Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable, a tether, and an overmold. The fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, a strength member, and a jacket, where the jacket includes an interior portion contacting the strength member and an exterior portion adjoining the interior portion. The interior and exterior portions of the jacket both include polyethylene, and the exterior portion further includes an additive that is not in the interior portion. The tether is coupled to the fiber optic cable at an attachment point. The optical fiber or another optical fiber spliced to the optical fiber, diverges from the fiber optic cable via the tether. The overmold encloses the attachment point and is attached directly to a discrete section of the exterior portion of the jacket proximate to the attachment point. The additive facilitates bonding of the overmold to the discrete section.

Abstract: A strain-relief member having a body formed from a block copolymer and designed for use in a fiber optic drop cable assembly. The body has a central channel and a cylindrical connector-end portion sized to surround an end-portion of a connector. The body also has a tapered cable-end portion sized to surround an end portion of a fiber optic cable that connects to the connector and that has a preferential bend axis. The strain-relief member is configured to limit an amount of strain in the strength components to less than 0.041 when subjected to flex and proof testing. A fiber optic drop cable assembly that has a fiber optic cable with a preferential bend axis and that employs the strain-relief member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A strain-relief member having a body formed from a block copolymer and designed for use in a fiber optic drop cable assembly. The body has a central channel and a cylindrical connector-end portion sized to surround an end-portion of a connector. The body also has a tapered cable-end portion sized to surround an end portion of a fiber optic cable that connects to the connector and that has a preferential bend axis. The strain-relief member is configured to limit an amount of strain in the strength components to less than 0.041 when subjected to flex and proof testing. A fiber optic drop cable assembly that has a fiber optic cable with a preferential bend axis and that employs the strain-relief member is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are spools, fiber optic assemblies, and methods for use with a lashing machine or other suitable deployment for routing the fiber optic cable toward the subscriber allowing the craft to quickly and easily deploy the fiber optic cable in the field. The fiber optic assemblies may include a spool, at least one fiber optic cable disposed on the spool, and a fiber optic connector. In one embodiment, the spool includes a first spool flange and a second spool flange that include notches that overlap at angular positions for allowing the spooling of fiber optic cable off the same. In another embodiment, the fiber optic connector is attached to the spool for plug and play connectivity of the spool. In other embodiments, a splitter may be attached to the spool for splitting the optical signal.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a messenger section having at least one strength member, a carrier section having at least one optical fiber therein, and a common jacket that forms a common jacket. In one embodiment, the carrier jacket has a preferential tear portion adjacent to the at least one optical fiber with a substantially continuous outer surface in the carrier jacket adjacent to the preferential tear portion. The preferential tear portion may be defined by at least one of: at least one internal void, at least one weld line, and at least one wing extending from a tape disposed about the one or more optical fibers. Various alternatives are possible. For example, the carrier jacket may also or alternatively include at least one gripping area extending for enhancing the gripping of the carrier section when pulling apart the carrier section and messenger section.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a messenger section having at least one strength member, a carrier section having at least one optical fiber therein, and a common jacket that forms a common jacket. In one embodiment, the carrier jacket has a preferential tear portion adjacent to the at least one optical fiber with a substantially continuous outer surface in the carrier jacket adjacent to the preferential tear portion. The preferential tear portion may be defined by at least one of: at least one internal void, at least one weld line, and at least one wing extending from a tape disposed about the one or more optical fibers. Various alternatives are possible. For example, the carrier jacket may also or alternatively include at least one gripping area extending for enhancing the gripping of the carrier section when pulling apart the carrier section and messenger section.

Abstract: Fiber optic articles, assemblies, and cables preserve optical performance by using optical waveguides having a core, a cladding, and a coating system according to the present invention. Moreover, the optical articles, assemblies, and cables of the present invention may achieve performance levels that were previously unattainable, for instance, the present invention contemplates acceptable optical performance for wavelengths such as 1625 nm and higher. Additionally, articles, assemblies, and/or cables of the present invention advantageously preserve optical performance, i.e., have relatively low delta attenuation, when subjected to manufacturing processes and/or environmental conditions such as temperature cycling. In other words, the articles, assemblies, and cables can withstand increased stress/strain before having significant attenuation.

Abstract: Fiber optic articles, assemblies, and cables preserve optical performance by using optical waveguides having a core, a cladding, and a coating system according to the present invention. Moreover, the optical articles, assemblies, and cables of the present invention may achieve performance levels that were previously unattainable, for instance, the present invention contemplates acceptable optical performance for wavelengths such as 1625 nm and higher. Additionally, articles, assemblies, and/or cables of the present invention advantageously preserve optical performance, i.e., have relatively low delta attenuation, when subjected to manufacturing processes and/or environmental conditions such as temperature cycling. In other words, the articles, assemblies, and cables can withstand increased stress/strain before having significant attenuation.

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: Methods and tools for separating a fiber optic ribbon into subunits inhibiting optical attenuation during initiation of the separation of the fiber optic ribbon into subunits. A first method includes supplying the fiber optic ribbon, heating a portion of the fiber optic ribbon, and separating the fiber optic ribbon into more than one subunit. The method may be practiced with an optical fiber ribbon heater. The optical fiber ribbon heater transfers heat to a portion of an optical fiber ribbon, thereby softening a matrix material and reducing stress during shearing. The heater may be a stand-alone unit, integrated with a ribbon separation tool, or capable of being removably attached to the tool. Other methods of separating a fiber optic ribbon into subunits include providing a fiber optic ribbon, abrading or oxidizing a portion of the fiber optic ribbon, and separating the fiber optic ribbon into more than one subunit.

