JP3714928B2 - Factory joint of optical fiber composite power cable - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a required length by connecting an optical fiber composite type power cable, for example, for the seabed (including for the seabed) combined with a power cable and an optical fiber unit cable at a factory such as a factory before laying. The factory joint for manufacturing the power cable (factory joint, sometimes abbreviated as FJ) has the same or almost the same diameter as the optical fiber unit that does not connect the maximum outer diameter of the cable joint part of the composite optical fiber unit. The present invention relates to a factory joint of an optical fiber composite power cable that can be connected to (quasi-same diameter).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, various optical fiber composite power cables in which an optical fiber cable is combined with a power cable have been developed and put into practical use (Patent Document 1). With optical fiber composite power cables, there is usually a limit to the cable length that can be manufactured in one time due to the manufacturing capacity of the manufacturing equipment in the factory, but the cable distance required for laying work is increased (lengthened). In response to the above, the manufactured fiber optic composite power cables are jointed together, thereby increasing the length of the fiber optic composite power cable shipped from the factory or other manufacturing location. Responding to the demand for scale.
[0003]
In the connection part (factory joint part) of the optical fiber composite power cable, it is necessary to provide a plurality of power cable connection parts and one or more optical fiber unit cable connection parts. In that case, in the connection part of the optical fiber unit cable, considering the convenience of connection between the optical fiber core wires (light is routed to the fuser of the fiber core wire or redoed when a connection error occurs) Is provided with a surplus length (Patent Document 2).
Conventionally, in the connecting portion / branching portion of the optical fiber cable, long and short extra lengths corresponding to the respective optical fiber core wires are accommodated in each slot of the optical closure (Patent Document 3).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-6-148001 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-242325 [Patent Document 3]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-38233
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the finished outer diameter of the connection part of each of the optical fiber unit cable and the power cable is made the same diameter or almost the same diameter (quasi-same diameter) as the outer diameter of each cable. It is desired as a technical problem to include a connecting portion that does not change in the longitudinal direction (referred to as “quasi-same diameter joint”).
However, in the connection portion of the optical fiber unit cable, if the outer diameter of the connection portion increases to accommodate the extra length of the optical fiber core wire (also referred to as “optical fiber core wire”), the optical fiber cable that incorporates the optical fiber cable connection portion is used. There is a possibility that the optical fiber unit part will swell as if the snake swallowed the egg, and the outer diameter of the factory joint part may become thicker because it cannot fit inside the circumscribed circle of the fiber composite power cable. In such a fiber optic composite power cable, there is a possibility that the outer portion of the cable having a large outer diameter may have a defect such as an external damage when the cable is transferred to a ship or when the cable is laid.
[0006]
Further, when the structure of the joint portion becomes complicated, there is a problem that flexibility is deteriorated. Thus, when flexibility is bad, the bending diameter of an optical fiber unit cannot be made small in the process of twisting an electric power cable and an optical fiber unit cable simultaneously, and twisting with an electric power cable core becomes difficult.
Furthermore, in assembling the joint portion, it is necessary to absorb the extra length by, for example, housing the optical fiber core wire in an SZ-shaped groove, but further improvement in workability has been desired.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can maintain flexibility while making the joint portion a quasi-same-diameter joint with a simple structure, and easily reduce the excess length of the optical fiber core wire to SZ. An object of the present invention is to provide a factory joint of an optical fiber composite type power cable that can be twisted to improve workability.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides an optical fiber composite power cable obtained by connecting an optical fiber composite power cable, which is a composite of a power cable and an optical fiber unit cable, at a factory before installation, and lengthening the composite power cable. connecting part for connecting the optical fiber unit cable between the connection portion, the connecting and optical fiber core wires to each other connecting end of the unit cable tension members having the flexible connecting a joint section, on the tension member, A plurality of optical fiber core wire supporting guide portions are arranged at intervals and a joint portion supporting holder is arranged, and the outer periphery of the optical fiber core wire supporting guide portion is arranged in the length direction of the tension member. Contact straight or substantially straight recess in the optical fiber core supporting along is formed with a plurality , The joint portion supporting the holder is a factory joint of the optical fiber composite electric power cable, characterized in that recesses to receive and support the joint portion.
