Optical cable installation with mini-bend reduction

A method for installing a cable in a duct comprising the steps:

• uncoiling the cable from a length of coiled cable, laid in “figure-eights” on the ground or stored in a coiling device, reducing bends in the cable, and then inserting the cable into the duct.

A method for installing a cable in a trajectory duct comprising the steps:

• receiving the cable from a previous tandem duct section, reducing bends in the cable, and then inserting the cable into the trajectory duct.

Apparatus for installing a cable in a duct which comprises a chamber with an inlet for the cable, an inlet for gas or liquid and an outlet for the gas or liquid coupled to the duct, with mechanically driven wheels or tractor treads to push the cable into the duct, characterized by a straightener roller set engageable with the cable for reducing cable bends before the cable is introduced into the duct.

A method for installing a cable in a trajectory duct comprising the steps:

• coiling the cable from a reel into a coiling device via a looped guide duct of about one turn, uncoiling the cable from the coiling device and advancing it through the looped guide duct, and pushing and/or blowing the cable into the trajectory duct.

An improved cable coiling apparatus of the type including a frame, a coiling basket mounted on the frame, a fixed guide arm mounted on the frame, a spinning guide arm mounted for rotation on the frame and multiple pairs of guide wheels mounted on the fixed guide arm and on the spinning guide arm for engaging a length of cable and guiding the cable during cable coiling and uncoiling operations, wherein the improvement comprises:

• the fixed guide arm including a curved arm portion leading to the frame and multiple pairs of guide wheels mounted on the curved arm portion for engaging a length of cable and guiding the cable during coiling and uncoiling operations;
• and
• multiple pairs of guide wheels mounted on the frame and extending along a curved path forming a guide loop of about one turn for engaging a length of cable and guiding the cable into and out of the coiling basket during coiling and uncoiling operations.

An improved cable coiling apparatus of the type including a frame, a coiling basket mounted on the frame, a fixed guide arm mounted on the frame, a spinning guide arm mounted for rotation on the frame and multiple pairs of guide wheels mounted on the fixed guide arm and on the spinning guide arm for engaging a length of cable and guiding the cable during cable coiling and uncoiling operations, characterized by apparatus forming a guide loop of about one turn disposed adjacent the frame, wherein the guide loop apparatus comprises a tubular duct having a first open end and a second open end through which the cable is fed during coiling operation and through which the cable is advanced during an uncoiling operation.