OPTICAL CABLE
The optical cable design addresses the energy and material inefficiencies of traditional cables by using a reduced sheath and hydro-swellable components, resulting in a lightweight, recyclable, and durable aerial cable.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022004015
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-06-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-04-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing optical cables require significant energy and plastic materials for manufacturing and are difficult to recycle due to their complex composition, including protective tapes and filling compositions.
The optical cable design features a sheath with a reduced wall thickness, containing loose bundles of optical fibers held together by wires and hydro-swellable cables, which eliminate the need for protective tapes and filling compositions, thereby reducing material usage and simplifying recycling.
This design reduces energy consumption and plastic usage in manufacturing, facilitates easier recycling, and results in a lightweight, compact optical cable suitable for aerial installations with enhanced durability and maintenance accessibility.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: OPTICAL CABLE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an optical cable. The invention relates in particular, but not exclusively, to an aerial optical cable. STATE OF THE ART
[0002] Some optical cables comprise a plastic sheath, optionally reinforced, and optical modules extending within the sheath. Each optical module comprises a plastic jacket and a plurality of optical fibers contained within the jacket.
[0003] In this type of optical cable, the sheath is generally manufactured by extruding plastic material around the optical modules. During extrusion, the plastic material is heated to its melting temperature. In order to protect the optical modules from heat and prevent sticking between the sheath and the casings of the optical modules, the optical cable generally comprises a protective tape surrounding all of the optical modules. The protective tape may, for example, be formed from polyester. The protective tape is wound in a helix or laid longitudinally around the optical modules so as to thermally insulate the optical modules from the cable sheath during the extrusion operation.
[0004] Furthermore, each optical module is generally filled with a filling composition, so that the filling composition occupies the space between the optical fibers and the casing. The filling composition generally has the consistency of a gel. The function of the filling composition is to protect the optical fibers from moisture. In addition, in the event of accidental penetration of water into the casing of an optical module, the filling composition blocks the circulation of water into the casing. The filling compositions used are generally synthetic compositions, for example compositions based on petroleum derivatives, such as petroleum jelly.
[0005] A disadvantage of these optical cables is that their manufacture requires a large amount of energy and a large amount of plastic or synthetic material.
[0006] In addition, recycling these optical cables can be complex. Indeed, in order to be recycled, the optical cables must first be disassembled, which requires removing the protective tape, removing the casings from the optical modules and cleaning the optical fibers in order to remove the filling composition.
[0007] Among optical cables, aerial optical cables are intended to be suspended or hung on poles or buildings, outdoors.
[0008] Thus, these aerial optical cables are exposed to risks of deterioration: they can be torn off or crushed, for example in the case of a car accident or a fall from a tree.
[0009] In addition, these aerial optical cables must be both lightweight and weather resistant. In particular, these aerial optical cables must be resistant to ultraviolet radiation, have minimal wind resistance and have sufficient mechanical strength to support a certain weight of ice that may accumulate on the cables. Summary of the invention
[0010] An object of the invention is to provide an optical cable which can be manufactured using less energy or less plastic or synthetic material, and which can be more easily recycled.
[0011] This aim is achieved within the framework of the present invention, thanks to an optical cable comprising:
[0012] - a sheath comprising a wall delimiting an internal cavity, and
[0013] - a plurality of components contained in the internal cavity, the components which may include one or more traction reinforcement(s),
[0014] wherein the components contained within the internal cavity comprise a plurality of optical modules extending within the internal cavity, each optical module consisting of a bundle of loose optical fibers and one or more wires for holding the optical fibers of the bundle together, and one or more additional components extending within the internal cavity, wherein the additional component(s) comprise at least one hydro-swellable cable extending inside the internal cavity, the hydro-swellable cable comprising a composition capable of swelling on contact with water, and in which a ratio between a linear mass of all the optical fibers in the optical fiber bundles and a linear mass of all the components extending inside the internal cavity, excluding the tensile reinforcements, is greater than or equal to a threshold as defined according to Table 1: Number of optical fibers per optical module Threshold 2 40% 3 49% 4 55% 5 60% 6 63% 7 66% 8 68% 9 70% 10 71% 11 73% from 12 to 17 74% from 18 to 23 78% from 24 to 35 80% from 36 to 47 83% >48 84%
[0015] Table 1.
[0016] By "free optical fibers" is meant optical fibers which are not linked together by means other than the wire(s) which hold them together. In particular, the optical fibers of the same bundle of optical fibers are not linked together by gluing or welding. This has the consequence that if the wire(s) are removed, the optical fibers of the bundle separate from each other.
[0017] In such an optical cable, the use of plastic material is reduced because the optical modules consist only of a bundle of optical fibers and one or more wires wound around the bundle of optical fibers, and do not include a jacket surrounding the bundle of optical fibers.
[0018] On the one hand, this has the consequence that the optical modules are arranged naturally in the internal cavity relative to each other while occupying less space.
[0019] Furthermore, since the optical modules do not include an envelope, it is not necessary to provide a heat shield between the optical modules and the cable sheath.
[0020] As a result, the internal cavity can have a reduced dimension and the outer diameter of the optical cable can also be reduced.
[0021] Furthermore, the use of a filling composition is not necessary, since the optical modules benefit from the effect of the hydroswellable film(s) present in the internal cavity.
[0022] Thus, the proposed optical cable has a ratio between the linear mass of all the optical fibers of the optical fiber bundles and the linear mass of the all components extending inside the raised internal cavity.
[0023] This type of optical cable is particularly suitable for use as an aerial optical cable, as it is lightweight and compact. This allows for the installation of a greater number of optical cables on the same pole or on the same building or in the same pull duct. This thus significantly reduces the environmental impact of the infrastructure for deploying fiber optic cable networks.
[0024] When the optical cable is wound onto a reel for storage or transportation, the reel also has a reduced weight, thereby reducing transportation costs.
[0025] Recycling of the optical cable is simplified and consumes less energy, because the optical cable does not include protective tape or filling composition, and the optical modules do not include jackets.
[0026] Furthermore, since the optical cable does not include a protective tape and the optical modules do not include an envelope, access to the optical fibers is facilitated when maintenance operations are necessary.
[0027] In particular, the wire(s) wound around the bundle of optical fibers may be made of a material having a high melting temperature, while remaining flexible and thus allowing easy access to the optical fibers, unlike optical modules which would comprise a plastic casing which would be made of materials having a high melting temperature which would make access to the fibers more difficult.
[0028] The proposed optical cable may further have the following characteristics:
[0029] - the or each wire of an optical module has a linear mass strictly in less than 0.0375 grams per meter, preferably less than 0.012 grams per meter;
[0030] - the or each wire of an optical module is wound helically around the bundle optical fibers to hold the optical fibers of the bundle together;
[0031] - the or each wire is wound helically around the bundle of optical fibers with a winding pitch less than or equal to 60 millimeters, preferably less than or equal to 35 millimeters;
[0032] - the wire or each wire is wound helically around the bundle of optical fibers with a winding pitch greater than or equal to 15 millimeters;
[0033] - the or each yarn comprises a plurality of untwisted filaments;
[0034] - the or each wire has a breaking strength of at least 0.9 Newtons;
[0035] - at least one of the optical modules comprises two helically wound wires around the bundle of optical fibers to hold the optical fibers relative to each other, one of the two wires being wound in an S-shaped winding direction around the bundle of optical fibers, and the other of the wires being wound in a Z-wrapping around the optical fiber bundle;
[0036] - the sheath wall is formed from a single layer of material, and the cable optical does not include a protective envelope between the sheath wall and the optical modules;
[0037] - the optical cable comprises two supporting elements, embedded in the material of the wall of the sheath, and arranged in diametrically opposite positions;
[0038] - the wall of the sheath is formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than or equal to 130 degrees Celsius;
[0039] - the wall of the sheath is formed from a material having a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the material of the wire(s) of the optical modules;
[0040] - the internal cavity delimited by the wall of the sheath is unique and contains the whole optical modules of the optical cable and additional components. PRESENTATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the attached drawings, among which:
[0042] - [Fig.l] is a general schematic representation of a compliant optical cable to a possible embodiment of the invention,
[0043] - [Fig.2] schematically represents, in cross-section, a first example of an optical cable, in accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention,
[0044] - [Fig.3] schematically represents, in cross-section, a second example of an optical cable, in accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention,
[0045] - [Fig.4] schematically represents, in cross-section, a third example of an optical cable, in accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention,
[0046] - [Fig.5] schematically represents, in cross-section, a fourth example of an optical cable, in accordance with a possible embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT
[0047] In [Fig.l], the optical cable 1 shown comprises a sheath 2, and a plurality of components 3 contained inside the sheath 2.
