Abstract: An inner duct operable for routing a transmission cable therein includes a duct tube. The duct tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one passageway disposed generally between said inner and outer surfaces of the duct tube. The at least one passageway being operable for receiving optical fibers therein. Alternative embodiments of the inner duct include at least one tube stranded therearound. The at least one tube includes at least one optical fiber therein and an outer sheath can generally surround the at least one tube.

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: A self-supporting fiber optic cable includes a messenger section having at least one strength and anti-buckling member enclosed within a jacket and a carrier section enclosed within a jacket that is joined to the jacket of the messenger section by a web. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, carrier section does not include strength members and the optical fibers are set with a high EFL. The greater EFL accommodates elongation of carrier section without transmission of stress to optical fibers. In addition, the preferably generally cylindrical internal surface of a tube or jacket curves the optical fibers creating EFL, for example, the fibers are guided by the internal surface in a helical path. Resistance to carrier section elongation and contraction can be controlled by varying the length of the web connecting the carrier and messenger sections.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber component disposed within at least one retention area of a support member. The support member including a metallic or dielectric material having the retention area disposed generally helically relative to a longitudinal axis of the cable. The cable also includes an interfacial layer between an outer surface of the support member and a cable jacket substantially surrounding the support member. The cable can include a cushioning zone adjacent the optical fiber component, and/or a water-blocking component between an outer surface of the support member and the cable jacket. The support member can have at least one bendable tab for at least partially covering the retention area.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber component disposed within at least one retention area of a support member. The support member including a metallic or dielectric material having the retention area disposed generally helically relative to a longitudinal axis of the cable. The cable also includes an interfacial layer between an outer surface of the support member and a cable jacket substantially surrounding the support member. The cable can include a cushioning zone adjacent the optical fiber component, and/or a water-blocking component between an outer surface of the support member and the cable jacket. The support member can have at least one bendable tab for at least partially covering the retention area.

Abstract: A self-supporting fiber optic cable includes a messenger section having at least one strength and anti-buckling member enclosed within a jacket and a carrier section enclosed within a jacket that is joined to the jacket of the messenger section by a web. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, carrier section does not include strength members and the optical fibers are set with a high EFL. The greater EFL accommodates elongation of carrier section without transmission of stress to optical fibers. In addition, the preferably generally cylindrical internal surface of a tube or jacket curves the optical fibers creating EFL, for example, the fibers are guided by the internal surface in a helical path. Resistance to carrier section elongation and contraction can be controlled by varying the length of the web connecting the carrier and messenger sections.

Abstract: An inner duct operable for routing a transmission cable therein includes a duct tube. The duct tube having an inner surface and an outer surface and at least one passageway disposed generally between said inner and outer surfaces of the duct tube. The at least one passageway being operable for receiving optical fibers therein. Alternative embodiments of the inner duct include at least one tube stranded therearound. The at least one tube includes at least one optical fiber therein and an outer sheath can generally surround the at least one tube.

Abstract: A self-supporting fiber optic cable includes a messenger section having at least one strength and anti-buckling member enclosed within a jacket and a carrier section enclosed within a jacket that is joined to the jacket of the messenger section by a web. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, carrier section does not include strength members and the optical fibers are set with a high EFL. The greater EFL accommodates elongation of carrier section without transmission of stress to optical fibers. In addition, the preferably generally cylindrical internal surface of a tube or jacket curves the optical fibers creating EFL, for example, the fibers are guided by the internal surface in a helical path. Resistance to carrier section elongation and contraction can be controlled by varying the length of the web connecting the carrier and messenger sections.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40,75,87,94,96,98,104).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40, 75, 87, 94, 96, 98, 104).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) having at least one optical fiber (22) and a component disposed within the cable (10) between a core (20) and a jacket section (30) of the cable, and a method of making the cable. The component includes a substrate (34) with a water blocking formulation (50) thereon, the water blocking formulation (50) comprising a radiation curable resin (52) and a water absorptive substance (54) at least partially embedded or compounded in the radiation curable resin (52). The radiation curable resin (52) includes an initiator for rapid processing speeds. The water blocking formulation (50) may include a non-compatible material for reducing friction and/or enhancing physical properties. Water blocking formulation (50) is advantageously adaptable to application on various exemplary cable components (40,75,87,94,96,98,104).

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) includes a cable core (20) and a sheath section (40). Interstitial assemblies (30) are disposed between cable core (20) and sheath section (40, at least one of the interstitial assemblies (30) includes a ripcord (38). Ripcord (38) is operative, upon application of a sufficient outwardly directed pulling force, to rip a cable core binder (26) stranded around buffer tubes (23), water swellable tape (27), and a binder (29) stranded around tape (27). A craftsman need not use a cutting tool to cut binders (26,29) and/or tape (27) which saves time and avoids potential injury to the craftsman and inadvertent damage to buffer tubes or other cable components.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable (10) includes a tube section (20) and an sheath section (40). Between tube and sheath sections (20,40) is a series of general interstices (S), each general interstice (S) comprises a respective set of sub-interstices (S1,S2,S3). Each general interstice (S) comprises a respective interstitial assembly (30). Each interstitial assembly (30) provides crush strength resistance and water blocking features to fiber optic cable (10).

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes optical fibers loosely housed within a buffer tube. The buffer tube includes an inner coating, an outer coating, or both inner and outer coatings of moisture-absorptive material. The moisture-absorptive material may be a mixture of a moisture-absorptive powder and a thermoplastic resin; or a thermally crosslinked polymer; or a mixture of a moisture-absorptive resin and a resin cured by ultraviolet light.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a central strength member, a plurality of optical ribbon-carrying tubes stranded around the central strength member in an alternating hand helix, and water-swellable yarns disposed in interstices between adjacent tubes. Pairs of electrical conductors may also be disposed in such interstices. A water-swellable tape is wrapped without substantial lay around the central strength member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dry single tube fiber optic cable of the loose tube variety in which there is no filling or flooding materials but none the less adequate provisions are made to protect the optical fibers from damage due to water penetration. The cable structure comprises (1) one or more groups of optical fibers each held together by a circumscribing water absorbent material; (2) a buffering tube having an internal channel larger than the one or more groups of optical fibers in which the groups of optical fibers are moveably disposed; (3) a strength member circumscribing the buffering tube; (4) a water absorbent material circumscribing the strength member, and (5) a jacket circumscribing the strength member.