Abstract: In curing a matrix material of a rollable optical fiber ribbon, ultraviolet light may be concentrated in a selected range of wavelengths to avoid further curing the primary coating of each fiber. A ribbon may be made by aligning the fibers, each having at least a primary coating, into a ribbon shape, applying a matrix material in intermittently distributed portions along the ribbon-shaped group of fibers, and exposing the ribbon-shaped group of fibers and applied matrix material to ultraviolet light concentrated in a range of wavelengths absorbed more by the matrix material than by the primary coating.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a core, a cladding disposed about the core, and a primary coating disposed about the cladding. The primary coating is cured during draw to at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the primary coating's fully cured primary-coating in situ modulus (P-ISM) value.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprising a core, a cladding disposed about the core, and a primary coating disposed about the cladding. The primary coating is cured during draw to at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the primary coating's fully cured primary-coating in situ modulus (P-ISM) value.

Abstract: Post-draw tower coating curing provides additional curing to an optical fiber coating after the fiber exits the bottom or output end of an optical fiber draw tower. A system may include a draw tower and a coating curing unit. The draw tower has at least one coating applicator. The coating curing unit may be located along a fiber path between the output end of the draw tower and a fiber takeup system.

Abstract: A optical fiber having core and cladding regions, a primary coating, and a secondary coating may be defined in part by a curve relating the microbend sensitivity to a ratio of the elastic modulus of the secondary coating to the elastic modulus of the primary coating (as plotted on respective y and x axes). The curve has a substantially peaked shape defined by a positive-slope region and a negative-slope region. The ratio of the elastic modulus of the secondary coating to the elastic modulus of the primary coating is within the positive-slope region.

Abstract: Post-draw tower coating curing provides additional curing to an optical fiber coating after the fiber exits the bottom or output end of an optical fiber draw tower. A system may include a draw tower and a coating curing unit. The draw tower has at least one coating applicator. The coating curing unit may be located along a fiber path between the output end of the draw tower and a fiber takeup system.

Abstract: A optical fiber having core and cladding regions, a primary coating, and a secondary coating may be defined in part by a curve relating the microbend sensitivity to a ratio of the elastic modulus of the secondary coating to the elastic modulus of the primary coating (as plotted on respective y and x axes). The curve has a substantially peaked shape defined by a positive-slope region and a negative-slope region. The ratio of the elastic modulus of the secondary coating to the elastic modulus of the primary coating is within the positive-slope region.

Abstract: The specification describes an optical fiber color coding scheme that uses two colors, where each of the two colors constitutes one half of the surface of the optical fiber coating. If a longitudinal portion of the coating is considered a hollow cylinder, then each of the two colors is a hollow hemi-cylinder. To ensure that each of the two colors is always plainly visible to an installer, the two colors are formed with a twist. Using two colors for coding substantially increases the number of available unique color codes. Coloring the entire coating reduces the chances of error in identifying the optical fibers.

Abstract: The specification describes an optical fiber color coding scheme that uses two colors, where each of the two colors constitutes one half of the surface of the optical fiber coating. If a longitudinal portion of the coating is considered a hollow cylinder, then each of the two colors is a hollow hemi-cylinder. To ensure that each of the two colors is always plainly visible to an installer, the two colors are formed with a twist. Using two colors for coding substantially increases the number of available unique color codes. Coloring the entire coating reduces the chances of error in identifying the optical fibers.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods curing a coated optical fiber. The method includes drawing the coated optical fiber through a gas chamber filled with a predetermined gas, drawing the fiber through a cure tube coupled to the gas chamber, and purging at least a portion of an inner surface of the cure tube with a purge gas as the coated optical fiber is drawn through the cure tube.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for coating an optical fiber. The method includes coating an optical fiber with a primary coating, preparing a secondary coating by selectively mixing a concentrate with an ultraviolet (UV) curable diluent coating, wherein the concentrate comprises predetermined amounts of a color agent and a release agent, and applying the secondary coating to the optical fiber and primary coating.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing optical fiber coatings to reduce microbend losses. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for coating an optical fiber to reduce microbend losses and polarization mode dispersion (PMD). The method includes applying a primary layer to the optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber comprises a core region surrounded by a cladding region. The method includes applying a secondary layer to the primary layer, and curing the primary and secondary layers, wherein the cured primary layer adheres to the cladding region with a minimum pullout adhesion of 6 N/cm, and the cured secondary layer has an in situ modulus of about 700 MPa to about 1200 MPa at room temperature.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods curing a coated optical fiber. The method includes drawing the coated optical fiber through a gas chamber filled with a predetermined gas, drawing the fiber through a cure tube coupled to the gas chamber, and purging at least a portion of an inner surface of the cure tube with a purge gas as the coated optical fiber is drawn through the cure tube.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for coating an optical fiber. The method includes coating an optical fiber with a primary coating, preparing a secondary coating by selectively mixing a concentrate with an ultraviolet (UV) curable diluent coating, wherein the concentrate comprises predetermined amounts of a color agent and a release agent, and applying the secondary coating to the optical fiber and primary coating.

