Fiber optic cables and assemblies and the performance thereof

• US 7,995,885 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2010
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Register, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIANNI, KAVEH C
• Application Number:
  US12/685,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20100178016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 385/102, 385/103, 385/104
• US Class Current: 385/102
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02357 Property of longitudinal structures or background material varies radially and/or azimuthally in the cladding, e.g. size, spacing, periodicity, shape, refractive index, graded index, quasiperiodic, quasicrystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02366 Single ring of structures, e.g. "air clad"
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4402 with one single optical waveguide G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4432 with fibre reinforcements

Abstract

A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber such as a micro structured bend performance optical fiber disposed within a protective covering. The protective covering is highly flexible and the fiber optic cable has extremely low delta attenuation when aggressively bent compared with the conventional fiber optic cable designs. By way of example, the delta attenuation of one fiber optic cable design is about 0.33 dB or less when wrapped 3 turns about a 7.5 millimeter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable, comprising:

at least one optical fiber; and

a protective covering, the protective covering disposed about the at least one optical fiber, wherein the fiber optic cable has a delta attenuation of about 0.22 dB or less for a corner bend test with a load of 10 kilogram at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers, wherein

the protective coating provides a bend control mechanism for inhibiting bending of the at least one optical fiber at a diameter of 5 millimeters or less.

2. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the fiber optic cable having a delta attenuation at of about 0.33 dB or less when wrapped about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

3. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, further including at least one strength member, wherein the protective covering is coupled about the at least one strength member for inhibiting buckling of the at least one optical fiber therein.

4. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber having a buffer layer thereon.

5. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the fiber optic cable being flame-retardant.

6. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the fiber optic cable having a protective covering that includes a buffer layer and a jacket.

7. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the protective covering has an ultimate elongation of about 500% or more measured according to DIN 53504.