Abstract: The application of low loss optical fibers in optical communication systems requires that the glass fibers are suitably packaged into a cable. This invention provides a system of multiple optical fibers between two tapes or films, one of which holds the fibers on the film by pressure-sensitive adhesive and in spaced relation to one another. The fibers are covered by a second film, preferably thinner than the first film, and secured to the first film along the edges of the films to provide a laminated structure suitable for cabling. Spacers between the films eliminate asymmetric pressure of the covering film against the optical fibers which are nearest to the edges of the films; and the spacers are preferably strength members for stiffening the laminate.

Abstract: This specification describes a novel apparatus and method for testing optical wave guides to determine the optical attenuation and to locate faults in the optical fiber. The light for test purposes is launched into the fiber by one or more light beams that surround the wave guides and that are focussed to converge from around the circumference and at the axis of the wave guide; the convergence being at low angles of incidence, so that some of the light enters the wave guide. The remaining light launched into the wave guide in opposite directions at a location, nearer to one end than to the other, is measured at opposite ends of the wave guide. The ratio of the light at the opposite ends of the wave guide and the difference in the length of travel of the light from the region of entry to each end is used to compute attenuation. Faults are found by internal reflections of the light beam in the wave guide.

Abstract: High-voltage power cables with extruded dielectric plastic insulation, installed underground, have their life shortened by the formation of electrochemical trees in the insulation. This invention provides a high-voltage power transmission cable constructed with sealant in interstices of a stranded conductor that are not filled by the semi-conducting material of a conductor shield of the cable. The construction prevents or greatly delays the formation of electrochemical trees in the insulation of the cable. The sealant prevents entrance of air into the cable at cable ends, and the passage of the humidity of the air through the conductor shield to an interface between the conductor shield and the inside surface of insulation that surrounds the conductor shield.

Abstract: Mobile lifting equipment having a wheeled vehicle with a frame. The boom structure is mounted on the frame for rotation about a vertical axis, raising and lowering the same about a horizontal axis and for extension and retraction with respect to the vehicle. The boom structure includes an outer boom and an inner boom which is mounted for telescoping movement in the outer boom. First and second extension cylinders are carried by the outer boom for extending and retracting inner boom with respect to the outer boom. An elevation cylinder is connected to the outer boom and is provided for raising and lowering of the boom structure. An elevation control is provided for supplying hydraulic fluid to the elevation cylinder. Piping is provided for connecting the elevation cylinder to one of the first and second extension cylinders so that extension of said one of said first and second extension cylinders is limited by the amount of hydraulic fluid which has been supplied from the elevation cylinder.

Abstract: This apparatus is for evaluation installed cable systems, including those that are already in use. The apparatus measures dissipation factor, partial discharge (corona) and insulation resistance of the cable system; all of these being necessary to determine the condition of the cables. This invention is unique, in that it can be used with installed cable systems that have their metallic shielding grounded; and the apparatus can be mounted on a truck or trailer for movement to any place where an installed system is to be evaluated.

Abstract: This optical fiber cable has the optical fibers adhered to a support. An assembly including the fibers and the support is carried by a core element having a helical channel in which the fiber assembly is located and free to adjust itself to accommodate bending of the cable without subjecting the optical fibers to pressure or to bends that are excessively sharp. The construction also avoids pressure on the optical fibers from binders, core tapes, or the cable sheath when the cable is bent. It also avoids micro-bending losses. Locating of the optical fibers closer to the cable axis further decreases bending losses.

Abstract: This invention is an improved filling compound for preventing moisture penetration along the interior of high voltage electric power cables. Amorphous polypropylene, mixed with carbon where it must be semiconductive, is an extremely good filling compound because of its electrical characteristics and also because of its good flow characteristics when extruding. When the cable is to be used under conditions where it must withstand temperatures so low that the polypropylene becomes brittle, it can be blended with polyisobutylene rubber to withstand lower temperatures, but the blend must be kept within limits to prevent loss of the good flow characteristics of the amorphous polypropylene.

Abstract: This improved stop joint is used at connections of one length of electric cable to another, for the purpose of preventing fluid in one length of cable from contacting fluid in the next length of cable. The joint includes a stop tube that surrounds the end portion of one length of cable and that is made with a mid-portion of resin base material, preferably reinforced, and end portions of metal connected to the resin base material by fluid-tight connections. These metal end portions are secured to the pipe or shield that surrounds one or both of the lengths of cable. Parts are constructed so as to minimize the time and cost of making the connections between the cable lengths and the connecting of the stop joint with the pipe or shield that surrounds the respective cables.

Abstract: This invention is an improved method for dispersing antioxidant material in cross-linkable insulation for electric cables. The antioxidant, which has a high melting point, is dissolved in a carrier, preferably the cross-linking agent, to obtain a solution of low melting point that is dispersed through the pellets of insulation when the ingredients are mixed in a blender. Improvements in the blender cycle reduce the content of fines, improve dispersion of the antioxidant and shorten the blending cycle. The preferred ingredients used are 4,4'-thiobis (6 tert-butyl-m-cresol) as the antioxidant and dicumyl peroxide as the cross-linking agent.

