yarn provides stronger mechanical protection, reducing damage to the biological-resistant optical cable caused by external forces (such as animal bites and environmental abrasion). The braiding thickness H and the linear density of the non-metallic yarn are also considered. The relationship between the braiding density coefficient K and the above-mentioned parameters ensures that the protective layer 80 is neither too thick, increasing unnecessary weight and cost, nor too thin, thus reducing protective performance. The value of K ranges from 1.2 to 1.5, optimizing the overall performance of the anti-biological damage optical cable while guaranteeing key functions such as water resistance and protection against biological damage. The use of a non-metallic braided mesh structure not only reduces the overall weight of the anti-biological damage optical cable but also lowers its sensitivity to electromagnetic interference, enabling it to adapt to the laying requirements of complex terrains such as mountains, forests, and hills, while also improving the durability of the anti-biological damage optical cable.

[0079] In one embodiment, the non-metallic yarn is water-resistant glass fiber yarn. The protective layer 80 is woven from water-resistant glass fiber yarn using the outer periphery of the second sleeve 13 of a braiding machine to form a dense mesh structure.

[0080] See also Figures 1 to 3As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the inner sheath 20 includes at least two inner sheath layers, which are sequentially wrapped around the outer periphery of the cable core 10 from the inside to the outside. Along the direction away from the cable core 10, the braiding density of the at least two inner sheath layers gradually increases, and the value range of the incremental value of the braiding density of the inner sheath layers is 3% to 7%.

[0081] Through the above-mentioned design, multiple layers of protection can be achieved. The increasing braiding density, especially with the increment controlled within the range of 3% to 7%, effectively enhances the overall mechanical strength and biological protection performance of the bio-damage resistant cable. This avoids the problems of increased weight and decreased bending performance caused by excessively dense braiding layers. Furthermore, because the outermost inner sheath has the highest braiding density, it forms a robust barrier, effectively preventing the intrusion of rodents, birds, and other organisms. Even if organisms attempt to damage the cable, the high-density braiding significantly slows down the rate of damage, buying valuable time for protective measures and reducing the risk of cable failure due to biological attack.

[0082] Furthermore, by setting different braid densities for the inner sheath layers, at least two inner sheath layers can achieve different functions, such as rodent protection, insect protection, and mold protection, providing comprehensive biological protection. In contrast, existing protective layers 80 mainly use steel wire, steel strip, and fiberglass rods, making it difficult to achieve multi-layer composite and multi-functional integration. The mesh structure has higher flexibility and bending performance, making it more suitable for applications with high bending frequencies or in confined spaces. This allows the biologically resistant optical cable to maintain good shape recovery when bent, reducing signal attenuation caused by bending. The flexibility also allows the biologically resistant optical cable to better disperse stress when subjected to biological attacks, reducing the risk of localized damage. The lighter inner sheath 20 has significant advantages in long-distance laying in forest and mountainous areas or in applications requiring manual handling, reducing the burden on construction personnel and making it easier to peel and handle without requiring additional tools and time. This facilitates on-site splicing and maintenance, improves construction efficiency, and reduces construction costs.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one inner protective layer is coated with an irritating additive.

[0084] In this embodiment, the inner sheath is coated with an irritant additive that can repel specific biological groups, effectively preventing rodents, birds and other organisms from biting or pecking at the bio-damage resistant optical cable, reducing the possibility of biological damage and extending the service life of the bio-damage resistant optical cable.

[0085] In one embodiment, the outer sheath 40 is made of a polymer material (such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, or polypropylene) with high hardness, good wear resistance, and good sound transmission. The outer sheath 40 is formed by extrusion, and its thickness ranges from 2mm to 3mm with a smooth outer surface. When laid over long distances in forest areas, the high hardness and excellent wear resistance of the outer sheath 40 effectively resist abrasion caused by rough objects such as trees, preventing scratches on the surface of the bio-damage-resistant optical cable. The smooth surface makes it difficult for birds and rodents to firmly grasp the bio-damage-resistant optical cable, reducing the likelihood of them alighting on it and decreasing initial pecking or biting points, thus making it difficult for these creatures to initiate destructive behavior. By reducing these gripping points, it further hinders their damage to the bio-damage-resistant optical cable.

[0086] As can be seen from the above description, the embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects: The anti-biological damage optical cable includes a cable core, a protective layer, and a protective capsule. The protective layer is twisted, and on a projection plane parallel to the cross-section of the anti-biological damage optical cable, the protective layer includes four arc-shaped protrusions and four arc-shaped concave portions. The four arc-shaped protrusions and four arc-shaped concave portions are alternately arranged along the circumference of the cable core, which increases the structural complexity of the optical cable surface, making it difficult for organisms (such as rodents, birds, etc.) to find a stable foothold on it. When a heavier organism lands on the optical cable surface, the optical cable will rotate due to uneven force, preventing it from staying on the optical cable for a long time, thus reducing the probability of organisms biting the optical cable. The protective layer is embedded with a protective capsule containing an irritant additive. When an organism bites the optical cable, if the protective capsule is bitten open, the irritant additive inside the capsule is released, repelling the organism and preventing further biting of the optical cable, thereby significantly improving the protective effect of the anti-biological damage optical cable.

[0087] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some, not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0088] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0089] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A biological-resistant optical cable, characterized in that, include: Cable core (10); A protective layer (80) covers the outer periphery of the cable core (10). The protective layer (80) is twisted. On the projection plane parallel to the cross-section of the anti-biological damage optical cable, the protective layer (80) includes four arc-shaped protrusions (81) and four arc-shaped recesses (82). The four arc-shaped protrusions (81) and the four arc-shaped recesses (82) are arranged alternately along the circumference of the cable core (10). A protective capsule (90) is embedded in the protective layer (80), and the protective capsule (90) contains an irritant additive.

2. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The curvature of the arc-shaped protrusion (81) is k1, and the curvature of the arc-shaped concave part (82) is k2. k1 and k2 satisfy: k1≤k2.

3. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective layer (80) is extruded and formed on the outer periphery of the cable core (10).

4. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The curvature k1 of the arc-shaped protrusion (81) is in the range of 1 / 4≤k1≤1 / 2, and the curvature k2 of the arc-shaped concave part (82) is in the range of 1 / 2≤k2≤1.

5. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The minimum distance L between the bottom surface of the arc-shaped recess (82) and the outer peripheral surface of the cable core (10) is 2.5mm≤L≤3.5mm.

6. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The surface of the protective capsule (90) is provided with spikes.

7. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The irritant additives include at least one of bitter additives, spicy additives, and odor additives.

8. The biological-resistant optical cable according to claim 7, characterized in that, The protective capsule (90) includes a capsule body, the irritant additive is located in the inner cavity of the capsule body, the melting point of the capsule body is greater than the melting point of the protective layer (80), and the value range of the melting point difference a between the capsule body and the protective layer (80) is 20℃≤a≤30℃.

9. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The number of the protective capsules (90) is multiple, and the multiple protective capsules (90) are distributed along the axial and circumferential directions of the cable core (10). The ratio of the total volume of all the protective capsules (90) to the volume of the protective layer (80) is b, and the value of b is 85%≤b≤95%.

10. The anti-biological damage optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The bio-resistant optical cable also includes a light strip, which is installed on the protective layer (80).

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