Hollow core submarine optical cable

Abstract

This application provides a hollow submarine optical cable, including an inner sheath, a hollow optical unit, an intermediate component, an outer sheath, and multiple protective components. The hollow optical unit is disposed inside the inner sheath. The intermediate component is arranged around the outer periphery of the inner sheath. The outer sheath is arranged around the outer periphery of the intermediate component. Multiple protective components are arranged sequentially along the axis of the outer sheath. Each protective component includes multiple swinging elements, multiple buffer elements, and multiple elastic elements. The multiple swinging elements are arranged sequentially around the outer periphery of the outer sheath. The first end of any one of the swinging elements is rotatably connected to the outer sheath, and its second end is located between another adjacent swinging element and the outer sheath. The outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath is provided with multiple buffer grooves. Each buffer groove is provided with an elastic element. The buffer element is slidably disposed in the buffer groove, and the elastic element is elastically connected to the buffer element to drive the buffer element to slide away from the inner sheath. The second end of the swinging element movably abuts against the buffer element to drive the buffer element to slide towards the inner sheath.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of hollow optical cable technology, and in particular to a hollow submarine optical cable. Background Technology

[0002] Hollow-core submarine optical cables use hollow-core optical fibers, which have weak compressive strength. When hollow-core submarine optical cables are in seawater, they are constantly subjected to seawater pressure or impacts from external objects, which can easily damage the hollow-core optical fibers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a hollow-core submarine optical cable to solve the problem that the hollow optical fibers in existing hollow-core submarine optical cables are easily damaged.

[0004] This application provides a hollow submarine optical cable, including an inner sheath, a hollow optical unit, an intermediate component, an outer sheath, and multiple protective components. The hollow optical unit is disposed within the inner sheath. The intermediate component is arranged around the outer periphery of the inner sheath. The outer sheath is arranged around the outer periphery of the intermediate component. Multiple protective components are arranged sequentially along the axis of the outer sheath. Each protective component includes multiple swinging elements, multiple buffer elements, and multiple elastic elements. The multiple swinging elements are arranged sequentially around the outer periphery of the outer sheath. The first end of any one of the multiple swinging elements is rotatably connected to the outer sheath, and its second end is located near the outer sheath. Between another of the swinging components and the outer sheath; wherein, the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath is provided with a plurality of buffer grooves, the plurality of buffer grooves are correspondingly arranged with a plurality of buffer components, and each buffer groove is provided with an elastic component, the buffer component is slidably disposed in the buffer groove along the radial direction of the outer sheath, and the elastic component is elastically connected to the buffer component, for driving the buffer component to slide away from the inner sheath; the plurality of buffer components are correspondingly arranged with a plurality of swinging components, the second end of the swinging component movably abuts against the buffer component, for driving the buffer component to slide towards the inner sheath.

[0005] In one possible implementation, along the circumference of the outer sheath, the walls of the buffer groove on opposite sides are configured as guide surfaces, the two guide surfaces are inclined to each other, and along the radial direction of the outer sheath, the distance between the ends of the two guide surfaces near the inner sheath is greater than the distance between the ends away from the inner sheath.

[0006] In one possible implementation, along the circumference of the outer sheath, the sidewalls on opposite sides of the buffer member can respectively abut against the two guide surfaces, and when the sidewalls on opposite sides of the buffer member abut against the two guide surfaces respectively, the surface of the end of the buffer member away from the inner sheath is coplanar with the outer circumferential surface of the outer sheath.

[0007] In one possible implementation, along the radial direction of the outer sheath, the length of the buffer member is less than the depth of the buffer groove. When the sidewalls of the opposite sides of the buffer member abut against the two guide surfaces respectively, the buffer member and the bottom wall of the buffer groove are spaced apart and form a receiving cavity. The elastic member is located in the receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity can contain liquid.

[0008] In one possible implementation, a swing gap is provided between the swing member and the outer sheath along the radial direction of the outer sheath; along the circumferential direction of the outer sheath, the swing gap decreases from the first end of the swing member toward the second end of the swing member.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath is provided with a plurality of mounting portions, and the plurality of mounting portions are arranged sequentially at intervals along the axis of the outer sheath, and a protective component is provided between any two adjacent mounting portions.