[0048] The sheath 2 extends in a general longitudinal direction. The sheath 2 comprises a wall 21 delimiting an internal cavity 22. The wall 21 of the sheath 2 has a tubular shape and surrounds the components 3. In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the wall 21 of the sheath 2 has a cross-section (section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction) of circular shape.
[0049] The wall 21 of the sheath 2 is formed from a single layer of material. This means that the optical cable 1 does not comprise an additional layer of material. surrounding all of the components 3 contained in the internal cavity 22. In particular, the optical cable 1 does not include a thermal protection envelope between the wall 21 of the sheath 2 and the components 3.
[0050] The sheath 2 can be formed by extrusion directly around the components 3. The material of the wall 21 of the sheath 2 has a melting point greater than or equal to 130 degrees Celsius. The material of the wall 21 of the sheath 2 is for example polypropylene or polyethylene.
[0051] The optical cable 1 further comprises load-bearing elements 4 to increase the mechanical strength of the optical cable 1. The load-bearing elements 4 are embedded in the material of the wall 21 of the sheath 2. In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the optical cable 1 comprises two load-bearing elements 4 arranged in diametrically opposite positions. The load-bearing elements 4 may comprise strands of metal wires. Alternatively, the load-bearing elements 4 may be formed from a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) polymer material, for example with glass, carbon, or aramid fibers.
[0052] The components 3 are all contained inside the internal cavity 22 delimited by the wall 21 of the sheath 2.
[0053] The components 3 include a plurality of optical modules 31.
[0054] In addition, the components 3 may include one or more hydroswellable rope(s) 32.
[0055] In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the components 3 include two optical modules 31 and a hydro-inflating cable 32.
[0056] Each optical module 31 consists of a bundle of optical fibers 33 and one or more wires 34 wound in a helix around the bundle of optical fibers 33 to hold together the optical fibers 35 of the bundle of optical fibers 33. The optical modules 31 do not include a sheath surrounding the optical fibers 33.
[0057] Each bundle of optical fibers 33 is made up of a plurality of optical fibers 35. The optical fibers 35 are free inside the bundle of optical fibers 33, that is to say that the optical fibers 35 are not linked together by means other than the wire(s) 34. The bundles of optical fibers 33 are made up of an identical number of optical fibers 35. The number of optical fibers 35 per bundle is within a range from 2 to 48 optical fibers.
[0058] In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], each bundle of optical fibers 33 is made up of 12 optical fibers.
[0059] In the example illustrated in [Fig.l], each optical module 31 comprises two wires 34, one of the wires being wound in a helix in an S-shaped winding direction around the bundle of optical fibers 33 and the other of the wires being wound in a helix in a Z-shaped winding direction (reverse of the S-shaped winding direction) around the bundle of optical fibers 33.
[0060] Each wire 34 is wound in a helix around the bundle of optical fibers 33, with a winding pitch greater than or equal to 15 millimeters and less than or equal to 60 millimeters, preferably less than or equal to 35 millimeters.
[0061] Each wire 34 may comprise a plurality of untwisted filaments. In this way, when it is wound around the bundle of optical fibers 33, the wire 34 flattens and comes to match the external shape of the bundle of optical fibers 33. Thus, the optical modules 31 have a particularly compact shape.
[0062] Each wire 34 may have a breaking strength of at least 0.9 Newtons.
[0063] The hydroswellable wire 32 extends inside the internal cavity 22, parallel to the bundles of optical fibers 33. The hydroswellable wire 32 comprises an elongated support and a composition capable of swelling upon contact with water, the support being impregnated with the composition. The composition capable of swelling upon contact with water comprises, for example, a superabsorbent polymer (in English "superabsorbent polymer" or "SAP"). The superabsorbent polymer may comprise a polyacrylate or a polyacrylamide, either as such or grafted onto a natural polymer such as an amide, cellulose, a methylcellulose ester, a cellulose ether such as carboxymethyl cellulose. The composition capable of swelling upon contact with water is preferably in the form of a powder.Thus, upon contact with water, the composition disperses in the water and swells inside the internal cavity 22, which creates a plug and prevents water from progressing inside the cavity 22 along the optical cable 1.
[0064] In the optical cable 1 illustrated in [Fig.l], the ratio between a linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of the optical fiber bundles 33 and a linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 is greater than or equal to 91%.
[0065] This means that a large part of the weight of the components 3 contained in the internal cavity 22 of the optical cable 1 is made up of the weight of the optical fibers, and not by the weight of the other components contained in the internal cavity 22 of the optical cable. Example 1
[0066] In the first example illustrated in [Fig.2], the optical cable 1 comprises a sheath 2 delimiting an internal cavity 22, two optical modules 31 extending inside the internal cavity 22 and a hydroswellable cable 32 extending inside the internal cavity 22.
[0067] The wall 21 of the sheath 2 is formed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
[0068] The optical cable 1 further comprises two supporting elements 4. In this example, each supporting element 4 consists of a strand of metal wires. The supporting elements 4 are embedded in the material of the sheath 2. In this example, the supporting elements 4 are arranged in diametrically opposite positions.
[0069] The internal cavity 22 has a diameter equal to 2.10 millimeters.
[0070] Each optical module 31 consists of a bundle of twelve optical fibers 35 and two wires 34 wound in a helix around the bundle of optical fibers 33.
[0071] Each optical fiber 35 has a diameter equal to 245 micrometers. The linear mass of an optical fiber 35 is equal to 0.0623 grams per meter.
[0072] The linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of all the optical fiber bundles 33 is equal to 1.49 grams per meter.
[0073] Each wire 34 surrounding one of the bundles of optical fibers 33 has a linear mass equal to 0.0075 grams per meter. The winding pitch of each wire 34 is equal to 32 millimeters.
[0074] The hydroswellable cable 32 has a linear mass equal to 0.29 grams per meter.
[0075] The linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 (namely the two optical modules 31 and the hydroswellable cable 32) is equal to 1.815 grams per meter.
[0076] Thus, in this first example, the ratio between the linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of the optical fiber bundles 33 and the linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 is equal to 1.495 / 1.815 = 0.8236, i.e. 82.36%. Example 2
[0077] In the second example illustrated in [Fig.3], the optical cable 1 comprises a sheath 2 delimiting an internal cavity 22, twelve optical modules 31 extending inside the internal cavity 22 and four hydroswellable cables 32 extending inside the internal cavity 22.
[0078] The sheath 2 has an external diameter equal to 8.7 millimeters.
[0079] The wall 21 of the sheath 2 is formed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
[0080] The optical cable 1 further comprises two supporting elements 4. In this example, each supporting element 4 is formed from a polymer material reinforced with glass fibers. The supporting elements 4 are embedded in the material of the sheath 2. In this example, the supporting elements 4 are arranged in diametrically opposite positions.
[0081] Each optical module 31 consists of a bundle of six optical fibers 35 and two wires 34 wound in a helix around the bundle of optical fibers 33.
[0082] Each optical fiber 35 has a diameter equal to 245 micrometers. The linear mass of an optical fiber is equal to 0.0623 grams per meter.
[0083] The linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of all the optical fiber bundles 33 contained in the internal cavity 22 is equal to 4.49 grams per meter.
