Flexible joint which is used for the repair during the production of metallic
tubes which enclose loosely inside them optical fibers, surrounded by a suitable
filling material or for the connection of long lengths of the above mentioned tubes
during the manufacturing of submarine cables which contain these tubes. The joint
comprises a connecting metallic tube (6), which connects externally with
overlapping at its ends the metallic tubes (3, 10) after splicing is performed
between the optical fibers which they enclose and which are separated in bundles
(1, 2). The mechanical connection of the joint is achieved through plastic
deformation of the over-applied connecting metallic tube by creating grooved rings
(11) at the sections where it overlaps the metallic tubes to be connected
(3,10). The water tightness of the joint is obtained by welding the ends
(8) of the over-applied connecting metallic tube (6) to the external
surface of the metallic tubes to be connected (3, 10). In the case the metallic
tubes carry a plastic coating (4), this is restored in the area of the joint
(9, 5).