[0010] In one possible implementation, along the direction of the axis of the outer sheath, swing portions are provided on both opposite sides of the first end of the swing member, and at least one side of the mounting portion is provided with a swing groove, wherein the swing portion is rotatably disposed in the swing groove.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the swing groove is arc-shaped, and the length of the swing groove is greater than the outer diameter of the swing part. The swing part can slide within the swing groove to allow the swing member to slide relative to the outer sheath along the circumference of the outer sheath.

[0012] In one possible implementation, along the direction of the axis of the outer sheath, the swing groove includes a first groove segment and a second groove segment that are connected to each other, the inner diameter of the first groove segment is smaller than the inner diameter of the second groove segment, and a stepped surface is formed between the first groove segment and the second groove segment. A limiting part is provided on the outer periphery of the end of the swinging part away from the swinging member. The limiting part is rotatably disposed in the second groove section, and the stepped surface is used to abut against the limiting part.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the hollow optical unit includes a protective sleeve and a hollow optical fiber, with the hollow optical fiber located inside the protective sleeve.

[0014] The hollow-core submarine optical cable of this application comprises multiple protective components arranged around the outer periphery of the outer sheath, each component including multiple oscillating members distributed circumferentially to cover the entire outer periphery of the outer sheath. The oscillating members can be made of a material with high rigidity to resist external impact. Furthermore, the oscillating members, in conjunction with buffers and elastic elements, can buffer external forces when the oscillating members are subjected to stress. During the oscillation process, the oscillating members resist the inward movement of the buffers, compressing the elastic elements and further enhancing the buffering effect. This improves the overall compressive strength of the hollow-core submarine optical cable, thereby protecting the hollow-core optical units located within the inner sheath. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the hollow submarine optical cable of this application in one embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A magnified schematic diagram of a portion of region II corresponding to the hollow submarine optical cable.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the hollow submarine optical cable of this application in one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation section of the hollow submarine optical cable of this application in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the swing section in one embodiment of the hollow submarine optical cable of this application.

[0020] Key component symbols: 100, Hollow-core submarine optical cable; P1, Guide surface; P2, Stepped surface; 10, Inner sheath; 20, Hollow-core optical unit; 21, Protective sheath; 22, Hollow-core optical fiber; 30, Central component; 40, Intermediate assembly; 41, Armor layer; 410, Armor component; 42, First protective layer; 43, Waterproof layer; 44, Second protective layer; 50, Outer sheath; 51, Buffer groove; 52, Mounting part; 520, Swing groove; 5201, First groove segment; 5202, Second groove segment; 60, Protective assembly; 61, Swing component; 611, First end; 612, Second end; 613, Swing part; 614, Limiting part; 62, Buffer component; 63, Elastic component; 64, Swing gap; 65, Receiving cavity.

[0021] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings to provide a more complete picture of the present application. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided to make the present application thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to also include the plural forms. Furthermore, when used herein, “comprising” and / or “including” and / or “having,” integers, steps, operations, components, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Furthermore, unless expressly defined herein, terms such as those defined in a general dictionary should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the relevant art and in the content of this application, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0025] The specific embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a hollow submarine optical cable 100, including an inner sheath 10, a hollow optical unit 20, an intermediate component 40, an outer sheath 50, and multiple protective components 60.

[0027] The inner sheath 10 is generally circular in structure and may be made of cross-linked polyethylene or other insulating materials. The hollow optical unit 20 is disposed inside the inner sheath 10. The intermediate component 40 is disposed around the outer periphery of the inner sheath 10 to provide protection for the inner sheath 10 and the hollow optical unit 20 located therein.

[0028] An outer sheath 50 is arranged around the outer periphery of the intermediate component 40, and the outer sheath 50 may be made of an insulating and wear-resistant material such as cross-linked polyethylene. Multiple protective components 60 are arranged sequentially along the axis of the outer sheath 50. Each protective component 60 includes multiple swing members 61, multiple buffer members 62, and multiple elastic members 63. Multiple swing members 61 are arranged sequentially around the outer periphery of the outer sheath 50. The first end 611 of any one of the swing members 61 is rotatably connected to the outer sheath 50, and its second end 612 is located between another adjacent swing member 61 and the outer sheath 50.

