Lightweight optical fiber cable
First Claim
1. An optical fiber cable, which comprises:
- a core which includes a plurality of optical fibers;
a single tubular member which has a length and a circular cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof and which encloses said optical fibers, said tubular member having a length which is significantly less than that of each of the optical fibers; and
a sheath system which includes longitudinally extending strength members and a jacket which comprises a plastic material and which is disposed about said core, with the excess length of each optical fiber, the cross sectional area of each optical fiber in said tubular member and the inner diameter of said tubular member being such as to avoid bending losses which are caused by excessive curvature in the optical fibers and by excessive interactive engagement of the optical fibers with an inner wall of said tubular member, the excess length of each optical fiber being sufficient to allow the stiffness of said strength members to be a predetermined value which is relatively low.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical fiber cable (20) ideally suited for aerial distribution use, for example, includes in a preferred embodiment at least one bundle (23) of optical fibers (25--25). The at least one bundle is disposed in a tubular member (30) which is made of a plastic material suitable for use in a relatively wide temperature range and which is enclosed by a sheath system (32). A predetermined excess length of fiber is caused to be disposed in the tubular member. The excess length of each fiber is such that it is sufficient to avoid undue strains on the fiber as the cable core is exposed to the elements and to forces imparted during handling such as during installation. On the other hand, the excess fiber length must not be so great as to result in undue curvature of the fiber or excessive interactive engagement of the fiber with an inner wall of the tubular member. As a result of the magnitude of the excess length of the optical fiber, the requirements which must be met by the sheath system are not as demanding as for prior art cables, thereby resulting in a significant reduction in cable diameter and weight.
154 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An optical fiber cable, which comprises:
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a core which includes a plurality of optical fibers; a single tubular member which has a length and a circular cross section transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof and which encloses said optical fibers, said tubular member having a length which is significantly less than that of each of the optical fibers; and a sheath system which includes longitudinally extending strength members and a jacket which comprises a plastic material and which is disposed about said core, with the excess length of each optical fiber, the cross sectional area of each optical fiber in said tubular member and the inner diameter of said tubular member being such as to avoid bending losses which are caused by excessive curvature in the optical fibers and by excessive interactive engagement of the optical fibers with an inner wall of said tubular member, the excess length of each optical fiber being sufficient to allow the stiffness of said strength members to be a predetermined value which is relatively low. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification