Lightweight submarine cable and production method therefor

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of optical cable manufacturing, and provides a lightweight submarine cable and a production method therefor. The lightweight submarine cable comprises: an optical fiber unit, comprising at least one optical fiber; and at least one armor layer surrounding the outer side of the optical fiber unit, wherein the armor layer comprises a plurality of spirally twisted plastic-coated steel wires, and each plastic-coated steel wire comprises a steel wire core and a plastic layer wrapped outside the steel wire core. The lightweight submarine cable provided by the present application can meet the requirements of high tensile strength, has the characteristics of light weight and strong corrosion resistance, and is convenient to lay and transport.

Description

A lightweight submarine cable and its manufacturing method

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411839106.0, filed on December 12, 2024, entitled "A Lightweight Submarine Cable and a Method for Manufacturing the Same", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of optical cable manufacturing technology, and in particular to a lightweight submarine cable and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0003] Submarine cables are a critical infrastructure for international communications, handling 95% of global communication traffic and serving as the primary carriers of information transmission. With the continuous development of information technology, the construction and maintenance of submarine cables have become increasingly important to meet the ever-growing communication demands.

[0004] Traditional submarine cables typically consist of multiple layers, including an optical fiber core, an armor layer, and a sheath layer. These layers protect the optical fiber from the effects of the seabed environment, ensuring high-quality signal transmission.

[0005] However, while the multi-layered protective structure improves the strength of submarine cables, it also reduces their flexibility and increases their weight. Therefore, traditional submarine cables are typically bulky and heavy, making them difficult to bend and install. Furthermore, the laying process can potentially damage the seabed ecosystem, impacting the survival and reproduction of marine life. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, this application provides a lightweight submarine cable and its manufacturing method. The lightweight submarine cable can meet the requirements of high tensile strength, and has the characteristics of light weight and strong corrosion resistance, making it easy to lay and transport.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application provide the following technical solutions:

[0008] One aspect of this application provides a lightweight submarine cable, comprising: an optical fiber unit including at least one optical fiber; at least one armor layer surrounding the outside of the optical fiber unit; the armor layer comprising multiple spirally twisted plastic-coated steel wires, each plastic-coated steel wire comprising a steel wire core and a plastic layer wrapped around the steel wire core.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the plastic layer is a fiber-reinforced composite layer.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the armor layer comprises at least two layers, which are stacked sequentially from the inside out.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the gaps between the plastic-coated steel wires are filled with a water-blocking material.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the optical fiber unit includes multiple optical fibers, each of which is helically twisted together, and the optical fiber unit also includes a loose tube sleeved over all the optical fibers.

[0013] The gaps between optical fibers and between optical fibers and loose tubes are filled with water-blocking fiber grease.

[0014] In one possible implementation, it further includes an inner sheath layer disposed between the optical fiber unit and the armor layer.

[0015] In one possible implementation, it further includes: at least one outer protective layer surrounding the outside of the armor layer.

[0016] In one possible implementation, it further includes a wrapping layer disposed between the armor layer and the outer protective layer.

[0017] Another aspect of this application provides a method for producing a lightweight submarine cable, comprising:

[0018] An optical fiber unit is formed, which includes at least one optical fiber.

[0019] At least one armor layer is wrapped around the outside of the optical fiber unit.

[0020] The formation of the armor layer includes providing a steel wire core.

[0021] A plastic layer is wrapped around the steel wire core to form a plastic-coated steel wire.

[0022] Multiple plastic-coated steel wires are spirally twisted around the outside of the optical fiber unit to form an armor layer.

[0023] In one possible implementation, after forming the armor layer, the process further includes filling the gaps between the plastic-coated steel wires with a water-blocking material.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the optical fiber unit includes multiple optical fibers, and forming the optical fiber unit includes:

[0025] Pull each optical fiber.

[0026] Loose tubes are installed over all optical fibers, and water-blocking fiber grease is filled in the gaps between the optical fibers and between the optical fibers and the loose tubes.