[0084] Each wire 34 surrounding one of the bundles of optical fibers 33 has a linear mass equal to 0.0075 grams per meter. The winding pitch of each wire is equal to 32 millimeters.
[0085] The hydroswellable cables 32 each have a linear mass equal to 0.29 grams per meter.
[0086] The linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 (namely the ten optical modules 31 and the four hydro-inflating cables 32) is equal to 5.83 grams per meter.
[0087] Thus, in this second example, the ratio between the linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of the optical fiber bundles 33 and the linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 is equal to 4.49 / 5.83 = 0.77, i.e. 77%. Example 3
[0088] In the third example illustrated in [Fig.4], the optical cable 1 comprises a sheath 2, 60 optical modules 31 extending inside the internal cavity 22 of the sheath 2 and twenty-one hydroswellable cables 32 extending inside the cavity of the sheath 22.
[0089] The sheath 2 has an external diameter equal to 15.7 millimeters.
[0090] The wall 21 of the sheath 2 is formed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
[0091] The optical cable 1 further comprises two supporting elements 4. In this example, each supporting element 4 is formed from a polymer material reinforced with glass fibers. The supporting elements 4 are embedded in the material of the sheath 2. In this example, the supporting elements 4 are arranged in diametrically opposite positions.
[0092] In this example, the sixty optical modules 31 are grouped into five packages 36 of twelve optical modules 31 each.
[0093] More specifically, in this example, each package 36 comprises twelve optical modules 31, three hydro-inflatable cables 32 and a wire 38 surrounding the optical modules 31 and the hydro-inflatable cables to hold them together.
[0094] Each optical module 31 consists of a bundle of twelve optical fibers 35 and two wires 34 wound in a helix around the bundle of optical fibers 33.
[0095] Each optical fiber 35 has a diameter equal to 245 micrometers. The linear mass of an optical fiber 35 is equal to 0.623 grams per meter.
[0096] The linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of all the optical fiber bundles 33 is equal to 44.86.2 grams per meter.
[0097] Each wire 34 surrounding one of the bundles of optical fibers 33 has a linear mass equal to 0.0075 grams per meter. The winding pitch of each wire is equal to 32 millimeters.
[0098] The hydroswellable cables 32 each have a linear density equal to 0.29 grams per meter.
[0099] Furthermore, the optical cable 1 further comprises a wire 39 surrounding all of the packets 36 of optical modules 31.
[0100] In this example, the wire 39 surrounds the five packets 36 of optical modules 31 and six hydro-swelling cables 32 located outside the packets 36.
[0101] The wire 39 surrounding the packets 36 of optical modules 31 has a linear mass equal to 0.167 grams per meter.
[0102] The reinforcing element 37 is formed from glass strands. The reinforcing element 37 has a linear mass equal to 1.7 grams per meter.
[0103] The linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22, excluding the reinforcing element 37, (namely the five packages 36 including the sixty optical modules, the wires 38 and 39, and the twenty-one hydro-swelling cables 32) is equal to 56 grams per meter.
[0104] Thus, in this third example, the ratio between the linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of all the optical fiber bundles 33 and the linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22, excluding the reinforcing element 37, is equal to 44.86 / 53 = 0.846, i.e. 85%. Example 4
[0105] In the fourth example illustrated in [Fig.5], the optical cable 1 is identical to the optical cable illustrated in [Fig.4], except that it does not include a reinforcing element 37 extending inside the internal cavity 22.
[0106] The linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 (namely the five packages 36 including the sixty optical modules, the wires 38 and 39, and the twenty-one hydroswellable cables 32) is equal to 56 grams per meter.
[0107] Thus, in this fourth example, the ratio between the linear mass of all the optical fibers 35 of all the optical fiber bundles 33 and the linear mass of all the components 3 extending inside the internal cavity 22 is identical to that of the cable of [Fig.4].
