Sensing monitoring unit and optical cable

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of optical cables, and discloses a sensing monitoring unit and an optical cable. The sensing monitoring unit comprises a tightly-packaged optical fiber, a filling layer, an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer. The filling layer comprises a plurality of filling pieces which are arranged around the tightly-packaged optical fiber and attached to the tightly-packaged optical fiber. And the inner protective layer is sleeved outside the filling layer and is attached to the filling piece. And the outer protection layer is sleeved outside the inner protection layer and is attached to the inner protection layer. The tightly-packaged optical fiber can move relative to the filling piece, and / or the filling piece can move relative to the inner protective layer. According to the sensing monitoring unit provided by the invention, the timeliness of monitoring the applicable optical cable can be realized, and the possibility of a monitoring blank period can be reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of optical cables, in particular to a sensing monitoring unit and an optical cable. BACKGROUND

[0002] An optical cable is a cable that transmits optical signals through optical fibers to realize signal transmission. Due to its characteristics of long transmission distance, high speed and low loss, the optical cable is widely used in network communication, power monitoring and other fields. The sensing monitoring unit is generally provided in the optical cable to monitor the stress of the optical cable itself or the temperature and pressure around the optical cable. At present, after the optical cable is laid, the sensing monitoring unit cannot timely monitor the related data of the optical cable, and there is a monitoring blank period. SUMMARY

[0003] Therefore, the present application provides a sensing monitoring unit and an optical cable to timely monitor the optical cable after the optical cable is laid.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a sensing monitoring unit, which comprises a tight-packaged optical fiber, a filling layer, an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer. The filling layer comprises a plurality of filling pieces, and the plurality of filling pieces are arranged around the tight-packaged optical fiber and are attached to the tight-packaged optical fiber. The inner protective layer is sleeved outside the filling layer and is attached to the filling pieces. The outer protective layer is sleeved outside the inner protective layer and is attached to the inner protective layer. The tight-packaged optical fiber is movable relative to the filling pieces, and / or the filling pieces are movable relative to the inner protective layer.

[0005] The filling layer is used to fill the gap between the tight-packaged optical fiber and the inner protective layer. When the sensing monitoring unit is bent or stretched due to the application of the optical cable during laying or use, the tight-packaged optical fiber can move relative to the inner protective layer, so that the tight-packaged optical fiber can timely and adaptively bend or stretch, and the tight-packaged optical fiber can timely conduct optical signals to realize the timeliness of monitoring the optical cable applied to the sensing monitoring unit, and the possibility of a monitoring blank period can be reduced.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present application, the material of the filling piece is aramid.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present application, the filling piece is in a bundle shape, and the plurality of filling pieces are twistedly arranged, braidedly arranged or respectively arranged along the length direction of the tight-packaged optical fiber.

[0008] By twisting the aramid material filling piece outside the tight-packaged optical fiber, braiding the aramid material filling piece outside the tight-packaged optical fiber or extending the aramid material filling piece outside the tight-packaged optical fiber along the length direction of the tight-packaged optical fiber, the tight-packaged optical fiber can move relative to the filling piece, so that the tight-packaged optical fiber can move relative to the inner protective layer or the outer protective layer.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present application, the material of the inner protective layer is a non-metallic elastic material.

[0010] By making the inner protective layer elastic, the inner protective layer can be fully filled between the filling layer and the outer protective layer, so as to tightly connect the tightly packed optical fiber, the filling piece and the outer protective layer.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present application, the material of the inner protective layer is one of TPU, PVC, PE, PP, PTFE and silicone rubber.

[0012] The inner protective layer can be realized by extrusion, which is simple, mature and easy to realize.

[0013] In some embodiments of the present application, the outer diameter of the inner protective layer is 2.5mm to 3.5mm.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present application, the outer protective layer comprises a metal sleeve.

[0015] The outer protective layer made of metal has a good protective effect on the inner protective layer.

[0016] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an optical cable, comprising a first protective layer, a second protective layer and a sensing and monitoring unit provided by any of the above embodiments, the sensing and monitoring unit is arranged at the center of the optical cable, the first protective layer is arranged outside the outer protective layer of the sensing and monitoring unit, and the second protective layer is arranged outside the first protective layer.