[0029] The outer sheath 50 has multiple buffer grooves 51 on its outer peripheral surface, each corresponding to a buffer member 62, and each buffer groove 51 contains an elastic member 63. Along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, the buffer member 62 is slidably disposed within the buffer groove 51, and the elastic member 63 is elastically connected to the buffer member 62, driving the buffer member 62 to slide away from the inner sheath 10. The multiple buffer members 62 are correspondingly disposed with multiple swing members 61, the second end 612 of the swing member 61 movably abutting against the buffer member 62, driving the buffer member 62 to slide towards the inner sheath 10.

[0030] Thus, the hollow submarine optical cable 100 of this application, by providing multiple protective components 60 on the outer periphery of the outer sheath 50, and each protective component 60 including multiple oscillating members 61 distributed circumferentially, covers the entire outer periphery of the outer sheath 50 with the oscillating members 61. The oscillating members 61 can be made of a material with high hardness to resist external impact. In addition, the oscillating members 61, in conjunction with the buffer member 62 and the elastic member 63, can buffer the external force when the oscillating members 61 are subjected to force, and the oscillating members 61 push against the buffer member 62 and move inward during the oscillation process to compress the elastic member 63, further playing a buffering role, thereby improving the compressive strength of the entire hollow submarine optical cable 100, and thus protecting the hollow optical unit 20 located in the inner sheath 10.

[0031] Please combine Figures 1 to 3 In one embodiment, the hollow optical unit 20 includes a protective sleeve 21 and a hollow optical fiber 22, with the hollow optical fiber 22 located inside the protective sleeve 21.

[0032] The hollow optical fiber 22 is roughly a hollow cylindrical structure and is capable of transmitting optical signals. The protective sleeve 21 can be a loose tube or a stainless steel tube, and the number of hollow optical fibers 22 inside the protective sleeve 21 can be set to one or more, and fiber grease is filled inside the protective sleeve 21 to protect the hollow optical fibers 22.

[0033] In this embodiment, the number of hollow optical units 20 can be multiple, such as four or six. Furthermore, the hollow submarine optical cable 100 also includes a central member 30, which is a cylindrical structure located at the center of the inner sheath 10. The central member 30 can be made of aramid fiber or carbon fiber. Multiple hollow optical units 20 are arranged around the central member 30, and the inner sheath 10 is filled with a filler material, such as filler rope.

[0034] In this embodiment, the intermediate component 40 includes, from the inside out, an armor layer 41, a first protective layer 42, a waterproof layer 43, and a second protective layer 44, sequentially disposed around the outer periphery of the inner sheath 10. The armor layer 41 includes multiple armor components 410, which can be made of galvanized steel wire or aramid fiber. These multiple armor components 410 are twisted together to form the armor layer 41. The first protective layer 42 is disposed around the outer periphery of the armor layer 41. The first protective layer 42 can be made of aluminum-plastic composite tape or polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the first protective layer 42 can also be formed by twisting the armor components 410 together to form an armor structure, thus forming a double-layer armor structure with the armor layer 41. The second protective layer 44 is disposed around the outer periphery of the waterproof layer 43. The second protective layer 44 can be made of polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane foam, etc. The waterproof layer 43 can be made of aluminum tubing.

[0035] The second protective layer 44 has a higher hardness than the first protective layer 42, so that the harder second protective layer 44 can support the outer sheath 50 and work with the outer sheath 50 to directly resist impact. The first protective layer 42 has a better ability to undergo elastic deformation, so that the external force transmitted to it can be buffered through the first protective layer 42 before being transmitted to the armor layer 41.

[0036] Thus, by setting an armor layer 41 on the outer periphery of the inner sheath 10, the hollow optical unit 20 inside the inner sheath 10 can be directly protected against impact. A first protective layer 42, a waterproof layer 43, and a second protective layer 44 are sequentially set on the outer periphery of the armor layer 41 to form a composite impact-resistant structure. The first protective layer 42 and the second protective layer 44 can play an impact-resistant role to reduce the impact force transmitted to the armor layer 41 and avoid the armor layer 41 from receiving a large impact force. The waterproof layer 43 can ensure that water will not penetrate inward, and the waterproof layer 43 can work with the second protective layer 44 to jointly support the outer sheath 50.

