| 摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for assembling an optical fiber communication cable (12) are disclosed. The cable has a tubular core formed from a strip of composite material having a first layer of high strength metal or metal alloy, a plurality of electrical conductors (34) formed by a material having a conductivity in excess of 50% IACS, and an electrical insulating material (32) separating the first layer and the electrical conductors. At least one optical fiber (50) is located within the tubular core (40) which itself may be encased in further layers 76, 78, 80 of dielectric and/or load-bearing material. In the method, the tubular sheath is formed by providing a laminated composite consisting of a strip of electrically insulating material bonded on one face to a layer of high strength metal or alloy and on the other to a layer of electrically conductive metal or alloy. Prior to forming the strip into a tube, e.g. by passage through a die, the electrically conductive layer is segmented by cutting and removing a plurality of parallel strips leaving the underlying insulating layer exposed and leaving a plurality of conductive strips (34) still bonded to the insulating layer and which remain bonded thereto if the strip is formed into the tubular sheathing for the fiber optics. The conductive strips 34 may be bonded either to the internal or external surface of the sheathing.</p> |
