Abstract: A ferrule and an associated fabrication method are provided that facilitates fiber-to-fiber contact without requiring the end portions of the optical fibers to protrude beyond the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule includes a ferrule body having opposed front and rear faces and defining at least one optical fiber bore extending between the front and rear faces and adapted to receive an optical fiber. Advantageously, at least the medial portion of the front face through which the optical fiber bores open protrudes outwardly beyond at least some peripheral portions of the front face. By designing the front face such that the medial portion protrudes outwardly beyond peripheral portions of the front face, angular errors in the peripheral portions of the front face and dirt or other particles that accumulate on the peripheral portions of the front face will not prevent the medial portions of the front faces of a pair of ferrules from making contacting as the respective fiber optic connectors are mated.

Abstract: A protective device for excess current utilizes a fuse that incorporates a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board has a trace on one side which is of a desired width, length, and thickness of material for opening if excess current for a selected duration of time is reached. The printed circuit board is mounted in an insulated housing. The lower side of the substrate may also have a conductive layer connected to the housing or ground. The printed circuit board and overvoltage protector may be tailored for impedance matching. An excess voltage protector may be incorporated with the printed circuit board for conducting to ground if excessive voltage is encountered. The housing has two terminals which are connected to the printed circuit board and voltage protector. These terminals may be conventional coaxial cable connectors.

Abstract: A mark sensor and methods for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core having a core receiving area for receiving the fiber optic cable core. The mark sensor includes emitter/receiver sensor devices that can be disposed about the core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting the core mark. The mark sensor can include a sensor positioning system for moving the sensors relative to the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system is operative to move the sensors upon insertion of the cable core in the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system can include a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting sensor motion to the other mark sensor. Alternatively, the mark sensor can include stationary sensors that sweep the core with radiation, for example, a bar code reader. Methods for using the foregoing sensors can result in the direct or offset marking of reverse oscillation of lay areas in a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having optical sub-units each respectively including at least one optical fiber ribbon. The optical sub-units are removably connected together by a web of jacketing material. The optical fiber ribbons are generally twisted about their respective longitudinal axes by stranded strength fibers disposed about the optical ribbons. The fiber optic cable can be used as a stand alone component or, for example, in fan-out or break-out cables.

Abstract: A closure that is operative for containing optical fiber splices includes a support assembly that supports the splices. While the closure is in an enclosed configuration, the support assembly and a holding bracket are substantially contained in a housing of the closure. When the splices within the closure are to be serviced, the support assembly and the holding bracket are removed from the housing. Thereafter, the holding bracket is configured so a protruding portion of the holding bracket extends away from the support assembly to provide an extended configuration. While in the extended configuration, the protruding portion of the holding bracket is clamped to a work surface with a clamping device so the holding bracket supports the support assembly in a cantilever-like fashion and the holding bracket and the clamping device do not substantially interfere with the servicing of the optical fiber splices.

Abstract: A strain relief bracket for use in conventional and modular furniture applications guards against excessive bending of copper and fiber optic cable. The device is a substantially rigid durable bracket that has an adhesive surface for adhesion to the interior of a furniture wall. The device is bi-planar, having a first section in a first plane, a raised flange section in a second plane, and a second section connecting the first section and raised flange section. A flange at the end of the first section secures the bracket to the edge of an opening in the furniture wall. Cables are secured to the bracket by cable ties that extend through holes provided on the raised flange section. The bi-planar arrangement of the bracket minimizes the bend radius of the cables and thereby strain relieves the cable, adapters, and connectors in the wall.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having strength assemblies (30) adjacent a tube for imparting crush resistance to the cable, at least one of the strength assemblies including a strength member in contact with a tube having at least one optical fiber therein. The strength member is coupled to a first jacket, and may be surrounded a single jacket, or by an armor tape and a second jacket. The strength member may be disposed in a recess of the tube. When crush loads are applied to the fiber optic cable, the stresses created in the cable are advantageously distributed by strength assemblies (30) whereby stress concentrations and undue deflection of the cable in response to the crush loads are avoided. Tight coupling and minimized gaps between the cable components in strength assemblies (30) inhibits slippage and/or warping of the components under stress, and thereby evenly distribute the stress for preventing crush induced attenuation in the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable that includes an armor layer having inner and outer surfaces and defining a passageway therethrough, a protective jacket surrounding the armor layer, a plurality of optical fibers extending lengthwise through the passageway, and a water swellable element for inhibiting water migration through the passageway. The water swellable element can be a water swellable layer on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the armor layer and/or a water swellable yarn extending through the passageway. The fiber optic cable is preferably tubeless, i.e., free of buffer tubes. In instances in which a water swellable layer is on the inner surface of the armor layer, the optical fibers are capable of contacting the water swellable layer.

Abstract: An optical fiber array (20,40) comprising at least one subunit (26,46) including at least one optical fiber (22) therein surrounded by a respective subunit matrix (23,43) having a subunit matrix modulus characteristic. The optical fiber array (20,40) includes a common matrix (24,44) disposed adjacent to the at least one subunit (26,46) and having a common matrix modulus characteristic. A subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being defined as a ratio of the subunit matrix modulus characteristic with respect to the common matrix modulus characteristic, the subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being greater than about 1.5:1. The optical fiber array (20,40) can include an adhesion zone (28,48) defining a controlled adhesion bond between the common and subunit matrices (24,26;44,46).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of tubes each having at least one optical fiber therein and at least one strength component. A center of the strength component being generally offset from a center-zone of the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable includes a center-zone interstice, the center-zone interstice spanning generally the center of the fiber optic cable between the tubes and the strength component. The center-zone interstice may include a water swellable substance for blocking the flow of water therein.

