Abstract: An optical tube assembly and methods of manufacturing the same include a tube, at least one optical waveguide, and a dry insert. In one embodiment, the dry insert generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide and forms a core that is disposed within the tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert is compressed at least about 10 percent for coupling the at least optical waveguide to the interior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A fiber optic tube assembly including a tube having a longitudinal axis, at least one optical fiber, and at least one plug. The at least one optical fiber being at least partially disposed within the tube and the at least one plug being disposed within the tube at a predetermined location. A portion of the at least one optical fiber disposed within the at least one plug is capable of moving about the longitudinal axis of the tube relative to at least one plug. In other embodiments, the at least one plug includes an interfacial layer.

Abstract: A tube assembly of the present invention has at least one subunit with at least one dry insert generally surrounding the subunit which may be disposed within a tube, thereby forming a tube assembly. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. Additionally, the tube assembly can be a portion of a fiber optic cable having a sheath that may include a plurality of strength members and a cable jacket. In other embodiments, the subunits and dry insert are disposed within a cavity, thereby forming a tubeless cable. Additionally, subunits may include a marking indicia for denoting the security level.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable and manufacturing methods therefor includes a cable core that having at least one optical waveguide and at least one binder. The cable also includes a polymer layer being disposed about the at least one binder. During the extrusion of the polymer layer, the polymer layer at least partially melts the at least one binder when extruded thereover, thereby at least partially bonding the at least one binder with the polymer layer. In other embodiments, the cable is a dry fiber optic cable.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer and a second layer attached together with an adhesive. The dry insert also includes a plurality of particles having an average particle size of about 600 microns or less for inhibiting microbending. The first layer may be a polyurethane foam having an average cell size of about 1000 microns or less and the second layer is a water-swellable layer. The dry insert is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide and the tube assembly can be a portion of a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable including a cable core having at least one optical fiber and a ripcord. In one embodiment, the ripcord is a conductive material operative, upon application of a sufficient pulling force, to rip at least one cable component for facilitating access to said at least one optical fiber. In other embodiments, the ripcord is formed from a semi-conductive material, the ripcord is removably attached to at least one cable component, and/or the ripcord has an excess length.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. The at least one optical waveguide is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer comprising a felt having at least one type of non-continuous filament. The dry insert may also include a plurality of water-swellable filaments. In another embodiment, a dry insert has a first layer, a second layer, and a plurality of water-swellable filaments. The first and second layers are attached together at least along the longitudinal edges thereof, thereby forming at least one compartment between the first and second layers and the plurality of water-swellable filaments are generally disposed in the at least one compartment. The dry insert also is advantageous in tubeless cable designs.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly and methods of manufacturing the same include a tube, at least one optical waveguide, and a dry insert. In one embodiment, the dry insert generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide and forms a core that is disposed within the tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert is compressed at least about 10 percent for coupling the at least optical waveguide to the interior surface of the tube.

Abstract: An optical tube assembly having at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert, and a tube. In one embodiment, the dry insert has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer is a polyurethane foam and the second layer is a water-swellable layer, wherein the dry insert is disposed within the tube and generally surrounds the at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: A fiber optic tube assembly including a tube having a longitudinal axis, at least one optical fiber, and at least one plug. The at least one optical fiber being at least partially disposed within the tube and the at least one plug being disposed within the tube at a predetermined location. A portion of the at least one optical fiber disposed within the at least one plug is capable of moving about the longitudinal axis of the tube relative to at least one plug. In other embodiments, the at least one plug includes an interfacial layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having a tube assembly (20) therein. Tube assembly (20) includes an optical fiber group (22) in a tube (21). Optical fiber group (22) comprises a medial optical fiber subgroup (23) and lateral optical fiber subgroups (24a, 24b;25a,25b;26a,26b) adjacent thereto. Subgroups (24a,24b;25a,25b;26a,26b) define a step-like profile for maximizing optical fiber packing density of tube assembly (20) and/or defining a high fiber count cable (10). In exemplary embodiments, a diagonal free space is defined as the tube inner diameter minus the diagonal length of the cross-section of the profile of the optical fiber ribbon stack, the diagonal free space being about 2 mm to about 5 mm. In a multi-tube embodiment, diagonal free space can be about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. In other embodiments, corner fibers can have a delta optical attenuation of less than about 0.05 dB/Km for a wavelength of @1550 nm over a 100 meter length 40″ to 70″ drum at room temperature.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a buffer tube, a plurality of ribbons of optical fibers extending through the buffer tube and a grease layer disposed between at least one pair of adjacent ribbons. The grease layer includes a base component and a plurality of agglomerates formed filler particles, such as silica particles. The major dimension of the majority of the agglomerates is advantageously less than 100 microns in order to reduce microbending of the optical fibers and the resulting attenuation of the signals propagating along the optical fibers. The fiber optic cable can also include a filling compound that is disposed within the buffer tube and surrounds the optical fibers and that is also formed of a base component and a plurality of agglomerates, the majority of which similarly have a major dimension of less than 100 microns.