Abstract: An optical fiber array (20) comprising at least one subunit (26) including at least one optical fiber (22) therein surrounded by a respective subunit matrix (23). The optical fiber array (20) includes a common matrix (24) disposed adjacent to the at least one subunit (26). The optical fiber array (20) can include an interfacial zone (28) between the subunit and common matrices defined by an adhesion treatment, the adhesion treatment comprising at least one interfacial substance having an interface characteristic in a range from an essentially non-coupled relationship to a loose bond.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable component, for example, an optical ribbon (20,22,24,26), individual optical fiber, fiber bundle, or a non-optical fiber component, having a radiation markable section, the radiation markable section including a radiation reactive ingredient compounded with a base matrix material, and methods for creating markings in the radiation markable section. When irradiated with a suitable radiation source, a photochemical reaction occurs that creates markings in the radiation markable section, so that the ribbon classification task may be done with ease and reliability. The marking of fiber optic cable components according to the present invention may, for example, be accomplished by a radiation source of the laser type.

Abstract: An optical transmission element (BL1, BL2) shows at least two optical fiber sub-units (BL1, BL2) which are combined by means of a common plastic covering (BSA). To the plastic covering (BS1, BS2) of the respective optical fiber sub-unit (BL1, BL2) at least one binding agent (HM1, HM2) is applied which causes the adhesion of the plastic matrix of the common second covering (BSA) of the optical transmission element (BL12) to the respective plastic matrix of the coverings (BS1, BS2) of the at least two optical fiber sub-units (BL1, BL2).

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 component, for example, an optical ribbon (20, 22, 24, 26), individual optical fiber, fiber bundle, or a non-optical fiber component, having a radiation markable section, the radiation markable section including a radiation reactive ingredient compounded with a base matrix material, and methods for creating markings in the radiation markable section. When irradiated with a suitable radiation source, a photochemical reaction occurs that creates markings in the radiation markable section, so that the ribbon classification task may be done with ease and reliability. The marking of fiber optic cable components according to the present invention may, for example, be accomplished by a radiation source of the laser type.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable component, for example, an optical ribbon (20,22,24,26), individual optical fiber, fiber bundle, or a non-optical fiber component, having a radiation markable section, the radiation markable section including a radiation reactive ingredient compounded with a base matrix material, and methods for creating markings in the radiation markable section. When irradiated with a suitable radiation source, a photochemical reaction occurs that creates markings in the radiation markable section, so that the ribbon classification task may be done with ease and reliability, so that substantial physical damage to the layer by the radiation source is avoided. The marking of fiber optic cable components according to the present invention may, for example, be accomplished by a radiation source of the laser type.

Abstract: An optical fiber array (20,40) comprising at least one subunit (26,46) including at least one optical fiber (22) therein surrounded by a respective subunit matrix (23,43) having a subunit matrix modulus characteristic. The optical fiber array (20,40) includes a common matrix (24,44) disposed adjacent to the at least one subunit (26,46) and having a common matrix modulus characteristic. A subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being defined as a ratio of the subunit matrix modulus characteristic with respect to the common matrix modulus characteristic, the subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being greater than about 1.5:1. The optical fiber array (20,40) can include an adhesion zone (28,48) defining a controlled adhesion bond between the common and subunit matrices (24,26;44,46).

Abstract: An optical fiber array (20,40) comprising at least one subunit (26,46) including at least one optical fiber (22) therein surrounded by a respective subunit matrix (23,43) having a subunit matrix modulus characteristic. The optical fiber array (20,40) includes a common matrix (24,44) disposed adjacent to the at least one subunit (26,46) and having a common matrix modulus characteristic. A subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being defined as a ratio of the subunit matrix modulus characteristic with respect to the common matrix modulus characteristic, the subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being greater than about 1.5:1. The optical fiber array (20,40) can include an adhesion zone (28,48) defining a controlled adhesion bond between the common and subunit matrices (24,26;44,46).

Abstract: An optical fiber array (20,40) comprising at least one subunit (26,46) including at least one optical fiber (22) therein surrounded by a respective subunit matrix (23,43) having a subunit matrix modulus characteristic. The optical fiber array (20,40) includes a common matrix (24,44) disposed adjacent to the at least one subunit (26,46) and having a common matrix modulus characteristic. A subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being defined as a ratio of the subunit matrix modulus characteristic with respect to the common matrix modulus characteristic, the subunit/common matrix modulus ratio being greater than about 1.5:1. The optical fiber array (20,40) can include an adhesion zone (28,48) defining a controlled adhesion bond between the common and subunit matrices (24,26;44,46).

Abstract: A ribbon separation tool (10) for separating optical fiber ribbons (C1,C2,C3) into subsets of optical fibers. Ribbon separation tool (10) includes a stationary shearing device (27), and a moveable shearing device (17), the moveable shearing device (17) is operative to move relative to the stationary shearing device (27) during a shearing stroke. Optical fiber ribbon support members (42), with optical fiber ribbon receiving slots (46) being defined therebetween, are adjacent shearing devices (17,27). Moveable shearing device (17) is moveably located between optical fiber ribbon support members (42) and includes moveable sub-slots (90a,90b,90c). When a cover member (26) of tool (10) is in a closed position, stationary sub-slots (92a,92b,92c) of stationary shearing device (27) are aligned with moveable sub-slots (90a,90b,90c) to define shearing slots (90a,92a;90b,92b;90c,92c).