Fiber optic electromechanical submarine cable termination

Abstract

Termination device for anchoring a fiber optic cable, especially in a fiber optic cable submarine signaling system wherein the cable must be periodically interrupted and anchored to the housing of a repeater, or the like. A central cable or strength member of steel, for example, is built into the cable along with a plurality of optical fibers. A compression block accepts the cable through an axial bore which flares out into a conical shape. A pressure cone has an axially slotted wall to form a plurality of tines which tend to compress radially inward against the strength member of the cable actually inserted therein when the cone is axially compressed into the conical cavity of the pressure block. Individual optical fiber passages through the compression block flare out from the small end of the conical cavity and pressure cone. The compression block fits into a cup of insulating material, the cable entering through a bore in the closed end of the cup. The insulating cup electrically isolates the compression block and pressure cone assembly which would normally be of a conductive metallic material from the housing of the repeater assembly, etc., into which the entire assembly is mechanically fitted. The pressure cone is held within the compression block by a circle of bolts and a torsion resisting bolt holds the compression block in the congruent cavity of the cup.