Joining clamp for fibre optics cable - is thermoplastic clamp fused to plastic cable sheath by ultrasonic heating while subjected to radial force

摘要

A joint clamp is applied to a fibre-optical cable with a thermoplastic sheath. The clamp is also made of a thermoplastic which will fuse with the material of the sheath under the influence of heat. The sheath (3) is partly stripped from the cable (1) at the end to be joined. The clamp (7) is applied, encircling both the stripped portion and part of the adjacent sheath. The clamp is then exposed to a radial ultrasonic radiation whilst subjected to radial force, so that the part of the clamp bearing on the sheath fuses with the envelope, and the part of the clamp bearing on the stripped cable softens and forces the individual strands of the cable together, replacing the sheath envelope.