Binder film for a fiber optic cable
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A sub-assembly of a fiber optic cable, the sub-assembly comprising:
- a central strength member;
core elements wound about the central strength member in a stranded configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding, wherein the core elements comprise buffer tubes, wherein the buffer tubes contain optical fibers, and wherein the buffer tubes include a water-blocking element; and
a binder film overlaying and surrounding the stranded core elements, wherein the binder film forms a continuous closed loop in cross-section that extends lengthwise, wherein the binder film constrains the core elements in the stranded configuration, and wherein the binder film comprises a polymeric material having a Young'"'"'s modulus of 3 gigapascals or less, thereby providing a relatively high springiness to the binder film so that the binder film may conform to the shape of the core elements and not overly distort the core elements, and thereby reducing likelihood of attenuation of the optical fibers.
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Abstract
A fiber optic cable, or a sub-assembly thereof, includes core elements and a binder film. The core elements are wound in a stranded configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding. The binder film overlays and surrounds the stranded core elements, and constrains the core elements in the stranded configuration.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sub-assembly of a fiber optic cable, the sub-assembly comprising:
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a central strength member; core elements wound about the central strength member in a stranded configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding, wherein the core elements comprise buffer tubes, wherein the buffer tubes contain optical fibers, and wherein the buffer tubes include a water-blocking element; and a binder film overlaying and surrounding the stranded core elements, wherein the binder film forms a continuous closed loop in cross-section that extends lengthwise, wherein the binder film constrains the core elements in the stranded configuration, and wherein the binder film comprises a polymeric material having a Young'"'"'s modulus of 3 gigapascals or less, thereby providing a relatively high springiness to the binder film so that the binder film may conform to the shape of the core elements and not overly distort the core elements, and thereby reducing likelihood of attenuation of the optical fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fiber optic cable, comprising:
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a central strength member; core elements wound about the central strength member in a stranded configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding, wherein the core elements comprise buffer tubes, wherein the buffer tubes contain optical fibers, and wherein the buffer tubes include a water-blocking element; a binder film overlaying and surrounding the stranded core elements, wherein the binder film is 0.5 millimeters or less in thickness and comprises a polymeric material having a Young'"'"'s modulus of 3 gigapascals or less, thereby providing a relatively high springiness to the binder film so that the binder film may conform to the shape of the core elements and not overly distort the core elements, and thereby reducing likelihood of attenuation of the optical fibers; and a jacket surrounding the binder film, wherein the jacket thicker than the binder film. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of manufacturing a sub-assembly of a fiber optic cable on a manufacturing line, comprising steps of:
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stranding core elements around a central strength member in a configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding, the core elements comprising buffer tubes, wherein the buffer tubes contain optical fibers, and wherein the buffer tubes include a water-blocking element; extruding a binder film to surround the core elements; and opposing torque induced by the stranded core elements with equipment positioned in close proximity to a closing point of the core elements on the manufacturing line where the core elements come together from the stranding step to contact one another and/or the central strength member in the stranded configuration, thereby limiting unwinding of the stranded core elements as the binder film cools and shrinks to constrain the core elements. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification