Abstract: Optical fibers and optical fiber cables are provided. An optical fiber includes an optical fiber, the optical fiber comprising a core and a cladding, and a metal coating surrounding the cladding, the metal coating extending along the entire axial length of the optical fiber. The optical fiber further includes a powder coated on an outer surface of the metal coating, wherein the powder is one of a mineral, a ceramic, or a carbon.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves feeding a length of glass fiber through a first solution bath so as to plate a first predetermined metal on the glass fiber via electroless deposition. The length of glass fiber is passed continuously from the first solution bath to a second solution bath adapted to plate thereon a second predetermined metal via electrolytic plating such that the optical fiber contacts an electrode only after at least some of the second predetermined metal has been applied. The length of glass fiber may be passed continuously from the second solution bath to a third solution bath adapted to plate thereon a third predetermined metal via electrolytic plating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves feeding a length of glass fiber through a first solution bath so as to plate a first predetermined metal on the glass fiber via electroless deposition. The length of glass fiber is passed continuously from the first solution bath to a second solution bath adapted to plate thereon a second predetermined metal via electrolytic plating such that the optical fiber contacts an electrode only after at least some of the second predetermined metal has been applied. The length of glass fiber may be passed continuously from the second solution bath to a third solution bath adapted to plate thereon a third predetermined metal via electrolytic plating.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing metal-coated optical fiber is provided. One step of such a method comprises providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a polymeric, thermoplastic resin or wax coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths or thermal tooling effecting removal of the polymer, thermoplastic resin or wax coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of said metal-coated optical fiber is gathered. At least one of the solution baths comprises a coiled tube containing the process solution through which the glass fiber passes. Aspects of the present invention are also applicable to conventional metal wire where it is desirable to reduce physical length of the process line.

Abstract: A sensing cable is provided which includes exposed and/or unexposed optical fibers or wires disposed through the length of the sensing cable. The sensing cable includes a slotted core which is a one-piece integral member having a plurality of channels formed on a perimeter of the slotted core and which extend along a length of the slotted core. The sensing cable includes at least one exposed component which is disposed in a first channel of the plurality of channels and which extends along a length of the first channel. The sensing cable includes at least one unexposed component which is encased by a protective member, and the unexposed component and the protective member are disposed in a second channel of the plurality of channels. The unexposed component and the protective member extend along a length of the second channel.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor comprising a first light source, a second light source, a first optical coupler operatively connected with the first light source, and a second optical coupler operatively connected with the second light source. The first optical coupler directs first and second optical waves along a first optical path into first and second ends of an optical fiber such that the first and second optical waves interfere to form a first combined optical wave. The second optical coupler directs the third and fourth optical waves along a second optical path into the first and second ends of the optical fiber such that the third and fourth optical waves interfere to form a second combined optical wave. The second optical path is longer than the first optical path by a predetermined distance. Detectors receive the first and second combined optical waves and output information with respect thereto.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing metal-coated optical fiber involves providing a length of optical fiber having a glass fiber with or without a carbon layer surrounded by a liquid-soluble polymeric coating. The optical fiber is passed through a series of solution baths such that the fiber will contact the solution in each bath for a predetermined dwell time, the series of solution baths effecting removal of the polymer coating and subsequent electroless plating of metal on the glass fiber. The optical fiber is collected after metal plating so that a selected quantity of the metal-coated optical fiber is gathered, Preferably, the glass fiber passes through the series of solution baths without contacting anything except for the respective solution in each.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable comprises a plurality of elongated optical fiber units, each having an outer jacket containing multiple optical fibers. The optical fiber units are interconnected at intermittent bonding locations along an axial length of said trunk cable to form a sheathless bundle. The absence of a sheath makes the trunk cable thinner and lighter than typical trunk cable. In addition, each unit can serve as a horizontal cable at a selected branching location.

Abstract: A sensing cable is provided which includes exposed and/or unexposed optical fibers or wires disposed through the length of the sensing cable. The sensing cable includes a slotted core which is a one-piece integral member having a plurality of channels formed on a perimeter of the slotted core and which extend along a length of the slotted core. The sensing cable includes at least one exposed component which is disposed in a first channel of the plurality of channels and which extends along a length of the first channel. The sensing cable includes at least one unexposed component which is encased by a protective member, and the unexposed component and the protective member are disposed in a second channel of the plurality of channels. The unexposed component and the protective member extend along a length of the second channel.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable comprises at least one elongated optical fiber situated in a fiber nest having a plurality of filaments collectively surrounding the optical fiber. The cable further includes a structural member at least partially surrounding the optical fiber but spaced apart from the optical fiber in a radial direction such that at least some of the filaments of the fiber nest are positioned between the optical fiber and the structural member. The foregoing elements are encased in an outer jacket.

Abstract: An optical fiber drop cable includes an optical element portion having an optical fiber core wire and a pair of first tension members disposed parallel to the optical fiber core wire on both sides thereof in a sandwiching manner. The optical fiber core wire and the pair of first tension members are coated with a cable sheath. A long-scale cable support wire portion has a second tension member coated with a sheath. The optical element portion and the cable support wire portion are adhered parallel to each other. The first tension members are composed of a nonconductive material. A flexural rigidity of the optical element portion is in a range from 80 to 500 Nmm2.

Abstract: An optical fiber drop cable is disclosed including an elongated optical element section composed of an optical fiber core wire and at least one pair of adjacent first tensile strength members, disposed on both sides of the optical fiber core wire in parallel thereto, which are covered with a cable sheath, and an elongated cable support wire section having a second tensile strength member covered with a sheath and adhered to the optical element section in parallel thereto. Since an outer periphery of the first tensile strength member is formed in a rugged configuration, an increased adhesive force is provided between the first tensile strength member and the cable sheath due to an anchoring effect of the rugged configuration.

Abstract: The present invention's optical cable is provided with optical fibers, a forming pipe for housing the optical fibers, a sheath provided around the forming pipe, and at least one pair of rip cords embedded in the sheath. The forming pipe is formed of a plurality of tapes so that it is dividable along its longitudinal direction. When dividing the optical cable, the rip cords are pulled to tear open the sheath, and the already split forming pipe is divided while staying adhered to the respective parts of the sheath. As a result, the division of the sheath and the forming pipe is carried out in one stroke, so that the optical fibers inside the forming pipe can be exposed easily and quickly.

Abstract: An optical cable formed by optical fibers, a forming pipe, a sheath, a pair of tension members, and a pair of rip cords. The forming pipe includes a plurality of tapes arranged to permit the forming pipe to be divided in the longitudinal direction and the rip cords are located near the seams of the forming pipe. A distance from the surface of the tension members to the inner surface of the sheath and to the outer surface of the sheath are both 0.3 mm or more. A distance from the center of the rip cords to the inner surface of the sheath is from 0.2-fold or greater to 1.2-fold or less than the radius of the tip cords. Furthermore, the distance from the surface of the rip cords to the seams of the forming pipes is 0.5 mm or less.

Abstract: An optical fiber drop cable 1 is disclosed including an elongated optical element section 7 composed of an optical fiber core wire 5 and at least one pair of adjacent first tensile strength members 13, disposed on both sides of the optical fiber core wire 5 in parallel thereto, which are covered with a cable sheath 3, and an elongated cable support wire section 11 having a second tensile strength member 17 covered with a sheath 19 and adhered to the optical element section 7 in parallel thereto. Since an outer periphery of the first tensile strength member 13 is formed in a rugged configuration, an increased adhesive force is provided between the first tensile strength member 13 and the cable sheath 3 due to an anchoring effect of the rugged configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is provided for obtaining an apparatus and a method for accurately measuring a variation of a distortion of an optical fiber by excluding an apparent variation of the distortion of the optical fiber which is generated by a drift of a BOTDR waveform. The distortion measuring apparatus of the present invention comprises a sensor cable and a reference fiber which is connected with the sensor cable in series. The measured variation of the distortion of the sensor cable is corrected by subtracting the apparent variation of the distortion of the reference fiber from the measured variation of the distortion of the sensor cable. It is preferable that the reference fiber be housed in an thermostatic chamber and temperature of the reference fiber be maintained in a predetermined value within a range of 10 to 40° C. with an error of ±2° C.

Abstract: An optical fiber drop cable including an optical element portion 3 having an optical fiber core wire 1 and a pair of first tension members A disposed parallel to the optical fiber core wire 1 on both sides thereof in a sandwiching manner, the optical fiber core wire 1 and the pair of first tension members A being coated with a cable sheath 21, and a long-scale cable support wire portion 4 having another second tension member B coated with a sheath 22, the optical element portion 3 and the cable support wire portion 4 being adhered parallel to each other, wherein the first tension members A are composed of a nonconductive material. A flexural rigidity of the optical element portion 3 is in a range from 80 to 500 Nmm2.

Abstract: The present invention's optical cable is provided with optical fibers, a forming pipe for housing the optical fibers, a sheath provided around the forming pipe, and at least one pair of rip cords embedded in the sheath. The forming pipe is formed of a plurality of tapes so that it is dividable along its longitudinal direction. When dividing the optical cable, the rip cords are pulled to tear open the sheath, and the already split forming pipe is divided while staying adhered to the respective parts of the sheath. As a result, the division of the sheath and the forming pipe is carried out in one stroke, so that the optical fibers inside the forming pipe can be exposed easily and quickly.

Abstract: The present invention's optical cable is manufactured using a manufacturing device which has a cylindrical inner pipe; a cylindrical nipple which is disposed outside the inner pipe with a first spacing interval therebetween, and in which tension member insertion holes and rip cord insertion holes have been formed; and a die which is disposed outside this nipple with a second spacing interval therebetween. In the method for manufacturing this optical cable using the aforementioned device, a plurality of plastic tapes are sent into the first spacing interval, and are shaped into a pipe to make a forming pipe, an optical unit relayed from inside the inner pipe is housed inside the forming pipe, tension members and rip cords are relayed from tension member insertion holes and rip cord insertion holes respectively, and melted resin to form the sheath is supplied from a second spacing interval.