41
MAIN TELECOM PROJECTS
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Use of the PRY-CAM to measure partial discharges
significantly reduces the environmental impact of such
measurements, as a direct consequence of its small size
and weight (less than 1 kg). Given its extreme portability,
the PRY-CAM can be placed in a small backpack, rather than
moved in bulky cases. Further advantages stem from its low
consumption: the PRY-CAM uses less than one Watt which,
compared with the dozens of Watts used by competing
instruments, guarantees markedly superior energy efficiency.
The Prysmian Group is working on all products and processes
for the production of fibre, optical cables and telecom cables
in order to reduce their environmental impact as much as
possible. In particular, the following lines of development are
being addressed by the Telecom Solutions business:
• Development of the new family of fully dry, loose tube
cables: eliminating the internal use of grease and gels
halves the time required to prepare terminations and limits
consumption of the raw materials needed to produce grease
and gels.
• Development of faster processes at every stage of cable
production: better calibration of the machines involved
Intensive R&D activity in the Energy and Telecom sectors
has resulted in further growth in the number of patents held
by the Group, especially in high-tech and high value-added
segments. This wealth reflects the major investment made in
these areas by the Group in recent years, which is important
for the protection of our current and future business activities.
Protecting the portfolio of patents and trademarks is a key
part of the Group’s business, particularly in relation to our
strategy of growth in high-tech market segments.
As of 31 December 2013, the Prysmian Group holds 5,731
patents and patent applications throughout the world (up
since 2012), covering 905 inventions (of which about 30% in
the Energy sector and 70% in the Telecom sector). 37 new
patent applications were filed during 2013, of which 23 in
This characteristic offers undoubted advantages in terms
of usability, thanks to a small, light battery that charges
rapidly, as well as reductions in the losses from transformers,
heat leak and complex power and/or recharging systems.
This feature means that the PRY-CAM can even be installed
without access to an independent energy source, since it is not
difficult to draw such a limited amount of electricity from the
systems under test, which are generally power cables.
has almost doubled the production speed for some cable
processes, thus reducing the unit time and energy required
to manufacture one km of cable.
• Development of high density cables, achieving a world
record of 4.8 fibres/mm
2
.
• Development of a family of cables with a suitable modulus
of elasticity, capable of being blown at maximum speed
for the maximum distance: reducing installation time and
increasing the jetting distance also reduces the amount of
energy used during the cable installation process.
the Telecom sector and 14 in the Energy sector. Following
examination, 209 patents were granted during the year, 37 by
the European Patent Office (EPO) and 59 in the United States.
The most important products, typically involving specific
characteristics or a specific production process, are protected
by trademarks that allow them to be identified and guarantee
their uniqueness. At the end of 2013, the Prysmian Group
also owns more than 3000 registrations for 648 different
trademarks covering the names and logos of our companies,
activities, products and product lines in the countries where
we are active.
The Group gave its inventors 101 Gold Awards and 169 Silver
Awards during the year. These awards recognise, respectively,
the granted patents and patent applications filed recently.