[0037] It is understood that in other embodiments, the intermediate component 40 may also include only the first protective layer 42, that is, the outer sheath 50 is directly disposed on the outer periphery of the first protective layer 42, without the waterproof layer 43 and the second protective layer 44, so as to achieve the design of a lightweight submarine optical cable.

[0038] Please combine Figures 1 to 4 In one embodiment, the buffer grooves 51 are configured in multiple groups, with each group of buffer grooves 51 corresponding to each protective component 60. Furthermore, each group of buffer grooves 51 includes multiple buffer grooves 51, which are circumferentially spaced around the outer sheath 50, and the multiple buffer grooves 51 are configured in a one-to-one correspondence with multiple buffer members 62 of a corresponding protective component 60, that is, each buffer member 62 has a corresponding buffer groove 51.

[0039] In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the buffer groove 51 is approximately an isosceles trapezoid, and along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, the buffer groove 51 extends inward from the outer periphery of the outer sheath 50. Along the direction of the axis of the outer sheath 50, the length of the buffer groove 51 is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the length of the swing member 61, so that the second end 612 of the swing member 61 can partially enter the buffer groove 51.

[0040] Along the circumference of the outer sheath 50, the groove walls on opposite sides of the buffer groove 51 are designated as guide surfaces P1. Both guide surfaces P1 are inclined planes and are inclined to each other. Along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, the distance between the ends of the two guide surfaces P1 near the inner sheath 10 is greater than the distance between the ends away from the inner sheath 10, so that the buffer groove 51 roughly presents a constricted structure.

[0041] The buffer 62 can be made of high-density polyethylene for its excellent wear resistance. It is understood that in other embodiments, the buffer 62 can also be made of the same material as the outer sheath 50, and the outer surface of the buffer 62 can be coated with a wear-resistant coating, which can be a composite layer formed by polypropylene (PP) rope and asphalt. Furthermore, the second end 612 of the swing member 61 can be designed as a smoothly transitioned arc surface structure to reduce the frictional force exerted by the swing member 61 on the buffer 62.

[0042] In this embodiment, the shape of the buffer member 62 is adapted to the shape of the buffer groove 51, that is, the cross-sectional shape of the buffer member 62 is also approximately an isosceles trapezoid. Along the circumference of the outer sheath 50, the sidewalls on opposite sides of the buffer member 62 can respectively abut against the two guide surfaces P1, and when the sidewalls on opposite sides of the buffer member 62 abut against the two guide surfaces P1 respectively, the surface of the end of the buffer member 62 away from the inner sheath 10 is coplanar with the outer circumferential surface of the outer sheath 50. That is, by adjusting the relative inclination of the two guide surfaces P1, the two guide surfaces P1 can abut against the buffer member 62 in the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, thereby preventing the buffer member 62 from being exposed in the buffer groove 51, and thus using the structure of the buffer groove 51 and the buffer member 62 itself to achieve the radial limitation of the buffer member 62 in the outer sheath 50.

[0043] Furthermore, along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, the length of the buffer member 62 is less than the depth of the buffer groove 51. When the sidewalls of the buffer member 62 on opposite sides abut against the two guide surfaces P1, the buffer member 62 and the bottom wall of the buffer groove 51 are spaced apart and form a receiving cavity 65, within which the elastic member 63 is located. The elastic member 63 can be a spring or a folded plate structure, or other element capable of providing elastic force. Along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, one end of the elastic member 63 is elastically connected to the buffer member 62, and the other end of the elastic member 63 is elastically connected to the bottom wall of the buffer groove 51, so that the elastic member 63 always provides an elastic force to the buffer member 62 to move away from the inner sheath 10. It is worth noting that by setting the maximum elastic force that the elastic element 63 can provide, the buffer element 62 can overcome the pressure of the water pressure and move to a state where its outer surface is coplanar with the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 50, and ensure that the elastic force will not overcome the limiting effect of the two guide surfaces P1 on the buffer element 62 and disengage from the buffer groove 51.