[0027] In one possible implementation, after surrounding the armor layer on the outside of the optical fiber unit, the following is also included:

[0028] A wrapping layer is formed by winding around the outer layer of armor; at least one outer protective layer is formed by winding around the wrapping layer.

[0029] This application provides a lightweight submarine cable and its manufacturing method. The lightweight submarine cable includes an optical fiber unit and at least one armor layer. The optical fiber unit includes at least one optical fiber. The armor layer surrounds the outer side of the optical fiber unit and is formed by spirally twisting multiple plastic-coated steel wires. The plastic-coated steel wires are formed by wrapping a plastic layer around a steel wire core. This configuration enhances the mechanical strength of the armor layer, ensuring its stability in the seabed environment. Simultaneously, the plastic layer reduces the weight of the armor layer and provides excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility. Therefore, using plastic-coated steel wire as the armor layer of the lightweight submarine cable effectively reduces its weight while still meeting high tensile strength requirements. Furthermore, it provides excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility, effectively resisting physical abrasion and chemical corrosion from the seabed and extending the cable's service life. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of the lightweight submarine cable provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the production method of lightweight submarine cable provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0033] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram: 10-Lightweight submarine cable; 100-Fiber optic unit; 200-Armor layer; 300-Wrapping layer; 400-Inner sheath; 500-Outer sheath; 210-Plastic-coated steel wire; 211-Steel wire core; 212-Plastic layer. Detailed Implementation

[0034] As described in the background section, submarine cables are the central nervous system of global communication networks, responsible for transmitting the majority of international data traffic across oceans. They play a crucial role in daily communications, international financial markets, and scientific research, ensuring the rapid flow of global information and promoting international cooperation and economic development. With the ever-increasing global demand for high-speed internet and data transmission, the construction and maintenance of submarine cables have become increasingly important.

[0035] Traditional submarine cables mostly use galvanized steel wire as the armor layer. Galvanized steel wire has excellent mechanical strength, which can provide the necessary tensile strength and compressive strength for submarine cables, ensuring that submarine cables are not easily broken or deformed during laying and use.

[0036] However, the heavy weight of galvanized steel wire contributes to the overall weight of the submarine cable. This weight burden not only necessitates the use of large specialized laying vessels and heavy equipment during installation but also limits its flexibility in shallow waters and complex terrain. The larger bending radius during installation requires more operating space, increasing construction difficulty and time.

[0037] Secondly, the large equipment and vessels used in the laying process may damage the seabed ecosystem. The operation of the machinery may disturb the seabed, affecting the habitats of marine life and thus impacting their survival and reproduction.

[0038] Furthermore, the large volume and weight of galvanized steel wire also lead to high transportation costs. The transportation process requires more resources and more complex logistics arrangements, which not only increases costs but also makes storage more difficult.

[0039] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a lightweight submarine cable and a method for manufacturing the same. The lightweight submarine cable includes an optical fiber unit and at least one armor layer. The optical fiber unit includes at least one optical fiber. The armor layer surrounds the outer side of the optical fiber unit and is formed by spirally twisting multiple plastic-coated steel wires. The plastic-coated steel wires are formed by wrapping a plastic layer around a steel wire core. This configuration enhances the mechanical strength of the armor layer, ensuring its stability in the seabed environment. Simultaneously, the plastic layer reduces the weight of the armor layer and provides excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility. Thus, using plastic-coated steel wires as the armor layer of the lightweight submarine cable effectively reduces its weight while still meeting the requirements for high tensile strength. Furthermore, it provides excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility, effectively resisting physical wear and chemical corrosion from the seabed and extending the cable's service life.

[0040] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the lightweight submarine cable provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1, this embodiment of the application provides a lightweight submarine cable 10. The lightweight submarine cable 10 is lightweight, easy to lay and maintain, and can be laid in complex seabed environments. The lightweight submarine cable 10 can be applied to transoceanic communication, seabed observation systems, and marine resource exploration. Alternatively, the lightweight submarine cable 10 can also be used in the connection of offshore wind farms and offshore oil platforms to ensure smooth communication and data exchange between these facilities and land-based infrastructure.