Abstract: Fiber optic and composite zip cord cables (40;50) having at least one respective buffer unit (30) therein. Each zip cord (40;50) includes at least two cords (42;52,54) having respective jackets (46;56) attached by a frangible web (43;53). At least one cord includes a buffer unit (30) generally surrounded by a layer of filaments, the buffer unit comprising at least two optical fibers (31) in a buffer layer (32). The buffer units (30) can be stranded about a central member (22) and enclosed in a jacket (28).

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for monitoring the spooling area of a rotatable reel for winding or unwinding an elongated material, for example, a cable. The monitoring system has a detector for sensing the presence and position of a cable surface or object or operator positioned between the detector and the reel. The detector can control rotation of the reel directly, or send a position signal to a computer where the position signal indicates the detected presence and/or position. The computer can have a memory and/or a processor for respectively storing and analyzing the position signal. The computer is operative to compare the position signal to previously received position signals to determine a condition, for example, the amount of cable on the reel, the presence of any object, and/or the existence of a safety-threatening condition. The computer can generate an output signal for use in, for example, controlling the reel speed and/or torque, or the application of brakes.

Abstract: Devices and methods by which an effective shunt-type electrical connection between the telephone company lines and subscriber wiring can be established and maintained within a line module. Line modules are described having a jack assemblies with improved arrangements for establishing connections between telco and bridging contacts. In one construction, two contacts are selectively moveable along a pair of channels to be brought into contact with fixed contacts to form an electrical connection between the telephone company and subscriber wiring. In an alternative construction, the fixed contacts are replaced with a contact plate formed of conductive plating. In other aspects, a plug member can be inserted into the jack receptacle to close the tip and ring contacts to create a shunt connection when the cover of the module is closed onto the base. The plug member can be made entirely from non-conductive material.

Abstract: A connector sleeve assembly for an optical distribution frame has a connector sleeve that is capable of being angled relative to the splice tray on which it is installed to allow for easier access to one or both of the fiber optic connectors inserted into the sleeve. A panel also has a connector sleeve mounted in the plane of the panel, but capable of being angled out of the plane for easy access to the connectors inserted in the connector sleeve.

Abstract: A cable storage device has a reel rotatably mounted in a frame. The reel has a hub that rotates with the reel. A connector panel has a plurality of connectors for interconnecting with an end of the cable on the reel. The connector panel will fit on a reel docking station for rotation with the reel. The connector panel also fits on a frame docking station while the reel is not to be rotated. A locking member is engaged by the connector panel when the connector panel is mounted to the reel docking station to allow rotation of the reel. The locking member is biased to a locking position when the connector panel is removed from the reel docking station. A cable presence sensor locks the reel against rotation if substantially all of the cable is pulled from the reel.

Abstract: A jumper management assembly for managing the routing of fiber optic cable jumpers is disclosed. The assembly fits within a conventional equipment rack. The assembly has a panel with two fiber support trays attached on its back side. The assembly also has ports located in the panel near the support trays. An excess length of a fiber optic cable jumper may be routed from the rear of electronics or other components in the equipment rack using the support trays, portals, and panel.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (40,50) having a cellularized cable component (10,10′,10″), the cellularized cable component including at least one optical fiber and a cable jacket (45,55). The cable jacket can include surface irregularities (46,56) having crests and hollows (46a,46b;56a,56b) for reducing surface-to-surface contact with a surface (60) in the cable passage way. The cable jacket can include a friction reducing additive for lubricating the interface between the cable jacket and the cable passageway or objects in the cable passageway. A method and apparatus for producing the cables is also disclosed.

Abstract: An alignment sleeve for precisely aligning a pair of ferrules, such as a pair of multifiber ferrules, is provided along with an associated assembly method. The alignment sleeve includes a sleeve member defining a lengthwise extending cavity opening through opposed ends thereof. The sleeve member can also define at least one window and, more commonly, a plurality of windows opening into the cavity. The alignment sleeve also includes a guide pin extending lengthwise through the cavity and a guide pin engagement member extending at least partially into the window defined by the sleeve member. The guide pin engagement member is bonded, such as by welding, to the guide pin such that the guide pin is retained in a floating relationship within the sleeve member. The sleeve member can also define an expansion window to accommodate expansion of the guide pin that is creating during welding of the guide pin.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector unit has a housing with a provider port and a customer port. The ports provide access for fiber optic cables. A fiber optic connector panel is mounted inside the housing. The connector panel has apertures for mounting connectors to optically interconnect the fibers of a provider cable with the fibers of a customer cable. A slack holder is mounted in the housing for being wrapped with slack of the provider cable. Curved guide walls are located adjacent to the slack holder and adjacent to the provider and customer sides of the connector panel for guiding fibers without excessively bending them.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40,75,87,94,96,98,104).