The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 24, 2003
Filed:
May. 23, 2000
Pascal Ardouin, Marseilles, FR;
Alcatel, Paris, FR;
Abstract
A solid-stranding method and apparatus for forming optical cables. Solid-stranding combines buffering and stranding operations, as well as performs the stranding operation while the flextubes are still hot so that they adhere together without additional binders. Optical fibers and/or wires are supplied to an extruder which forms flextubes around individual ones or groups of the optical fibers and/or wires. A central element may be supplied to, and go through, the center of the extruder. A rotating pulling device, such as a caterpillar, helically or in an SZ-manner solid-strands the flextubes around the central element—or solid-strands the flextubes to themselves when no central element is present—as the flextubes cool down. That is, solid-stranding includes buffering and stranding operations that are performed together without a water cooling stage therebetween. Thus, the flextubes adhere together, and may adhere to the central member, thereby forming a solid-stranded composite core.