[0042] The lightweight submarine cable 10 includes an optical fiber unit 100 and at least one armor layer 200. The optical fiber unit 100 includes at least one optical fiber (not shown), which is used to achieve high-speed, high-capacity data transmission. The armor layer 200 surrounds the outer side of the optical fiber unit 100, providing an important physical barrier to prevent external mechanical damage such as scratches and impacts from seabed rocks, fishing gear, or anchors. Furthermore, during the laying and maintenance of the lightweight submarine cable 10, the armor layer 200 provides the necessary tensile strength, ensuring that the optical fiber is not damaged during stretching and bending, thus ensuring the long-term reliable operation of the lightweight submarine cable 10 in complex marine environments.

[0043] Specifically, the optical fiber unit 100 may include multiple optical fibers (not shown in the figure), which are spirally twisted together, and the optical fibers are covered with a loose tube (not shown in the figure). The loose tube may be made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant metal materials. The loose tube can provide a buffer space for the optical fiber, allowing the optical fiber to have a certain amount of movement when subjected to external impact or vibration, thereby reducing direct mechanical damage to the optical fiber.

[0044] In addition, the gaps between optical fibers and between the optical fiber and the loose tube can be filled with water-blocking fiber grease (not shown in the figure). The water-blocking fiber grease can form a waterproof barrier to prevent moisture from entering the optical fiber under high pressure and high humidity conditions, ensuring the stability of signal transmission and helping to extend the service life of the lightweight submarine cable 10.

[0045] Referring to Figure 1, in this embodiment, the armor layer 200 is composed of plastic-coated steel wires 210, which include a steel wire core 211 and a plastic layer 212 wrapped around the steel wire core 211. The steel wire core 211 enhances the mechanical strength of the armor layer 200, ensuring its stability in the seabed environment. The plastic layer 212 reduces the weight of the armor layer 200 and provides it with excellent corrosion resistance and flexibility, effectively resisting physical wear and chemical erosion from the seabed.

[0046] Compared to traditional submarine cables that typically use galvanized steel wire as their armor layer, the armor layer 200 of the lightweight submarine cable 10 in this embodiment uses plastic-coated steel wire 210. This effectively reduces the overall weight of the lightweight submarine cable 10, making it more flexible during installation, adaptable to complex seabed topography, and minimizing its impact on the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, the plastic layer 212 has excellent corrosion resistance, extending the service life of the lightweight submarine cable 10 in seawater, reducing the frequency of maintenance and replacement, thus helping to lower costs and improve production efficiency.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the plastic layer 212 can be configured as a fiber-reinforced composite layer, which is composed of fiber-reinforced composite materials. By adding fiber materials, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, and aramid fiber, to the plastic, the strength, rigidity, and heat resistance of the plastic layer 212 can be further improved, while maintaining its lightweight properties. The fiber-reinforced composite layer can provide higher tensile strength and flexural rigidity than the pure plastic layer 212, effectively resisting chemical erosion and physical wear in the marine environment, further improving the stability of the armor layer in chemical environments, and extending the service life of the armor layer.

[0048] Of course, the plastic layer 212 can also be replaced with materials such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and polypropylene, as long as they have good strength, flexibility, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. This embodiment does not impose specific restrictions on this.

[0049] In addition, the ratio of the steel wire core 211 to the plastic layer 212 in the plastic-coated steel wire 210 can be set according to actual production needs. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations. For example, the thickness of the plastic layer 212 can be set between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.

[0050] Multiple plastic-coated steel wires 210 are spirally twisted to form the armor layer 200, and the twisting pitch can be set to 15 to 20 times the outer diameter. The twisting pitch refers to the axial distance required for the spiral-shaped plastic-coated steel wires 210 to complete a full 360-degree rotation in the twisted structure. This ensures that the armor layer 200 provides sufficient tensile and lateral pressure resistance for the lightweight submarine cable 10, while maintaining the circular shape of the lightweight submarine cable 10 and preventing deformation under external forces.

