Asymmetric structure fiber optic cable

• US 5,982,966 A
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 11/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Segem Communication
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Bonicel, Jean-Pierre
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US08/993,692
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 385/100-105, 385/147
• US Class Current: 385/100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4402 with one single optical waveguide G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4403 with ribbon structure G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/441 built up from sub-bundles G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4429 Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4434 Central member to take up tensile loads

Abstract

A fiber optic cable comprises, in a sheath, a tube in which the optical fibers are disposed and a single reinforcing member. These components are arranged so that the neutral axis of the tube and that of the cable coincide.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable including a sheath, a housing provided in said sheath and in which said optical fibers are disposed and a single reinforcing member embedded in said sheath, said sheath, said housing and said reinforcing member having transverse axes situated on a common axis, wherein at least one of the component parts of said cable defined by said sheath, said housing and said reinforcing member has an oblong cross-section the greatest dimension of which is situated on said common axis, thereby constituting a neutral axis of preferential bending of said cable.

2. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing member has an oblong section, the greatest dimension of said section defining the neutral axis of said cable.

3. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing has an oblong section, the greatest dimension of said section defining said neutral axis of said cable.

4. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said sheath has an oblong section, the greatest dimension of said section defining said neutral axis of said cable.

5. The cable claimed in claim 2 wherein said sheath has a circular section.

6. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing member is made of a reinforced synthetic material.

7. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing member is made of metal.

8. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing is a tube.

9. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing is a micro-sheath.

10. The cable claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing is a void in said sheath.