Process for introducing an optical cable into solid ground

Abstract

The invention relates to a process for introducing an optical cable, in the form of a microcable or minicable ( 1 ), in solid ground ( 17 ) with the aid of a laying unit ( 23 ). The microcable or minicable ( 1 ) used for this purpose comprises a homogeneous and pressurized-water-tight tube ( 8 ) which has an external diameter of from 2.0 to 10 mm and into which optical waveguides ( 3 ) are introduced.

1 - 122 . (canceled)  
   
   
       172 . A fiber optic cable installation structure comprising: 
 a surface defining a channel having a width of about 12 mm or less;    a cable disposed within the channel, said cable having at least one optical waveguide disposed within a copper tube and a jacket surrounding the copper tube, wherein the copper tube has a ratio of a wall thickness to an external diameter, the ratio being in the range of about 0.2 to about 0.05; and    a filling material overlying the cable and at least partially filling the channel, the filling material at least partially comprised of material not previously evacuated to form the channel.    
   
   
       173 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , wherein the cable has a diameter of about 10 mm or less.  
   
   
       174 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , wherein the surface defines the channel to have a width of about 7 mm or less.  
   
   
       175 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , wherein the cable has a diameter of about 5.5 mm or less.  
   
   
       176 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , wherein the surface defines the channel to have a depth of about 15 cm or less.  
   
   
       177 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , wherein the surface comprises a solid surface selected from the group consisting of asphalt, concrete, road surface, curbstone, and stone slab.  
   
   
       178 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , further comprising a release element disposed within the channel and extending lengthwise along the cable, the filling material also overlying the release element.  
   
   
       179 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , wherein the filling material is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of bitumen and a hot melt adhesive.  
   
   
       180 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 172 , further comprising a hold-down device, the hold-down device disposed within the channel for holding the cable within the channel.  
   
   
       181 . A fiber optic cable installation structure comprising: 
 a surface defining a channel;    a cable disposed within the channel, the cable comprising a copper tube and at least one optical waveguide disposed within the tube;    a hold-down device, the hold-down device disposed within the channel for holding the cable within the channel; and    a filling material overlying the cable and the hold-down device and at least partially filling the channel.    
   
   
       182 . The fiber optic cable installation of  claim 181 , the copper tube having a ratio of a wall thickness to an external diameter, the ratio being in the range of about 0.2 to about 0.05  
   
   
       183 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 181 , wherein the surface defines the channel to have a width of about 12 mm or less and the cable has a diameter of about 10 mm or less.  
   
   
       184 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 181 , wherein the surface defines the channel to have a width of about 7 mm or less and the cable has a diameter of about 5.5 mm or less.  
   
   
       185 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 181 , wherein the surface defines the channel to have a depth of about 15 cm or less.  
   
   
       186 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 181 , wherein the surface comprises a solid surface selected from the group consisting of asphalt, concrete, road surface, curbstone, and stone slab.  
   
   
       187 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of  claim 181 , wherein the filling material is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of bitumen and a hot melt adhesive.  
   
   
       188 . A fiber optic installation structure comprising: 
 an elongate body defining at least one lengthwise extending copper duct disposed within a channel defined by a solid surface, wherein the channel has a depth of about 15 cm or less;    at least one optical waveguide disposed within at least one lengthwise extending copper duct defined by the elongate body; and    a filling material overlying the elongate body and at least partially filling the channel.    
   
   
       189 . The fiber optic installation structure of claim  161 , wherein the elongate body is sized to fit within the channel having a width of about 12 mm or less.  
   
   
       190 . The fiber optic installation structure of claim  161 , wherein the elongate body is sized to fit within the channel having a width of about 7 mm or less.  
   
   
       191 . The fiber optic cable installation structure of claim  161 , wherein the solid surface is selected from the group consisting of asphalt, concrete, road surface, curbstone, and stone slab.