Bicc Plc

David Alexander Taylor

David James Greene

Alexander Joseph Moore

Bernard Gaylard

Philip Dey

An overhead electric conductor with optical fibres loosely housed in the bore of a central core, which bore also contains a greasy water-impermeable medium 4, is manufactured by causing a preformed elongate metal member of U-shaped transverse cross-section and the optical fibres to advance in the direction of their lengths, the rate of advance of the fibres being restrained. As the U-shaped elongate member is transversely folded around the optical fibres greasy water-impermeable medium is injected into the bore of the elongate metal member under a controlled pressure. The consistency of the greasy water-impermeable medium the pressure and rate at which it is injected into the bore and the degree of restraint imparted to the optical fibres 3 is such that, in a predetermined length of the conductor, the length of the optical fibres exceeds the length of the bore by a controlled extent, preferably 1 to 3%.

Manufacture of a flexible stranded optical fiber body

In a rigid electromagnetic waveguide, reinforcing elements (e.g. glass fibres) or one or more layers of the reinforcing wall extend lengthwise, preferably parallel to the waveguide axis, throughout the length of the waveguide. Preferably in the outermost layer or in outer layers of the reinforcing wall reinforcing elements extend helically about the waveguide. The longitudinally extending reinforcing elements are preferably applied to a stationary mandrel, which may be arranged vertically, through an annular guide which travels to and fro along the length of the mandrel, the elements being retained at the start and finish of each pass of the guide. The resistance of the waveguide to bending when supported horizontally is increased.

Electromagnetic waveguides

A rigid electromagnetic waveguide is manufactured in a continuous series of operations by causing an elongate mandrel, supported vertically, to travel along a predetermined path successively to a wire-winding station where a layer of closely wound helical turns of wire is applied; a station or stations where a layer or layers of resin-impregnated reinforcing elements to form a reinforcing wall is or are applied; a curing station where the resin is cured; and an extraction station where the waveguide is removed from the mandrel. Between the last of the stations where a layer of the reinforcing wall is formed and the curing station, the mandrel may pass through stations where a moisture barrier and an outer protective covering are applied. Risk of change in tension in the wires or reinforcing elements about the neutral axis of the waveguide is reduced.

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Kenton, United Kingdom

David Alexander Taylor