Electrically conducting reinforced optical fiber
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorGeorge T. Pinson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for interconnecting a missile/RCV launch device with a remote control station includes composite cable having glass fibers for transmitting optical signals and electrical conductors embedded in a coating layer that is reinforced with fibers, for transmitting electric power. The apparatus also includes electrical and optical connectors at the cable end portions wherein the reinforcing fibers are grouped with the glass fiber at termination.
Claims11
Cable apparatus for providing combined large bandwidth optical signal communication and electric power transmission between two spaced locations, the cable comprising:
- an integral centrally located elongated fiber core of a first glass material for transmitting optical signals, said first glass material having a first refractive index;
- an integral layer of a glass-like material intimately surrounding said fiber core, said glass-like material having a second refractive index less than said first refractive index;
- a coating layer of a plastic material intimately surrounding said glass-like material layer;
- conductor means for transmitting electrical power embedded in said coating layer;
- and
- reinforcing means embedded in said coating layer.
Apparatus for interconnecting a missile launch device with a remote missile launch control station, the apparatus comprising:
- a cable for transmitting electrical power and optical control signals from the control station to the launch device, said cable including
- (i) an integral centrally located elongated fiber core of a first glass material for transmitting optical signals, said first glass material having a first refractive index,
- (ii) an integral layer of glass-like material intimately surrounding said core, said glass-like material having a second refractive index less than said first refractive index,
- (iii) a coating layer of a glass-like material intimately surrounding said glass-like material layer,
- (iv) conductor means embedded in said coating layer for transmitting electrical power, and
- (v) reinforcing means embedded in said coating layer,
- said cable also including respective end portions proximate the controller station and the launch device;
- and
- said terminating means including respective electrical connectors and optical fiber connectors connected to the control station and the launch device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.