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having strength assemblies (30) adjacent a tube having at least one optical fiber therein, at least one of the strength assemblies including a strength member for imparting crush resistance to the cable. The strength member is generally coupled to a first jacket, and may be surrounded by a single jacket, or by an armor tape and a second jacket. The strength member may be disposed in a recess of the tube. When crush loads are applied to the fiber optic cable, the stresses created in the cable are advantageously distributed by strength assemblies (30) whereby stress concentrations and undue deflection of the cable in response to the crush loads are avoided. The arrangement of the cable components and strength assemblies (30) inhibits slippage and/or warping of the components under stress, and thereby evenly distributes the stress for preventing crush induced attenuation in the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable including a cable core having at least one optical fiber and a ripcord. In one embodiment, the ripcord is a conductive material operative, upon application of a sufficient pulling force, to rip at least one cable component for facilitating access to said at least one optical fiber. In other embodiments, the ripcord is formed from a semi-conductive material, the ripcord is removably attached to at least one cable component, and/or the ripcord has an excess length.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having a cable core (20) includes fiber optic cable components in the form of buffer tubes (23), a binder (26), and strength members (31). Cable core (20) includes a series of stripes (38) that comprise a mixture of adhesive and water absorbent substances. The water absorbent substance of stripes (38) is operative to swell and thereby block the flow of water in cable (10). Stripes (38) are made by the sequential coating of the adhesive and the water absorbent substances onto the cable whereby the water absorbent substance is propelled into interstices between the cable components. FIGS. 2 and 4.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable including at least one tube assembly therein. The tube assembly includes an optical fiber ribbon stack in a tube. The optical fiber ribbon stack comprises optical fiber ribbons arranged at least partially in a gradually decreasing optical fiber count profile. A diagonal free space of the tube assembly being about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The diagonal free space is defined as the tube inner diameter minus the maximum diagonal length of the ribbon stack. The maximum diagonal length of the ribbon stack being the greater of either a diagonal measurement across lateral subgroups of the ribbon stack or a diagonal measurement across a major dimension of a medial subgroup of the ribbon stack.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable including at least one tube assembly therein. The tube assembly includes an optical fiber ribbon stack in a tube. The optical fiber ribbon stack comprises optical fiber ribbons arranged at least partially in a gradually decreasing optical fiber count profile. A diagonal free space of the tube assembly being about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm. The diagonal free space is defined as the tube inner diameter minus the maximum diagonal length of the ribbon stack. The maximum diagonal length of the ribbon stack being the greater of either a diagonal measurement across lateral subgroups of the ribbon stack or a diagonal measurement across a major dimension of a medial subgroup of the ribbon stack.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is provided that includes a buffer tube, a plurality of ribbons of optical fibers extending through the buffer tube and a grease layer disposed between at least one pair of adjacent ribbons. The grease layer includes a base component and a plurality of agglomerates formed filler particles, such as silica particles. The major dimension of the majority of the agglomerates is advantageously less than 100 microns in order to reduce microbending of the optical fibers and the resulting attenuation of the signals propagating along the optical fibers. The fiber optic cable can also include a filling compound that is disposed within the buffer tube and surrounds the optical fibers and that is also formed of a base component and a plurality of agglomerates, the majority of which similarly have a major dimension of less than 100 microns.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having strength assemblies (30) adjacent a tube for imparting crush resistance to the cable, at least one of the strength assemblies including a strength member in contact with a tube having at least one optical fiber therein. The strength member is coupled to a first jacket, and may be surrounded a single jacket, or by an armor tape and a second jacket. The strength member may be disposed in a recess of the tube. When crush loads are applied to the fiber optic cable, the stresses created in the cable are advantageously distributed by strength assemblies (30) whereby stress concentrations and undue deflection of the cable in response to the crush loads are avoided. Tight coupling and minimized gaps between the cable components in strength assemblies (30) inhibits slippage and/or warping of the components under stress, and thereby evenly distribute the stress for preventing crush induced attenuation in the optical fibers.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having a tube assembly (20) therein. Tube assembly (20) includes an optical fiber group (22) in a tube (21). Optical fiber group (22) comprises a medial optical fiber subgroup (23) and lateral optical fiber subgroups (24a, 24b; 25a, 25b; 26a, 26b) adjacent thereto. Subgroups (24a, 24b; 25a, 25b; 26a, 26b) define a step-like profile for maximizing optical fiber packing density of tube assembly (20) and/or defining a high fiber count cable (10). In exemplary embodiments, a diagonal free space is defined as the tube inner diameter minus the diagonal length of the cross-section of the profile of the optical fiber ribbon stack, the diagonal free space being about 2 mm to about 5 mm. In a multi-tube embodiment, diagonal free space can be about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm. In other embodiments, corner fibers can have a delta optical attenuation of less than about 0.05 dB/Km for a wavelength of @1550 nm over a 100 meter length 40″ to 70″ drum at room temperature.