Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) is buried below ground, either by direct burial, or by being pulled through a previously buried duct. During cable burial, the instantaneous resistance between the sheath and ground (the sheath-to-ground resistance) is continuously monitored. If the instantaneous sheath-to-ground resistance drops below a prescribed value, an alarm is generated, signaling a sheath fault. During burial, the length of cable paid out and placed underground is monitored, thus providing an indication of the relative location of the sheath fault.

Abstract: A flexible electrically conductive track including an elongated flexible insulating member (150) providing at least one longitudinally extending slot (159) to receive an electric conductor (158). The conductor (158) includes a pair of generally parallel co-extensive contact strips (165) joined by a plurality of transverse ribs (166). The slots (159) are closed by resiliently displaceable flanges (161) which are displaced to provide access to the conductor (158).

Abstract: A boring operation performed by a boring head (18) is controlled to avoid interference with an adjacent buried conveyance (20) by first locating the conveyance and thereafter establishing a safety zone (24) thereabout. After establishing the safety zone, a check is made along the border (24a) of the safety zone adjacent the intended bore path for the presence of a monitor signal radiated by the bore head. If the bore monitor signal is detected at the safety zone border, an alert is generated.

Abstract: A hand-held spray paint marking tool includes a lower chamber for holding at least one can of spray paint in an inverted position. The chamber extends upward and terminates in a handle grip that includes an activation mechanism. A stencil including the desired marking pattern is attached to the underside of the lower chamber. When the activation mechanism is depressed by the user, the spray paint cans are activated such that the paint passes through the stencil and marks the ground underneath.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an in-line fiber optic cable splice is sufficiently compact so as to allow for the spliced assembly to be wound onto a conventional fiber reel. Various short lengths (for example, 1000 to 3000 feet) of fiber cable can thus be spliced together to form a more conventional length of cable that can be used in different situations. The in-line splice comprises a pair of grip blocks for supporting the end portions of a pair of fiber cables to be spliced together. A pair of metallic sleeves are disposed over the fiber ends, with the cable strength members bent backward over the sleeves, exposing the bundle of optical fibers in the center of the cable. After splicing the cables together, a buffer tube is positioned over the fused region to protect the fibers. An outer heat shrink protective layer is disposed to cover the pair of grip blocks, as well as the buffer tube encased splice region.

Abstract: A plurality of remotely-situated cable-locating transmitters (141-14n) are centrally managed using a database (18) that stores information about each transmitter, including information about the particular version of its operating software. When a software upgrade becomes available, the database is accessed to identify and select those transmitters that need the upgrade. The upgrade is then communicated to each selected cable-locating transmitter, typically via a dial-up communication links (27a-27d, 281-28n).

Abstract: A quick restoration splice block comprises a rectangular block of transparent material including an opening for accepting the prepared endfaces of the pair of fibers to be spliced. A brightly colored indicator stripe is formed on the underside of the fiber opening. As the fiber endfaces are moved toward each other, the indicator stripe will be covered. When the stripe is no longer visible, butt-to-butt coupled of the fibers is achieved.

Abstract: A ribbon marking tool (10) for dispensing a length of warning tape (14) along the ground above a buried conveyance tool includes a housing (20) within which a roll of warning tape (36) is mounted for rotation. A mechanism (32) within the housing serves to feeds the tape out through the housing and to staple the tape to the ground and to sever the tape once a sufficient length of tape is dispensed.

Abstract: More accurate location of a buried utility conveyance (10) is obtained by first detecting, via a detector (34) the actual pattern of radiation (26, 28) of a locating signal impressed on the conveyance. The actual pattern of radiation is compared, by a processor (36) to each of a plurality of reference patterns stored in a database (38), each pattern representing the radiation for a conveyance having a known location. The processor selects the reference pattern that most closely the actual pattern and then provides an indication of the conveyance location associated with the selected reference pattern.

Abstract: A mapping system (10) serves to automatically map a route (13) for a utility conveyance (12) by first establishing the starting and end points (14 and 16) between which the conveyance will run. After establishing the starting and end points, the system automatically determines whether an available right-of-way exists that encompasses the starting and endpoints. If an available right of way exists, the system maps the route along the available right-of-way. After mapping the route, the system automatically identifies any obstacles (39, 40) that lie along the route. The system may also determine whether it is possible to modify the automatically mapped route to avoid such obstacles, and if so, then re-mapping the route accordingly.

Abstract: A cutting tool for removing encapsulant surrounding a fiber optic cable splice includes a rotating cutting head, with the head coupled through a vacuum tube to a collection bag. The cutting head preferably includes alternating rows of cutting blades and brushes, where the brushes function to direct the debris from the cutting head into the vacuum tube.

Abstract: A work station for splicing together a pair of fiber optic cables includes a portable splicing table including a recessed portion for supporting a splice enclosure. The recessed portion extends across the width of the splicing table and allows for a pair of fiber optic cables to enter the table in the recessed portion. A pair of cable grips are included in the recessed area for holding the cables in place during the splicing operation. A plurality of fiber clips may be disposed on the table surface and used to match up the pairs of fibers to be spliced together from the cables.

Abstract: An entity (18) that maintains facilities, such as buried conveyances (12) screens requests by contractors to undertake work that may potentially impact such facilities by comparing the Global Satellite Positioning (GPS) coordinates associated with the location of the work to the GPS coordinates of each facility. In the event that the work will occur within a minimum separation distance from the facility, then the entity maintaining the facility will dispatch a technician to physically locate and mark the facility.

Abstract: A "quick" anchor for placing a temporary restoration cable in place on a utility pole require neither a bucket truck nor ladder to position the anchor and cable. The anchor comprises a non-conductive, hinged cylindrical housing that includes a set of wheels disposed around its perimeter. The housing is positioned to encompass the utility pole at ground level, and then is clamped shut. A technician uses a push bar to move the anchor up the pole, with the wheels facilitating this upward movement. A set of hinged grabbing teeth are disposed around the lower periphery of the anchor to prevent the anchor from descending once it is in place. A pulley assembly is attached to the outside of the anchor and is used to hoist the restoration cable into place.

Abstract: A tube slitter for removing the outer metallic cladding of an optical power ground wire includes a channel guide for directing the movement of the tube slitter along the length of the ground wire. The ground wire includes an inner grooved spacer that engages with the channel guide. A cutting wheel is formed within the tube slitter and is free to rotate as the slitter is pulled along the length of the ground wire. The cutting wheel is positioned to provide a depth of cut sufficient to slit open the cladding tube without damaging the underlying optical fibers.

Abstract: The optical distance along a buried optical fiber (12) from a particular location (13) therealong to a central facility (10) is measured by first applying an intentional stress to the fiber in the form of a vibration signal (35) transmitted into the ground. A timing signal (36) is transmitted to the central facility (10) in synchronism with the application of the stress. Using the timing signal as a reference, the central facility can determine the time difference between when the stress was applied, and when the central facility detected the stress. From the time difference, and a knowledge of the propagation rate of the timing signal, the central facility can establish the optical distance to the particular location at which the stress was applied.

Abstract: A hand-held cutting tool for removing encapsulant surrounding a fiber optic cable splice includes a pair of saw-tooth edged scissor blades, coupled through a gear and drive shaft to a motor included within the tool. When activated, the gear functions to move the pair of blades back and forth, resulting in a scissor motion of the blades sufficient to cut through and remove encapsulant surrounding an fiber optic cable.

Abstract: To locate a defective one of filter/voltage arresters (20.sub.1, 20.sub.2, 20.sub.3, 20.sub.4, . . . 20.sub.n-1), each associated with a corresponding one of splice cases (18.sub.1, 18.sub.2, 18.sub.3, 18.sub.4, . . . 18.sub.n-n) on a buried fiber-optic cable (10), an operator employs a locating apparatus (24) to detect the presence of an AM signal within a prescribed frequency range that is radiated when the filter/voltage arrester becomes defective. By determining the location along the cable where the AM signal has its greatest strength, the operator can accurately establish the location of the defective filter/voltage arrester, thereby avoiding unnecessary excavation of each splice case.

Abstract: An enclosure (10) for temporarily housing a fiber cable splice includes upper and lower halves (14,12) that may be repeatably separated to expose a splice block (20) enclosed therein. The enclosure allows for an interrupted fiber splice arrangement to be securely stored without causing damage to any exposed optical fibers. The bare fibers are disposed in the lower half of the enclosure next to the splice block and held to prevent movement. A pair of grommets (28,30) are inserted in either end of the enclosure to prevent the introduction of water (or any foreign material) into the housing.

Abstract: A repair arrangement for a fiber optic cable metallic sheath is formed of a pair of semi-cylindrical conductive tube sections (32,34) that mate to surround a section of cable (10) with damaged sheathing (12,14). Conductive clamps (36) are used to secure the attachment of the semi-cylindrical sections to the cable. The arrangement is relatively easy and quick to attach to the damaged cable and restores both the physical and electrical integrity to the cable.