Marked Fiber Optic Cable Sheath for Theft Deterrence and Burial Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables are vulnerable to theft when temporarily laid out on the ground surface before burial, and existing protection methods are inadequate to deter theft and protect the cables from environmental damage.
Innovation Solution
An open, elongated envelope-like sheath with a flexible core material is used to encase the fiber optic cable, featuring anti-theft indicia and remote locating devices, providing protection against theft and environmental damage during burial.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fiber optic cable is temporarily laid out on the ground surface before burial, then ease of installation is improved, but vulnerability to theft and environmental damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an envelope-like sheath as an intermediary protective structure between the fiber optic cable and the external environment. The sheath contains the cable during temporary surface laying and provides physical protection while allowing the cable to remain accessible for installation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful factor of theft by incorporating anti-theft indicia that clearly mark the sheath as containing fiber optic cable without copper. This transforms potential thieves' motivation by providing visible information that eliminates the perceived value target.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional protection methods are used for buried infrastructure, then protection from environmental damage is improved, but detectability after burial deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded anti-theft indicia on the sheath that provide visual identification. The colored markings remain visible through the protective sheath material, enabling both theft deterrence and location detection while maintaining environmental protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sheath is designed to be fully protective and sealed, then protection from moisture and damage is improved, but ease of cable installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the sheath with dynamic characteristics - it is flexible enough to allow cable insertion and handling operations, yet provides sufficient mechanical protection when the cable is positioned within. The sheath can be opened or manipulated during installation then provides protective enclosure during burial.
Data Source
AI summary
An open, elongated, marked sheath for fiber optic cable protection is disclosed which permits a length of fiber optic cable to be installed within the sheath. The sheath is marked to indicate that the sheath contents are fiber optic cable and not copper so that the sheath assembly with the fiber optic cable installed may be safely laid out on the ground surface before final burial. The open, elongated, marked sheath is also provided with a remote locating device so that the buried sheath/fiber optic cable assembly can be remotely detected and mapped from the surface after burial underground.