Abstract: A method of measuring variation in the elongation of a very long element of small transverse dimensions and made of magnetizable material, optionally covered by non-magnetic material, and running between a lower elongation zone and a higher elongation zone, or vice versa, said method consisting in periodically magnetically marking the elongate element simultaneously at two points spaced apart by a predetermined distance therealong in a first one of said zones, and then in detecting the instants at which said magnetic marks pass at least one point situated in the other one of said zones.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for stranding armor wires (11) about a cable core (10), the apparatus comprising a rotary plate (2) equipped with armor wire bobbins (3), a rotary distributer grid (4) driven by the plate, and a stranding die (5) for bringing together the armor wires around the cable core. The improvement lies in the apparatus including a coupling (20) situated between the plate and the distribution grid, together with a brake (40) for stopping the distribution grid. If a stranding operation is interrupted, the distribution grid is braked and stopped in time with the cable core stopping its longitudinal movement, leaving the plate to continue to rotate for a turn or more under its own inertia. Excess twist is thus prevented from crushing the cable core.

Abstract: A method of injecting a viscous filler material into fiber-receiving grooves in the core (1) of an optical fiber cable, the method comprising the steps of: winding a first tape (5) spirally around the fiber-containing core and leaving gaps between adjacent turns of the said first tape; passing the taped core through a calibrated bore (12) of slightly greater diameter; injecting (11) viscous filler material into the said bore at a pressure chosen in relation to the speed of progress of the core through the bore to ensure that the filler material passes through the gaps between the adjacent turns of the tape to completely fill the volume of the grooves that is unoccupied by the fibers, but without the filler material being able to extend back along the grooves upstream from the point of injection; and winding a second tape spirally around the core containing both the fibers and the filler material in its grooves, said second tape being wound so as to close the gaps between the turns of the first tape.