[0044] In this embodiment, the receiving cavity 65 can contain liquid. When the buffer 62 moves inward under the action of the swing member 61, a gap is formed between the two side walls of the swing member 61 and the two guide surfaces P1, allowing seawater to enter the receiving cavity 65 through the gap. After the seawater enters the receiving cavity 65, the buffer 62 will be resisted by the seawater as it continues to move inward, thus working together with the elastic member 63 to provide support for the buffer 62, thereby improving the buffering and protection effect.

[0045] At the same time, when the seawater in the accommodating cavity 65 is squeezed and discharged outward along the guide surface P1, this part of the water flow can also act on the swing member 61 to exert resistance on the swing member 61, thereby further realizing the anti-pressure function, and this part of the water flow can also rinse the swing member 61 when it acts on the swing member 61.

[0046] Please combine Figures 2 to 5 In one embodiment, the oscillating member 61 is generally an arc-shaped sheet structure, and the side of the oscillating member 61 facing the outer sheath 50 is concave. The oscillating member 61 can be made of a material with high hardness, such as stainless steel, so that multiple oscillating members 61 are covered around the outer periphery of the outer sheath 50 to form a scale structure. The scale structure provides protection, preventing sharp objects from scratching or puncturing the outer sheath 50, thereby improving the protection of the hollow submarine optical cable 100.

[0047] In addition, the oscillating component 61 is processed into a sheet-like structure to ensure that the oscillating component 61 can undergo a certain degree of elastic deformation while ensuring that the oscillating component 61 has a certain degree of hardness.

[0048] In this embodiment, a swing gap 64 is provided between the swing member 61 and the outer sheath 50 along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50. The swing gap 64 allows the swing member 61 to swing relative to the outer sheath 50, avoiding interference from the outer sheath 50 with the swing of the swing member 61. Along the circumference of the outer sheath 50, the swing gap 64 decreases from the first end 611 of the swing member 61 toward the second end 612 of the swing member 61, so that when the swing member 61 is subjected to external force or seawater pressure, the second end 612 can rotate around the side of the first end 611 facing the outer sheath 50, and then the second end 612 abuts against the buffer member 62 and moves inward.

[0049] It is worth noting that, along the circumference of the outer sheath 50, adjacent swing members 61 are partially overlapped, meaning that the second end 612 of any swing member 61 can extend into the swing gap 64 formed between its adjacent swing member 61 and the outer sheath 50. On the one hand, the overlap of multiple swing members 61 in the same set of protective components 60 can distribute the pressure borne by any one swing member 61 to the other swing members 61, further improving the pressure-resistant buffering performance. On the other hand, the overlap of multiple swing members 61 in the same set of protective components 60 allows the outer circumferential surface of the entire hollow submarine optical cable 100 to be considered as having multiple spaced groove structures. When the hollow submarine optical cable 100 is subjected to transverse water flow (i.e., water flow perpendicular to the cable's axis), the flow state of the water at the groove structure changes, thereby reducing flow resistance and reducing the impact force of the transverse water flow on the cable.

[0050] In addition, multiple protective components 60 are arranged along the axial direction of the outer sheath 50. Each protective component 60 includes multiple circumferentially arranged swing members 61. By adjusting the length of the swing members 61 in the axial direction of the outer sheath 50, the hollow submarine optical cable 100 can be bent to a certain extent.

[0051] In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 50 is provided with a plurality of mounting portions 52. Along the direction of the axis of the outer sheath 50, the plurality of mounting portions 52 are arranged at intervals in sequence, and a protective component 60 is provided between any two adjacent mounting portions 52.

[0052] The mounting part 52 is made of the same material as the outer sheath 50, and the mounting part 52 is approximately a circular structure. The mounting part 52 is integrally formed with the outer sheath 50, and the mounting part 52 protrudes radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 50. Along the radial direction of the outer sheath 50, the protrusion height of the mounting part 52 is less than the distance between the highest point of the first end 611 of the swing member 61 and the outer sheath 50, so that the external force mainly acts on the swing member 61, and avoids the mounting part 52 affecting the bending of the hollow submarine optical cable 100.

