Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within an offset cavity of the cable jacket. The at least one dry insert is disposed in the offset cavity with the at least one optical waveguide near the central axis of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member, at least one dry insert, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has a cavity with a generally rectangular cross-section with the at least one optical fiber and the at least one dry insert disposed therein. The at least one optical fiber has a predetermined level of coupling to the cable jacket that is provided by the at least one dry insert within the cavity of cable jacket. The predetermined level of coupling is about 0.1625 Newtons or more per optical fiber for a thirty meter length of fiber optic cable. Additionally, fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are fiber optic assemblies having at least one optical fiber and a water-swellable powder within a tube and/or cavity and methods for making the same. Fiber optic assemblies of the present invention use relatively low-levels of water-swellable powder while still effectively blocking the migration of tap water and/or saline solutions of 3% by weight along the tube and/or cavity. Furthermore, cleaning of the optical fibers is not necessary before connectorization like with conventional fiber optic cables that use a gel or grease. Generally speaking, at least some of the water-swellable powder is transferred to the inside surface of the tube, cavity, optical fiber or the like; rather, than being a loose powder that is able to migrate within the tube or cavity. Moreover, the existence of water-swellable powder within the fiber optic assembly or cable is nearly transparent to the craft since relatively low-levels are possible.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member, at least one dry insert, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has a cavity with a generally rectangular cross-section with the at least one optical fiber and the at least one dry insert disposed therein. The at least one optical fiber has a predetermined level of coupling to the cable jacket that is provided by the at least one dry insert within the cavity of cable jacket. The predetermined level of coupling is about 0.1625 Newtons or more per optical fiber for a thirty meter length of fiber optic cable. Additionally, fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within a cavity of the cable jacket. The at least one dry insert has a first and second portion that are connected to one another. In one embodiment, at least one fold is present between the two portions.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within a cavity of the cable jacket. The at least one dry insert has a first and second portion that are connected to one another. In one embodiment, at least one fold is present between the two portions.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within an offset cavity of the cable jacket. The at least one dry insert is disposed in the offset cavity with the at least one optical waveguide near the central axis of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A tight buffered optical fiber having a protective layer generally surrounding the optical fiber, a release layer at least partially bonding to and generally surrounding the protective layer and a buffer layer generally surrounding and being strippable from the release layer. The release layer including an acrylate with oligomers, monomers and a reactive release substance distributed with a matrix. The reactive release substance may include a silicone selected from the group including methyl and phenyl silicones. The matrix may be mechanically or chemically bonded to the protective layer so that stripping the buffer layer does not remove the release layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having both water blocking and flame retardant properties that is particularly useful for indoor or indoor/outdoor applications. In one embodiment, the fiber optic cable includes at least one buffer tube, at least one optical fiber disposed within the buffer tube, a composite tape surrounding the buffer tube that comprises a layer formed of an inherently flame retardant material and at least one coating a water swellable material, and a jacket surrounding the composite tape. The fiber optic cable can also include a water blocking element disposed within the buffer tube. The water swellable coatings of the composite tape and the water blocking element within the buffer tube therefore inhibit water migration along the length of the cable, while the flame retardant layer of the composite tape provides fire resistance.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for indoor applications includes a core tube surrounding a plurality of coated optical fibers; a jacket formed of a polymer material surrounding the core tube; and at least one layer of strength members disposed between said core tube and said jacket. The jacket has an outer diameter of not greater than about 7 to 12 mm and the coated optical fibers experience a short-term increase in signal attenuation of no more than about 0.01 dB when the cable is looped in a radius of 5 centimeters.

