Abstract: The optical fiber cable has a plurality of centrally located optical fiber ribbons. Carrying the optical fiber ribbons is a gel-filled plastic buffer tube. An adhesive layer is applied along the outside of the buffer tube and yarns extend in a contra-helical pattern over the adhesive. The yarns are impregnated with a gel for lubricating the contact points between the yarns and a longitudinally applied mylar tape layer. The mylar tape layer is coated with a thin layer of sealant which permits application of final polyethylene outer jacket provided for additional cable protection. Embedded within the outer jacket is a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending strength members.

Abstract: To color code optical fibers, a ultraviolet light curable ink is mixed with a carrier fluid. The mixture is then applied to a horizontally moving optical fiber by an ink applicator using a rigid applicator die. The fiber then passes through a convection oven to evaporate the carrier fluid and a ultraviolet light radiator to cure the ultraviolet light curable ink.

Abstract: The optical fiber/metallic conductor composite cable has a cable core with an optical fiber subgroup and an insulated metallic conductor subgroup. The optical fiber subgroup can be a loose tube construction, a slotted core construction, a unitube/monotube construction or a tight buffer tube construction. The individual insulated wires of the insulated metallic conductor subgroup extend longitudinally within the composite cable. Preferably, the optical fiber subgroup is on the outer periphery of the cable core to provide easy accessibility, but it can be centrally located.

Abstract: A branch point for an optical fiber stub or drop cable from a main distribution cable has an optical fiber cable splice module for protecting the optical fibers and splices from moisture and mechanical damage, providing a strong anchoring point for the optical fiber drop cable, and insuring that the minimum fiber bend radius is not violated. The splice module forms an enclosure for the splices which are held in place mechanically by rows of pins. The stub cable may also be preconnectorized.

Abstract: A cutting tool and method of using the same provide for cutting the protective elements of a monotube-type optical fiber cable without severing the buffer tube in order to access the buffer tube and the optical fibers found therein. The cable cutter includes a pair of handles with a pair of blades connected to the handles in the same manner as a typical shear-type cable cutter. The blades are designed with specifically dimensioned slots to protect the buffer tube from being severed while allowing the remaining cable components to be cut by the blades. An alignment slot is utilized in one blade to align the cable to be cut. In a second embodiment, strength member slots are formed in each blade for allowing the strength members of the monotube cable to remain unsevered while the remaining protective components are cut.

Abstract: A tool is provided for the purpose of allowing access to optical fibers held within a monotube of a monotube design optical fiber cable. The monotube is held in a central channel extending the length of and through the substantial center of the tool. The strength members of the cable, which extend longitudinally on both sides of the monotube, are held in channels extending longitudinally with and on both sides of the tool's central channel. A blade is inserted from the main body into the monotube so as to define a chord through the cross section of the monotube. The tool is drawn along the monotube so as to remove a portion of its protective covering thereby allowing access to the optical fibers held therein without having to sever the strength members. Various inserts may be utilized with the main body of the tool, the various inserts corresponding to the different monotube dimensions of the various monotube optical fiber cables.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor module, for use with an optical sensor of the type that senses a selected parameter and modifies a predetermined characteristic of a received optical signal in corresponding relation to changes in the sensed parameter and retransmits the modified signal, includes an optical signal source having a selected predetermined characteristic and optical connections for providing the optical signal to the optical sensor. Signals retransmitted from the optical sensor are received and are differentiated from the transmitted signal so that the modified signal may be detected to provide an electrical output corresponding to the extent the predetermined characteristic of the optical signal is modified. The module is connected to the optical sensor using an optical fiber so that the sensor may be remotely located from the module and easily disconnected therefrom so that the module may be reused while the sensor may be disposable.

Abstract: A spliceless optical fiber cable has a main distribution cable having a plurality of optical fibers disposed therein and at least one stub or drop cable extending from the distribution cable at one or more branch points. The stub or drop cables are configured with the distribution cable in a manner such that no splices are required. At each branch point, an optical fiber branch module is utilized for protecting the optical fibers from moisture and mechanical damage, providing a strong anchoring point for the stub or drop cable, and insuring that the minimum bend radius is not violated. The spliceless optical fiber cable is made by accessing the specified optical fibers at a disconnect point along the length of the distribution cable and cutting the specified optical fibers.

Abstract: A predetermined optical fiber cable has a main trunk cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers disposed therein and multiple drop cables spliced to the trunk cable at various branch points, the preterminated fiber optic cable being completely assembled at the time of manufacture and is easily installed thereafter. At each branch point an optical fiber cable splice closure is utilized for protecting the optical fibers and splices from moisture and mechanical damage, providing a strong anchoring point for the optical fiber drop cable, and insuring that the minimum fiber bend radius is not violated. The splice closure is cylindrical in shape and has a cavity providing room for the splices and for excess optical fiber storage.

Abstract: A pulling eye assembly for optical fiber cables is formed of a housing having a gripping device for gripping the multiple strength members. The first embodiment uses longitudinally extending cavities which communicate with radially directed threaded set-screw holes for receiving epoxy and/or set-screws. In the second embodiment, a pair of collets are used to grip the strength members. In both cases, a crimping sleeve is attached to an end of the cylindrical housing and being crimpably engageable with an outer surface of an optical fiber cable.

Abstract: The optical fiber cable has a plurality of centrally located optical fibers. Carrying the optical fibers is a gel-filled plastic buffer tube. A plurality of radial strength yarn threads extended along the outside of the buffer tube in a contra-helical pattern. In the armored cable embodiment, a strength and protective member in the form of a corrugated steel armor layer may be provided for additional protection against possible rodent damage. The armor is usually coated with a thin layer of plastic material in the form of a water blockable flooding compound. A ripcord is provided to assist in removal of the armor. A final polyethylene outer jacket is provided for additional cable protection. Embedded within the outer jacket is a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending strength members.

Abstract: A pulling assembly for connectorized optical fiber cables is formed of a flexible metal braided hose portion for conveying a pulling force to said cable and for providing a chamber in which the cable connectors may be housed during a cable pulling operation. A cylindrical housing is attached to one end of said braided metal hose and includes a concentrically-arranged central strength member gripping apparatus and a buffer tube alignment structure disposed about the central strength member gripping apparatus. A crimping sleeve is attached to an opposite end of said cylindrical housing fixing said concentric arrangement within the cylindrical housing and being crimpably engageable with an outer surface of an optical fiber cable.