Abstract: A fibre optic cable (500, 700) comprises retractable fibre units (502) extending in parallel with one another within an extruded polymer tube (504). The fibre units are free to slide in the tube such that a selected fibre unit (702a) can be accessed and re-directed by forming an opening in a wall of the tube (504) and withdrawing the selected fibre unit through the opening (710). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506) embedded in a solid resin material (520) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524). The fibre optic cable is manufactured by feeding the fibre units through an extrusion head (602) by which the extruded tube (504) is formed. The sheath (524) of each fibre unit is primarily polyethylene. A lining (510) of the extruded polymer tube is formed by polymer other than polyethylene, for example polypropylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-terminated (pre-terminated) optical fibre cable assembly (10,90), which is configured to be installed through a duct (20). The pre-terminated optical fibre construction (10,90) includes at least one optical fibre (46). A protective sleeve (26) is added to the optical fibre (46) before adding a terminal connector (24) to the leading end of at least one optical fibre (46). The protective sleeve (26) extends from behind the terminal connector (24) along part of the length of the optical fibre (46). When the cable is installed through a duct, the protective sleeve protects the portion of the fibre that protrudes from the end of the duct, for example in a communications cabinet (16). A residual length (28) of the protective sleeve remains within the duct. Terminal connectors and protective sleeves can be applied at both ends of the cable assembly, or only one end.

Abstract: A fibre optic cable (500, 700, 1420) comprises one or more fibre units (502, 1302). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506, 1306) embedded in a solid resin material (520, 1320) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524, 1324). The sheath (524, 1324) of each fibre unit is primarily polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), with a friction reducing additive such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The additive may be polythene based and/or polyacrylate based. The fibre unit may be applied in a pullback cable (500, 800, 1100), as a cable for pulling or pushing or as a blown fibre cable (502, 1302).

Abstract: A fibre optic cable (500, 700) comprises retractable fibre units (502) extending in parallel with one another within an extruded polymer tube (504). The fibre units are free to slide in the tube such that a selected fibre unit (702a) can be accessed and re-directed by forming an opening in a wall of the tube (504) and withdrawing the selected fibre unit through the opening (710). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506) embedded in a solid resin material (520) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524). The fibre optic cable is manufactured by feeding the fibre units through an extrusion head (602) by which the extruded tube (504) is formed. The sheath (524) of each fibre unit is primarily polyethylene. A lining (510) of the extruded polymer tube is formed by polymer other than polyethylene, for example polypropylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-terminated (pre-terminated) optical fibre cable assembly (10,90), which is configured to be installed through a duct (20). The pre-terminated optical fibre construction (10,90) includes at least one optical fibre (46). A protective sleeve (26) is added to the optical fibre (46) before adding a terminal connector (24) to the leading end of at least one optical fibre (46). The protective sleeve (26) extends from behind the terminal connector (24) along part of the length of the optical fibre (46). When the cable is installed through a duct, the protective sleeve protects the portion of the fibre that protrudes from the end of the duct, for example in a communications cabinet (16). A residual length (28) of the protective sleeve remains within the duct. Terminal connectors and protective sleeves can be applied at both ends of the cable assembly, or only one end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-terminated (pre-terminated) optical fibre cable assembly (10,90), which is configured to be installed through a duct (20). The pre-terminated optical fibre construction (10,90) includes at least one optical fibre (46). A protective sleeve (26) is added to the optical fibre (46) before adding a terminal connector (24) to the leading end of at least one optical fibre (46). The protective sleeve (26) extends from behind the terminal connector (24) along part of the length of the optical fibre (46). When the cable is installed through a duct, the protective sleeve protects the portion of the fibre that protrudes from the end of the duct, for example in a communications cabinet (16). A residual length (28) of the protective sleeve remains within the duct. Terminal connectors and protective sleeves can be applied at both ends of the cable assembly, or only one end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-terminated (pre-terminated) optical fibre cable assembly (10,90), which is configured to be installed through a duct (20). The pre-terminated optical fibre construction (10,90) includes at least one optical fibre (46). A protective sleeve (26) is added to the optical fibre (46) before adding a terminal connector (24) to the leading end of at least one optical fibre (46). The protective sleeve (26) extends from behind the terminal connector (24) along part of the length of the optical fibre (46). When the cable is installed through a duct, the protective sleeve protects the portion of the fibre that protrudes from the end of the duct, for example in a communications cabinet (16). A residual length (28) of the protective sleeve remains within the duct. Terminal connectors and protective sleeves can be applied at both ends of the cable assembly, or only one end.

