Bicc Plc

Richard Ernest Beal

An optical cable comprises a longitudinally extending flexible central reinforcing member, e.g. a steel wire or wires; a layer of compressible material, such as cellular rubber or cellular plastics material, surrounding the reinforcing member; a plurality of separate optical fibres stranded side by side about the central reinforcing member in such a way that each optical fibre is in contact with the layer of compressible material; and, surrounding the optical fibres, an outer protective sheath. When the separate optical fibres are subjected to a tensile force, at least some of them can move transversely inwardly of the cable to compress the compressible material and thereby reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the fibres.

Optical guides with flexible central reinforcing members

An optical guide comprises at least one optical fibre and, extending lengthwise of the guide and in contact with the optical fibre or fibres, a body of compressible cellular material, for instance in the form of at least one separately formed elongate member. The arrangement is such that when the guide is stressed in such a way as to subject the optical fibre or fibres to a tensile force, the optical fibre or each of said fibres can move transversely of the guide to compress the compressible cellular material with which it is in contact and thereby reduce the strain that would otherwise be imparted to the fibre or fibres. Preferably the optical fibres are assembled about and in contact a longitudinally central core member of which at least an outer peripheral layer is of compressible cellular material. The optical fibres may be arranged in at least two optical bundles with which are in contact with at least one longitudinally extending body of compressible cellular material, an outer protective sheath surrounding the bundles and body or bodies of compressible cellular material.

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Wigan, United Kingdom

Richard Ernest Beal