Optical Cable Arcuate Reinforcement for Compact Unwinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical telecommunication cables are bulky and have a preferential direction of curvature due to rigid and flexible reinforcements, making them difficult to unwind without twisting and resulting in a large final cable diameter.
Innovation Solution
An optical cable design featuring a mechanical reinforcement element with an angular extent of less than 360°, arranged in an arcuate configuration with its concavity towards the optical core, which is integral with the surrounding medium but only in contact with the optical core when necessary, and composed of natural or synthetic fibers or thermoplastic/thermosetting polymers, allowing for a compact structure with reduced preferential radius of curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid and flexible reinforcements are used in optical cables, then mechanical strength and resistance to traction and compression are improved, but the cable becomes bulky and develops a preferential direction of curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is segmented from a traditional 360° circular arrangement into discrete arcuate elements with angular extent less than 360°. This segmentation allows the cable to maintain mechanical strength while reducing overall volume and eliminating the preferential curvature direction imposed by complete circular reinforcements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement elements are designed with asymmetric arcuate geometry where the concavity faces the optical core. This asymmetric configuration provides mechanical support while allowing the cable to bend more freely in multiple directions, eliminating the preferential curvature direction that would result from symmetric circular reinforcements.
2Strength
If rigid reinforcements are embedded in the sheath, then mechanical reinforcement is improved, but the radial thickness of the sheath increases causing a large final cable diameter
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying reinforcement through complete circular rigid elements, the invention uses partial arcuate reinforcements covering less than 360° of the circumference. This partial action provides sufficient mechanical reinforcement while significantly reducing the radial thickness required in the sheath, thereby decreasing the final cable diameter.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complete circular reinforcements are used, then structural stability is improved, but the cable cannot be unwound smoothly without twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous circular reinforcement is segmented into arcuate elements with gaps between them. This segmentation disrupts the continuous structural constraint that causes twisting during unwinding, while each individual arcuate element maintains local structural stability. The result is a cable that can be unwound smoothly without twisting.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention in particular relates to an optical cable that comprises: an optical core (2) consisting of at least one optical fibre (20) that it is optionally protected by a protective cladding (21); around this optical core (2), a cladding called the "exterior cladding" (3); at least one mechanical reinforcing element (4) that has a thickness smaller than its width and that is placed between the optical core (2) and the exterior cladding (3); characterised in that: said at least one mechanical reinforcing element (4) has an angular extent smaller than 360° and preferably smaller than 180°; said at least one mechanical reinforcing element (4) is placed in a circular arcuate configuration, the concavity of the arc being directed towards said optical core. Said at least one mechanical reinforcing element (4) is securely fastened to the surrounding medium, but simply makes contact with said optical core (2) when it touches the latter.