Abstract: A method and a related apparatus for monitoring an external surface of stranded cables, such as submarine cables for optical telecommunications, and electrical energy cables, provide for telemetrically acquiring a profile of the cable external surface by means of a laser optical triangulation technique, obtaining a spectrum of the telemetrically-acquired profile and comparing the obtained spectrum to a previously measured reference spectrum corresponding to a cable free of defects, thereby deducing the presence of defects by differences in the spectra.

Abstract: An optical cable having an optical core with a strength member and optical fibers embedded in a thermoplastic material. The optical core has a joint section having substantially the same diameter as the one of the optical core. The joint section has a jointed strength member and a plurality of spliced optical fibers, the jointed portion of the strength member and the spliced portion of the optical fibers being embedded into a cured polymeric material. A method for manufacturing an optical core is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical cable having an optical core with a strength member and optical fibers embedded in a thermoplastic material. The optical core has a joint section having substantially the same diameter as the one of the optical core. The joint section has a jointed strength member and a plurality of spliced optical fibers, the jointed portion of the strength member and the spliced portion of the optical fibers being embedded into a cured polymeric material. A method for manufacturing an optical core is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a related apparatus for monitoring an external surface of stranded cables, such as submarine cables for optical telecommunications, and electrical energy cables, provide for telemetrically acquiring a profile of the cable external surface by means of a laser optical triangulation technique, obtaining a spectrum of the telemetrically-acquired profile and comparing the obtained spectrum to a previously measured reference spectrum corresponding to a cable free of defects, thereby deducing the presence of defects by differences in the spectra.

Abstract: A submarine optical cable resistant to a longitudinal flow of water accidentally penetrated inside it and a method for controlling the longitudinal flow of water inside the cable. The cable has a longitudinal cavity disposed along a deformable elongated hollow body. The longitudinal cavity is suitable dimensioned so that the head losses of the water flowing through the cavity are lower than the head losses of the water flowing inside the buffer tubes. Thus, in case of accidental ingress of water inside the submarine cable, the water flow inside the buffer tubes is prevented from reaching long penetration lengths by the hydrostatic pressure of the water inside the longitudinal cavity acting onto the outer surface of the buffer tube.

Abstract: A submarine optical cable having a central polymeric buffer tube, said cable being particularly suitable for long-haul repeatered systems. A longitudinal reinforcing element is embedded into the walls of the central polymeric buffer tube which is of relatively small dimensions. The presence of said reinforcing element allows a precise control over the excess fiber length within the buffer tube. This reinforcing element is of relatively small diameter, in order to comply with the requirements of reduced dimensions of the buffer tube. Notwithstanding this relatively small diameter, said longitudinal reinforcing element allows for a good control over the longitudinal shrinkage of the polymeric buffer tube within the submarine cable.

Abstract: Optical core for a telecommunications cable comprising at least one support consisting of a central reinforcing member and a first coating layer of a thermoplastic polymer applied around the central member, a plurality of optical fibres arranged around the support and a second coating layer extruded around the support. The optical fibres, in each transverse section of the core, are arranged substantially tangential to the support and, around their remaining portion, are completely encapsulated in the second coating layer. The core can be built using a process wherein the fibres are guided inside appropriate grooves to give conditions of substantial tangency to the support as far as the zone of extrusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a submarine optical cable comprising a central polymeric buffer tube, said cable being particular suitable for long-haul repeatered systems. A longitudinal reinforcing element is embedded into the walls of the central polymeric buffer tube which is of relatively small dimensions. The presence of said reinforcing element allows a precise control over the excess fiber length within the buffer tube. This reinforcing element is of relatively small diameter, in order to comply with the requirements of reduced dimensions of the buffer tube. Notwithstanding this relatively small diameter, said longitudinal reinforcing element allows for a good control over the longitudinal shrinkage of the polymeric buffer tube within the submarine cable.

Abstract: A submarine optical cable resistant to a longitudinal flow of water accidentally penetrated inside it and a method for controlling the longitudinal flow of water inside the cable. The cable has a longitudinal cavity disposed along a deformable elongated hollow body. The longitudinal cavity is suitable dimensioned so that the head losses of the water flowing through the cavity are lower than the head losses of the water flowing inside the buffer tubes. Thus, in case of accidental ingress of water inside the submarine cable, the water flow inside the buffer tubes is prevented from reaching long penetration lengths by the hydrostatic pressure of the water inside the longitudinal cavity acting onto the outer surface of the buffer tube.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for making a cable with filiform elements, such as protected optical fibers or electrical conductors, in open-helix configuration and embedded in a polymeric material. The elements are fed through an extruder where the polymeric material in a plastic state is extruded thereover. The polymeric material with the elements therein is twisted in alternate directions around the cable axis as such material is advanced. The polymeric material is cooled downstream of the extruder to fix the elements in open-helix configuration. The polymeric material may be so twisted by alternately rotating a portion of the extruder in contact with the polymeric material in opposite directions or if the cable includes a central rope, by so twisting the rope in advance of the extruder with a pulley engaging the rope and rotated in a direction transverse to the plane of rotation of the pulley and around the axis of the rope.