[0051] In addition, to prevent moisture penetration, the gaps between the multiple plastic-coated steel wires 210 can be filled with a water-blocking material. For example, a modified asphalt with high viscosity can be used to coat the gaps between the plastic-coated steel wires 210 to ensure the stability and reliability of the lightweight submarine cable 10 during use and extend the service life of the lightweight submarine cable 10.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the armor layer 200 can be multi-layered according to actual production needs. Referring to FIG1, each armor layer 200 can be stacked sequentially from the inside to the outside to further improve the tensile strength of the lightweight submarine cable 10.

[0053] Referring to Figure 1, a wrapping layer 300 may be provided on the outside of the armor layer 200. The wrapping layer 300, by tightly wrapping the armor layer 200, can prevent the armor layer 200 from loosening or shifting during use, ensuring the structural integrity of the lightweight submarine cable 10. For example, the wrapping layer 300 can be made of high-strength fabric tape with excellent tensile strength and abrasion resistance, and is firmly tied to the outside of the armor layer 200 to improve the mobility and stability of the lightweight submarine cable 10. For example, the high-strength fabric tape can be made of materials such as aramid fiber tape or polyester fiber tape.

[0054] Referring again to Figure 1, the lightweight submarine cable 10 also includes an inner sheath 400, which is disposed between the optical fiber unit 100 and the armor layer 200. This inner sheath 400 prevents moisture penetration and wear on the optical fiber unit 100. The inner sheath 400 can be made of a high-molecular-weight plastic material with excellent waterproof and abrasion-resistant properties, such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride.

[0055] In one possible implementation, an inner padding layer may be provided between the inner sheath 400 and the armor layer 200. Since the armor layer 200 is made of a relatively rigid material, the inner padding layer provides an additional barrier between the inner sheath 400 and the armor layer 200, reducing direct friction between them and preventing wear on the inner sheath 400 and the fiber optic unit 100 caused by the armor layer 200. Therefore, the material of the inner padding layer needs to have good flexibility; for example, a polypropylene rope can be used to wrap around the outside of the inner sheath 400.

[0056] Of course, in order to increase the corrosion resistance and water resistance of the lightweight submarine cable 10, the outer surface of the inner pad can also be coated with a layer of high-viscosity modified asphalt.

[0057] Referring again to Figure 1, the lightweight submarine cable 10 also includes an outer sheath 500, which is disposed outside the wrapping layer 300. The outer sheath 500 may have multiple layers, serving to buffer external impacts and resist abrasion, protecting the internal structure from damage. For example, the outer sheath 500 can be formed by winding a relatively soft polypropylene rope with good chemical resistance and abrasion resistance, or it can be formed by extruding polyethylene. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations in this regard.

[0058] Figure 2 is a flowchart of the steps of the production method of a lightweight submarine cable provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 2, an embodiment of this application also provides a production method of a lightweight submarine cable, which is used to manufacture the aforementioned lightweight submarine cable 10.

[0059] Specifically, the production method includes the following steps:

[0060] S100, Form an optical fiber unit, wherein the optical fiber unit includes at least one optical fiber.

[0061] When forming the optical fiber unit 100, firstly, high-quality, low-loss, high-bandwidth communication optical fibers are selected to ensure signal transmission quality. To further protect the optical fibers and enhance their performance in humid environments, water-blocking material is filled into the gaps between the optical fibers; for example, water-blocking fiber paste can be coated into the gaps between the optical fibers.

[0062] Stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant metals are selected as the base material for manufacturing the loose-sleeve tubing. For example, the metal material is cut into steel strips of appropriate width and placed in a forming mold, then bent into a tubular shape using mechanical or hydraulic methods. Laser welding technology is then used to weld the seams on both sides of the tubular structure together, ensuring the continuity and sealing of the weld to prevent the intrusion of external substances.

