Method of imparting surplus length to optical fibers in a protective metal tube and a line for implementing the method
AssigneeAlcatel Submarine Networks
InventorsJean-Fran.cedilla.ois Libert, Renaud Le Gac, Walter Comello
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Abstract
The optical fibers are enclosed in a protective metal tube in such manner as to impart surplus length to them, the tube being shaped from an initial strip, then laser welded, and optionally swaged as it advances in line. The method of obtaining the surplus length of a predetermined value consists in subjecting the tube as driven to subsequent stretching of a predetermined value by means of a capstan working at constant torque, thereby causing the fibers to advance in the welded tube, then in relaxing the stretched tube. Application to a line for enclosing optical fibers in a protective tube.
Claims6
A method of enclosing optical fibers in a protective metal tube in such manner as to impart surplus length to them, said method consisting in shaping an initial metal strip into a tube, in welding the tube to seal it, in simultaneously driving along in line the initial strip and the shaped and welded tube, and in inserting at least one optical fiber into the shaped and welded tube and causing it to advance therein while imparting a desired surplus length to each optical fiber, said method consisting in subjecting the tube as welded and driven in line to subsequent stretching of a predetermined value, in causing each optical fiber to advance in said tube at the linear speed of advance of the stretched tube, then in allowing the stretched tube to relax, so as to obtain the desired surplus length, which is equal to said predetermined value, in the relaxed tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.