OPTICAL USB CABLE WITH CONTROLLED FIBER POSITIONING

• US 20110229097A1
• Filed: 03/16/2011
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Roberts, Reginald, Register, James A. III
• Granted Patent: US 8,885,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/101
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4407 with internal fluted support member G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4432 with fibre reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 11/22 Cables including at least one electrical conductor together with optical fibres

Abstract

Methods of controlling the position of an optical fiber having a minimum bend radius within an optical fiber channel in a fiber optic cable having a small footprint are disclosed. The position of the optical fibers is controlled so that the fiber is not bent at a radius below its minimum bend radius.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable comprising:

a polymer jacket having a channel therein, the channel having a first slot;

at least one optical fiber in the first slot;

a first electrical conductor; and

a second electrical conductor,

wherein the optical fiber is positioned in the first slot and remains within the first slot when the fiber optic cable is bent a maximum amount such that a bend radius of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

2. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the cable has a diameter in the range of 2.8-3.2 millimeters.

3. The fiber optic cable of claim 2, wherein the first slot is arranged on a first axis, and a second axis extends through the first and second electrical conductors.

4. The fiber optic cable of claim 2, wherein the first slot has a height in the range of 1.2-1.8 millimeters.

5. The fiber optic cable of claim 3, wherein the first electrical conductor is located on a first side of the first slot and the second electrical conductor is located on an opposite side of the first slot.

6. The fiber optic cable of claim 5, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are located in a second slot aligned with the second axis and intersecting the first slot, the first and second slots being defined in part by four projections of the cable jacket extending inwardly toward a geometric center of the cable.

7. The fiber optic cable of claim 5, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are embedded in the polymer jacket.

8. The fiber optic cable of claim 5, wherein the first electrical conductor has a first centerline and the second electrical conductor has a second centerline, a spacing between the first and second centerlines being in the range of 1.2-1.75 millimeters.

9. The fiber optic cable of claim 3, wherein the cable has a preferential bend axis of minimum bend moment of inertia about the second axis.

10. A fiber optic cable comprising:

a polymer jacket having a channel therein;

at least one optical fiber in the channel;

a first electrical conductor on a first side of the channel; and

a second electrical conductor on a second side of the channel,

wherein the optical fiber is positioned in the channel and remains within the channel when the fiber optic cable is bent a maximum amount such that a bend radius of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

11. The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the cable has a diameter in the range of 2.8-3.2 millimeters.

12. The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein the channel has a height in the range of 0.6-1.4 millimeters.

13. The fiber optic cable of claim 12, wherein the electrical conductors are in the range of 24-28 American wire gauge (AWG).

14. The fiber optic cable of claim 13, wherein the channel is arranged on a first axis that extends through the first and second electrical conductors.

15. The fiber optic cable of claim 14, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are embedded in the polymer jacket.

16. The fiber optic cable of claim 14, further comprising a strength material disposed within the channel and contacting the at least one optical fiber.

17. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, wherein the strength material comprises an aramid yarn.

18. The fiber optic cable of claim 17, wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber.

19. The fiber optic cable of claim 18, wherein first and second optical fibers are arranged side-by-side in the channel, the first optical fiber being located between the second optical fiber and the first electrical conductor.

20. The fiber optic cable of claim 18, wherein the first axis is a preferential bend axis of minimum bend moment of inertia for the cable.

21. A fiber optic cable comprising:

a polymer jacket having a channel therein, the jacket having a modulus of elasticity of less than 2500 MPa;

at least one optical fiber in the channel;

a first electrical conductor;

a second electrical conductor; and

a relatively soft elastomeric material extruded into the channel and contacting the at least one optical fiber.

22. The fiber optic cable of claim 21, wherein the cable has a diameter in the range of 2.8-3.2 millimeters.

23. The fiber optic cable of claim 21, wherein the electrical conductors are in the range of 24-28 American wire gauge (AWG).

24. The fiber optic cable of claim 22, wherein the first and second electrical conductors are embedded in the polymer jacket.

25. The fiber optic cable of claim 24, further comprising an aramid yarn strength material disposed within the channel.

26. The fiber optic cable of claim 22, wherein the at least one optical fiber comprises a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber.

27. A fiber optic cable comprising:

a polymer jacket having a channel therein and a diameter in the range of 2.8-3.2 millimeters, the channel having a width at least twice as large as a height of the channel;

at least one optical fiber in the channel; and

a strength material disposed within the channel and contacting the at least one optical fiber,

wherein the optical fiber is positioned in the channel and remains within the channel when the fiber optic cable is bent a maximum amount such that a bend radius of the optical fiber is greater than or equal to a minimum bend radius of the optical fiber.

28. The fiber optic cable of claim 27, wherein the channel has a height in the range of 0.6-1.4 millimeters.

29. The fiber optic cable of claim 27, wherein the electrical conductors are in the range of 24-28 American wire gauge (AWG) and wherein the strength material comprises an aramid yarn.