USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

James H Dombrowski

Steven J Cowen

Christopher M Young

Roger W Buecher

Herbert L Mummery

James H Daughtry

Isao R Yumori

Michael E Kono

William A Kerr, Iii

The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin. The microcable is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, squeezing the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and then curing the resin with ultraviolet light.

Fiber optic microcable produced with radiation cured composite

The invention provides a process for fabricating a fiber optic microcable mposed of materials having properties which facilitate its manufacture. The microcable is comprised of an optical fiber core, a buffer surrounding the core, and a protective sheath surrounding the buffer consisting of an electromagnetic radiation cured resin impregnated with fibers suspended in the resin to enhance the resistance of the microcable to physical damage. The microcable is fabricated by soaking the fibers in an electromagnetic radiation curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the core and buffer to form a matrix, and then irradiating the matrix with electromagnetic radiation to cure the resin.

Process for manufacturing a fiber reinforced optic microcable with a UV

A method for fabricating a fiber optic cable splice comprises the steps of: ) positioning a malleable tube around a first fiber optic cable having a first optical fiber; 2) fusing the first optical fiber to a second optical fiber of a second fiber optic cable to form a fused region; and 3) crimping the malleable tube to the first and second fiber optic cables. The malleable tube may bent into an arc to facilitate payout of the splice through a payout guide. A heat shrinkable tube may be formed around the malleable tube and first and second cables to provide a dustproof seal around the splice.

Fiber optic cable splice and method for producing same

The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath made of a fiber reinforced, ultraviolet light cured resin over which is formed an ultraviolet light cured resin overcoat. The protective sheath is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, feeding both the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and curing the resin with ultraviolet light. Then, an ultraviolet light cured resin is flow coated over the protective sheath and cured with ultraviolet light to complete the microcable.

Fiber optic microcable produced with fiber reinforced ultraviolet light

A system which limits the intensity of a snap load imposed in a tether or cable, used, for example, in the recovery of an object at sea, includes a floating plate for connection to the cable and a support housing for connection to the object being recovered. The system also includes an actuatable mechanism extending between and connected to the plate and housing. The actuatable mechanism is movable from an initial position toward a deflected position in response to the introduction of a snap load in the cable caused by the occurrence of the sudden removal of a slack condition in the cable. The system further includes a hydraulic or other fluid arrangement coupled to the actuatable mechanism for generating a shock load within the mechanism in response to the introduction of the snap load in the cable which permits movement of the mechanism toward the deflected position while limiting the tensile load imposed on the cable to a known value that the cable can withstand and reducing the separation velocity toward zero. The system also includes a restoring mechanism operable for causing extension of the actuatable mechanism from the deflected position back to the initial position in response upon reintroduction of another slack condition in the cable.

Growing community of inventors

Carlsbad, CA, United States of America

James H Dombrowski