Abstract: Core enclosures suitable for use in a fiber optic cables and having water-blocking capabilities as well as methods for forming such core enclosures are disclosed. The core enclosures include a mixture of a superabsorbent polymer and a plastisol, the plastisol comprising a thermoplastic resin and a plasticizer. Also disclosed are fiber optic cables which include these core enclosures. The core enclosures protect optical fibers from damage caused by water by blocking and retaining water that has entered into a fiber optic cable and by preventing water from penetrated through the core enclosure to optical fibers enclosed within.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the cable of the present invention incorporates a core, an outer jacket surrounding the core, and a commercially available super-absorbent fibers disposed between the core and the outer jacket as well as inside the core. The fibers may also be applied to a tape to be provided between the core and the outer jacket. The tape incorporates a first layer and super-absorbent fibers, with the super-absorbent fibers being applied to the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is formed of spun bonded non-woven polyester material, nylon spun bonded fabric, non-woven glass, polypropylene melt blown non-woven fabric, polyurethane spun bonded fabric, or TCF cellulose fabric, among others. Additionally, the fibers preferably are provided with a moisture content of greater than approximately 0 percent, by weight, thereby improving the flame-retarding characteristics of the tape.

Abstract: A family of oil or fluid-based lubricants with an additive, for use in fabricating optical fiber cables having loose fibers or stacked optical fiber ribbons is disclosed. The additive, which can be either fumed silica, fumed alumina, or block polymers, lowers the surface tension and contact angle, and increases the viscosity and wettability of the lubricants.

Abstract: The present invention generally is directed to compositions, products and methods that utilize superabsorbent polymers for flame-retarding. A preferred method includes improving flame-retarding characteristics in products by adding SAPs to the product. Prior to the step of adding the SAPs, the product exhibits a first limiting oxygen index and after the step of adding the SAPs, the product exhibits a second limiting oxygen index, with the second limiting oxygen index being higher than the first limiting oxygen index. Preferably, the SAPs can be pre-loaded with moisture, thereby potentially further increasing the flame-retarding characteristics of the product. In a preferred embodiment, the product is configured as a cable, with the outer jacket of the cable incorporating the SAPs.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the cable of the present invention incorporates a core, an outer jacket surrounding the core, and a super-absorbent foam disposed between the core and the outer jacket as well as inside the core. The super-absorbent foam comprises a polyurethane or similar type foam loaded with super-absorbent polymers (SAPs) which exhibit both water-blocking and flame-retarding characteristics. Additionally, the foam preferably is provided with a moisture content of greater than approximately 0 percent, by weight, thereby improving the flame-retarding characteristics of the foam.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the dry core optical fiber cable of the present invention incorporates a plurality of sub-units with each of said sub-units being arranged adjacent another of the sub-units so that the plurality of sub-units define an outer periphery. Preferably, each of the sub-units includes a plurality of optical fibers, a yarn layer and a sub-unit jacket, with each of the optical fibers being arranged adjacent another of the optical fibers. The sub-unit jacket surrounds the optical fibers, with the yarn layer being disposed between the optical fibers and the sub-unit jacket. An outer jacket surrounds the plurality of sub-units, with water-blocking tape being disposed between the outer jacket and the outer periphery of the sub-units. A method of manufacture of the cable also is provided.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the cable of the present invention incorporates a core, an outer jacket surrounding the core, and a tape disposed between the core and the outer jacket. The tape includes a first layer and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) which are applied to the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is formed of spun bonded non-woven polyester material, nylon spun bonded fabric, non-woven glass, polypropylene melt blown non-woven fabric, polyurethane spun bonded fabric, or TCF cellulose fabric, among others. Additionally, the SAPs preferably are provided with a moisture content of greater than approximately 2 percent, by weight, thereby improving the flame-retarding characteristics of the tape.

Abstract: A communication cable includes a core comprising at least one transmission medium and a sheath system which is disposed about the core. Means are disposed within the cable for preventing the longitudinal migration of water through the cable core, said means including both a hydrophilic material and a hydrophobic material in cooperative communication with each other. Specifically, a hydrophilic, water-absorptive material is supported by a yarn which is helically wrapped about various sections of the communication core. In a copper cable, the water-absorptive yarn may be wrapped about individual twisted pair conductors or a unit consisting of a plurality of twisted pair conductors or the cable core itself. In addition to the helically-wrapped, water-absorptive yarn, the cable of the present invention includes a hydrophobic, water-blocking material interdisposed to fill all voids and interstices within the communication core.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable (20) includes provisions in a core thereof for preventing the flow of water longitudinally along the core and for preventing freezing of such water. The provisions for preventing freezing of water within the core, which could effect adversely the optical fibers, includes an antifreeze material. Each of two tapes may be impregnated with an antifreeze material such as propylene glycol, for example, and used to provide a laminate with a superabsorbent powder therebetween. Advantageously, the cable may have suitable flame retardance so that it may extend from an outside manhole to distribution points within a building.

Abstract: A cable of this invention includes a core comprising a plurality of coated optical fibers and a filling composition of matter which is disposed about the fibers. Typically, the fibers and the filling material are diposed within a tubular member which is disposed within a sheath system. The sheath system include longitudinally extending strength members and a plastic jacket. The filling composition which fills interstices in the core is one which includes an oil constituent which is a relatively high molecular weight aliphatic hydrocarbon. The aliphatic hydrocarbon is a synthetic oil such as polyalphaolefin or mineral oil. A relatively large percent by weight of an antioxidant system is used to prevent thermal oxidative degradation of the filling material as well as of materials in contact with the filling material. Advantageously, for stabilization and metal deactivation, the composition includes zinc dialkyldithiophosphate or diaryldithiophosphate.

Abstract: A cable (20) includes a waterblocking member (29) which includes a superabsorbent polymer. The superabsorbent polymer includes an ionic constituent which is characterized in that its solubility product is substantially higher than that of carboxylate and in that it has a lower reaction rate for forming an anhydride than does carboxylate. The ionic constitutent may be selected from the group consisting of sulfate, sulfonate and phosphate and also includes a counter ion. Other constituents may include a carboxylate and a non-ionic group constituent. The superabsorbent polymer is such that the amount of crosslinking is sufficient to avoid the polymer going into solution, but is not so much as to affect adversely the water absorbency of the waterblocking member. Further, the superabsorbent polymer is much more salt tolerant and temperature tolerant than are prior art superabsorbent polymers.

Abstract: A fluid is provided for the drilling, workover or completion of a subterranean well comprising an aqueous base, the browning reaction product of a carbohydrate, and a cation. Inversion of non-reducing sugars is effected on selected carbohydrates, with the inversion also catalyzing the browning reaction. Inhibition of continued in-situ browning reaction is provided by the addition of a stabilizer.

Abstract: A fluid is provided for the drilling, workover or completion of a subterranean well comprising an aqueous base, the browning reaction product of a carbohydrate, and a cation. Inversion of non-reducing sugars is effected on selected carbohydrates, with the invention also catalyzing the browning reaction.