Abstract: Optical cable in which an optical waveguide within a protective sheath is in contact with a mixture of hydrophilic and hydrophobic powders, the hydrophilic powder being non-swellable and forming a viscous solution in contact with water to prevent ice crystal formation.

Abstract: Laying optical waveguides into sinuous grooves of a support filament while holding the grooves in the same position as the filament passes through a waveguide laying station by causing the filament to twist in oscillatory fashion during passage through the station. The grooves are held in the same positions by positionally fixed guide projections located in the grooves. By this laying method, the waveguides themselves are not oscillated around the support filament as they are fed into the laying station. Also, guide elements to feed the waveguides into the grooves extend downstream to a wrapping station whereby tape wrapped around the support filament also is wrapped around the guide elements. The waveguides exit from the guide elements after the tape has been wrapped.

Abstract: Laying optical waveguides and electrical conductors onto a support filament in two separate laying operations spaced along a feed path of the filament.