[0063] After welding, use appropriate grinding tools such as grinding wheels or polishing machines to grind the surface of the welded area to make the welded surface smooth and eliminate any burrs or irregular sharp parts.

[0064] Next, the optical fiber is drawn into the loose tube. Furthermore, by controlling the parameters on the production line equipment to adjust the fiber tension during production and the length of the loose tube during its formation, a certain amount of space is maintained for the optical fiber within the tube. In this way, the loose tube can effectively absorb external stress and vibration, protecting the optical fiber from mechanical impacts and environmental factors, ensuring signal stability and reliability during transmission.

[0065] Understandably, in order to achieve better water-blocking effect and prevent water from seeping in, the inner wall of the loose sleeve can also be coated with a layer of water-blocking fiber paste.

[0066] S200. At least one armor layer is surrounded on the outside of the optical fiber unit. The formation of the armor layer includes: providing a steel wire core; wrapping a plastic layer around the steel wire core to form a plastic-coated steel wire; and spirally twisting multiple plastic-coated steel wires around the outside of the optical fiber unit to form the armor layer.

[0067] After the optical fiber unit 100 is formed, an inner sheath 400 is wrapped around the outside of the optical fiber unit 100. To prevent moisture from entering the optical fiber unit 100, thereby avoiding signal attenuation and performance degradation due to moisture, the inner sheath 400 needs to have excellent waterproof and abrasion-resistant properties. For example, the inner sheath 400 can be formed by extruding a layer of polyethylene material onto the outside of the optical fiber unit 100 using an extruder. The thickness of the inner sheath 400 can be determined according to the overall tensile strength requirements of the lightweight submarine cable 10, typically between 2.5 and 4 mm.

[0068] In one possible implementation, an inner padding layer may be wrapped around the inner sheath 400 to reduce direct friction between the inner sheath 400 and the armor layer 200, preventing the armor layer 200 from causing wear to the inner sheath 400 and the optical fiber unit 100. For example, a polypropylene rope may be wound around the inner sheath 400 as an inner padding layer. Polypropylene rope is lightweight, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant, thus providing additional cushioning and protection for the inner sheath 400 and the optical fiber unit 100 without significantly increasing the weight of the lightweight submarine cable 10.

[0069] Next, a steel wire core 211 is provided, and a plastic layer 212 is wrapped around the steel wire core 211 to obtain a plastic-coated steel wire 210. For example, an extruder can be used to uniformly extrude molten plastic and coat the outside of the steel wire core 211. The thickness of the plastic layer can be selected according to actual production needs, typically between 0.4 and 0.6 mm. The plastic layer 212 can be a fiber-reinforced composite layer, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc., and this embodiment does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0070] In addition, to ensure the roundness of the lightweight submarine cable 10 and prevent seawater from corroding the plastic-coated steel wires 210, water-blocking material can be filled into the gaps of the plastic-coated steel wires 210. For example, modified bitumen can be applied to the gaps of the plastic-coated steel wires 210 using a coating device. Modified bitumen is a material with excellent waterproof and adhesive properties, which can form a strong barrier in the gaps of the plastic-coated steel wires 210, effectively preventing seawater from penetrating into the interior of the plastic-coated steel wires 210. Furthermore, modified bitumen can also slow down the corrosion rate of the steel wire core by seawater and other substances after the plastic layer 212 of the plastic-coated steel wires 210 is damaged.

[0071] Next, multiple plastic-coated steel wires 210 are fabricated using the method described above. These wires are then twisted together to form the outer side of the inner padding layer, creating the armor layer 200. Specifically, a cage-type stranding machine can be used for stranding. The stranding pitch can be set to 15 to 20 times the outer diameter. This ensures that the armor layer 200 possesses both good lateral pressure resistance and excellent tensile strength.

[0072] Of course, to further enhance the mechanical strength and tensile properties of the lightweight submarine cable 10, a multi-layer armor layer 200 structure can be adopted. Referring to Figure 1, the multi-layer armor layer 200 is stacked sequentially and covers the outside of the inner padding layer, so that the multi-layer armor layer 200 can provide higher safety and reliability when the lightweight submarine cable 10 faces complex marine environments.

