Abstract: A novel fiber optic tube and method of forming the fiber optic tube. The method includes placing at least one optical fiber onto a tape with lateral ends and forming the tape into a tube. The length of the at least one optical fiber is longer than the length of the tape. Thus, the fiber optic tube has at least one optical fiber placed on the inside wall of the tube.

Abstract: The invention is a cable assembly in which the ripcord is bonded or woven to the cable assembly's armor tape. This arrangement helps to prevent the ripcords from moving from their initial position, therefore allowing better dissection of a cable sheath and/or jacket. The cable assembly includes a cable core (e.g., soft buffer tubes surrounding optical fibers), a tape surrounding the cable core, at least one ripcord attached to the tape, and a cable jacket surrounding the tape. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a cable assembly includes a cable core having a predetermined axial length, a cable jacket for housing the cable core along the predetermined axial length of the cable core, and a ripcord disposed between the cable core and the cable jacket along the predetermined axial length, in a manner that the ripcord is contained within the predetermined axial length, but the ripcord has a length substantially longer that the predetermined axial length.

Abstract: A cable having improved performance during temperature fluctuations includes an outer sheath with a central cavity that does not have a centrally located anchoring member. A plurality of buffer tubes are provided in the central cavity. At least one optical fiber is provided in each of the buffer tubes. The buffer tubes are coupled together to prevent slippage between the buffer tubes, thereby forming a core unit. An adhesive may be provided to couple together the buffer tubes. Alternatively, the buffer tubes may be fused together.

Abstract: An optical-fiber cable includes an assembly of buffer tubes including at least two flexible buffer tubes that are held together compactly by adhesion to one another. The cable further includes a plurality of optical fibers, which are housed within the buffer tubes, a jacket surrounding the assembly of buffer tubes, and at least one longitudinal strength member that is provided at the periphery of the assembly of buffer tubes. According to one aspect, the jacket is formed of polyethylene, the buffer tubes are formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a thermoplastic elastomer possessing flexible diol segments, and the buffer tubes are contained within the jacket in a helical or SZ stranding configuration. According to a second aspect, a fiber optic buffer tube includes low and high melting point materials forming domains and a matrix, respectively, and preferably further includes a filler. The domains are embedded in the matrix. The latter buffer tubes are bonded together by thermal activation of the domains.

Abstract: The invention is a cable assembly in which the ripcord is bonded or woven to the cable assembly's armor tape. This arrangement helps to prevent the ripcords from moving from their initial position, therefore allowing better dissection of a cable sheath and/or jacket. The cable assembly includes a cable core (e.g., soft buffer tubes surrounding optical fibers), a tape surrounding the cable core, at least one ripcord attached to the tape, and a cable jacket surrounding the tape. In a second embodiment of the present invention, a cable assembly includes a cable core having a predetermined axial length, a cable jacket for housing the cable core along the predetermined axial length of the cable core, and a ripcord disposed between the cable core and the cable jacket along the predetermined axial length, in a manner that the ripcord is contained within the predetermined axial length, but the ripcord has a length substantially longer that the predetermined axial length.

Abstract: An optical-fiber cable includes an assembly of buffer tubes including at least two flexible buffer tubes that are held together compactly by adhesion to one another. The cable further includes a plurality of optical fibers, which are housed within the buffer tubes, a jacket surrounding the assembly of buffer tubes, and at least one longitudinal strength member that is provided at the periphery of the assembly of buffer tubes. According to one aspect, the jacket is formed of polyethylene, the buffer tubes are formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a thermoplastic elastomer possessing flexible diol segments, and the buffer tubes are contained within the jacket in a helical or SZ stranding configuration. According to a second aspect, a fiber optic buffer tube includes low and high melting point materials forming domains and a matrix, respectively, and preferably further includes a filler. The domains are embedded in the matrix. The latter buffer tubes are bonded together by thermal activation of the domains.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes an end section in the form of a ribbon and a central section in which the sheath has a substantially tubular form. Applications include fiber optic cable connectors and spare lengths of fiber optic cable for jointing cassettes.

Abstract: Electronic directory comprising:a data base (16) with at least one file (18a, 18b, 18c), each file having informations corresponding to alphanumeric characters and respectively associated with a plurality of references of the directory,at least one input interface (22a, 22b) on which a user can enter at least one alphanumeric character for locating a reference,at least one processor (20) for selecting in at least one file references having each acquired alphanumeric character andat least one output interface (26a, 26b) for transmitting to the user the informations associated with each selected reference.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable constituted by a single tube defining an internal bore housing at least one optical fiber and whose wall incorporates a reinforcement zone. The reinforcement zone is constituted by a thermoplastic material giving the cable both flexibility and resistance against compression and impact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical unit for an optical fiber telecommunications cable, the unit comprising a tube of a plastics material in which at least one optical fiber is loosely received, wherein the thickness of said tube is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and wherein said material has a modulus of elasticity less than 1500 MPa at 20.degree. C. and a stress/elongation curve without a yield point.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing an optical-fiber module including a plurality of optical fibers assembled and held together by a flexible resin, said method including a resin-application step in which said flexible resin is applied to the entire set of said fibers which are disposed parallel to one another so that their longitudinal axes lie in substantially the same plane;wherein said resin-application step is followed by the following steps:partially cross-linking said resin so as to obtain a ribbon;rolling up said ribbon by bringing together its longitudinal edges so as to give it a shape that is substantially cylindrical; andfully cross-linking said resin so as to maintain the cylindrical shape of the rolled-up ribbon.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an optical-fiber cable containing at least one optical-fiber module including a plurality of optical fibers assembled and held together by a flexible resin so as to define a ribbon, the ribbon inside the cable being rolled up so that its longitudinal edges substantially touch each other, and so that it is substantially cylindrical in shape, wherein the flexible resin is applied asymmetrically relative to the midplane of the ribbon in the unrolled state, which midplane contains all of the longitudinal axes of the fibers, and wherein the ribbon is rolled up by bringing its longitudinal edges together so that the majority of the resin is located inside the convex volume defined, when the ribbon is in the rolled-up state, by the surface that contains all of the longitudinal axes of the fibers.

Abstract: An optical-fiber cable containing at least one optical member, and at least one strength member constructed such that members are inserted in respective hollow cavities within a covering made of thermoplastic. The cavities are closed relative to the outside of the cable, and all the cavities receiving optical members communicate with one another, with at least two of the cavities communicating with each other. The members contained in the cavities that communicate with each other are coated with a viscous, non-adhering coating material preventing them from adhering to the thermoplastic covering so that the covering defines a central portion having at least two branches, the central portion containing no thermoplastic and being filled with the coating material. Each branch is terminated at one of its ends by a respective cavity communicating with other cavities and having its other end joined to the other ends of the other branches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for striking an arc and to a torch employing said process. An electronic ignitor located at a maximum distance of 8 meters from the torch has a high-voltage conductor which leads to a spark gap adjacent the part to be welded. The high-voltage circuit is closed in the region of the zone to be ionized between the welding electrode and the part.