Abstract: Filling compounds for high voltage, electric power transmission cables have been deficient in one characteristic or another, such as incompletely filling voids during manufacture, forming voids when cables are in service, lack of permanent adhesion to cable components to prevent passage of water lengthwise of the cable, and low drip point when cables are at elevated temperatures. This invention is a cable filled with a compound of isobutylene rubber that obtains all of the desirable filler characteristics for a high voltage power transmission cable.

Abstract: This invention is a single die by which thermoplastic insulating compounds can be co-extruded without any die for the first layer. It makes possible the extrusion of a high-density solid polyethylene skin layer over a cellular polyethylene primary insulation. Such a combination is difficult or impossible to make with a conventional co-extrusion die having a wire guide tip, one combination tip/die and a secondary extrusion die.

Abstract: This internally shielded telephone cable provides more efficient shielding for meeting near-end crosstalk requirements in carrier systems having expanded channel capacity and increase in equivalent frequency from 772 kHz to 1.576 MHz or higher. The improved shielding uses tapes bent into configurations that obtain greater shielding area from a single tape, and constructions that are less expensive than prior art and produce a mechanically stronger and more unitary cable structure.

Abstract: This invention makes extruded, vulcanized, high voltage cables insulated with thermosetting compounds at much higher rates of production and with superior insulation of reduced thickness and with reduced cavities or voids in the insulation. As the cable comes from an extruder, it passes into a curing chamber with a heat booster that quickly raises the insulation to a temperature at which it is cured much more quickly than with steam heating of the prior art. A high temperature liquid in contact with the insulation maintains the high temperature; and because of the greater curing heat, the cable can travel through the curing chamber at a faster rate and into a cooling tube where it contacts with a cooling liquid under high pressure. The insulation compound is treated to reduce the size of cavities; and the high pressure maintained by the curing and cooling mediums prevent expansion of cavities before the insulation is set.

Abstract: This specification discloses simplified wire payout apparatus for paying out wire directly from a box in which the wire is shipped, thus eliminating the necessity of providing mechanical payout equipment such as has been required on utility service trucks. For light-weight and low cost, a corrugated paperboard carton is used as a shipping container; and provision is made for paying out the wire without removing a spool, on which the wire is wound, from the box. The spool is preferably also made of corrugated paperboard.

Abstract: This invention is a wire and transport system for a communication cable manufacturing facility. Bobbins wound with insulated wire roll down a bobbin track from a location where the wires are drawn and covered with a layer of insulation. A number of full bobbins accumulate on the track, and they are transferred to an elevator that delivers them to a multi-layer inventory storage rack. Final alignment of the elevator with the tracks and compartments of the inventory storage rack is under the control of electronic apparatus; but the positioning of the elevator in the vicinity of the selected track or storage compartment is controlled by an operator who rides on a carriage on which the elevator shaft is mounted.

Abstract: In high voltage power cables with metal shields that have lap seams with the seam edges movable with respect to one another, a bridging tape is frequently used over the seam and a plastic cable jacket covers the metal shield and the bridging tape. This invention provides a novel bridging element that covers the lap seam and that is made of soft and resilient material with edge portions thinner than the center of the bridging element to provide a streamline contour.

Abstract: This invention receives paired bobbins from a pairing machine, stores the various bobbins of a given color coding in separate compartments of a rack, and selectively discharges bobbins to an elevator in accordance with the demand from a cabling machine. The elevator extends for the length of the rack and receives the desired bobbins with the color coded pairs called for by remote control from the cabling machine. The compartments of the storage racks slope in a direction that cause bobbins to roll from the rack by gravity on to the elevator; and the elevator slopes to discharge bobbins by gravity to a floor conveyor that carries them to the cabling machine.

Abstract: This invention makes possible the use of a very small pressure relief valve for protecting pressure gauges, thermometers, humidity indicators and other detectors from excessive pressure in an element in which the fluid is contained and of which the indicators must measure a characteristic. The pressure relief valve is located in an exhaust branch outlet from passages that connect the detector with the element in which the fluid is contained; and the relief valve has a housing with an inlet port of a cross-section much less than the cross-section of the passage from the element containing the fluid. This inlet port throttles the flow of fluid into the relief valve. By thus reducing the cross section of the inlet port, the relief valve can be as small and inexpensive as desired, commensurate with the flow required by the detector where the detector is of a nature requiring a flow of the fluid.

Abstract: This specification describes a fiber optic cable in which the delicate glass fibers are supported by carriers which protect the fibers from stresses imposed during the manufacturing process, the installation of the cable and the environmental conditions after installation. Microbending of the fibers is eliminated by having smooth supports and by protecting the fibers from contact with any structure that will stress them. Another feature is the provision of tension elements in the carriers with neutral axes in transverse alignment with the neutral axes of the glass fibers that the carriers support.

Abstract: This cord connector for printed wiring cards is self-latching to the printed wiring card so that the conventional hold down screws are no longer necessary. The shell halves that protect the connector contacts are interlocking to facilitate the original assembly of the connector.