Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a jacket having a cavity and a stack of fiber optic ribbons in the cavity. Each of the fiber optic ribbons includes optical fibers arranged side-by-side with one another and bound to one another with a common matrix in bound sections of the respective fiber optic ribbon. Each fiber optic ribbon additionally has loose sections thereof where the optical fibers of the respective fiber optic ribbon are loose and unbound. The bound sections are spaced apart from one another and separated from one another by the loose sections, while matrix of each of the bound sections contiguously extends across each of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbon. Bound sections of adjoining fiber optic ribbons of the stack are at least partially non-overlapping one another as arranged in the stack, which facilitates flexibility and compactness of the stack.

Abstract: An optical cable includes a cable body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen. The cable body has a profile feature formed on the outer surface, wherein the profile feature includes a trough that extends longitudinally between a first buttress and a second buttress, the first buttress and the second buttress having a radial height. The trough defines a continuous concave surface between the first buttress and the second buttress that is recessed below the radial height. An ink layer is adhered to the concave surface, wherein the ink layer forms alphanumeric characters that provide information related to the optical cable.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a channel defined by the inner surface and a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the channel. The outer surface of the cable body defines a profile feature such that the outer surface at the profile feature is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis. The profile feature having at least two peaks and at least one trough between the peaks, and the profile feature extends axially along at least a portion of the length of the outer surface of the cable body. The cable includes an optical transmission element located in the channel, and an ink layer positioned along an outer surface of the trough of the profile feature. The peaks are configured to limit contact of the ink layer with surfaces during installation and thereby act to protect the ink layer from abrasion.

Abstract: An optical cable is provided. The optical cable includes a cable body having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen and one or more optical transmission elements located within the lumen. The optical cable includes a groove array comprising a plurality of grooves located on the outer surface of the cable body. Each groove defines a trough having a lower surface located between peaks on either side of the trough, and the groove array includes an average groove spacing. The optical cable includes an ink layer applied to the cable body at the location of the groove array. The groove array and the ink layer are formed to limit abrasion experienced by the ink layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a jacket having a cavity and a stack of fiber optic ribbons in the cavity. Each of the fiber optic ribbons includes optical fibers arranged side-by-side with one another and bound to one another with a common matrix in bound sections of the respective fiber optic ribbon. Each fiber optic ribbon additionally has loose sections thereof where the optical fibers of the respective fiber optic ribbon are loose and unbound. The bound sections are spaced apart from one another and separated from one another by the loose sections, while matrix of each of the bound sections contiguously extends across each of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbon. Bound sections of adjoining fiber optic ribbons of the stack are at least partially non-overlapping one another as arranged in the stack, which facilitates flexibility and compactness of the stack.

Abstract: A sub-assembly of a fiber optic cable, the sub-assembly includes a central strength member, core elements wound about the central strength member in a stranded configuration, wherein the core elements comprise buffer tubes, filler rods, secondary strength members, and/or conductive wires, and a binder film overlaying the stranded core elements, the binder film comprising a polymeric material having a Young's modulus of 3 gigapascals or less such that the binder film constrains the core elements.

Abstract: A method of making an armored cable having a polymer covering where the bond between the armor and the covering is controlled by introducing particulate matter at the interface of the armor and covering. A filler material is applied to the exterior surfaces of the cable strength elements in order to inhibit the formation of voids in the polymer covering that would otherwise promote water migration along the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a binder film surrounding the core. The core includes a central strength member and core elements, such as buffer tubes containing optical fibers, where the core elements are stranded around the central strength member in a pattern of stranding including reversals in lay direction of the core elements. The binder film is in radial tension around the core such that the binder film opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements. Further, the binder film loads the core elements normally to the central strength member such that contact between the core elements and central strength member provides coupling there between, limiting axial migration of the core elements relative to the central strength member.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable, or a sub-assembly thereof, includes core elements and a binder film. The core elements are wound in a stranded configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding. The binder film overlays and surrounds the stranded core elements, and constrains the core elements in the stranded configuration.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a binder film surrounding the core. The core includes a central strength member and core elements, such as buffer tubes containing optical fibers, where the core elements are stranded around the central strength member in a pattern of stranding including reversals in lay direction of the core elements. The binder film is in radial tension around the core such that the binder film opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable, or a sub-assembly thereof, includes core elements and a binder film. The core elements are wound in a stranded configuration that includes a pattern of reverse-oscillatory winding. The binder film overlays and surrounds the stranded core elements, and constrains the core elements in the stranded configuration.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable body, a plurality of core elements located within the cable body, a reinforcement layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable body, and a film surrounding the plurality of core elements. At least one of the plurality of core elements includes an elongate optical transmission element. The film provides an inwardly directed force onto the core elements, and a surface of the film is bonded to the reinforcement layer.