Abstract: A tight buffered optical fiber having a protective layer generally surrounding the optical fiber, a release layer at least partially bonding to and generally surrounding the protective layer and a buffer layer generally surrounding and being strippable from the release layer. The release layer including an acrylate with oligomers, monomers and a reactive release substance distributed with a matrix. The reactive release substance may include a silicone selected from the group including methyl and phenyl silicones. The matrix may be mechanically or chemically bonded to the protective layer so that stripping the buffer layer does not remove the release layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for indoor applications includes a core tube surrounding a plurality of coated optical fibers; a jacket formed of a polymer material surrounding the core tube; and at least one layer of strength members disposed between said core tube and said jacket. The jacket has an outer diameter of not greater than about 7 to 12 mm and the coated optical fibers experience a short-term increase in signal attenuation of no more than about 0.01 dB when the cable is looped in a radius of 5 centimeters.

Abstract: A mixture of two water receptive agents. One of the water receptive agents is a mixture of two distinct superabsorbent substances, at least one of the superabsorbent substances is characterized by a very fast swelling rate whereby it is operative to quickly block the flow of water, and another of the superabsorbent substances is characterized by a high gel strength whereby it is operative to inhibit wicking. The other of the water receptive agents is a water soluble or a hydrophilic resin for enhancing the performance of the superabsorbent substances. An exemplary fiber optic cable (10) includes fiber optic cable components in the form of buffer tubes (25) having two co-extruded layers (26,27). Layer (26) is the mixture of the two water receptive agents.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) includes a conventional optical fiber ribbon stack (12) with optical fiber ribbons having optical fibers. Ribbon stack (12) is disposed in a water blocking material (13) which, in turn, is surrounded by a core tube (14). Core tube (14) is surrounded by an outer jacket (15). The space between core tube (14) and jacket (15) includes fiber optic cable components (20,30,40). Cable component (20) provides strength and flame inhibiting capabilities to fiber optic cable (10) and may include a water blocking capability. Cable component (30) comprises a flame inhibiting capability, and may include a water blocking capability. Cable component (40) provides anti-buckling and flame inhibiting capabilities to fiber optic cable (10) and may include a water blocking capability. Fiber optic cable (10) meets flame and water blocking requirements, is manufactured at a low unit cost, and is easy to route through cable passageways.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of tubes each having at least one optical fiber therein and at least one strength component. A center of the strength component being generally offset from a center-zone of the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable includes a center-zone interstice, the center-zone interstice spanning generally the center of the fiber optic cable between the tubes and the strength component. The center-zone interstice may include a water swellable substance for blocking the flow of water therein.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) includes a conventional optical fiber ribbon stack (12) with optical fiber ribbons having optical fibers. Ribbon stack (12) is disposed in a water blocking material (13) which, in turn, is surrounded by a core tube (14). Core tube (14) is surrounded by an outer jacket (15). The space between core tube (14) and jacket (15) includes fiber optic cable components (20,30,40). Cable component (20) provides strength and flame inhibiting capabilities to fiber optic cable (10) and may include a water blocking capability. Cable component (30) comprises a flame inhibiting capability, and may include a water blocking capability. Cable component (40) provides anti-buckling and flame inhibiting capabilities to fiber optic cable (10) and may include a water blocking capability. Fiber optic cable (10) meets flame and water blocking requirements, is manufactured at a low unit cost, and is easy to route through cable passageways.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable suitable for indoor applications includes a core tube surrounding a plurality of coated optical fibers; a jacket formed of flame-retardant polymer material surrounding the core tube; and at least one layer of strength members disposed between said core tube and said jacket. The jacket has an outer diameter of not greater than about seven mm and the coated optical fibers experience a short-term increase in signal attenuation of no more than about 0.01 dB when the cable is looped in a radius of 5 centimeters.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes optical fibers loosely housed within a buffer tube. The buffer tube includes an inner coating, an outer coating, or both inner and outer coatings of moisture-absorptive material. The moisture-absorptive material may be a mixture of a moisture-absorptive powder and a thermoplastic resin; or a thermally crosslinked polymer; or a mixture of a moisture-absorptive resin and a resin cured by ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A telecommunication cable includes a layer comprising wetted water-absorptive powder on the surface of a substrate element, thereby avoiding the use of adhesives to bind the dry superabsorbent powder. The water-absorptive powder may be adhered to the surface of the substrate element by a water-soluble adhesive material.