Abstract: A cable for conveying both electrical power and optical signals, the cable having an electric conductor with insulation therearound, a sheath around the insulation, a one or two part protective layer around the insulation, a tube within the protective layer and at least one optical fiber loosely received in the tube. The protective layer can have armoring therearound and in this case, the radial thickness of the protective layer is from two to four times the diameter of the tube.

Abstract: Method for joining thermoplastic cores having spaced, longitudinal surface grooves for receiving optical fibers or electrical wires. A heat shrinkable plastic sleeve is applied over the end of one of the cores. A piece of a core selected so that the ends of the grooves match, at each end, the grooves of the cores to be joined, is inserted between the ends of the cores in abutting relation with the cores, and malleable metal elements, longer than the piece and having the cross-sectional shape of the grooves are inserted in the grooves of the piece with the ends thereof in the grooves of the cores. The sleeve is slid over the elements-piece assembly and heated so that it shrinks therearound, so that the plastic of the piece and the cores is softened and the grooves conform to the shape of and embed the elements and so that the ends of the piece fuse with the ends of the cores.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting optical fibres, whereby said optical fibres provided with at least one protective covering, are caused to be cut by the transveral movement of two blades rigidly connected to one another and forming an angle of less than 45.degree. between them.

Abstract: A traction resistant termination for a tube which transports fluids under high pressure, the tube having an inner tubular member of an elastomeric or plastomeric material surrounded by at least two helically wound layers of metal straps. The tubular member is received within a first hollow cylindrical body extending from a flange having an opening therethrough with which the body is coaxial. The layers of metal straps and a powder having a hardness greater than the hardness of the straps and surfaces adjacent thereto are clamped between the first body and a second hollow cylindrical body coaxial with the first body. At least one of the first and second bodies is integral with the flange. Also, a method of interconnecting the tube with such bodies.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for making a flexible tube comprising a plurality of helicoidal metal members in side-by-side relation. In the process, metal strips, shaped to the desired configuration, are twisted around their longitudinal axes to helicoidal shape, the twisting being sufficient to cause the shape to be retained if the strip is released. Thereafter, the so-shaped strip is bent around an axis extending in the width direction of the strip by an amount sufficient to cause the strip to have a radius substantially equal to the tube radius. The strips are then laid up, side-by-side into a tube. The apparatus comprises a rotatable cage carrying bobbins having the strips thereon, two pairs of preshaping rollers to produce the twist and the bend mounted for rotation with the cage, a mold for laying up the helicoidal strips, a guide element for the strips intermediate the rollers and the mold and a take-up bobbin or drum for winding up the tube as it leaves the mold.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping an electrical cable for the purpose of raising the cable from, or for lowering it into, the water. The clamp comprises a plurality of clamping units which are disposed in series in the direction of the length of the cable and which are held together by a pair of flexible wire ropes in a manner which permits them to articulate with respect to each other. Each unit comprises a pair of jaws for receiving the cable therebetween, and the jaws are urged against the cable by adjustable screws acting through springs to press the jaws toward each other.

Abstract: Method for joining electrically and mechanically the multiple aluminum wires of a pair of electrical cable conductors in which the bared conductor ends are beveled and welded together and a metal sleeve, which is more rigid than the aluminum of the conductors, is applied around the weld and lengths of the conductors at each side of the weld and compressed until the sleeve has an outer size substantially equal to the size of the portions of the conductors at each side thereof. The sleeve has inner grooves for receiving displaced aluminum, and if the conductors have central channels, the channels are joined at the conductor ends by a relatively incompressible tube which fits into the channels and which may have peripheral grooves for receiving displaced aluminum. Also, a cable joint made by such method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming grooves in a reinforced, thermoplastic filament and for inserting optical fibers in the grooves. The reinforced filament is pulled longitudinally through a die having rollers corresponding to the number of grooves, and the rollers are pressed against the thermoplastic material to form the grooves. The rollers may be at room temperature or may be heated to temperature above room temperature and below the melting point temperature of the thermoplastic material. The fibers are inserted in the grooves as the filament leaves the die and preferably, the filament is wrapped with a binding, e.g. a tape, after the fibers are inserted in the grooves so as to seal the grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting optical fibers into helical grooves in a plastic core advanced through a rotatable, rigid body which has conduits for guiding the fibers from bobbins mounted on a rotatable cage into the grooves, the ends of the conduits engaging the walls of the grooves which cause the body to rotate as the core is advanced, said apparatus having drive means for advancing the core separate from the drive means for the rotatable cage and having detecting and control means for detecting angular and direction of rotation differences between the cage and the rigid body and correcting such differences by control of the rotation of the cage by its drive means.