Fiber optic cable
First Claim
1. A fiber optic cable comprising:
- a single bend-insensitive optical fiber that extends along a length of the fiber optic cable, the optical fiber including a first cladding layer surrounding a core, a trench layer surrounding the first cladding layer, a second cladding layer surrounding the trench layer, and a coating layer surrounding the second cladding layer, the coating layer having an outer diameter less than 500 μ
m;
a strength layer including a sheet-like reinforcing structure, the sheet-like reinforcing structure surrounding-the single bend-insensitive optical fiber to form a cylindrical reinforcing tube, the sheet-like reinforcing structure having longitudinal edges that overlap each other along a longitudinal seam, the reinforcing tube extending along the length of the fiber optic cable; and
an outer jacket surrounding the sheet-like reinforcing structure, the outer jacket having an outer diameter less than 1.6 mm, and the outer jacket extending along the length of the fiber optic cable; and
the fiber optic cable having a construction with no buffer layer positioned between the coating layer of the single bend-insensitive optical fiber and the sheet-like reinforcing structure, wherein the reinforcing tube formed by the sheet-like reinforcing structure defines a longitudinal bore for receiving the single bend-insensitive optical fiber, and wherein the reinforcing tube defined by the sheet-like reinforcing structure contacts the coating layer of the single bend-insensitive optical fiber and is configured to separate the single bend-insensitive optical fiber from the outer jacket;
wherein the sheet-like reinforcing structure includes aramid yarns held together by a matrix material that maintains a distribution of the aramid yards around the single bend-insensitive optical fiber, and wherein the matrix material of the sheet-like reinforcing structure is bonded to an inner diameter of the outer jacket.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength layer surrounding the optical fiber, and an outer jacket surrounding the strength layer. The strength layer includes a matrix material in which is integrated a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength layer, a first electrical conductor affixed to an outer surface of the strength layer, a second electrical conductor affixed to the outer surface of the strength layer, and an outer jacket. The strength layer includes a polymeric material in which is embedded a plurality of reinforcing fibers. A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable includes mixing a base material in an extruder. A strength layer is formed about an optical fiber. The strength layer includes a polymeric film with embedded reinforcing fibers disposed in the film. The base material is extruded through an extrusion die to form an outer jacket.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A fiber optic cable comprising:
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a single bend-insensitive optical fiber that extends along a length of the fiber optic cable, the optical fiber including a first cladding layer surrounding a core, a trench layer surrounding the first cladding layer, a second cladding layer surrounding the trench layer, and a coating layer surrounding the second cladding layer, the coating layer having an outer diameter less than 500 μ
m;a strength layer including a sheet-like reinforcing structure, the sheet-like reinforcing structure surrounding-the single bend-insensitive optical fiber to form a cylindrical reinforcing tube, the sheet-like reinforcing structure having longitudinal edges that overlap each other along a longitudinal seam, the reinforcing tube extending along the length of the fiber optic cable; and an outer jacket surrounding the sheet-like reinforcing structure, the outer jacket having an outer diameter less than 1.6 mm, and the outer jacket extending along the length of the fiber optic cable; and the fiber optic cable having a construction with no buffer layer positioned between the coating layer of the single bend-insensitive optical fiber and the sheet-like reinforcing structure, wherein the reinforcing tube formed by the sheet-like reinforcing structure defines a longitudinal bore for receiving the single bend-insensitive optical fiber, and wherein the reinforcing tube defined by the sheet-like reinforcing structure contacts the coating layer of the single bend-insensitive optical fiber and is configured to separate the single bend-insensitive optical fiber from the outer jacket; wherein the sheet-like reinforcing structure includes aramid yarns held together by a matrix material that maintains a distribution of the aramid yards around the single bend-insensitive optical fiber, and wherein the matrix material of the sheet-like reinforcing structure is bonded to an inner diameter of the outer jacket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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9. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic cable including a bend insensitive optical fiber including a first cladding layer surrounding a core, a trench layer surrounding the first cladding layer, a second cladding layer surrounding the trench layer, and a coating layer surrounding the second cladding layer, the coating layer having an outer diameter less than 500 μ
- m, a strength layer formed by a reinforcing sheet including a plurality of tensile reinforcing fibers held together by a matrix material, and an outer jacket, the method comprising;
shaping the reinforcing sheet around the bend insensitive optical fiber from a flat configuration into a cylindrical reinforcing tube having an outer diameter less than 1.2 mm by passing the bend insensitive optical fiber and the reinforcing sheet through a longitudinal folding tool where the reinforcing sheet is shaped about the bend insensitive fiber such that no buffer layer is positioned between the bend insensitive optical fiber and the cylindrical reinforcing tube; forming the outer jacket about the cylindrical reinforcing tube by extruding a thermoplastic material about the cylindrical reinforcing tube such that the outer jacket has an outer diameter less than 1.6 mm; and thermally bonding the thermoplastic material to the matrix material during extrusion of the outer jacket about the cylindrical reinforcing tube. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 16, 17)
- m, a strength layer formed by a reinforcing sheet including a plurality of tensile reinforcing fibers held together by a matrix material, and an outer jacket, the method comprising;
Specification