[0017] By arranging the sensing and monitoring unit at the center of the optical cable, the sensing and monitoring unit does not need to be stranded, which can reduce the possibility that the sensing and monitoring unit generates a stranded excess length and causes the sensing and monitoring unit to be difficult to monitor the optical cable in time. The first protective layer and the second protective layer can have a protective effect on the sensing and monitoring unit, and can reduce the risk of damage to the sensing and monitoring unit.

[0018] In some embodiments of the present application, the first protective layer comprises an optical fiber communication unit and a plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires, and the optical fiber communication unit and the plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires are arranged around the sensing and monitoring unit.

[0019] The first aluminum-clad steel wire can improve the tensile property of the optical cable, and the first aluminum-clad steel wire can be used for power transmission or conduction, so that the optical cable has a communication function and also has a lightning protection function.

[0020] In some embodiments of the present application, the second protective layer comprises a plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires, and the plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires are arranged around the first protective layer.

[0021] On the one hand, the second protective layer has a protective effect on the optical fiber communication unit in the first protective layer, which can reduce the risk of damage to the optical fiber communication unit; on the other hand, the second aluminum-clad steel wire can further improve the tensile property of the optical cable, and the second aluminum-clad steel wire can be used for power transmission or conduction to further enhance the lightning protection function of the optical cable. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of an optical cable provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of another optical cable provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a sensing and monitoring unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sensing and monitoring unit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Explanation of main component symbols 100. Optical cable; 11. First sheath; 111. Optical fiber communication unit; 112. First aluminum-clad steel wire; 12. Second sheath; 121. Second aluminum-clad steel wire; 13. Sensing and monitoring unit; 131. Tightly packed optical fiber; 132. Filler layer; 1321. Filler component; 133. Inner sheath; 134. Outer sheath; 14. Armor layer; 15. Protective layer. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application.

[0029] The term “and / or” as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0031] Embodiments of this application provide a sensing and monitoring unit, including a tight-buffered optical fiber, a filler layer, an inner sheath, and an outer sheath. The filler layer includes a plurality of filler elements disposed around and bonded to the tight-buffered optical fiber. The inner sheath is sleeved outside the filler layer and bonded to the filler elements. The outer sheath is sleeved outside the inner sheath and bonded to the inner sheath. The tight-buffered optical fiber is movable relative to the filler elements, and / or, the filler elements are movable relative to the inner sheath.

[0032] The filling layer is used to fill the gap between the tight-packed optical fiber and the inner protective layer; when the sensing monitoring unit is bent or stretched during the laying or use of the applied optical cable, the tight-packed optical fiber can move relative to the inner protective layer, so that the tight-packed optical fiber can timely and adaptively bend or stretch, so that the tight-packed optical fiber can timely conduct optical signals to realize the timeliness of monitoring the optical cable applied to the sensing monitoring unit, and the possibility of monitoring blank period can be reduced.

[0033] Some embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 The optical cable 100 includes a first protective layer 11, a second protective layer 12 and a sensing monitoring unit 13. The sensing monitoring unit 13 is arranged at the center of the optical cable 100, the first protective layer 11 is arranged outside the sensing monitoring unit 13, and the second protective layer 12 is arranged outside the first protective layer 11. Exemplarily, the cross section of the optical cable 100 is substantially circular; on the cross section of the optical cable 100, the sensing monitoring unit 13 is substantially located at the center of the circle. By arranging the sensing monitoring unit 13 at the center of the optical cable 100, the sensing monitoring unit 13 does not need to be stranded, and the possibility that the sensing monitoring unit 13 produces stranded excess length and causes the sensing monitoring unit 13 to be difficult to timely monitor the optical cable 100 can be reduced.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first protective layer 11 includes a fiber communication unit 111 and a plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires 112. The fiber communication unit 111 and the plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires 112 are arranged around the sensing monitoring unit 13. In some embodiments, the fiber communication unit 111 and the plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires 112 are stranded outside the sensing monitoring unit 13. In some embodiments, the number of fiber communication units 111 is multiple, and the fiber communication units 111 and the first aluminum-clad steel wires 112 are alternately arranged along the circumference of the sensing monitoring unit 13. The first aluminum-clad steel wire 112 can improve the tensile property of the optical cable 100, and the first aluminum-clad steel wire 112 can be used for power transmission or conduction, so that the optical cable 100 has communication function and also has lightning protection function.

[0036] Exemplarily, the fiber communication unit 111 can be a tight-packed optical fiber 131.

[0037] In other embodiments, the first aluminum-clad steel wire 112 can be replaced by a copper wire or a steel strand or other linear structural member.

[0038] In some embodiments, the second protective layer 12 comprises a plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires 121, which are arranged around the first protective layer 11. On the one hand, the second protective layer 12 has a protective effect on the optical fiber communication units 111 in the first protective layer 11, which can reduce the risk of damage to the optical fiber communication units 111; on the other hand, the second aluminum-clad steel wires 121 can further improve the tensile performance of the optical cable 100, and the second aluminum-clad steel wires 121 can be used for power transmission or conduction, thereby further improving the lightning protection function of the optical cable 100.

[0039] In some embodiments, the plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires 121 are stranded outside the first protective layer 11. In other embodiments, the plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires 121 can be stranded outside the first protective layer 11.

[0040] In other embodiments, the second aluminum-clad steel wires 121 can be replaced by copper wires or steel strands or other linear structural members. In other embodiments, the second protective layer 12 can also be a structural layer wrapped outside the first protective layer 11 by extrusion or the like.

[0041] Alternatively, the optical cable 100 of the present application can be used as an OPGW (Optical Power Grounded Waveguide) optical cable.

[0042] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the optical cable 100 further comprises an armor layer 14 and a protective layer 15, the armor layer 14 being arranged outside the second protective layer 12, and the protective layer 15 being arranged outside the armor layer 14.

[0043] In some embodiments, the armor layer 14 comprises stainless steel sheets, which are helically wound outside the second protective layer 12; the protective layer 15 is made of one of PVC, PE, PP, and PTFE, and the protective layer 15 can be wrapped outside the armor layer 14 by extrusion to fasten the armor layer 14 and provide a protective effect for the armor layer 14. In other embodiments, the protective layer 15 can also be made of other types of high molecular materials.

[0044] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the sensing and monitoring unit 13 comprises a tightly packed optical fiber 131, a filler layer 132, an inner protective layer 133, and an outer protective layer 134, which are arranged in order from inside to outside. Exemplarily, the tightly packed optical fiber 131 is a G.657 optical fiber. In other embodiments, the tightly packed optical fiber 131 can also be other optical fibers capable of conducting optical signals.

[0045] The filling layer 132 includes a plurality of filling pieces 1321 which are arranged around and in contact with the tight-pack optical fiber 131. In some embodiments, the filling pieces 1321 are made of aramid. Alternatively, the filling pieces 1321 are in the form of a bundle; for example, the filling pieces 1321 can be a fiber bundle formed by twisting or twisting aramid fibers.

[0046] With reference to Figure 4 In some embodiments, the plurality of filling pieces 1321 can be arranged in sequence along the circumference of the tight-pack optical fiber 131 and each filling piece 1321 is arranged to extend along the length direction of the tight-pack optical fiber 131. It can be understood that each filling piece 1321 is parallel to the tight-pack optical fiber 131 when the sensing monitoring unit 13 is in a flat state. In other embodiments, the plurality of filling pieces 1321 can be twisted or woven outside the tight-pack optical fiber 131.

[0047] By twisting or weaving the filling pieces 1321 outside the tight-pack optical fiber 131 or extending the filling pieces 1321 outside the tight-pack optical fiber 131 along the length direction of the tight-pack optical fiber 131, the tight-pack optical fiber 131 can move relative to the filling pieces 1321, so that the tight-pack optical fiber 131 can move relative to the inner protective layer 133 or the outer protective layer 134. It should be noted that, compared with conventional use of fiber paste as the filling layer 132, aramid is more environmentally friendly.

[0048] In other embodiments, the filling layer 132 can also be formed by bonding and covering the tight-pack optical fiber 131 with a plurality of aramid short fibers and / or aramid long fibers. After the inner protective layer 133 is formed, the tight-pack optical fiber 131 can move relative to the inner protective layer 133 due to the lack of connection between the plurality of aramid short fibers, between the plurality of aramid long fibers, or between the aramid short fibers and the aramid long fibers.

[0049] With reference to Figure 3 In some embodiments, the inner protective layer 133 is arranged outside the filling layer 132 and in contact with the filling pieces 1321. For example, the inner protective layer 133 can be covered outside the filling layer 132 by extrusion. Alternatively, the material of the inner protective layer 133 can be one of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), and silicone rubber. In other embodiments, the material of the inner protective layer 133 can also be other non-metallic materials with elasticity.