[0108] Table 2 compares external diameters (in millimeters) of several optical cables conforming to the state of the art with external diameters of optical cables conforming to embodiments of the invention, for the same number of optical modules and for the same number of optical fibers contained in the sheath: Total number of Organization of the Classic cable Example of optical fiber cable optical modules External diameter according to the invention External diameter 12 1x12 fibers 6.1 mm 5.6 mm 24 2x12 fibers 8.4 mm 7.2 mm 36 3x12 fibers 8.4 mm 7.2 mm 48 4x12 fibers 8.4 mm 7.4 mm 72 6x12 fibers 10.2 mm 8.7 mm 144 12x12 fibers 12.0 mm 9.7 mm 288 24 x 12 fibers 12.6 mm 10.3 mm 432 6x6x12 fibers 16.5 mm 13.7 mm 720 5x12x12 fibers 18.5 mm 15.7 mm 864 6x12x12 fibers 19.5 mm 16.0 mm
[0109] Table 2
Claims
Claims
1. Optical cable (1) comprising: - a sheath (2) comprising a wall (21) delimiting an internal cavity (22), and - a plurality of components (3) contained in the internal cavity (22), the components (3) possibly including one or more tensile reinforcement(s) (37), wherein the components (3) contained in the internal cavity (22) comprise a plurality of optical modules (31) extending inside the internal cavity (22), each optical module (31) consisting of a bundle of optical fibers (33), the optical fibers (35) being free within the bundle of optical fibers (33), and one or more wires (34) for holding together the optical fibers (35) of the bundle, and one or more additional components (32) extending inside the internal cavity (22), wherein the additional component(s) comprise at least one hydroswellable cable (32) extending inside the internal cavity (22), the hydroswellable cable (32) comprising a composition capable of swelling on contact with water, and wherein a ratio between a linear mass of all the optical fibers (35) of the optical fiber bundles (33) and a linear mass of all the components (3) extending inside the internal cavity (22), excluding the tensile reinforcements (37), is greater than or equal to a threshold as defined according to Table 1: Number of optical fibers per optical module Threshold 2 40% 3 49% 4 55% 5 60% 6 63% 7 66% 8 68% 9 70% 10 71% 11 73% from 12 to 17 74% from 18 to 23 78% from 24 to 35 80% from 36 to 47 83% >48 84%
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Table 1. Optical cable according to claim 1, in which the or each wire (34) of an optical module (31) has a linear mass strictly less than 0.0375 grams per meter, preferably less than 0.012 grams per meter. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the or each wire (34) of an optical module (31) is wound helically around the bundle of optical fibers (33) to hold the optical fibers (35) of the bundle together. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which the or each wire (34) of an optical module (31) is wound helically around the bundle of optical fibers (33) with a winding pitch less than or equal to 60 millimeters, preferably less than or equal to 35 millimeters. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the or each wire (34) of an optical module (31) is wound helically around the bundle of optical fibers (33) with a winding pitch greater than or equal to 15 millimeters. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the or each wire (34) comprises a plurality of untwisted filaments. An optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the or each wire (34) has a breaking strength of at least 0.9 Newtons. An optical cable according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one of the optical modules (31) comprises two wires (34) wound helically around the bundle of optical fibers (33) to hold the optical fibers (35) relative to each other, one of the two wires (34) being wound in an S-shaped winding direction around the bundle of optical fibers (33), and the other of the wires (34) being wound in a Z-shaped winding direction around the bundle of optical fibers (33).
9. An optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the wall (21) of the sheath (2) is formed from a single layer of material, and the optical cable (1) does not comprise a protective jacket between the wall (21) of the sheath (2) and the optical modules (31).
10. Optical cable according to claim 9, comprising two supporting elements (4), embedded in the material of the wall (21) of the sheath (2), and arranged in diametrically opposite positions.
11. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the wall (21) of the sheath (2) is formed from a material having a melting temperature greater than or equal to 130 degrees Celsius.
12. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which the wall (21) of the sheath (2) is formed from a material having a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of the material of the wire(s) (34) of the optical modules (31).
13. Optical cable according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the internal cavity (22) delimited by the wall (21) of the sheath (2) is unique and contains all of the optical modules (31) of the optical cable (2) and the additional components (32).