Abstract: An optical fibre cable includes a generally cylindrical elongate central support structure with helical grooves formed around its periphery. The grooves (2) are partially filled with the compound (3) which is viscous at cable operation temperature. Said support structure (1) is then cooled to reversibly harden said compound (3). Optical fibres (4) are then layed in the grooves over the compound in its hard state. Lastly the grooves are topped up with viscous compound.

Abstract: The mineral substance is mixed (2) with an organic binder, a cylindrical structure is extruded (4), said cylindrical structure having at least one internal duct, and being cut (9) to portions of determined length before undergoing (10) heat treatment to cause the organic binder to burn, then being inserted (12) while hot in a metal sheath-forming tube, then the conductor(s) is (are) passed through the internal duct(s). Application to manufacturing heating elements or thermocouples.

Abstract: A method of joining together optical fibre undersea cables. In a first step, a given length of a carrier vault (1, 2) which surrounds the optical-fibre containing core (3, 4) of the cable end is cut off so as to clear a sufficient length of optical fibre (5, 6), a part (9, 10) with at least one opening (11, 12) in which said optical fibre (5, 6) is inserted is placed in each said cable ends between the strands of the carrier vault, the ends of said carrier vaults (1, 2) are brought together and fixed substantially in contact each with another, said optical fibre ends (5, 6) of each of said cables are connected together then the excess length of fibre thus formed is stretched and helically wound around a sleeve (14).

Abstract: An optical fibre cable comprises a support structure having helical grooves around its periphery. Optical fibres are laid in the grooves. Said fibre-containing grooves (2) are then partially untwisted in the direction of the arrow (4), thereby lengthening the pitch of the grooves and hence lengthening the fibres relative to the grooves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of an optical fiber in a form suitable for use in the manufacturing of a telecommunications cable having one or several fibers. The fiber is reinforced by a longitudinally disposed support element intended to bear at least a part of any traction forces which would otherwise be borne by the fiber.

Abstract: Apparatus for tracking the paths of helical grooves at the periphery of a longitudinal core driven in translation. The apparatus comprises two disks (11, 12) fitted onto said core, said disks being connected together by metal wires (13) forming a spring which presses on the grooves (21, 22) to track their apparent rotation when said core (2) moves in translation.Application to laying optical fibres on a grooved carrier core.

Abstract: An underwater optical fibre cable, including a central filament (1) whose lateral surface is provided with helical grooves (3) in each of which at least one optical fibre (4) can be placed, characterized in that the transversal cross-section and dimensions of said grooves enable then to provide a degree of freedom for said fibre in the order of at least half of its transversal dimension and within said groove, further said central filament being made of at least one metal or alloy.

Abstract: A cable for prospecting, said cable including a core of conductor wires (3) surrounded by insulating material (4) and by armour (7, 8) formed by at least one layer of helically wound steel wires. It includes, from its center to its periphery, inside the armour, an axial monofilament (2) made of a polymer that withstands high temperatures, said monofilament forming the insulation of an inner conductor (1), an outer conductor (5) and a sheath (6) made of a thermoplastic substance that withstands high temperatures, said inner conductor serving a different electrical function than said core of conductor wires.

Abstract: Cable ends (1 and 2) are to be joined. The cables are armored by stainless steel sheaths, and have two conductors (9 & 11, and 8 & 10 respectively) insulated by means of compressed mineral insulation (14). The cables are typically for thermocouples and have an outside diameter of a few millimeters. Joining proceeds as follows: The cable ends are reduced in diameter by swaging, e.g. with initial conical portions (5,4) followed by smaller diameter portions (7,6). The ends of the swaged portions are stripped to reveal the conductors which are joined end-to-end by welding. A longitudinally slotted length of tubing (3) is placed around the join, and the tubing is filled, via its slot, with powdered mineral insulation. The length of tubing 3 is then closed by welding, and the entire join is drawn down around the join to ensure that the entire joined cable is of uniform outside diameter.

Abstract: A connector for a coaxial cable which includes, from the inside to the outside, a central conductor or core (1), an electrically insulative covering, an outer conductor (4) and a sheath (5), wherein said connector includes an outer body (10) which surrounds an insulating sleeve (13) disposed round a conductive connection member (14) whose rear end is connected by means of a hoop to the outer conductor (4) of said cable, said conductive connection member itself surrounding, firstly at its front end an annular conductor (18) which opens out at the front end of the connector and secondly in its mid-portion two concentric parts (19,20) of conical cross-section between which the end of said electrically insulative covering is gripped, said conical parts being clamped by means of a clamping component (25) which abuts against a distance piece (26), an insulating sleeve (28) being disposed between said annular conductor, said conductive connection member and an annular part (29) connected to the front portion of said

Abstract: The coaxial sub-marine telephone cable employs a central conductor which is formed by a compound twisted core of high tensile steel wires and of aluminum-based wires which are encased in a longitudinally welded copper tube that is applied tightly around the twisted core. The aluminum-based wire has high tensile strength, high breaking elongation and good electrical conductivity. The crushing of the aluminum based wires by the steel wires under the effect of radial pressures exerting on the core through sizing dyes while being manufactured is minimized and avoided by arranging the steel wires in contact with each other under radial compression so that they interact as an arch or vault.

