FIBER OPTIC CABLE ASSEMBLY

• US 20140241678A1
• Filed: 05/05/2014
• Published: 08/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bringuier, Anne Germaine, Greenwood, Julian Latelle III, Seddon, David Alan, Slan, Kimberly Dawn, Temple, Kenneth Darrell Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,494,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/113
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02357 Property of longitudinal structures or background material varies radially and/or azimuthally in the cladding, e.g. size, spacing, periodicity, shape, refractive index, graded index, quasiperiodic, quasicrystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0281 Graded index region forming part of the central core segment, e.g. alpha profile, triangular, trapezoidal core G02B6/0288, G02B6/0286 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0365 arranged - - +
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2551 using thermal methods, e.g. fusion welding by arc discharge, laser beam, plasma torch
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3851 Ferrules having keying or coding means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4401 Optical cables glass fibres with a protective coating G02B6/02395
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4403 with ribbon structure G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4404 Multi-podded
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4429 Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/443 Protective covering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4433 Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4434 Central member to take up tensile loads
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44384 the means comprising water blocking or hydrophobic materials G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4473 Three-way systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4483 Injection or filling devices

Abstract

A fiber optic cable assembly includes a distribution cable and a tether cable. The distribution cable includes a jacket having a generally flat profile such that the periphery of the distribution cable, when viewed in cross-section, includes two major surfaces of the jacket that are generally flat and are connected by arcuate end surfaces of the jacket. The jacket defines a cavity therein. Further, the distribution cable includes strength members embedded in the jacket and positioned on opposing sides of the cavity. The distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity. The tether cable includes an optical fiber that is fusion spliced to one of the optical fibers of the distribution cable by way of an opening in a side of the jacket of the distribution cable.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:

a distribution cable comprising a jacket having a generally flat profile such that the periphery of the distribution cable, when viewed in cross-section, includes two major surfaces of the jacket that are generally flat and are connected by arcuate end surfaces of the jacket, wherein the jacket defines a cavity therein, wherein the distribution cable comprises strength members embedded in the jacket and positioned on opposing sides of the cavity, and wherein the distribution cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity; and

a tether cable comprising an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber of the tether cable is fusion spliced to one of the optical fibers of the distribution cable by way of an opening in a side of the jacket of the distribution cable.

2. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising an overmolded portion providing an environmental seal around the spliced connection and the opening in the jacket of the distribution cable.

3. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a multi-fiber ferrule attached to the optical fiber of the tether, the multi-fiber ferrule comprising a portion of a connector.

4. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a ferrule attached to the optical fiber of the tether, wherein the ferrule is a portion of a connector that includes a shroud.

5. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the cavity of the distribution cable is generally rectangular in cross-section.

6. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of the optical fibers of the distribution cable are a portion of a fiber optic ribbon.

7. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a water-swellable component or a water-blocking component.

8. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, further including at least one dry insert disposed within the cavity for coupling the at least one optical fiber with the cable jacket.

9. A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:

a distribution cable comprising a jacket having a generally flat profile such that the periphery of the distribution cable, when viewed in cross-section, includes two major surfaces of the jacket that are generally flat and are connected by arcuate end surfaces of the jacket, wherein the jacket defines a cavity therein, wherein the distribution cable comprises strength members embedded in the jacket and positioned on opposing sides of the cavity, and wherein the distribution cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity; and

a tether cable comprising an optical fiber, wherein the tether cable likewise has a generally flat profile, wherein the optical fiber of the tether cable is optically connected to one of the optical fibers of the distribution cable by way of an opening in a side of the jacket of the distribution cable.

10. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, further comprising an overmolded portion providing an environmental seal around the spliced connection and the opening in the jacket of the distribution cable.

11. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, further comprising a multi-fiber ferrule attached to the optical fiber of the tether, the multi-fiber ferrule comprising a portion of a connector.

12. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, further comprising a ferrule attached to the optical fiber of the tether, wherein the ferrule is a portion of a connector that includes a shroud.

13. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the cavity of the distribution cable is generally rectangular in cross-section.

14. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein at least some of the optical fibers of the distribution cable are a portion of a fiber optic ribbon.

15. A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:

a distribution cable comprising a jacket having a generally flat profile such that the periphery of the distribution cable, when viewed in cross-section, includes two major surfaces of the jacket that are generally flat and are connected by arcuate end surfaces of the jacket, wherein the jacket defines a cavity therein, wherein the distribution cable comprises strength members embedded in the jacket and positioned on opposing sides of the cavity, and wherein the distribution cable comprises a plurality of optical fibers extending through the cavity; and

a tether cable comprising an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber of the tether cable is optically connected to one of the optical fibers of the distribution cable by way of an opening in a side of the jacket of the distribution cable; and

an overmolded portion providing an environmental seal around the spliced connection and the opening in the jacket of the distribution cable.

16. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 15, further comprising a multi-fiber ferrule attached to the optical fiber of the tether, the multi-fiber ferrule comprising a portion of a connector.

17. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 15, further comprising a ferrule attached to the optical fiber of the tether, wherein the ferrule is a portion of a connector that includes a shroud.

18. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 15, wherein the cavity of the distribution cable is generally rectangular in cross-section.

19. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 15, wherein at least some of the optical fibers of the distribution cable are a portion of a fiber optic ribbon.

20. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 15, further comprising a water-swellable component or a water-blocking component.