Alcatel

Alcatel Submarine Networks

Alcatel Submarcom

Renaud Le Gac

Jean-Pierre Bonicel

Jean-Francois Libert

Jean-Francedillaois Libert

Walter Comello

The invention relates to the field of electrical insulators, and in particular to the field of electrical insulators for optical phase conductors (OPPCs). The electrical insulator comprises a dielectric rod () having at least one slot (), a flexible optical fiber cable () situated in the slot (), a dielectric material () filling the slot () and holding the cable () in the slot () without stressing it, and a dielectric covering () surrounding the rod () and presenting outwardly-directed projections () in the form of skirts, the entire space situated between the rod () and the cable () being filled with said dielectric filler and holding material ().

Electrical insulator having a dielectric rod with a slot for receiving an optical fiber cable

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.

Method of imparting surplus length to optical fibers in a protective

A method of injecting a filler in controlled manner into a protective tube for protecting optical fibers, the method consisting in regulating the delivery rate of the filler being injected as the closed tube advances. In the method, the delivery rate is regulated by detecting the position of the front of the filler contained in the protective tube relative to at least one detection point on the line for advancing the closed protective tube.

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Calais, France

Renaud Le Gac