[0009]
According to the present invention, the optical fiber core wire is installed on the support guide portion at least adjacent to the optical fiber core wire support positions of the support guide portions arranged at intervals on the tension member. The optical fiber core wire is installed in an SZ winding at different positions in the circumferential direction in the guide portion so that the extra length can be absorbed, while the optical fiber support position of the support guide portion is set between adjacent support guide portions. The optical fiber core wire can be supported linearly at the same position in the circumferential direction.
As described above, when the optical fiber core wire is installed in the support guide portion, the optical fiber core wire can be easily installed in the SZ winding state by installing the support guide portions at different positions in the circumferential direction. Therefore, the workability of forming the connection portion is greatly improved.
In addition, the maximum outer diameter of the connection portion of the optical fiber unit cable is determined at a place where the joint portion between the optical fiber core wires and the guide portion for supporting the optical fiber core wire are accommodated, but the structure of the support guide portion is simple. It is easy to reduce the outer diameter, so it is possible to fit this part to the lead inner diameter, and the outer diameter including the connection part of the optical unit cable is less than the outer diameter that can be stored inside the circumscribed circle of the power cable it can.
In addition, the joint portion between the optical fiber core wires and the guide portion for supporting the optical fiber core wire are attached at an appropriate interval so as to be disposed on the flexible tension member, so that the bending of the tension member is affected. It is difficult to cause problems at all in terms of flexibility. In this case, an interval at which the same flexibility as the flexibility of the optical fiber composite power cable is obtained, for example, an interval of 50 to 500 mm is desirable. Further, the material of the guide portion for supporting the optical fiber core wire is preferably a resin (plastic) made of a lightweight and appropriate elastic material.
Further, since the guide portion for supporting the optical fiber core wire has a simple configuration in which a linear or substantially linear support recess is formed on the outer peripheral portion, the guide portion has a curved shape corresponding to SZ winding. It is not necessary to form a recess such as a groove, and the configuration of the guide portion is simple.
Further, it is not necessary to perform troublesome work such as installing the optical fiber core wire in the SZ-shaped groove to install the optical fiber core wire to the guide portion, and the optical fiber can be placed at an arbitrary first position of the guide portion. Workability is improved because the core wire may be partially installed and installed in another guide portion at a second position that is different from the first position in the circumferential direction.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 is a cross-sectional view of a submarine optical fiber composite power cable connected by a factory joint in the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a slot-type optical unit cable, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a loose tube type optical unit cable. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment of the connecting portion of the composite power cable, FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of each portion of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is an optical fiber in the optical fiber unit cable connecting portion of FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the cover for the extra length absorption of the core wire, FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of the cover of the optical fiber unit cable connecting portion, FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment of the connecting portion of the composite power cable, FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of each part of FIG. 6.
[0011]
Plant joint of the optical fiber composite electric power cable according to the embodiment is obtained by elongated connecting at the factory before laying the power cable and the optical fiber composite electric power cable that the optical fiber unit cable complexed.
In other words, the present invention relates to a factory joint that forms a finished outer diameter of a connecting portion of an optical fiber composite power cable so that it has a quasi-same diameter (same diameter or almost the same diameter) as the composite power cable other than the connecting portion. the, as shown in FIG. 1, (three in the embodiment: shown at 12 a to 12 c) 1 or more optical fiber unit cable 12 three cables core 10 (10a to 10c) collectively by bundling The inclusion 13a is put in the gap, and the periphery is protected with a pressing tape 13b, a floor plastic string 13c, a galvanized iron wire 13d, and an exterior plastic string 13e.
[0012]
That is, in the cable core 10, an inner semiconductive layer 16, an insulator 18, an outer semiconductive layer 20, a semiconductive watertight layer 22, a lead coating 24, and a floor tape 26 are arranged in this order around the central watertight conductor 14. It is installed.
Further, in the case of the spacer type optical fiber unit cable 12, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 2, a spacer having a plurality of recesses (slots) 32 such as grooves on the outer peripheral portion on the tension member 28 located in the center of the cross section. 30, the required number of optical fiber core wires 34 (12 core optical fiber core wires 34 (1 to 12) in FIG. 2) are arranged in the plurality of recesses 32 around the spacers 30, and the recesses 32. The inner space is filled with jelly, and a presser winding 36 is provided around the spacer 30, and a polyethylene (PE) sheath 38, a lead sheath 40, and a floor tape 42 are disposed on the outer periphery thereof.
