Fiber optic drop cable
First Claim
1. A fiber optic cable comprising:
- an armor layer having inner and outer surfaces and defining a passageway therethrough;
a water swellable layer on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of said armor layer for inhibiting water migration;
a protective jacket surrounding said armor layer and said water swellable layer; and
at least one optical fiber extending lengthwise through the passageway defined by said armor layer, said optical fiber being capable of contacting at least one of said water swellable layer and said armor layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic cable that includes an armor layer having inner and outer surfaces and defining a passageway therethrough, a protective jacket surrounding the armor layer, a plurality of optical fibers extending lengthwise through the passageway, and a water swellable element for inhibiting water migration through the passageway. The water swellable element can be a water swellable layer on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the armor layer and/or a water swellable yarn extending through the passageway. The fiber optic cable is preferably tubeless, i.e., free of buffer tubes. In instances in which a water swellable layer is on the inner surface of the armor layer, the optical fibers are capable of contacting the water swellable layer. Alternatively, in instances in which the fiber optic cable includes water swellable yarns but not a water swellable layer on the inner surface of the armor layer, the optical fibers are capable of contacting the armor layer and, more particularly, the plastic coating of the armor layer. The fiber optic cable can exhibit shape retention whereby the fiber optic cable can retain a bent shape.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A fiber optic cable comprising:
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an armor layer having inner and outer surfaces and defining a passageway therethrough;
a water swellable layer on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of said armor layer for inhibiting water migration;
a protective jacket surrounding said armor layer and said water swellable layer; and
at least one optical fiber extending lengthwise through the passageway defined by said armor layer, said optical fiber being capable of contacting at least one of said water swellable layer and said armor layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A fiber optic cable comprising:
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an armor layer having inner and outer surfaces and defining a passageway therethrough, said armor layer comprising a metallic layer and a plastic coating on at least the inner surface of the metallic layer, the metallic layer being at least twice as thick as the plastic coating;
a water swellable element disposed within the passageway defined by said armor layer for absorbing water that enters the passageway;
a protective jacket surrounding said armor layer; and
at least one optical fiber extending lengthwise through the passageway defined by said armor layer, said optical fiber being capable of contacting the plastic coating on the inner surface of said armor layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fiber optic drop cable comprising:
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an armor layer defining a passageway therethrough;
a protective jacket surrounding said armor layer and having an outer diameter of about 6.4 mm; and
at least one optical fiber extending lengthwise through the passageway defined by said armor layer, wherein the fiber optic drop cable exhibits shape retention whereby the fiber optic drop cable retains a bent shape once the fiber optic drop cable has been bent. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification