Abstract: Strength member assemblies including a strength member and at least one glass optical fiber operatively coupled to the strength member. The optical fiber is coupled to the strength member in a manner such that mechanical strains experienced by the strength member are transferred to the optical fiber so that the optical fiber may be interrogated to assess the state of the strength member.

Abstract: Electrical line hardware such as termination arrangements and splices for use with overhead electrical cables that enable the interrogation of the overhead electrical cables through the hardware. The hardware includes at least one port to facilitate access to the strength member of the electrical cable so that interrogation instruments may operatively couple to the strength member and to interrogation elements such as optical fibers associated with the strength member. The interrogation may occur after the overhead electrical cable has been fully tensioned and secured by the hardware, e.g., secured to a support tower.

Abstract: A termination arrangement for securing an overhead electrical cable to a dead-end structure such as a dead-end tower. The termination arrangement includes a compression sheath that is configured to be disposed between a strength member and the conductive strands of the overhead electrical cable. The compression sheath mitigates damage to the strength member that may occur when an outer metallic sleeve is compressed around the conductive strands and the conductive strands are compressed against the strength member. The arrangement is particularly useful for securing overhead electrical cables having a composite strength member to a dead-end structure.

Abstract: A bare overhead electrical cable and a method for the manufacture of an overhead electrical cable. The electrical cable includes a central strength member and at least two conductive layers surrounding the strength member, the two conductive layers being formed from first and second conductive strands respectively. The first conductive strands are formed from first aluminum material and the second conductive strands are formed from a second aluminum material, where the second aluminum material has at least one material property that is different than the same material property of the first aluminum material. For example, the second conductive strands may be formed from an aluminum material having a lower conductivity but higher hardness than the first aluminum material. Such a configuration may be useful when the overhead electrical cable is installed in a geographic region that is subject to heavy ice loading.

Abstract: A termination arrangement for securing an overhead electrical cable to a dead-end structure such as a dead-end tower. The termination arrangement includes a compression sheath that is configured to be disposed between a strength member and the conductive strands of the overhead electrical cable. The compression sheath mitigates damage to the strength member that may occur when an outer metallic sleeve is compressed around the conductive strands and the conductive strands are compressed against the strength member. The arrangement is particularly useful for securing overhead electrical cables having a composite strength member to a dead-end structure.

Abstract: A termination arrangement for securing an overhead electrical cable to a dead-end structure such as a dead-end tower. The termination arrangement includes a compression sheath structure that is configured to be disposed over the individual composite rods of the strength member. The compression sheath structure mitigates damage to the strength member that may occur when an outer metallic sleeve is compressed around the conductive strands and the conductive strands are compressed against the strength member. The arrangement is particularly useful for securing overhead electrical cables having a composite strength member to a dead-end structure.

Abstract: A composite core for an electrical cable, the composite core defining a longitudinal axis that defines a center of the composite core, the core comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing fibers embedded in a resin matrix, the fibers oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and a sheath surrounding the plurality of longitudinally oriented fibers. The sheath may further comprise a plurality of off-axis reinforcing fibers oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis surrounding the longitudinally extending fibers. The sheath may comprise a type of resin, including for example, thermosetting resin or thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A method for making substantially continuous, fiber-reinforced resin stock without drawing the fibers through a separate resin bath comprises: providing a plurality of fiber layers and resin film layers for positioning into an array having fiber layers for its outermost layers. This array is passed, preferably pulled, through a die having an entrance, an exit downstream from the entrance, and a pool area adjacent the die entrance, said pool area having a larger cross-sectional configuration than that of the array. Upon heating of the die, the resin film layers of the array melt to form a pool of molten resin in the pool area of the die. The fiber layers passing through the die are impregnated with resin from the pool area before the resin-impregnated fibers are optionally shaped, then compressed and solidified to form resin stock. A pultrusion die for making substantially continuous, fiber-reinforced stock from a low viscosity thermoplastic resin is also disclosed.