If the optical fiber unit cable 12 is a loose tube type, as shown in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 3 , one or more loose tubes 44 are disposed around the tension member 28 at the center of the optical fiber unit cable 12. The tube 44 accommodates a plurality of optical fiber core wires 34 in a state where the optical fiber core wire 34 is floated by a jelly 46.
In the optical fiber unit cable 12 shown in FIG. 3, an appropriate number of linear fillers for filling gaps are provided in the remaining space of the loose tube 44 accommodating one or more optical fibers disposed around the tension member 28. 48 (an appropriate number can be replaced with the loose tube 44 is also possible in design), and is twisted around the tension member 28 as a whole, and the periphery of the tension member 28 is filled with the jelly compound. The reinforcing member 50 is reinforced.
A wrapping 52, a black polyethylene sheath (inner sheath) 54, a lead sheath 56, and a black polyethylene sheath (outer sheath) 58 are disposed on the outer periphery of the reinforcing member 50.
[0013]
The first embodiment and the second embodiment of the connecting portion of the optical fiber unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, in order to facilitate understanding of the state of the connection portion, a connection portion (joint) bent into a U-shape is illustrated, but the connection portion can be freely bent with the same bending radius as that of the composite power cable. It has a structure that can be bent, and may be linear or bent in any other state.
[0014]
That is, in the first embodiment type state, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the connecting portion 60 for connecting the optical fiber unit cable 12, 12 to each other at the connection portion of the composite power cables, optical fiber unit cable 12 to each other connection end 12a, with a tension member 62 for connecting the tension members 28, 28 12a are those tied Ida.
The connecting portion 60 connects the optical fiber core wires 34 and 34 with a joint portion 64, and the optical fiber core wires to be connected are arranged on the tension member 62 with a plurality of optical fiber core wire supporting guide portions 66 being spaced apart. It is arranged.
In the connection portion 60 between the optical fiber unit cables 12 and 12, the support recess that is linear or substantially linear along the length direction of the tension member 62 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the optical fiber core wire support guide portion 66. 68 is formed, and the optical fiber core wire 34 is installed on the support guide portion 66 by setting the optical fiber core wire support positions of the support guide portions 66 arranged on the tension member 62 at intervals. At least the adjacent support guide portions 66 are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction so that the optical fiber core wire 34 can be installed in an SZ winding shape so that the extra length can be absorbed, while the support guide portion 66 supports the optical fiber. The optical fiber core wire 34 can be supported in a straight line by setting the position to the same position in the circumferential direction by the adjacent support guide portions 66, and the optical fiber core wire. Also linearly installed by 4 Reconnect is obtained by allowing the corresponding.
[0015]
Specifically, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sheaths 38 (see FIG. 2) and the reinforcing members of the connection ends 12 a and 12 a of the optical fiber unit cables 12 and 12 to be connected. 50 (see FIG. 3) is peeled off, and the optical fiber core wire 34 is provided with a required length (length considering reconnection from the connecting portion length L1: extra length) and the tension member 28 is relatively short. Leave L2. In this case, the outer peripheral protective coating is peeled off to the position where the required length L3 is returned from the lead, and the lead coatings 40 and 56 are exposed.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting tension member 62 is compression-connected or screwed to the tension member 28 protruding from the connecting ends 12a and 12a of the optical fiber unit cables 12 and 12 to be connected by a sleeve-like connecting fitting 70. It is tightened and fixed by stopping.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one supporting guide portion 66 is disposed adjacent to the already connected end portion 12a through the tension member 28 in the central hole 66a. The placement is fixed. When viewed in cross-section, the support guide 66 has a gear-like slot (support recess 68) formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a required number of optical fiber core wires 34 are accommodated in the slot.
In this case, when the optical fiber core wire 34 is accommodated in the support guide portion 66 arranged at an appropriate interval on the tension member 62, as shown in FIG. by the separation to different positions in the circumferential direction of the adjacent groups in each supporting guide portion 66 arranged slots (supporting concave mill 68) for accommodating the optical fiber core 34, extra length and SZ winding accommodated To absorb. Moreover, taking out the optical fiber core 34 from the slot (supporting concave mill 68) when it fails the welded optical fiber core line 34 connecting portions, the same position in the circumferential direction of the adjacent groups in each supporting guide portion 66 Slot (the supporting concave mill 68) housing the optical fiber core line 34 for containing a straight line.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 5, a ring-shaped guide cover 72 that is partly cut off (notch 72 a) is provided on the outer periphery of the supporting guide portion 66 that accommodates the optical fiber core wire 34 to prevent the optical fiber core wire 34 from falling off. Is externally fitted. The guide cover 72 is expanded in diameter by a notch 72a and can be externally fitted to the support guide portion 66.
Further, the joint portion 64 of the optical fiber core wire 34 is covered with a cylindrical sleeve body 64 a, and the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve body 64 a is fitted and fixed in a concave portion 74 a on the outer periphery of the holder 74 fixed to the tension member 62. The
However, at the same position in the length direction of the tension member 62, the optical fiber core wire 34 cannot be connected to more than four locations. Therefore, the joint portions 64 and the holders 74 that support the joint portions 64 are provided at a plurality of locations in the length direction. ing.
[0019]
After the optical fiber core wire 34 is accommodated in the guide portion 66 and the guide cover 72 is externally fitted as described above, the optical fiber core wire 34 between the guide portions 66 is covered with the spiral tube 76 along the tension member 62. And fix the position. The connection end 12a of the optical fiber unit cable 12 is waterproofed by fitting a lead sheath (not shown).
In a state where the optical fiber core wire 34 is housed in the guide portion 66 and the holder 74, the circumscribed circle is positioned on the inner side of the outer diameter of the optical fiber unit cable 12 by removing the thickness of the cover 78 described later.
And the whole connection part 60 is covered with the cover 78 which shows a cross-sectional shape in FIG.
The cover 78 has a double structure of an inner tube 78a and an outer tube 78b. After the housing process of the optical fiber core wire 34 is completed, the entire connection portion 60 is inserted into the wide slit 78c in the inner tube 78b. The inner tube 78a is covered from the outside through the slit 78c, and the outer tube 78b is covered on the outer side to cover the whole.
[0020]
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in FIGS. 4 and 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one optical fiber core wire supporting guide portion 80 is disposed adjacent to the already connected end portion 12a through the tension member 28 in the central hole 80a. A plurality of tension members 62 are arranged and fixed. Further, when the supporting guide portion 80 is viewed in cross section, a box-shaped accommodation slot (supporting recess) 82 partially cut away on the outer peripheral surface is formed and fixed in pairs with the tension member 62 interposed therebetween. The accommodation slot 82 has a notch 82a so that the required number of optical fiber core wires 34 are accommodated. The guide portion 80 accommodates the optical fiber core wire 34 through a notch in a housing slot 82 having a substantially rectangular cross section. Then, the accommodation positions of the optical fiber core wires 34 in the accommodation slots 82 are alternately arranged in the radial direction (cross-sectional width direction) of the tension member 62 in the same manner as in FIG. 6 (or from one accommodation slot 82 to the other accommodation slot. 82) and is accommodated by SZ winding so as to absorb the extra length of the optical fiber core wire 34. Also, when welding fails at the connecting portion of the optical fiber core wire 34, the optical fiber core wire 34 is taken out from the receiving slot 82 (supporting concave portion), and the adjacent guide portions 80 are accommodated at the same position in the circumferential direction between adjacent ones. The optical fiber core wire 34 is linearly accommodated in the slot 82 (recessed recess).
The guide portion 80 also serves as a holder for the joint portion 64. The joint portion 64 is accommodated in the accommodating slot 82 and the optical fiber core wire 34 is passed through the remaining portion. In other configurations, the same reference numerals are given to the common parts with the first embodiment.
[0021]
According to the present embodiment, the optical fiber core wire 34 is installed on the tension member 62 at an interval in the connection portion between the optical fiber unit cables 12 and 12. By installing the portions 66 and 80 by alternately changing the positions in the circumferential direction, SZ winding can be performed so that the extra length of the optical fiber core wire 34 can be absorbed.
Accordingly, when the optical fiber core wire 34 is installed on the support guide portions 66 and 80, the optical fiber can be easily wound in the SZ winding state by installing the support guide portions 66 and 80 at different positions in the circumferential direction. The core wire 34 can be installed, and the workability of forming the connection portion is greatly improved. On the other hand, the support position of the optical fiber core wire 34 of the support guide portions 66 and 80 is set to the same position in the circumferential direction by the adjacent support guide portions 66 and 80 so that the optical fiber core wire 34 can be supported linearly. is there.
