Midsection Cable Armor Removal Tool for Fiber Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stripping armor from armored fiber optic cables are inefficient, prone to damage the underlying layers and fibers, and increase installation time and cost in fiber optic communication networks.
Innovation Solution
A tool is used to sever and remove the armor at midsections of armored fiber optic cables, employing a separator apparatus that protects the underlying layers and fibers by expanding the armor away from the core, reducing friction and heat transfer, and utilizing a gripper or spool to unwind the armor safely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual or conventional tools are used to strip armor from armored fiber optic cables, then the armor can be removed, but the underlying layers and fiber optic strands are prone to damage, and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized separator apparatus as an intermediary tool between the armor and the fiber optic core. This separator device includes a separator element that inserts between the armor and the cable core, and a separator coil that wraps around the separator element to mechanically separate and remove the armor layers without direct contact with or damage to the underlying fiber optic strands and protective layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the armor removal process into distinct functional components: the separator element that divides the armor from the core, the separator coil that isolates the separator element, and the gripper or spool that controls the separation process. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function safely and efficiently, preventing damage to the fiber optic infrastructure while enabling controlled armor removal
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional armor removal methods are used, then armor can be stripped, but friction and heat transfer damage the underlying layers during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The separator apparatus acts as a mediator that prevents direct friction and heat transfer between the armor removal process and the fiber optic core. The separator element and separator coil create a physical barrier that isolates the core from harmful friction and heat generated during armor separation, while still enabling effective armor removal through the separator coil's wrapping and tightening action
Solution Approach 2:
The separator element is positioned beforehand between the armor and the fiber optic core to provide cushioning and protection. This pre-positioned separator prevents direct contact and harmful friction/heat transfer during the armor removal process, cushioning the vulnerable fiber optic layers against damage while allowing the armor to be systematically removed
3Ease of operation
If all fibers in the cable are cut and spliced to enable access, then complete fiber access is achieved, but the number of splices increases, optical loss increases, and installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fiber access approach by removing armor only at specific midsection locations rather than along the entire cable length. This localized armor removal at discrete points allows fiber access only where needed for splicing or connection, leaving the rest of the cable intact and eliminating the need to cut and splice all fibers, thereby reducing the total number of splices and installation time
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving the cable assembly that includes a cable core assembly coaxially surrounded by a protective helical coil between a first cable end and a second cable end, defining a severed section of protective helical coil away from the first cable end and the second cable end and is separately revolvable about the cable core assembly apart from remainders of the protective helical coil, inserting a separator apparatus between the cable core assembly and the protective helical coil, expanding, by the separator apparatus, the protective helical coil away from the cable core assembly, and separating the protective helical coil from the cable core assembly.