Fiber optic groundwire with coated fiber enclosures

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an optic static wire assembly comprising a central core which has one or more helical channels in its periphery. One or more tubes containing a dielectric water-blocking compound and one or more optical fibers are positioned in the channels. The tubes are coated with a thermal insulation material, and then a heat reflective material. The optical fibers are randomly arranged within the tubes in such a way that tensile stresses on the cable are not transmitted to them. Finally, the assembly formed by the core and the tube or tubes is wrapped with a serving of metal wires. In one embodiment, the core and tubes may be wrapped with a tape layer before the outer metal wires are applied. Any interstices among the core, the tube or tubes, and tape may also be filled with another dielectric water-blocking compound.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.