Further, the guide portions 66 and 80 for supporting the optical fiber core wire have a simple configuration in which linear or substantially linear support recesses 68 and 82 are formed on the outer peripheral portion. There is no need to form a recess such as a groove corresponding to SZ winding, the structure of the guide portion is simple, and the optical fiber core wire is placed in the SZ-shaped groove where the optical fiber core wire is also installed in the guide portion. The optical fiber core wire is partially installed at an arbitrary first position of the guide part, and the first position is a position in the circumferential direction at the other guide part. The workability is improved because it is only necessary to perform the work of installing at the second position where the position is changed.
In addition, the maximum outer diameter of the connection portion 60 of the optical fiber unit cable is determined at a place where the joint portion 64 of the optical fiber core wires 34 and the optical fiber core wire support guide portions 66 and 80 are accommodated. Since the portions 66 and 80 have a simple structure and are easy to reduce the outer diameter, this portion can be accommodated to the lead inner diameter, and the outer diameter including the connection portion of the optical unit cable can be set to the outer circle of the power cable. The outer diameter can be stored below the inner diameter.
Further, since the joint portion 64 of the optical fiber core wires 34 and the guide portions 66 and 80 for supporting the optical fiber core wire are mounted on the tension member 62 having flexibility, they are attached at an appropriate interval. It is difficult to affect the bending of 62, and no problem arises in terms of flexibility. In this case, an interval at which the same flexibility as the flexibility of the optical fiber composite power cable is obtained, for example, an interval of 50 to 500 mm is desirable. In addition, the material of the guide portion for supporting the optical fiber core wire is a resin (plastic) that is light and has an appropriate elasticity.
Further, since the optical fiber core support guide portions 66 and 80 have a simple configuration in which a linear or substantially linear support recess is formed on the outer peripheral portion, the guide portions 66 and 80 are wound with SZ. It is not necessary to form a recess such as a curved groove corresponding to the above, and the configuration of the guide portion is simple.
Further, it is not necessary to perform troublesome work such as fitting the optical fiber core wire into the SZ-shaped groove to install the optical fiber core wire 34 to the guide portions 66 and 80, and any first of the guide portions. Workability is improved because the optical fiber core wire is partially installed at the position, and the second guide position is changed to the second position which is different from the first position in the circumferential direction. .
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, flexibility can be maintained while making the joint portion a quasi-same diameter joint with a simple structure, and the excess length of the optical fiber core wire can be easily SZ twisted. The workability can be greatly improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a submarine optical fiber composite power cable connected by a factory joint in the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a slot type optical unit cable.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a loose tube type optical unit cable.
FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a connecting portion of the composite power cable.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of each part of FIG. 4;
6 is an explanatory diagram of an extra length absorption arrangement of an optical fiber core wire in the optical fiber unit cable connection part of FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a cover of an optical fiber unit cable connection portion.
FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of the connecting portion of the composite power cable.
9 is a cross-sectional view of each part of FIG. 8. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Cable core 12 Optical fiber unit cable 34 Optical fiber core wire 60 Connection part 62 of optical fiber unit cables 62 Tension member 66 Guide part 68 for optical fiber core wire support Support recess (slot)
72 Guide cover 74 Holder 76 Spiral tube 78 Cover 80 Optical fiber core wire support guide portion 82 Support recess (slot)

Claims (1)

At the factory joint of the fiber optic composite power cable, which was made by connecting the fiber optic power cable combined with the power cable and the fiber optic unit cable at the factory before laying,
The connecting portion for connecting the optical fiber unit cable between the composite electric power cable connections, connecting the tether and the optical fiber core wires to each other connecting end of the unit cable tension members having the flexible joint, the On the tension member, a plurality of optical fiber core wire support guide parts are arranged at intervals and a joint part support holder is arranged,
A plurality of linear or substantially linear recesses for supporting the optical fiber core line are formed along the length direction of the tension member on the outer peripheral portion of the guide section for supporting the optical fiber core line ,
A factory joint for an optical fiber composite power cable, wherein the joint support holder is formed with a recess for receiving and supporting the joint.

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