US4718747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber and cable with hydrogen combining layer
Assignee: Pirelli and C SpA
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Filing: 1985-04-16
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Granted: 1988-01-12
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Expires: 2005-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber structure in which there is at least one layer around the fiber signal transmitting core, such layer being formed of, or containing a powder of, a hydrogen gas absorbing metal or metals from Groups III, IV, V or VIII of the periodic table, or alloys or intermetallic compounds of such metals, to absorb hydrogen and for protecting the core with respect to hydrogen absorption. Also, an optical fiber cable comprising at least one optical fiber and a sheath around the optical fiber or fibers. The cable comprises such a gaseous hydrogen absorbing metal or metals, or alloys or intermetallic compounds of such metals, to absorb the hydrogen for such purpose. The metal or metals may be in the form of metal films inside or outside the sheath, in the form of longitudinal wires within the sheath, part of tapes wound around the fiber or fibers or in the form of metal powders dispersed in the sheath or in a filler within the sheath. The cable includes a central elongation resistant wire which may, at least at its surface, be made of such metal or metals.
Inventors
- 👤 Giuseppe Bianchi
- 👤 Laura Gherardi
- 👤 Pietro Anelli
- 👤 Marco Santini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B7/00; H01B7/17; H01B7/28; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4427; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443; G02B6/44382
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
An optical fiber structure comprising an optical signal transmitting core surrounded by at least one protective layer, wherein the improvement comprises including in at least one of the protective layers at least one gaseous hydrogen absorbing powder of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V and VIII of the periodic system for protecting the core with respect to the absorption of gaseous hydrogen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
An optical fiber structure comprising an optical signal transmitting core surrounded by at least one protective layer, wherein the improvement comprises including in at least one of the protective layers at least one gaseous hydrogen absorbing powder of a metal selected from Groups III, IV, V and VIII of the periodic system for protecting the core with respect to the absorption of gaseous hydrogen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said powder of said metal is present in said one of the layers in an amount at least equal to 0.01 g./m. of length of the fiber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of lanthanides, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, palladium and mixtures, alloys and intermetallic components thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 wherein said one of the layers is in contact with said core.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 wherein there is a further protective layer intermediate said one of the layers and the core.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 wherein said one of the layers comprises said powder of said metal admixed with a resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein the particle size of the particles of said powder is not greater than 10 microns and said powder is present in an amount which is in the range from 0.1 to 10 parts per hundred of the resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein said one of the layers is in contact with the core.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein there is a further layer intermediate said one of the layers and said core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 9 wherein said resin is silicone rubber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein there are two further layers intermediate said one of the layers and said core.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 wherein said powder of said metal is dispersed in a gel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein said gel is surrounded by a tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 further comprising a further protective layer around said core and wherein said powder of said metal is around said further protective layer and said powder is surrounded by a tube.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 wherein one of the protective layers is a sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein the inner wall of said sheath is spaced from the optical fiber or fibers and said powder is intermediate said sheath and said optical fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 16 wherein one of the protective layers is a filler intermediate said sheath and the optical fiber or fibers and wherein the metal powder is dispersed in said filler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 15 wherein said sheath is made of a plastic material and said metal powder is dispersed in said plastic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 1 or 3 in which a protective layer is a tape around the core and said powder forms at least part of a tape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 19 wherein said tape comprises a plastic material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical fiber structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said metal is selected from the group consisting of lanthanides, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, palladium and mixtures, alloys and intermetallic components thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
85 words
An optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers surrounded by a sheath and at least one metal wire within said sheath which extends longitudinally of said optical fibers, and a protective layer around said fibers, said protective layer being formed, at least in part, of at least one gaseous hydrogen absorbing metal selected from Group VIII and subgroup b of Groups III, IV, V of the periodic system for protecting the optical fiber or fibers with respect to the absorption of gaseous hydrogen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
85 words
An optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers surrounded by a sheath and at least one metal wire within said sheath which extends longitudinally of said optical fibers, and a protective layer around said fibers, said protective layer being formed, at least in part, of at least one gaseous hydrogen absorbing metal selected from Group VIII and subgroup b of Groups III, IV, V of the periodic system for protecting the optical fiber or fibers with respect to the absorption of gaseous hydrogen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical fiber cable as set forth in claim 22 further comprising an elongation resistant member within said sheath and extending longitudinally of the optical fiber or fibers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical fiber cable as set forth in claim 23 wherein said plurality of the optical fibers are disposed around an axis extending longitudinally thereof and wherein said elongation resistant member is disposed at said axis.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical fiber cable as set forth in claim 22 wherein said metal wire is an elongation resistant member and said metal selected from said Group VIII and subgroup b of Groups III, IV, V is at least at the surface of the wire.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-11 | 1991-07-13 | 1992-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-11 | 1995-07-13 | 1996-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-11 | 1999-07-13 | 2000-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |