Abstract: A splice for joining the armoring of two wire-armored cables (1, 2). The armoring is clamped between conical parts (5, 9; 6, 10) at each cable end. Each inner conical part (5, 6) is integral with a flange (7, 8) bolted to one of two similar flanges (13, 14) fixed to opposite ends of a generally tubular flexible assembly itself constituted by three layers of metal wires. The innermost first layer (22) is wound helically. The other two layers (19, 20) are wound with substantially equal and opposite pitches. The inside diameters of the first layer and of the circular openings in each of the two flanges (13, 14) fixed thereto are such that the flexible assembly is capable of sliding at one of its ends over at least one of the cables to be connected after its armoring layers have been removed, and at its other end over the splice (21) between the cables themselves. The invention also provides a method of making the splice.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring the laying of a deep sea cable or flexible pipeline (1) from a vessel (22). The apparatus comprises a sleeve threaded on the cable or flexible pipeline and having sliding means (4) tangential to said cable or pipeline and measuring means (3A) for measuring variables indicative of the position of the sleeve and for transmitting their values, positive buoyancy means (8) mechanically connected to the sleeve, an auxiliary small chain (19) suspended from the sleeve and extending down to the sea bed, the mass per unit length of the chain, and the masses and volumes of the sleeve and of the positive buoyancy means being such that the sleeve is maintained around that part of the cable which is situated at a substantially constant height above the sea bed (21), which height is relatively small compared with the depth of the sea bed.

Abstract: A machine for winding a cable on a circular area (100), the cable (10) arriving vertically above the center of said area and being deployed by a deployment wheel (11), said area including an inner ring wall (102) and an outer ring wall (103) delimiting a winding tank therebetween, the machine comprising a stand (2) removably mounted at the center of the inner ring wall of the tank, a generally vertical pillar (3) rotatably mounted on said stand, and a hinged guide arm (4) for guiding the cable from leaving the deployment wheel to a winding end (8) of adjustable radial position thereby enabling: firstly successive coils to be laid next to one another as the cable is wound; and secondly the guide arm to be stored along the pillar when not in use. The machine is particularly intended for use when loading cable onto cable ships.

Abstract: Extension (1) of a coaxial cable core (21) made of a tube. This extension is characterized by the fact that it includes a cylindrical socket (2) with tapered end (4) of a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the tube and made flexible by longitudinal slots (6), a polygonal nut (10) of which angles (11) are introduced in longitudinal slots (6) of socket (2), a traction screw (12) which is screwed into the nut and includes a pick-up end (16); this traction screw abutting against the tube, after introducing the nut into socket (2), then this socket in core (21), thus pulling the nut longitudinally to push apart and tighten the flexible tapered section on core (21) inner wall (21').

Abstract: Device protecting a coaxial cable against high-powered low-frequency spurious pulses. A lightweight, compact device comprising a microstrip T-junction (5) folded back in the shape of an E on a substrate (6) integral to a single ground plate (7), with the branches of the E between the center point A and the coaxial plugs (1, 2) forming a quarter wavelength, as does the center horizontal branch of the E between points A and B. According to one of the variants, two microstrips arranged in parallel and separated by a dielectric substrate establish a quarter-wave trap. Application to microstrip resonant circuits.

Abstract: A coiling-down tank (1) comprises a circular outer wall (3) delimiting a coiling-down zone, and cable (4) to be coiled down (e.g. heavy electric cable) is delivered to the machine (10) from a point (80) vertically above the center of the tank. The machine comprises an upper support bracket (70) mounted to rotate about the vertical axis of the tank, a sloping coiling-down arm (20) connected at its upper end to said bracket and supported at its lower end by running means disposed to run along the said wall (3) of the tank (1). The arm is fitted with a carriage (30) that is longitudinally displaceable along the arm, and an inlet chute (60) receives cable from the point (80). The inlet chute guides the cable into the carriage, and the lower end of the carriage serves to dispense the cable into the tank for coiling down.

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: 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: 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 electric cable and in particular a coaxial cable, said cable having at least one conductor surrounded by electrical insulation and at least one longitudinal strength member formed by a cord of aromatic polyamide fibres, disposed parallel to the conductor or twisted in a helix therearound. Various kinds of cords are described: twisted; non-twisted; in one or in several layers; embedded in insulation or constituting the insulation.

Abstract: The device includes a moving mould 2 which defines a cylindrical mould cavity 12 closed on one side and open on the other. The repair material 10 is brought through an annular orifice, the pressure of the material drives the slidable mould towards the right (closed side) and the hardening material completes the closing of the mould which, while moving, can cover any distance and the length of the packing to be effected is therefore not limited, while the volume of the tooling is small. A fixed sleeve 3 is used to prime the operation.

Abstract: A device for connecting optical fibres comprises two identical units fitted to the respective ends to be joined. Each unit has an alinement structure in which the end portion of the fibre is held resiliently by a bend in the fibre leading to the clamp. The units are mated with their alinement structures alined and face to face with their respective fibre end portions meeting end to end substantially half way along the alinement structures.

Abstract: A connection device allowing optical fibres manufactures in a factory to be connected together in the field by end pieces. Each end piece comprises a fibre clamped between three cylindrical rods which lie tangential to each other in pairs and encompass a fibre in their central clamed. The end pieces are disposed on either side of a mounting assembly comprising alignment structures constituted by V-shaped grooves in which the fibre and the rods are inserted. Means are provided to press on the rods transversally. According to one variant, this function is fulfilled by elastomer cylinders compressed by clamping the plates of the mounting assembly. Application : Optical fibres for telecommunications.

Abstract: A multiple optical fibre cable in which the fibres can be used separately for long distance signal transmission comprises a central core round which the optical conductors are concentically disposed. Each optical conductor is constituted by an optical fibre protected by a first layer or covering of polyamide and a second layer or sheath of polyethylene. In order to avoid distortion of the optical fibre, the second layer or sheath is stretched. Application: Optical telecommunications cables.

Abstract: A covering of thermoplastic material applied to a bare portion of optical fibre by pressure molding.The device for performing the pressure molding includes a micro injection cylinder and a mold having a distribution chamber with injection holes distributed over the fibre to be covered.