Abstract: A bend insensitive fiber optic cable includes a singlemode fiber, a buffer layer surrounding the fiber wherein a thickest component of the buffer layer has an elastic modulus greater than 515 MPa (75,000 psi), and a jacket surrounding the buffer layer, wherein the jacket has a thickness of at least 1.2 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the buffer layer includes a nylon 12 resin with a nominal elastic modulus of approximately 218,000 psi. In this embodiment, an inner thin component of the buffer layer is made of an ethylene/ethyl acrylate resin so as to facilitate stripping of the buffer layer away from the fiber.

Abstract: A bend insensitive fiber optic cable includes a singlemode fiber, a buffer layer surrounding the fiber wherein a thickest component of the buffer layer has an elastic modulus greater than 515 MPa (75,000 psi), and a jacket surrounding the buffer layer, wherein the jacket has a thickness of at least 1.2 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the buffer layer includes a nylon 12 resin with a nominal elastic modulus of approximately 218,000 psi. In this embodiment, an inner thin component of the buffer layer is made of an ethylene/ethyl acrylate resin so as to facilitate stripping of the buffer layer away from the fiber.

Abstract: The specification describes optical fiber cables designed for microduct installations. The microduct cables are coated with a sheath having particulates added to modify the drag of the outer surface of the cable to air, and thereby facilitate air blown installation. The particulates are nanoclay, silica, alumina, or other suitable solid particles of less than 5 microns. The coating comprises a prepolymer containing the filler, and is UV cured.

Abstract: Dual coated optical fiber cables are optimized for air blown installation. The elastic properties of both coatings are controlled within a desired range over the full range of potential installation temperatures, e.g. 0-45° C. The material of the inner coating has a Tg below ?15° C., and preferably below ?25° C., and the material of the outer coating has a Tg above 60° C., and preferably above 75° C.

Abstract: The specification describes optical fiber cables designed for microduct installations. The microduct cables are coated with a sheath having particulates added to modify the drag of the outer surface of the cable to air, and thereby facilitate air blown installation. The particulates are nanoclay, silica, alumina, or other suitable solid particles of less than 5 microns. The coating comprises a prepolymer containing the filler, and is UV cured.

Abstract: An improved optical fiber cable is fabricated from a core surrounded by a protective sheath having a radially-varying elastic modulus. The core comprises one or more longitudinally extending optical fibers. The protective sheath comprises least a first coating layer portion and a second coating layer portion. The first and second coating layer portions are comprised of a common coating material. A modifier is added to the coating material comprising the first coating layer portion. Likewise, a modifier is added to the coating material comprising the second coating layer portion. The addition of a modifier to the first coating layer portion and the addition of a modifier to the second coating layer portion cause the coating to have an elastic modulus that varies in a radial direction along radii extending outwardly from a center of the core of the cable. The core may be, for example, a single optical fiber, a bundle of optical fibers, an optical fiber ribbon, a stack of optical fiber ribbons, etc.