Electric conductors incorporating optical fibres
AssigneeCCS Technology, Inc.
InventorsSimon Mark Rowland, David John Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electric conductor incorporates at least one optical fibre and has a central axial element with at least one layer of elements helically stranded about it. At least one of the elements, preferably the central axial one, includes at least one optical fibre which is enclosed in a longitudinally extending welded metal tube (typically stainless steel). A second metal tube of greater thickness and higher conductivity than the welded metal tube and having an unwelded longitudinal seam surrounds the welded tube. The second tube is typically of aluminium and served to increase the diameter of the element so that a greater range of useful conductor sizes can be formed by using it in conjunction with appropriately chosen wire diameters.
Claims4
An electric conductor incorporating at least one optical fibre comprising:
- a central axial element with at least one layer of elements helically stranded about it, the central axial element comprising at least one optical fibre enclosed in a longitudinally extending welded metal tube itself enclosed in a second metal tube of higher conductivity than the welded metal tube, said second metal tube is of greater thickness than said welded metal tube and has an unwelded longitudinal seam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.