[0053] In this embodiment, along the direction of the axis of the outer sheath 50, the first end 611 of the swing member 61 is provided with swing portions 613 on both opposite sides, and at least one side of the mounting portion 52 is provided with a swing groove 520, and the swing portion 613 is rotatably disposed in the swing groove 520.

[0054] The swing part 613 is generally cylindrical in structure, and the swing part 613 and the swing member 61 are integrally formed. The swing part 613 and the swing member 61 are made of the same material. Along the axis of the outer sheath 50, the swing groove 520 is provided on the adjacent side of the mounting parts 52 at both ends of the plurality of mounting parts 52, and the swing groove 520 is provided on the opposite sides of the other mounting parts 52 of the plurality of mounting parts 52.

[0055] Along the axis of the outer sheath 50, the swing groove 520 extends inward from the side of the mounting portion 52, and the depth of the swing groove 520 is less than the thickness of the mounting portion 52. The swing groove 520 is arc-shaped, and in a clockwise direction, the distance between the front end (proximal end) of the swing groove 520 and the outer sheath 50 is less than the distance between the rear end (far end) of the swing groove 520 and the outer sheath 50. The length of the swing groove 520 is greater than the outer diameter of the swing portion 613, so that the swing portion 613 can slide within the swing groove 520, thereby allowing the swing member 61 to slide relative to the outer sheath 50 along the circumference of the outer sheath 50.

[0056] When the outer surface of the buffer 62 is coplanar with the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 50, the swing part 613 is located at the far end of the swing groove 520, which is furthest from the outer sheath 50. When the swing part 61 is compressed, the swing part 61 swings toward one side of the outer sheath 50 and pushes the swing part 613 to slide toward the proximal end in the swing groove 520. While swinging, the swing part 61 slides along the circumference of the outer sheath 50 toward the swing part 61 near its proximal end. That is, the length of the swing part 61 extending into the swing gap 64 is greater, so that the multiple swing parts 61 of the same protective component 60 are tightened together. During the tightening process, the swing part 61 will gradually fit against the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 50, thereby increasing the contact area between the swing part 61 and the outer sheath 50, and thus improving the impact resistance of the scale structure formed by the multiple swing parts 61. Furthermore, the dynamic adjustment capability of the oscillating element 61 allows the scale structure of the hollow submarine optical cable 100 to remain in a relaxed state during maritime transport, facilitating bending. When used in seawater, the scale structure of the hollow submarine optical cable 100 gradually tightens with increasing water depth, dynamically adjusting its resistance to water pressure. Additionally, the circumferential tension of different sections of the hollow submarine optical cable 100 can be dynamically adjusted based on its environment, enhancing its adaptability.

[0057] It is worth noting that when the swing member 61 of the hollow submarine optical cable 100 is not subjected to a large external force, the buffer member 62 moves outward to reset under the action of the elastic member 63. During the reset process of the buffer member 62, the buffer member 62 supports the swing member 61 to swing outward, and during the outward swing process of the swing member 61, the swing part 613 slides towards the far end in the swing groove 520, thereby realizing the reset of the swing member 61. The entire scale structure is in a relaxed state, which makes the bending performance of the hollow submarine optical cable 100 better.

[0058] In this embodiment, along the axis of the outer sheath 50, the swing groove 520 includes a first groove segment 5201 and a second groove segment 5202 that are connected to each other. The inner diameter of the first groove segment 5201 is smaller than the inner diameter of the second groove segment 5202, and a stepped surface P2 is formed between the first groove segment 5201 and the second groove segment 5202. A limiting part 614 is provided on the outer periphery of the end of the swing part 613 away from the swing member 61. The limiting part 614 is rotatably disposed in the second groove segment 5202, and the stepped surface P2 is used to abut against the limiting part 614.

[0059] Both the first groove segment 5201 and the second groove segment 5202 have circular cross-sectional shapes, and the first groove segment 5201 is located on the side of the second groove segment 5202 closest to the swing member 61 to be installed thereon. The swing part 613 passes through the first groove segment 5201 and extends into the second groove segment 5202. A limiting part 614 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the swing part 613 that extends into the second groove segment 5202. The limiting part 614 has a cylindrical structure, and its outer diameter is larger than that of the swing part 613. The limiting part 614 is coaxially arranged with the swing part 613, and the limiting part 614 and the swing part 613 are integrally formed. The limiting part 614 can be made of the same material as the swing part 613.