Abstract: An undersea optical fiber cable with a protective metal casing around the optical fibers 1. The casing includes a stranded assembly 3 of high-tensile metal wires of polygonal cross-section 3A forming an arch structure. The side (4) which is turned towards the axis of the cable is shorter than the outwardly-turned side 5, and intermediate sides 6 touch or interlock. A metal outer tube 7 is formed by skelping a tape to produce a cylinder and then welding the longitudinal edges thereof. The metal casing is filled with a liquid 4A whose density is close to that of water and whose viscosity is close to that of glycerine. The overall density of the cable is slightly higher than that of water.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing disks on a very long rod, said machine including two conveyor-driven chains of moulding units that press against one another and receive said rod therebetween in an area provided with at least one orifice for injecting a plastics substance into a cavity formed between a pair of mating units, one from each chain, the units then parting to release a disk-shaped part moulded onto said very long rod. At least one of the sets of moulding units has a so-called "hermaphrodite" unit (1) with leading tabs 8 and trailing tabs (10) for fixing to its adjacent units in the chain. The tabs are such that they allow the "hermaphrodite" unit to be inserted between a female unit and a male unit or between two other hermaphrodite units. Applications to manufacturing insulator disks on the central conductor of a coaxial cable.

Abstract: An optical telecommunications cable comprising an outer tube of circular cross-section made of aluminum covered with a plastics material and a plurality of strands of circular cross-section inside the outer tube, the strands being assembled tangentially to one another and each of the strands being constituted by an elementary circular structure covered by a tubular covering made of plastic material and reinforced by three strength members disposed at 120.degree. in the covering.

Abstract: A fire-proofed material for an electric cable, said material including a matrix made of a copolymer of propylene and of ethylene, high-density polyethylene or thermoplastic polyester, a fire-proofing agent which is halogenated and is formed by a cyclic derivative of pentaerythritol, an aliphatic or cyclo-aliphatic derivative which is stable at the extrusion temperature of the matrix and decomposes at a higher temperature and a mineral compound of antimony which is able to react with the bromine of the fire-proofing agent during combustion.

Abstract: A method of butt-joining metal tapes coated on one or both sides with a film of thermoplastic polymer material.The film is detached from an end portion of each tape (1A 1B) by immersion in a solvent at its boiling point. The detached film is removed and the ends of the two tapes welded together. A film (17, 18) of high-density polyethylene and ionomer resin is applied to the stripped area and bonded thereto by the application of heat and pressure. Device for implementation of the method.

Abstract: An assembly for fixing an undersea telecommunications cable with a central strength member (1) but no metal armouring to the housing of a repeater (2). It includes a funnel-shaped conical part (3) with a flared mouth piece, a neck 3A whose inside diameter is equal to the diameter of the cable. Said conical part is fixed to the housing of the repeater. An elongate elastomer sleeve surrounds the end of the cable up to the inner zone of the neck of said conical part and has an outside diameter which tapers gradually towards its end distant from said mouth piece. An elongate shell (8) is made of stratified glass and resin material, said material surrounding the flared end of the mouth piece of the conical part and said sleeve. An outer sleeve (9) made of braid of high tensile strength extends around the periphery of said shell, and an elevator cover (10) surrounds the aforementioned parts. Application to cables which are to be submerged to great depths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical fibres with a protective covering for use in cables. The fibre is protected by a covering of plastic material extruded from an extruder the punch of which protrudes 0.5 to 1 mm beyond the draw plate, and rapidly cooled at the outlet of the draw plate, so that it surrounds the optical fibre with a clearance between 1 and 10 microns.

Abstract: A method of reconstituting an external conductor of a coaxial cable which stands up well to bending and has good electromagnetic propagation. Solid non-perforated or woven strips are wound in a helix along the whole length of the part which is to be repaired and the ends of the intact external conductor and said strips are glued on these ends with an electrically conductive glue. Application to coaxial telephone cables.

Abstract: A method of end-to-end connection single- or multi-conductor electric cables having compressed mineral insulation and apparatus for end-to-end connection. The conductive metal sheath and the mineral insulation which covers the conductor(s) are removed along a short length at each cable end, a metal sleeve is fitted on the ends of the conductors, opposite each other, the sleeve is crimped on the ends of the conductors, a ring made of the same metal is fitted on each cable end, then a cylindrical connection sleeve with thin ends is fitted over the rings, then the ends of the cylindrical connection sleeve are crimped on the rings and on the ends of the cables.