Abstract: A simplex optical fiber cable includes an optical fiber, a buffer surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a layer of strength fibers disposed about the buffer, and a sheath member surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. In cross section the cable has a diameter of less than 2.0 millimeters (mm) and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available. Preferably, if the buffer is relatively thin a slick substance is applied to the outer surface of the buffer to allow the buffer and the strength fiber layer to slide relation to each other. If the buffer is relatively thick, a friction-reducing substance can be applied to the optical fiber to facilitate stripping of the buffer from the fiber a duplex optical fiber cable includes two simplex optical fiber cables having their respective sheaths joined to produce a figure-eight configuration.

Abstract: A simplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes an optical fiber, a buffer preferably of nylon, surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a yarn layer with strength fibers, preferably aramid fibers, disposed about the buffer and a sheath preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. [In cross-section, the simplex optical fiber cable has a diameter less than 2.0 millimeters (mm), and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available Preferably, if the buffer is relatively thin providing limited protection to the optical fiber, a slick substance such as talc is applied to an outer surface of the buffer before the yarn layer is disposed thereon. The slick substance allows the buffer of the optical fiber to slide to a degree in contact with the yarn layer and thus reduces fatigue caused by axial movement of a ferrule of the connector terminating the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A simplex optical fiber cable of this invention includes an optical fiber, a buffer preferably of nylon, surrounding and in contact with the optical fiber, a yarn layer with strength fibers, preferably aramid fibers, disposed about the buffer and a sheath preferably formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surrounding and in contact with the yarn layer. In cross-section, the simplex optical fiber cable has a diameter less than 2.0 millimeters (mm), and thus is much smaller in diameter than optical fiber cables presently available. Preferably, if the buffer is relatively tin providing limited protection to the optical fiber, a slick substance such as talc is applied to an outer surface of the buffer before the yam layer is disposed thereon. The slick substance allows the buffer of the optical fiber to slide to a degree in contact with the yarn layer and thus reduces fatigue caused by axial movement of a ferrule of the connector terminating the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A buffered optical fiber (20) includes an optical fiber (21) comprising a core and a cladding. Typically, the optical fiber is enclosed by at least one layer (23) of coating material. The optical fiber is enclosed by a plastic buffer layer (30). Interposed between the optical fiber and the buffer layer is a boundary layer (40). Importantly, the boundary layer of the present invention is a low modulus material applied as a substantially thick layer relative to the buffer layer. In a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness of the boundary layer is about one-forth to one-third the wall thickness of the buffer layer. However, depending on the particular materials selected for the buffer and boundary layer, the wall thickness of the boundary layer can be as thin as one-twenty-fifth (1/25) of the buffer layer.