Fiber Optic Cables and Assemblies and the Performance Thereof

• US 20110135259A1
• Filed: 12/16/2010
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guenter, Cory, Rhyne, Todd, Register, James III
• Granted Patent: US 8,447,154 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/103
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/02342 characterised by cladding features, i.e. light confining region
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0365 arranged - - +
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4402 with one single optical waveguide G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4403 with ribbon structure G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/443 Protective covering
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4432 with fibre reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4478 Bending relief means

Abstract

A fiber optic cable having optical fibers such as a microstructured bend performance optical fibers 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. Other variations of the present invention include a connector attached to the fiber optic cable.

Claims

1. A fiber optic cable, comprising:

a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber being a microstructured bend performance optical fiber;

a first buffer layer on the first optical fiber;

a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber being a microstructured bend performance optical fiber;

a second buffer layer on the second optical fiber; and

an outer jacket surrounding the first and second buffer layers, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.4 dB or less when wrapped 2 turns about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

2. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.2 dB or less when wrapped 2 turns about a 7.5 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

3. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.15 dB or less when wrapped 2 turns about a 15 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

4. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.07 dB or less when wrapped 2 turns about a 15 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

5. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the first and second buffer layers have an ultimate elongation of 500% or more measured according to DIN 53504.

6. The fiber optic cable of claim 5, wherein the outer jacket has an ultimate elongation of 500% or more measured according to DIN 53504.

7. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the fiber optic cable having an average delta attenuation of 0.1 dB or less for a corner bend test under a load of 2 kilograms and a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

8. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the first and second buffer layers comprise a PVC material.

9. The fiber optic cable of claim 8, wherein the outer jacket comprises a PVC material.

10. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, further comprising at least one strength member, the at least one strength member being in part disposed between the first and second buffer layers.

11. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein aramid strength members are disposed between the first buffer layer and the outer jacket.

12. The fiber optic cable of claim 11, wherein the outer jacket is pressure extruded around the aramid strength members and is coupled to at least one strength member by partial embodiment of at least one of the strength members in the outer jacket.

13. The fiber optic cable of claim 12, wherein the first buffer layer is generally spaced from the second buffer layer and the first buffer layer has at least one point of contact with the second buffer layer along a length of the cable.

14. A fiber optic cable, comprising:

a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber being a microstructured bend performance optical fiber;

a first buffer layer on the first optical fiber;

a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber being a microstructured bend performance optical fiber;

a second buffer layer on the second optical fiber; and

an outer jacket surrounding the first and second buffer layers, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.1 dB or less for a corner bend test under a load of 6 kilograms and a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

15. The fiber optic cable of claim 14, the fiber optic cable having an average delta attenuation of 0.08 dB or less for a corner bend test under a load of 6 kilograms and a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

16. The fiber optic cable of claim 14, wherein the first and second buffer layers have an ultimate elongation of 500% or more measured according to DIN 53504 and the outer jacket has an ultimate elongation of 500% or more measured according to DIN 53504.

17. The fiber optic cable of claim 14, wherein the first and second buffer layers comprise a PVC material and the outer jacket comprises a PVC material.

18. The fiber optic cable of claim 17, further comprising at least one strength member, the at least one strength member being in part disposed between the first and second buffer layers, and wherein aramid strength members are disposed between the first buffer layer and the outer jacket.

19. The fiber optic cable of claim 17, wherein the outer jacket is pressure extruded around the aramid strength members and is coupled to at least one strength member by partial embedment of at least one of the strength members in the outer jacket.

20. The fiber optic cable of claim 14, wherein the first buffer layer is generally spaced from the second buffer layer and the first buffer layer has at least one point of contact with the second buffer layer along a length of the cable.

21. A fiber optic cable, comprising:

a first optical fiber, the first optical fiber being a microstructured bend performance optical fiber;

a first buffer layer on the first optical fiber;

a second optical fiber, the second optical fiber being a microstructured bend performance optical fiber;

a second buffer layer on the second optical fiber; and

an outer jacket surrounding the first and second buffer layers, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.25 dB or less when wrapped 2 turns about a 10 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

22. The fiber optic cable of claim 21, wherein the fiber optic cable has an average delta attenuation of 0.2 dB or less when wrapped 2 turns about a 10 millimeter diameter mandrel at a reference wavelength of 1625 nanometers.

23. The fiber optic cable of claim 21, wherein the first and second buffer layers and the outer jacket comprise a PVC material.

24. The fiber optic cable of claim 23, further comprising at least one strength member, the at least one strength member being in part disposed between the first and second buffer layers.

25. The fiber optic cable of claim 23, wherein aramid yarn strength members are disposed between the first buffer layer and the outer jacket, and wherein the outer jacket is pressure extruded around the aramid strength members and is coupled to at least one strength member by partial embodiment of at least one of the strength members in the outer jacket.