Abstract: A cable (302) has (8) fibers (304) are encapsulated by a UV curable layer (306) having a diameter of approximately (1010) microns, and (16) outer fibers (316) arranged in a circular formation around the inner fibers (304). The optical fibers (304) are held in position by means of the UV curable layer (306) so that the UV curable material of the layer (306) does not penetrate into the gaps between the optical fibers (304) and the outermost optical fibers (304) are restrained by the layer from moving axially. It is found that such an arrangement provides surprisingly favorable bending properties, making the cable particularly suitable for installation in a tube by means of blowing.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tube (8) is disclosed. The method comprises forming a tube (8) by extrusion, causing a body (24) to move longitudinally relative to the internal bore of the tube (8), and determining whether the body (24) ceases to move relative to the tube (8) At least part of said extrusion step and said step of causing a body (24) to move relative to the internal bore of the tube (8) are carried out simultaneously, and the body (24) is caused to move relative to the internal bore of the tube (8) by means of at least one first tensile element (22) attached to said body (24).

Abstract: A fibre optic cable includes a core of primary coated optical fibres embedded in an inner layer of acrylate material, having sufficient tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres in place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly for termination and splicing purposes. The hardness of the acrylate layer is such that at least the outermost fibres of the bundle are restricted from moving axially relative to the inner layer. The inner layer is then surrounded by a loose thin jacket formed from a mixture of high density polyethylene having a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 and a generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material. The mixture from which the outer layer is formed is compacted by means of heat and pressure.

Abstract: An optical fibre cable (1) for installation in a duct (51) by means of fluid flow is described. The cable (1) has a signal transmitting portion comprising a plurality of elongate, flexible optical fibres, surrounded by a braided covering (10) formed from textile yarns (9). The apparatus (50) for installing the cable includes an air compressor (52) for supplying a blowing head (53) with a conditioned air supply substantially free of static electricity or moisture. The blowing head (53) includes drive wheels (not shown), the speed of rotation of which (and hence the speed of installation of the fibre cable (1), (101) is adjusted by means of s control unit (54) powered by power supply (55). The fibre cable (1), (101) is fed from a fibre pan (56) over guide (57) to the blowing head (53), which is fed with an air supply from compressor (52) which is regulated by dispenser (58).

Abstract: An optical fibre cable (1) for installation in a duct by means of fluid flow is described. The cable (1) has a signal transmitting portion comprising a plurality of elongate, flexible optical fibres, surrounded by a braided covering (10) formed from textile yarns (9).

Abstract: A method of inserting an unreinforced fiber optic member into a duct is disclosed. An elongate, flexible pull cord is inserted into the duct and is attached adjacent its rearward end to the fiber optic member adjacent a forward end thereof. The forward end of the fiber optic member is then introduced into the duct, and fluid such as air is caused to flow along the duct to cause the pull cord and fiber optic member to move into the duct.

Abstract: A method for installing a lightweight optical fiber unit, preferably less than approximately 10 g/m, into a tube, by pulling the optical fiber unit through the tube using a pulling member. The pulling member may be attached to the optical fiber unit by a braided sheath. Alternatively, the pulling member itself may be a braided tube.

Abstract: A fibre optic cable includes a core of primary coated optical fibres embedded in an inner layer of acrylate material, having sufficient tensile strength when cured to lock at least the outermost fibres in place and still allow the fibres to be easily broken out of the assembly for termination and splicing purposes. The hardness of the acrylate layer is such that at least the outermost fibres of the bundle are restricted from moving axially relative to the inner layer. The inner layer is then surrounded by a loose thin jacket formed from a mixture of high density polyethylene having a Shore hardness greater than or equal to 60 and a generally uniformly distributed slip agent, including a polyether modified poly (dimethylsiloxane) material such as polyether modified hydroxy functional poly (dimethylsiloxane) material. The mixture from which the outer layer is formed is compacted by means of heat and pressure.