Abstract: An optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (22) which includes a plurality of bundles (31, 31 ) of optical fiber (24) and a yarn-like strength member system (35) which is wrapped with an oscillated or unidirectional lay about the optical fibers. The strength member system also provides impact resistance for the fibers. A jacket (40) which may include a flame-resistant plastic material encloses the core with the outer diameter of the jacket being substantially less than that of typical optical fiber cables. Portions of the strength member system contact an inner surface of the jacket, an outer surface of which is the outer surface of the cable.

Abstract: In the manufacture of an article such as optical fiber which includes a light energy cured coating material, fiber (21) is drawn from a preform (22) and coating with one or preferably two layers (42,44) of light curable coating materials. Afterwards, the coating materials are cured. Increases in manufacturing line speed may be achieved if the cure speed of the coating materials is increased. This is accomplished by the simultaneous application of a magnetic field during irradiation of the curable coating materials to enhance the crosslinking of the coating materials by a free radical polymerization mechanism. Upon absorption of light, a photoinitiator in each composition cleaves to produce two free radical fragments in the spin paired or singlet state. The magnetic field has the effect of enhancing the production of spin parallel radicals which enhances the polymerization initiation of the coating material, thereby allowing an increase in the manufacturing line speed through drawing and coating apparatus.

Abstract: A single optical fiber hermaphroditic connector (20) includes a ferrule or plug (90) of a subassembly which terminates an optical fiber (22) of a cable (24) and an end of which is received in a cavity of a housing (83). Furcations (102,102) of a bifurcated member extend beyond a free end of the ferrule. An end of the housing is supported from one free end of a tubular member (70) such that a compression spring (106) disposed about the housing causes the ferrule to be biased outwardly. An opposite end of the tubular member is connected to a bushing and tapered plug arrangement which is effective to transfer forces from strength members of the cable to the connector to prevent the forces from being applied to the connection. The subassembly is received in a sleeve (50) having a small diameter threaded end adjacent to the force transfer arrangement and an enlarged diameter, externally threaded end which encloses the housing and the bifurcated member.

Abstract: A preform tube (31) is caused to be collapsed into a preform rod by causing a heat zone (54) provided by a torch assembly (50) to traverse the tube longitudinally in a plurality of passes. During this so-called collapse mode, a muffle tube (100) encloses that portion of the tube which extends through the torch assembly. Advantageously, the muffle tube projects a predetermined distance beyond one major face of the torch assembly. The torch assembly comprises annular semi-circular end plates and an annular semi-circular center portion having a plurality of exit ports through which gases are directed into engagement with the tube. The center portion is caused to be recessed between the end plates thereby causing the heat zone generated by the gases to be narrowed.

Abstract: A cable which may be used in buildings in concealed areas such as in plenums or in riser shafts includes a core (22) which in a metallic conductor cable includes at least twenty-five transmission media each of which is enclosed with a non-halogenated plastic material. The core is enclosed with a jacket (28) which also is made of a non-halogenated plastic material. The non-halogenated plastic material of the insulation is selected from the group consisting of a polyetherimide and a silicone-polyimide copolymer, or a blend comprising the polyetherimide and the silicone-polyimide copolymer. For the jacket, the plastic material includes a blend composition of silicone-polyimide copolymer and a flame retardant and smoke suppressant system comprising titanium dioxide and zinc borate.

Abstract: An optical fiber (24), destined to receive a hermetic coating (32), is moved through a hermetic coating apparatus (30) wherein the fiber, entering the hermetic coating apparatus at a predetermined temperature, is caused to be engaged by a reactive gas. The reactive gas, reacting with the heated fiber, is effective to cause a layer of a hermetic material to be deposited adjacent to the outer surface of the fiber. A cross-flow purge gas is effective to prevent a resultant accumulation of a soot comprising reactive components of the reactive gas adjacent to portions of the hermetic coating apparatus which become heated by the fiber. Failure to prevent the accumulation of the soot may lead to fiber abrasions and reduced fiber strength.

Abstract: A steam-resistant optical fiber cable (20) includes a core (21) comprising a plurality of optical fiber ribbons (22,22) disposed within a tubular member (30) comprised of a high temperature resistant material. The tubular member is disposed within a hermetic sealing member (40) which comprises a metal of low electrochemical activity having a sealed seam. An outer jacket (50) is disposed about the hermetic sealing member and in a preferred embodiment is characterized by resistance to degradation in high temperature, high humidity environments. The core may be unfilled or filled with a waterblocking material and in a preferred embodiment, a waterblocking member is interposed between the tubular member and the hermetic sealing member.

Abstract: A tool (20) for manipulating an optical fiber splicing device (28) so as to release the fiber ends (30--30) from the splicing device (28) in a manner which allows the same splicing device (28) to be used more than once. The tool (20) includes a body section (22), a spring and lever assembly section (24) and a splice holding and manipulating section (26). The splice holding and manipulating section (26) provides means to hold the splicing (28) to the body section (22) of tool (20). In addition, this section (26) comprises a series of tapered prongs (92) which are aligned so that each prong may be wedged between a housing (82) of the splicing device (28) and a latching mechanism (88) of the splicing device (28). The spring and lever assembly section (24) interacts with the splice holding and manipulating section (26) to control the motion of the tapered prongs (92). The mechanical operation of section (24) is relatively similar to that of the motion control mechanism used in fingernail clippers.

Abstract: A connecting block (20) which includes a plurality of protectors (30,30) to protect a plurality of incoming communications lines includes a rear panel (28) which is stationary with respect to a housing (25) of the connector block. Mounted in cavities (62, 62) of the rear panel is a mass of contact elements (40,40) arranged in rows and columns and each having a rearwardly extending portion which is connected to a conductor which extend from an associated protector and an opposite portion which extends toward a front panel (60). Mounted in cavities (62,62) of the front panel is a mass of trifurcated contact elements (70,70) each having a base portion (72) and a conductor receiving portion. In a disconnected position, the opposite portion of each contact element is aligned with and overlaps a base (72) of an associated trifurcated contact element with a hook-like portion (46) being spaced from the base of the associated trifurcated contact element by a web (96) of dielectric material in each cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus (19) which is capable of being used in the field is adapted to polish fiber end faces each terminated by a plurality of cylindrically shaped ferrule type connector plugs (30--30). The apparatus includes a platform (50) which includes a plurality of nests (52--52) each adapted to receive a plug such that a plug end face (29) is disposed adjacent to a polishing surface and such that an end portion of fiber which protrudes from each plug engages the polishing surface. Facilities are provided in each nest for applying forces to each plug which may be varied to control the pressure between each fiber end face and the polishing surface and, if desired, subsequently between each plug end face and the polishing surface. Relative motion between the plurality of plugs and the polishing surface is caused to exist such that the polishing surface is turned rotatably while being revolved about an axis to provide uniformly polished fiber end faces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for providing an electrically matched pair (20) of insulated metallic conductors (21,21). Insulation is applied to successive portions of a length of wire-like metallic conductor (22) after which a colorant material (37) is applied to the surface of a plastic insulation material of a first portion of the length of the metallic conductor which is being moved along a path of travel. Facilities are provided for shielding a supply of the colorant material from the moving insulated metalic conductor and for then exposing a second portion of the length of the insulated metallic conductor to a different colorant material. The insulation and the colorant materials and their disposition with respect to the insulation are such that the dielectric constant of one insulated metallic conductor of the pair is substantially equal to that of the other.

Abstract: In order to restore quickly service which has been interrupted by damage in at least a portion of a cable, ends of optical fibers on one side of a damage location are spliced to optical fiber end portions of a restoration cable (70) within first and second closures (22,23) of a restoration kit (20). The first closure is attached to a foamed polymeric mounting pad attached to one flange of a deployment reel (100) mounted rotably on a payout spindle (135) which extends normally from one portion of a carrying case (21). Optical fibers of each end of the restoration cable are connected to splicing devices mounted in splicing modules (40,40) in the first and second closures. The second closure is moved from the case toward an opposite side of the damage location whereat fibers of the damaged cable on the other side of the damage location are extended into the second closure and spliced to the restoration cable therein.