Abstract: An optical-fiber interconnect cable includes one or more optical fibers and one or more electrical conductors surrounded by an outer jacket. The optical fibers, such a multimode optical fibers, are typically enclosed within a flexible polymeric tube to form a flexible subunit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical-fiber modules having improved accessibility. In a typical embodiment, the optical-fiber module includes one or more optical fibers surrounded by an intermediate layer. The intermediate layer typically includes a polymeric medium with a liquid lubricant dispersed therein. A buffer tube encloses the optical fibers and the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A telecommunication optical fiber cable possesses a longitudinal central cavity that receives micromodules of optical fibers positioned in parallel. A jacket surrounds the central cavity and a sheath is positioned on the inner periphery of the jacket. A lubricant is provided in the central cavity. The cable, which may contain more than 100 optical fibers, is suitable for an outdoor installation and enables a micromodule to be extracted over substantial lengths.

Abstract: A cutter tool for cutting at least one optical fiber arranged freely in a cavity of a telecommunications cable, the tool including a cutting element and a tube, the cutting element being adapted to form a snare around at least one optical fiber to be cut, the snare providing two strands of filament adapted to be introduced in the tube, and the tool enabling an optical fiber branch connection to be made over a long distance through an existing tapping window.

Abstract: A buffered optical fiber (10) comprises a central core (11) surrounded by an optical cladding (12), a coating (13) surrounding the optical cladding, a protective buffer (15) surrounding the coating and an intermediate layer (14) between the coating and the protective buffer. The intermediate layer consists of hot melt seal and peel material. The intermediate layer (14) may be extruded in tandem with the outer protective buffer (15).

Abstract: Disclosed is a reduced-diameter optical-fiber cable that possesses a high fiber count and a high cable fiber density.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved optical fiber possessing a novel coating system. When combined with a bend-insensitive glass fiber, the novel coating system according to the present invention yields an optical fiber having exceptionally low losses. The coating system features (i) a softer primary coating with excellent low-temperature characteristics to protect against microbending in any environment and in the toughest physical situations and, optionally, (ii) a colored secondary coating possessing enhanced color strength and vividness. The secondary coating provides improved ribbon characteristics for structures that are robust, yet easily entered (i.e., separated and stripped). The optical fibers in accordance in the present invention may be incorporated into a reduced-diameter optical-fiber cable that possesses a high fiber count and a high cable fiber density.

Abstract: A telecommunication optical fiber cable possesses a longitudinal central cavity that receives micromodules of optical fibers positioned in parallel. A jacket surrounds the central cavity and a sheath is positioned on the inner periphery of the jacket. A lubricant is provided in the central cavity. The cable, which may contain more than 100 optical fibers, is suitable for an outdoor installation and enables a micromodule to be extracted over substantial lengths.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method accessing one or more optical fibers in a telecommunication cable in a way that considerably reduces the risk of damaging the optical fibers. To avoid inadvertent damage caused by a cutting tool, the method includes moving optical fibers and/or micromodules away from the area on the cable that is to be cut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cable (10) that includes an outer sheath (11) defining a longitudinal cavity (12). The cable (10) also includes a plurality of elements (1) extending within the cavity. Typically, the elements are at least partially coated with a lubricant film.

Abstract: A buffered optical fiber structure includes an optical fiber, a mechanical reinforcement member extending along the optical fiber, a protective sheath having a cavity containing the optical fiber and the mechanical reinforcement member, and an intermediate material contacting the protective sheath and surrounding the optical fiber and the mechanical reinforcement member.

Abstract: An optical fiber telecommunications cable includes micromodules positioned with a longitudinal central cavity formed by a jacket. Two strength members are arranged longitudinally in the jacket and define a bending axis of the cable. Each strength member has an elongated oval cross-sectional shape with a height perpendicular to the bending axis and a width parallel to the bending axis. The height-to-width ratio of each strength member is more than one and no more than two. The optical fiber telecommunications cable has a reduced diameter and good robustness, and can be manufactured at lower cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat telecommunication cable in which optical fibers are positioned within micromodules. The micromodules are coupled to a surrounding, ribbon-like cable jacket, thereby preventing the micromodules from sagging within the cable during vertical installations. The invention also relates to a method of extracting optical fibers from such a cable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method accessing one or more optical fibers in a telecommunication cable in a way that considerably reduces the risk of damaging the optical fibers. To avoid inadvertent damage caused by a cutting tool, the method includes moving optical fibers and/or micromodules away from the area on the cable that is to be cut.

Abstract: A conductor module (M) comprises a jacket (E) tightly accommodating, in the manner of tubing, at least two flexible conductors (C). The conductors (C) are coated with a small amount of oil (H) having a viscosity strictly less than 100 millipascal second (mPa.s) so as to allow control of the slippage of the jacket (E) in relation to the conductors (C) and longitudinal impenetrability inside the module (M).

Abstract: An optical fiber telecommunications cable includes micromodules positioned with a longitudinal central cavity formed by a jacket. Two strength members are arranged longitudinally in the jacket and define a bending axis of the cable. Each strength member has an elongated oval cross-sectional shape with a height perpendicular to the bending axis and a width parallel to the bending axis. The height-to-width ratio of each strength member is more than one and no more than two. The optical fiber telecommunications cable has a reduced diameter and good robustness, and can be manufactured at lower cost.

Abstract: A conductor module (M) comprises a jacket (E) tightly accommodating, in the manner of tubing, at least two flexible conductors (C). The conductors (C) are coated with a small amount of oil (H) having a viscosity strictly less than 100 millipascal second (mPa.s) so as to allow control of the slippage of the jacket (E) in relation to the conductors (C) and longitudinal impenetrability inside the module (M).

Abstract: A telecommunications cable element having a transmission element disposed in a buffer tube made from thermoplastic polyolefin elastomeric buffer material is disclosed. The polyolefin elastomeric buffer material has a modulus of elasticity below about 500 MPa at room temperature and a modulus of elasticity below about 1500 MPa at −40° C. Preferentially, the thermoplastic polyolefin elastomer material forming the buffer tube has an elongation to break below about 500% and a Melt Flow Index above about 3.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for depositing a lubricant coating on a cable, the cable including a sheath made by means of an extruder followed by a cooling vessel. Downstream from the cooling vessel, the apparatus includes a heater member followed by a deposition chamber for depositing a lubricant material.

Abstract: A water blocking gel which is compatible with polyolefin optical fiber cable buffer tubes is disclosed. The water blocking gel comprises a polyolefin oil, wherein only a very small fraction of the polyolefin species have a molecular weight below about 2000. The gel also includes a thixotropic agent, and a thermal oxidation stabilizer. The gel is relatively low cost, does not cause substantially swelling of the polyolefin buffer tubes in contact therewith and does not degrade the buffer tube's physical properties.