[0073] A wrapping layer 300 is wrapped around the armor layer 200. The wrapping layer 300 is secured to the outside of the armor layer 200 using a high-strength fabric tape with excellent tensile strength and abrasion resistance to prevent the armor layer 200 from loosening or shifting during use. For example, aramid fiber tape or polyester fiber tape can be used as the wrapping layer 300.

[0074] An outer sheath 500 is wrapped around the outer sheath 300 to provide cushioning and protection for the lightweight submarine cable 10 during handling, transportation, and construction. The outer sheath 500 can be formed by winding polypropylene rope. Alternatively, the outer sheath 500 can also be formed by extruding polyethylene material onto the surface of the armor layer 200 using an extrusion process. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0075] The outer sheath 500 can be multi-layered, and water-resistant asphalt can be coated between each two adjacent outer sheaths 500. This can effectively improve the waterproof performance of the lightweight submarine cable 10 and enhance the overall corrosion resistance of the lightweight submarine cable 10, which is conducive to extending the service life of the lightweight submarine cable 10.

[0076] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0077] It should be noted that the embodiments referred to in the specification, such as "one embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and "some embodiments," may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, implementing such a feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not, is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0078] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A lightweight submarine cable, characterized in that, include: An optical fiber unit (100) includes at least one optical fiber; At least one armor layer (200) surrounds the outside of the optical fiber unit (100); the armor layer (200) includes multiple spirally twisted plastic-coated steel wires (210), the plastic-coated steel wires include a steel wire core (211) and a plastic layer (212) wrapped around the steel wire core (211).

2. The lightweight submarine cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plastic layer (212) is a fiber-reinforced composite layer.

3. The lightweight submarine cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The armor layer (200) comprises at least two layers, and each armor layer (200) is stacked sequentially from the inside to the outside.

4. The lightweight submarine cable according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gaps between the plastic-coated steel wires (210) are filled with water-blocking material.

5. The lightweight submarine cable according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The optical fiber unit (100) includes multiple optical fibers, each of which is spirally twisted together, and the optical fiber unit (100) also includes a loose tube sleeved over all of the optical fibers. The gaps between the optical fibers and the gaps between the optical fibers and the loose tube are filled with water-blocking fiber paste.

6. The lightweight submarine cable according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, Also includes: An inner sheath (400) is disposed between the optical fiber unit (100) and the armor layer (200).

7. The lightweight submarine cable according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: At least one outer protective layer (500) surrounds the outside of the armor layer (200).

8. The lightweight submarine cable according to claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: A wrapping layer (300) is disposed between the armor layer (200) and the outer protective layer (500).

9. A method for producing a lightweight submarine cable, applicable to the lightweight submarine cable according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The production method includes: An optical fiber unit (100) is formed, the optical fiber unit (100) comprising at least one optical fiber; At least one armor layer (200) surrounds the outside of the optical fiber unit (100); The formation of the armor layer (200) includes: Provide steel wire core (211); A plastic layer (212) is wrapped around the steel wire core (211) to form a plastic-coated steel wire (210); Multiple sheathed steel wires (210) are spirally twisted around the outside of the optical fiber unit (100) to form the armor layer (200).

10. The production method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After forming the armor layer (200), it further includes: Water-blocking material is filled in the gaps between the plastic-coated steel wires (210).

11. The production method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The optical fiber unit (100) includes multiple optical fibers, and forming the optical fiber unit (100) includes: Pull each of the aforementioned optical fibers; Loose tubes are fitted over all the optical fibers, and water-blocking fiber grease is filled in the gaps between the optical fibers and between the optical fibers and the loose tubes.

12. The production method according to claim 9, characterized in that, After surrounding the armor layer (200) on the outside of the optical fiber unit (100), the following is also included: A wrapping layer (300) is formed by winding around the outer side of the armor layer (200); At least one outer protective layer (500) is formed by winding around the outer layer (300).

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