Abstract: The invention concerns an optical cable with continuous accessibility, comprising a closed protective sheath surrounding a cavity having in cross section two substantially perpendicular axes intersecting at the center of the cavity, and at least two optical fibers optionally organized in at least two modules and arranged such that they occupy the greater part of the cavity in the direction of the long axis but that they allow a clearance in the cavity in the direction of the shorter axis of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical cable (1) with continuous accessibility, comprising a closed protective sheath (6) preferably oval-shaped enclosing a cavity (5) preferably oval-shaped having in cross-section two substantially perpendicular axes intersecting at the centre of the cavity, and at least two optical fibres (3) optionally assembled in at least two modules (2), and arranged such that they take up the major part of the cavity in an axis but allow significant clearance in the other axis of the cavity. The fibres are preferably arranged in the longitudinal axis. The inventive optical cable is continuously accessible as a result of its preferably oval general shape, its two preferred axes one for an easy curvature and accessibility to modules distributed along the large dimension of its central cell and the other for a significant clearance of the modules which also facilitates extraction and provides the cable with good thermal and mechanical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for identifying and splicing at least one multicore optical fiber and including both a system for displaying each multicore fiber and a fiber splicing system. According to the invention at least one ring for surrounding each multicore fiber to be spliced has an outside envelope that is homothetic (geometrically similar) in shape to the outer envelope of each multicore optical fiber, with the outer outside envelope of each ring being designed to be marked as a function of analysis of the image of each multicore fiber as obtained by means of the display system.

Abstract: Small, high precision, multicore optical guides and process for the production of said guides. Such a guide includes elementary guides (G1 to G4) and a matrix (M) in which they are located. These elementary guides are very accurately positioned with respect to one another in the matrix and with respect to the external contours (5) thereof and have high precision geometrical characteristics. According to the process, manufacturing and machining of the blanks so as to obtain, after assembly, the chosen geometrical model for the multicore guide. They are assembled in accordance with this model, welded together by means of a bait and the assembly is drawn.

Abstract: According to the invention, a hollow silica bar (2) is produced with a thick wall and high geometrical precision, the bar is then cleaned and an oven (24) is used able to heat the silica to its melting temperature and with respect to which the bar is moved so as to embody an external thermic glazing of the bar, an internal vapor phase depositing a vitreous coating in this bar by making circulate inside it a mixture of suitable gaseous constituents, this coating being intended for the subsequent formation of the core of the optical fibers, and an area contraction of the bar, the various temperatures of the bar required to embody these operations being obtained by varying the temperature of the oven or speed of the bar with respect to the oven.

Abstract: The telecommunications cable of the invention comprises a series of optical fibers which are preferably coated with respective colored identification layers, the fibers being split into modules each of which is enveloped by a thin supporting sheath that is easily torn, with different sheaths preferably being of different colors, the sheaths being in contact with the optical fibers, and a protective covering being in contact with the supporting sheaths.

Abstract: A hollow silica bar is formed on a mandrel by an external deposition method using a plasma torch. The mandrel is removed and on the inner face of the bar is deposited a vitreous coating to be used for the subsequent formation of the core of the fibers. Deposition is obtained by means of a plasma column, formed in the bar as a result of an ultra-high frequency coupler able to inject a travelling surface wave into the plasma column.

Abstract: A composite reinforcing element, especially a reinforcing cable, having a core consisting of a thread of non-metallic material and being coated in a reinforced polymer, and a process for producing it.

Abstract: A process for making a fiber optic coupler. An optical fiber reception block of rigid material that has orthogonal longitudinal and transversal planes of symmetry, an arcuate fiber receiving groove extending along the longitudinal plane of symmetry, and a plurality of reference surfaces is provided. An optical fiber is glued into the groove and the block is cut along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal and transversal planes of symmetry to remove part of the fiber. The block is then cut in half along the transversal plane of symmetry, the two halves are superimposed in inverted positions and aligned by using a reference surface. This process forms a multibranch coupler that finds numerous applications in telecommunication systems.

Abstract: For continuous manufacture of optical fibers, bars of homogeneous silica-base material are welded in end to end relation. A silica cladding containing a proportion of index varying dopant which varies as the diameter of the cladding increases is progressively applied on a bar at a time to form successive preforms and the welded preforms are drawn out into fibers.