Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber ribbon in which the optical fibers of the optical fiber ribbon are intermittently bonded together at bonding regions along the length of the optical fiber ribbon. The bonding regions of the optical fiber ribbon each include a joining ribbon matrix that have different colors along the length of the optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly comprises first and second cable legs each including a tight buffer surrounding coated optical fibers, and a reduced thickness buffer connecting region, with cable leg being devoid of any surrounding jacket and any tensile strength member. A fiber optic cable assembly devoid of a tensile strength member mechanically coupled to a connector comprises a travel limiting feature that serves to limit travel of the ferrule and inhibit ferrule decoupling when tension is applied to a fiber optic cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tensile strength limiting system are provided. The tensile strength limiting system is configured to cause breakage of an optical fiber cable at a predetermined tensile loading below a tensile strength of the optical fiber cable. The tensile strength limiting system includes a force limiter configured for attachment to the optical fiber cable strung on an aerial pole and a restriction through which the optical fiber cable is configured to be looped. At the predetermined tensile loading, the force limiter is configured to allow the optical fiber cable to pull through the restriction; and the restriction is configured to force the optical fiber cable to bend below a minimum bend radius of a strength member within the optical fiber cable such that the strength member breaks.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in the ferrule bore and having first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The bonding agent has been melted and solidified at the first and second ends without there being an optical fiber present in the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in the ferrule bore and having first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The bonding agent has been melted and solidified at the first and second ends without there being an optical fiber present in the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber optic connector sub-assembly involves: initially disposing a bonding agent in a ferrule bore of a ferrule; heating at least a portion of the ferrule above a melting temperature of the bonding agent so that some of the bonding agent melts; and solidifying the bonding agent that has melted to form the fiber optic connector sub-assembly, all without an optical fiber being disposed within the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A crush resistant, kink resistant optical cable including crush resistant, kink resistant optical fiber buffer tubes and systems and method for making the same are provided. The buffer tubes include a depression pattern formed along the outer surface of the buffer tube. The depression pattern provides areas of decreased thickness in the buffer tube facilitating flexibility and kink resistance. The system and method relates to laser ablation for forming the depression pattern in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector comprises preloading an adhesive plug into a ferrule bore of a ferrule. The ferrule bore extends between a first face and a second face of the ferrule and includes a large diameter bore section extending inwardly from the first face, a micro-hole section extending inwardly from the second face, and a transition section located between the large diameter bore section and the micro-hole section. The adhesive plug: a) is coupled to at least the transition section during the preloading, b) comprises an adhesive composition in a stable form, and c) blocks an entrance into the micro-hole section from the transition section. The method also comprises storing the adhesive plug in the ferrule bore for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The ferrule bore has a first section extending inwardly from the rear end of the ferrule, a second section extending inwardly from the front end of the ferrule and having a width that is less than the first section, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of both the transition section and the second section of the ferrule bore. At least some of the bonding agent in the second section of the ferrule bore has been melted and solidified.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber optic connector sub-assembly involves: initially disposing a bonding agent in a ferrule bore of a ferrule; heating at least a portion of the ferrule above a melting temperature of the bonding agent so that some of the bonding agent melts; and solidifying the bonding agent that has melted to form the fiber optic connector sub-assembly, all without an optical fiber being disposed within the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A method of making a fiber optic connector sub-assembly involves: initially disposing a bonding agent in a ferrule bore of a ferrule; heating at least a portion of the ferrule above a melting temperature of the bonding agent so that some of the bonding agent melts; and solidifying the bonding agent that has melted to form the fiber optic connector sub-assembly, all without an optical fiber being disposed within the ferrule bore.

Abstract: A crush resistant, kink resistant optical cable including crush resistant, kink resistant optical fiber buffer tubes and systems and method for making the same are provided. The buffer tubes include a depression pattern formed along the outer surface of the buffer tube. The depression pattern provides areas of decreased thickness in the buffer tube facilitating flexibility and kink resistance. The system and method relates to laser ablation for forming the depression pattern in the buffer tube.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector comprises preloading an adhesive plug into a ferrule bore of a ferrule. The ferrule bore extends between a first face and a second face of the ferrule and includes a large diameter bore section extending inwardly from the first face, a micro-hole section extending inwardly from the second face, and a transition section located between the large diameter bore section and the micro-hole section. The adhesive plug: a) is coupled to at least the transition section during the preloading, b) comprises an adhesive composition in a stable form, and c) blocks an entrance into the micro-hole section from the transition section. The method also comprises storing the adhesive plug in the ferrule bore for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of securing an optical fiber to a ferrule involves heating the ferrule to cause thermal expansion. A ferrule bore of the ferrule increases in diameter as a result of the thermal expansion, and an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore. The ferrule is then cooled so that the ferrule bore decreases in diameter and forms a mechanical interface with the optical fiber. Finally, the optical fiber is fused to the ferrule by irradiating the optical fiber and the ferrule with laser energy.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. The method comprises loading an adhesive composition into the passage and storing the adhesive composition for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber. The adhesive composition is a meltable, substantially solid material maintained the first passage section, transition section, or both the second passage section and transition section.

Abstract: A method of terminating an optical fiber involves providing a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends, and a bonding agent disposed in at least a portion of the ferrule bore. The method also involves applying energy to heat the bonding agent. An end section of an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore and through the bonding agent when the bonding agent is heated. The end section of the optical fiber includes a primary coating prior to insertion into the ferrule bore. During insertion of the end section of the optical fiber through the bonding agent, the heated bonding agent thermally removes at least a portion of the primary coating during so that the optical fiber can be secured in the ferrule bore with the bonding agent.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber connector is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first and second sections. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. The method comprises loading an adhesive composition into the passage and storing the adhesive composition for at least one day without coupling the optical connector to an optical fiber. The adhesive composition is a meltable, substantially solid material maintained the first passage section, transition section, or both the second passage section and transition section.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector preloaded with an adhesive is provided. The optical connector includes a body having a passage with a first section extending inwardly from a first face of the body, a second section extending inwardly from a second face from the body, and a transition section located between the first section and the second section. The first section of the passage has a first width and the second section of the passage has a second width that is less than the first width. An adhesive composition is located within the transition section of the passage and is configured to bind an optical fiber to an inner surface of the second section following melting and solidification of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector sub-assembly includes a ferrule having a front end, a rear end, and a ferrule bore extending between the front and rear ends along a longitudinal axis. The fiber optic connector sub-assembly also includes a bonding agent disposed in the ferrule bore and having first and second ends along the longitudinal axis. The bonding agent has been melted and solidified at the first and second ends.