Optical cables with flexible strength sections

• US 6,567,592 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dunn, Kenneth F. Jr., Gimblet, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): NASRI, JAVAID H
• Application Number:
  US09/676,035
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 385/101, 385/102, 385/103, 385/104, 385/105, 385/106, 385/107, 385/109, 385/110, 385/111, 385/112, 385/113
• US Class Current: 385/113
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4416 Heterogeneous cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4429 Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/182 comprising synthetic filaments
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/183 forming part of an outer sheath

Abstract

A fiber optic cable (40) having at least one optical component (1,2,3) therein, and a cable jacket (8) surrounding the optical component. Strength sections (6,7) are defined between the optical-component and the cable jacket, the strength sections comprising generally crescent-like cross sections. The generally crescent-like cross sections have respective generally concave and generally convex faces (9,10). The generally concave face (9) has a general center that is preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of the cable, and the generally convex face (10) has a general center that is preferably offset from a longitudinal.axis of the fiber optic cable. The convex faces subtend respective angles (∝) of about 45° to about 160°. The cable jacket (8) defining contact interfaces (11,12) with the optical component, the contact interfaces being respectively disposed between the strength sections (6,7). A fiber optic cable having relatively large, force-absorbing transverse dimensions is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable having at least one optical component therein, said fiber optic cable comprising:

a cable jacket surrounding said optical component, said cable jacket defining at least one contact interface with said optical component;

strength sections defined between said optical component and said cable jacket, at least one of said strength sections comprising a generally crescent-like cross section.

2. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said at least one crescent-like cross section having convex and concave surfaces generally coterminous at respective ends thereof.

3. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said strength sections being located in generally opposed locations relative to a longitudinal axis of said cable.

4. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said at least one strength section comprising a convex face subtending an angle of about 45°

to about 160°

that is generally offset from a longitudinal axis of said fiber optic cable.

5. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said at least one strength section comprising a convex face subtending an angle of about 60°

to about 145°

that is generally offset from a longitudinal axis of said fiber optic cable.

6. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said at least one strength section comprising a convex face subtending an angle of about 50°

to 135°

that is generally offset from a , longitudinal axis of said fiber optic cable.

7. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said at least one strength section comprising substantially unbonded structural fibers.

8. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said cable jacket being pressure extruded to compact the strength sections.

9. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said jacket being with longitudinal grooves.

10. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said strength sections defining a preferred bending axis.

11. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, said strength sections comprising dielectric or metallic materials.

12. A fiber optic cable having at least one optical component therein, said fiber optic cable comprising:

a cable jacket surrounding said optical component;

discrete strength sections defined between said optical component and said cable jacket, said strength sections comprising generally crescent-like cross sections;

said generally crescent-like cross sections comprising respective generally convex and generally concave faces, said generally convex face having a general center that is offset from a longitudinal axis of said fiber optic cable, and said generally concave face having a general-center that is aligned with said longitudinal axis of the cable.

13. The fiber optic cable of claim 12, said convex faces subtending an angle of about 45°

to about 160°

.

14. The fiber optic cable of claim 12, said cable jacket defining contact interfaces with said optical component, said contact interfaces being respectively disposed between said strength sections.

15. The fiber optic cable of claim 12, said strength sections defining a preferred bending axis.