[0060] Along the axis of the outer sheath 50, the stepped surface P2 abuts against the limiting part 614 to prevent the limiting part 614 from leaving the second groove section 5202, thereby ensuring that the swing part 613 will not detach from the swing groove 520 when it moves in the swing groove 520.

[0061] The specific embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and substitutions can be made to the specific embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of this application. All such changes and substitutions fall within the scope defined by this application.

Claims

1. A hollow-core submarine optical cable, characterized in that, include: Inner sheath; A hollow optical unit is disposed inside the inner sheath; An intermediate component, which is arranged around the outer periphery of the inner sheath; An outer sheath is provided around the outer periphery of the intermediate component; Multiple protective components are arranged sequentially along the axis of the outer sheath. Each protective component includes multiple swinging elements, multiple buffer elements, and multiple elastic elements. The multiple swinging elements are arranged sequentially around the outer periphery of the outer sheath. The first end of any one of the multiple swinging elements is rotatably connected to the outer sheath, and its second end is located between another adjacent swinging element and the outer sheath. The outer sheath has multiple buffer grooves on its outer peripheral surface, and the multiple buffer grooves are correspondingly arranged with multiple buffer members. Each buffer groove is provided with an elastic member. Along the radial direction of the outer sheath, the buffer member is slidably disposed in the buffer groove, and the elastic member is elastically connected to the buffer member to drive the buffer member to slide away from the inner sheath. Multiple buffer members are correspondingly arranged with multiple swing members, and the second end of the swing member movably abuts against the buffer member to drive the buffer member to slide toward one side of the inner sheath.

2. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Along the circumference of the outer sheath, the groove walls on opposite sides of the buffer groove are configured as guide surfaces, and the two guide surfaces are inclined to each other. Along the radial direction of the outer sheath, the distance between the ends of the two guide surfaces near the inner sheath is greater than the distance between the ends away from the inner sheath.

3. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Along the circumference of the outer sheath, the sidewalls on opposite sides of the buffer member can respectively abut against the two guide surfaces, and when the sidewalls on opposite sides of the buffer member abut against the two guide surfaces respectively, the surface of the end of the buffer member away from the inner sheath is coplanar with the outer circumferential surface of the outer sheath.

4. The hollow-core submarine optical cable as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Along the radial direction of the outer sheath, the length of the buffer member is less than the depth of the buffer groove. When the sidewalls of the opposite sides of the buffer member abut against the two guide surfaces respectively, the buffer member and the bottom wall of the buffer groove are spaced apart and form a receiving cavity. The elastic member is located in the receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity can contain liquid.

5. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Along the radial direction of the outer sheath, there is a swing gap between the swing member and the outer sheath; along the circumferential direction of the outer sheath, the swing gap decreases from the first end of the swing member toward the second end of the swing member.

6. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath is provided with a plurality of mounting portions. Along the direction of the axis of the outer sheath, the plurality of mounting portions are arranged at intervals in sequence, and a protective component is provided between any two adjacent mounting portions.

7. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Along the axis of the outer sheath, the first end of the swing member is provided with swing portions on both opposite sides, and at least one side of the mounting portion is provided with a swing groove, and the swing portion is rotatably disposed in the swing groove.

8. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The swing groove is arc-shaped, and the length of the swing groove is greater than the outer diameter of the swing part. The swing part can slide in the swing groove to make the swing member slide relative to the outer sheath along the circumference of the outer sheath.

9. The hollow-core submarine optical cable as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Along the axis of the outer sheath, the swing groove includes a first groove segment and a second groove segment that are connected to each other. The inner diameter of the first groove segment is smaller than the inner diameter of the second groove segment, and a stepped surface is formed between the first groove segment and the second groove segment. A limiting part is provided on the outer periphery of the end of the swinging part away from the swinging member. The limiting part is rotatably disposed in the second groove section, and the stepped surface is used to abut against the limiting part.

10. The hollow submarine optical cable as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The hollow optical unit includes a protective sleeve and a hollow optical fiber, with the hollow optical fiber located inside the protective sleeve.

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