Optical fiber cable provided with stabilized waterblocking material
First Claim
1. An optical fiber cable, which comprises:
- a core comprising at least one optical fiber transmission medium;
a sheath system which is disposed about said core; and
a filling composition of matter which is disposed about the transmission medium in said core, said filling composition of matter comprising a hydrocarbon, a block copolymer, a colloidal filler and an antioxidant system which includes a hindered phenol sulfide in combination with a metal deactivator selected from the group consisting of dialkyldithiophosphates and diaryldithiophosphates.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable of this invention includes a core comprising a plurality of coated optical fibers and a filling composition of matter which is disposed about the fibers. Typically, the fibers and the filling material are diposed within a tubular member which is disposed within a sheath system. The sheath system include longitudinally extending strength members and a plastic jacket. The filling composition which fills interstices in the core is one which includes an oil constituent which is a relatively high molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbon. The aliphatic hydrocarbon is a synthetic oil such as polyalphaolefin or mineral oil. A relatively large percent by weight of an antioxidant system is used to prevent thermal oxidative degradation of the filling material as well as of materials in contact with the filling material. Advantageously, for stabilization and metal deactivation, the composition includes zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or diaryldithiophosphate. A styreneethylene propylene copolymer is also included in order to reduce oil separation of the filling material. A fumed silica is used to impart gel properties to the material.
475 Citations
12 Claims
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1. An optical fiber cable, which comprises:
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a core comprising at least one optical fiber transmission medium; a sheath system which is disposed about said core; and a filling composition of matter which is disposed about the transmission medium in said core, said filling composition of matter comprising a hydrocarbon, a block copolymer, a colloidal filler and an antioxidant system which includes a hindered phenol sulfide in combination with a metal deactivator selected from the group consisting of dialkyldithiophosphates and diaryldithiophosphates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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- 7. A composition of matter for filling optical fiber cables comprising a hydrocarbon, a block copolymer, a colloidal filler and an antioxidant system which includes a hindered phenol sulfide in combination with a metal deactivator selected from the group consisting of dialkyldithiosphates and diaryldithiophosphates.
Specification