Optical Fiber Cable With Water-Blocking Layer and EAA Coated Strength Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical fiber cables are vulnerable to water ingress, physical damage, and tensile forces, leading to degradation and sticking issues, which compromise their durability and effectiveness in various applications.
Innovation Solution
The optical fiber cable features a layered structure with a first layer of stacked yarn for tensile strength, a second water-blocking layer to prevent ingress, and a third layer with ethylene acrylic acid-coated strength members to prevent slipping and sticking, along with a fourth layer for additional protection, enhancing its resistance to crush forces and rodent bites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional buffer tube structure with binding heads and outer sheathing is used, then cable protection is provided, but binding heads stick to outer sheathing when water contacts the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a water-blocking layer as an intermediary component between the binding heads and the outer sheathing. This water-blocking layer prevents water from reaching the binding heads, thereby eliminating the sticking problem while maintaining the protective function of the outer sheathing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different regions of the cable structure. Specifically, the water-blocking layer is positioned at the critical interface where water ingress would cause sticking, providing localized protection without altering the overall conventional cable structure.
2Strength
If strength members are embedded inside the outer sheathing layer, then tensile strength is provided, but strength members slip inside the outer sheathing when tensile forces are applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a friction-enhancing layer as an intermediary between the strength members and the outer sheathing. This layer increases the frictional force between these components, preventing the strength members from slipping when tensile forces are applied, while still allowing the strength members to provide tensile support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the interface between strength members and outer sheathing by introducing a friction-enhancing layer. This changes the friction parameter at the interface, increasing grip on the strength members and preventing their displacement under load.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional single-layer sheathing structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but water ingress and rodent damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective sheathing into multiple functional layers: an outer sheathing layer for mechanical protection, a water-blocking layer for moisture protection, and a friction-enhancing layer for strength member stability. This segmentation allows each layer to address specific harmful factors while maintaining overall manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite multi-layer structure combining different material properties in each layer. The outer sheathing provides mechanical strength, the water-blocking layer provides moisture resistance, and the friction-enhancing layer provides surface friction control. This composite approach protects against multiple harmful factors simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a robust, durable optical fiber cable with improved resistance to water, crush forces, and rodent bites, ensuring reliable performance in indoor, outdoor, and underground applications with enhanced installation ease and high crush resistance.
Implementation Method 1
each of the plurality of strength members (135a-b; 235a-b; 335a-b) is coated with a layer of ethylene acrylic acid (140a-b; 240a-b; 340a-b), the layer of ethylene acrylic acid (140a-b; 240a-b; 340a-b) prevents slipping of the plurality of strength members
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of strength members (135a-b; 235a-b; 335a-b) is coated with a layer of ethylene acrylic acid (140a-b; 240a-b; 340a-b)
Implementation Method 3
the second layer (125; 225; 325) prevents ingression of water inside the plurality of sleeves (105a-k; 205a-k; 305a-k)
Implementation Method 4
The layer of glass fibers yarns resists the rodent bites as the glass fibers of the fiber glass yarns repels the rodents from biting or chewing the optical fiber cable
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a plurality of sleeves (105a-k; 205a-k; 305a-k) substantially along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. Further, the optical fiber cable includes a first layer (120; 220; 320) surrounding the plurality of sleeves (105a-k; 205a-k; 305a-k). Furthermore, the optical fiber includes a second layer (125; 225; 325) surrounding the first layer (120; 220; 320). In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a third layer (130; 230; 330) surrounding the second layer (125; 225; 325). The second layer (125; 225; 325) prevents ingression of water inside the plurality of sleeves (105a-k; 205a-k; 305a-k). Moreover, the third layer (130; 230; 330) has a plurality of strength members (135a-b; 235a-b; 335a-b) embedded inside the third layer. In addition, each of the plurality of strength members (135a-b; 235a-b; 335a-b) is coated with a layer of ethylene acrylic acid (140a-b; 240a-b; 340a-b).