Hybrid communications and power cable and distribution method and network using the same
AssigneeThe Southern New England Telephone Company
InventorsRonald Duane Elms, John Garland Messina, Dwight Apollos Phelps, John Joseph Wells
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hybrid cable for distributing communications signals and three-phase moderate-voltage alternating current, and a distribution method and network using the hybrid cable. The cable includes a hollow conduit, an optical fiber pulled through the conduit and housed within the conduit, power conductors disposed around the conduit, and a sheath which provides both structural protection and dielectric properties encasing the power conductors.
Claims24
A hybrid cable for providing optical signals and power to a remote location, comprising:
- a hollow conduit adapted to have an optical fiber pulled therethrough and housed therein after said cable is deployed;
- a plurality of insulated power conductors disposed around the hollow conduit;
- and
- a sheath encasing the power conductors, said sheath having one or more layers for providing both structural protection and dielectric properties.
A hybrid cable for providing optical signals and power to a remote location, comprising:
- a hollow plastic conduit adapted to have an optical fiber pulled therethrough and housed therein after said cable is deployed;
- a plurality of insulated power conductors disposed helically around the plastic conduit;
- a metallic sheath encasing the power conductors, so that a watertight assembly is formed;
- and
- a dielectric outer jacket covering the metallic sheath.
A method of distributing power and optical signals to a remote location, comprising:
- (1) installing a cable originating at a central location and terminating at the remote location, the cable comprising
- a hollow conduit,
- a plurality of power conductors disposed around the hollow conduit,
- a sheath encasing the power conductors, said sheath having one or more layers for providing both structural strength and dielectric properties;
- (2) pulling an optical fiber through the hollow conduit from the central location to the remote location, so that the cable transmits optical signals on the optical fiber and three-phase power on the power conductors;
- (3) isolating the power from the optical signals;
- and
- (4) converting at the remote location the power transmitted by the cable for use in powering an active component in the network.
A network for distributing power and optical signals to a remote location, comprising:
- a centrally located three-phase alternating current power supply;
- a hybrid cable for providing optical signals and for transmitting power from said centrally located power supply to the remote location, said hybrid cable comprising
- a hollow conduit adapted to have an optical fiber pulled therethrough and housed therein,
- a plurality of power conductors disposed around the hollow conduit,
- a sheath encasing the power conductors, said sheath having one or more layers for providing both structural protection and dielectric properties;
- a terminal located at the remote location for isolating the power from the optical signals;
- and
- a power supply in communication with the terminal, said power supply receiving the power transmitted by said hybrid cable for use in powering an active component in the network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.