[0050] By making the inner protective layer 133 elastic, the inner protective layer 133 can be filled between the filling layer 132 and the outer protective layer 134 to make the tight package optical fiber 131, the filling piece 1321 and the outer protective layer 134 tightly connected with each other. At the same time, the filling piece 1321 made of aramid material can isolate the inner protective layer 133 and the tight package optical fiber 131, and can reduce the possibility of adhesion between the inner protective layer 133 and the tight package optical fiber 131 during extrusion molding, so that the tight package optical fiber 131 can move relative to the inner protective layer 133 or the outer protective layer 134.

[0051] In some embodiments, the outer diameter of the inner protective layer 133 is 2.5mm to 3.5mm. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the inner protective layer 133 can be any one of 2.5mm, 2.8mm, 3.0mm, 3.2mm, 3.5mm. Exemplarily, the outer diameter of the inner protective layer 133 is 3.0mm.

[0052] In some embodiments, the outer protective layer 134 is sleeved outside the inner protective layer 133 and is attached to the inner protective layer 133. In some embodiments, the outer protective layer 134 comprises a metal sleeve; exemplarily, the outer protective layer 134 is a stainless steel tube. The outer protective layer 134 made of metal has good protection effect on the inner protective layer 133.

[0053] In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the outer protective layer 134 is 2.8mm to 3.2mm, and the outer diameter of the outer protective layer 134 is 3.2mm to 3.6mm; it can be understood that the inner diameter of the outer protective layer 134 should be smaller than the outer diameter of the outer protective layer 134. Alternatively, the inner diameter of the outer protective layer 134 can be any one of 2.8mm, 2.9mm, 3.0mm, 3.1mm, 3.2mm; the outer diameter of the outer protective layer 134 can be any one of 3.2mm, 3.3mm, 3.4mm, 3.5mm, 3.6mm. Exemplarily, the inner diameter of the outer protective layer 134 is 3.0mm, and the outer diameter of the outer protective layer 134 is 3.4mm.

[0054] In other embodiments, the outer protective layer 134 can also be a sleeve made of non-metal material. In other embodiments, the outer protective layer 134 can also be a structure formed by twisting or weaving wires.

[0055] In addition, those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present application, and are not used as a limitation to the present application, and any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present application fall within the disclosure range of the present application.

Claims

1. A sensor monitoring unit, characterized by The sensing monitoring unit comprises: a tight optical fiber; a filling layer comprising a plurality of filling pieces, the plurality of filling pieces being arranged around the tight optical fiber and being in contact with the tight optical fiber; an inner protective layer being sleeved outside the filling layer and being in contact with the filling pieces; an outer protective layer being sleeved outside the inner protective layer and being in contact with the inner protective layer; the tight optical fiber is movable relative to the filling pieces, and / or the filling pieces are movable relative to the inner protective layer.

2. The sensing monitoring unit of claim 1, wherein, The filling pieces are made of aramid.

3. The sensing monitoring unit of claim 2, wherein, The filling pieces are in the form of a bundle, and the plurality of filling pieces are arranged in a stranded manner or a braided manner or are arranged to extend along the length direction of the tight optical fiber respectively.

4. The sensing monitoring unit of claim 1, wherein, The inner protective layer is made of a non-metallic elastic material.

5. The sensing monitoring unit of claim 4, wherein, The inner protective layer is made of one of TPU, PVC, PE, PP, PTFE, and silicone rubber.

6. The sensing monitoring unit of claim 1, wherein, The outer diameter of the inner protective layer is 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm.

7. The sensing monitoring unit of claim 1, wherein, The outer protective layer comprises a metal sleeve.

8. An optical cable characterized by, The optical cable comprises a first protective layer, a second protective layer, and the sensing monitoring unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the sensing monitoring unit being arranged at the center of the optical cable, the first protective layer being arranged outside the outer protective layer of the sensing monitoring unit, and the second protective layer being arranged outside the first protective layer.

9. The optical cable of claim 8, wherein, The first protective layer comprises an optical fiber communication unit and a plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires, the optical fiber communication unit and the plurality of first aluminum-clad steel wires being arranged around the sensing monitoring unit.

10. The optical cable of claim 8, wherein, The second protective layer comprises a plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires, the plurality of second aluminum-clad steel wires being arranged around the first protective layer.

Images