Abstract: A method of making an armored cable having a polymer covering where the bond between the armor and the covering is controlled by introducing particulate matter at the interface of the armor and covering. A filler material is applied to the exterior surfaces of the cable strength elements in order to inhibit the formation of voids in the polymer covering that would otherwise promote water migration along the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a binder film surrounding the core. The core includes a central strength member and core elements, such as buffer tubes containing optical fibers, where the core elements are stranded around the central strength member in a pattern of stranding including reversals in lay direction of the core elements. The binder film is in radial tension around the core such that the binder film opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fiber optic cable includes manufacturing a subunit and manufacturing an outer portion. Manufacturing the subunit includes extruding a subunit jacket over a first reinforcement material constraining an optical fiber. Manufacturing the outer portion of the fiber optic cable includes extruding an outer jacket over a second reinforcement material between the outer jacket and the subunit jacket. Hoop stress is applied to the second reinforcement material by the outer jacket, which constrains the second reinforcement material such that it is positioned and oriented to provide anti-buckling support to the fiber optic cable and mitigate effects on the optical fiber of jacket shrinkage due to low temperatures.

Abstract: An optical communication cable is provided. The optical communications cable includes a cable body having an outer surface, an inner surface and a channel defined by the inner surface. An optical transmission element is located in the channel. The cable includes an ink layer positioned on the outer surface of the cable body, and the ink layer is formed from charged ink droplets adhered to the outer surface of the cable body. The cable also includes a translucent layer coupled to the outer surface of the cable body over the ink layer such that the ink layer is located between the outer surface of the cable body and an inner surface of the translucent layer.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a channel defined by the inner surface and a longitudinal axis extending through the center of the channel. The outer surface of the cable body defines a profile feature such that the outer surface at the profile feature is asymmetric about the longitudinal axis. The profile feature having at least two peaks and at least one trough between the peaks, and the profile feature extends axially along at least a portion of the length of the outer surface of the cable body. The cable includes an optical transmission element located in the channel, and an ink layer positioned along an outer surface of the trough of the profile feature. The peaks are configured to limit contact of the ink layer with surfaces during installation and thereby act to protect the ink layer from abrasion.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a binder film surrounding the core. The core includes a central strength member and core elements, such as buffer tubes containing optical fibers, where the core elements are stranded around the central strength member in a pattern of stranding including reversals in lay direction of the core elements. The binder film is in radial tension around the core such that the binder film opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements. Further, the binder film loads the core elements normally to the central strength member such that contact between the core elements and central strength member provides coupling therebetween, limiting axial migration of the core elements relative to the central strength member.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a subunit and an outer portion. The subunit includes a subunit jacket defining a passageway interior thereto, an optical fiber extending through the passageway, and a first reinforcement material constraining the optical fiber within the subunit jacket such that the optical fiber and the subunit jacket are coupled to one another by way of the first reinforcement material. The outer portion of the fiber optic cable includes an outer jacket defining an outer periphery of the cable and a second reinforcement material between the outer jacket and the subunit jacket. The second reinforcement material includes fiberglass yarn, and hoop stress applied to the fiberglass yarn by the outer jacket constrains the fiberglass yarn such that it is positioned and oriented to provide anti-buckling support to the fiber optic cable and mitigate effects on the optical fiber of jacket shrinkage due to low temperatures.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a binder film surrounding the core. The core includes a central strength member and core elements, such as buffer tubes containing optical fibers, where the core elements are stranded around the central strength member in a pattern of stranding including reversals in lay direction of the core elements. The binder film is in radial tension around the core such that the binder film opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements. Further, the binder film loads the core elements normally to the central strength member such that contact between the core elements and central strength member provides coupling therebetween, limiting axial migration of the core elements relative to the central strength member.