Signal transmitting cable

Abstract

A fibre optic cable includes a core of primary coated optical fibres embedded in an inner layer of acrylate material, having sufficient tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres in place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly for termination and splicing purposes. The hardness of the acrylate layer is such that at least the outermost fibres of the bundle are restricted from moving axially relative to the inner layer. The inner layer is then surrounded by a loose thin jacket formed from a mixture of high density polyethylene having a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 and a generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material. The mixture from which the outer layer is formed is compacted by means of heat and pressure. The outer layer may also contain a mineral filler, such as calcium carbonate and/or titanium dioxide, in order to improve the stability of the dimensions of the outer layer as the temperature changes.

1. A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60, and wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compressed fluid, and wherein the thickness of said outermost layer is less than 400 microns around at least 10 %  of the circumference of said cable assembly.    
     
     
       2. The cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer Is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of 60 as measured by means of ISO R868. 
     
     
       3. The cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of said outermost layer is less than 400 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       4. The cable assembly of claim  3    1 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness of less than 200 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       5. The cable assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness of less than 125 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       6. The cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inner periphery of said outermost layer is longer than the outer periphery of said first layer so that said outermost layer is adapted to  can be removed from said first layer by sliding over said first layer. 
     
     
       7. The cable assembly of  claim 6   A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60 , and wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compresses fluid, wherein the inner periphery of said outermost layer is longer than the outer periphery of said first layer  when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the conduit is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  200  meters of said cable has been installed. 
     
     
       8. The cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said inner layer comprises at least one acrylate material. 
     
     
       9. A cable assembly capable of being installed into a tube by means of blowing, said cable assembly comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members arranged such that neighboring signal transmitting members are in touching contact with each other, said signal transmitting members being surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is substantially prevented  restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer second  outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, said second  outermost layer having a thickness of less than 400 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       10. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said second  outermost layer has a thickness of less than 200 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       11. The cable assembly of  claim 10 , wherein said second  outermost layer has a thickness of less than 125 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       12. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the hardness of the polymer of said second  outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of 60 . 
     
     
       13. The cable assembly of claim  9    12 , wherein the hardness of the polymer of said second  outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of 60 as measured by means of ISO R868. 
     
     
       14. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said second  outermost layer is adapted to be removed from said first layer by sliding over said first layer. 
     
     
       15. The cable assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the inner periphery of said second  outermost layer is longer than the outer periphery of said first layer. 
     
     
       16. A cable assembly that can be installed into a tube by blowing using compressed fluid, said cable assembly comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer such that axial movement of at least the outermost signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising  a continuous thermoplastic polymer second  outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer and adapted to be removed from said first layer by sliding over said first layer, wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  200  meters of said cable has been installed. 
     
     
       17. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the inner periphery of said second  outermost layer is longer than the outer periphery of said first layer to enable removal of said second  outermost layer from said assembly. 
     
     
       18. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , whereIn said second  outermost layer has a Shore D hardness greater than 60 . 
     
     
       19. The cable assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the hardness of the polymer of said second  outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of 60 as measured by means of ISO R868. 
     
     
       20. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the thickness of said second  outermost layer is less than 400 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       21. The cable assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said second  outermost layer has a thickness of less than 200 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       22. The cable assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said second  outermost layer has a thickness of less than 125 microns around at least 10% of the circumference of said cable assembly. 
     
     
       23. The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said second  outermost layer comprises at least one polymer material. 
     
     
       24. The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one polymer material comprises a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       25. The assembly of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one polymer material comprises high-density polyethylene. 
     
     
       26. The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said signal transmitting members are embedded in said first layer. 
     
     
       27. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  200  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       28. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  300  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       29. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  400  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       30. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  500  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       31. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  100  meters.  
     
     
       32. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  150  meters.  
     
     
       33. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  200  meters.  
     
     
       34. The cable assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  250  meters.  
     
     
       35. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  300  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       36. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  400  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       37. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the tube is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  500  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       38. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure will insert said cable into the tube at least  100  meters.  
     
     
       39. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  150  meters.  
     
     
       40. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  200  meters.  
     
     
       41. The cable assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the tube has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the tube is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the tube at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the tube at least  250  meters.  
     
     
       42. A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60 , and wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compressed fluid, wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the conduit is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  300  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       43. The cable assembly of  claim 42 , wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the conduit is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  400  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       44. The cable assembly of  claim 42 , wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the conduit is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  500  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       45. A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60 , and wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compressed fluid, wherein when said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the conduit at least  100  meters.  
     
     
       46. The cable assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the conduit at least  150  meters.  
     
     
       47. The cable assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the conduit at least  200  meters.  
     
     
       48. The cable assembly of  claim 45 , wherein said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members, and wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the conduit at least  250  meters.  
     
     
       49. A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60 , and wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compressed fluid, wherein said cable is capable of being installed by blowing into a conduit having an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, the conduit being wound onto a drum having a diameter of  500  mm, wherein when said cable is inserted by blowing into the conduit at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is inserted by blowing into the conduit is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  430  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       50. A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60 , and wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compressed fluid, wherein when said cable comprises  12  of said signal transmitting members it is capable of being installed by blowing into a conduit having an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, the conduit being wound onto a drum having a diameter of  500  mm, wherein when said cable is inserted by blowing at  10  bar pressure said cable will be inserted into the conduit at least  375  meters.  
     
     
       51. A cable assembly, comprising a plurality of flexible signal transmitting members surrounded by a first layer, wherein axial movement of at least the outermost of said signal transmitting members relative to said first layer is restricted, and further comprising a continuous thermoplastic polymer outermost layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, wherein the hardness of the polymer of said outermost layer is greater than or equal to a Shore D hardness of  60 , wherein said cable is capable of being installed into a conduit by blowing of a compressed fluid, and wherein when the conduit has an internal diameter of  3 . 5  mm, an external diameter of  5  mm, a length of  500  meters, the conduit is wound onto a drum having a barrel diameter of  500  mm, the compressed fluid comprises compressed air and said cable is installed by blowing compressed air into the conduit at  10  bar pressure the speed at which the cable is installed by blowing into the conduit is at least  10  meters per minute after at least  200  meters of said cable has been installed.  
     
     
       52. The cable assembly of  claim 51 , wherein the thickness of said outermost layer is less than  400  microns around at least  10 %  of the circumference of said cable assembly.    
     
     
       53. The cable assembly of  claim 52 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness of less than  200  microns around at least  10 %  of the circumference of said cable assembly.    
     
     
       54. The cable assembly of  claim 53 , wherein said outermost layer has a thickness of less than  125  microns around at least  10 %  of the circumference of said cable assembly.    
     
     
       55. The cable assembly of  claim 51 , wherein the inner periphery of said outermost layer is longer than the outer periphery of said first layer so that said outermost layer can be removed from said first layer by sliding over said first layer.  
     
     
       56. The cable assembly of  claim 51 , wherein said inner layer comprises at least one acrylate material.