Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and adjusting binder laylength during the process of manufacturing a selected fiber optic cable design. Specifically, a binder, having a distinguishing and physically detectable feature, is wrapped around fiber optic bundles or a buffer tube. A detection system detects the unique feature associated with the binder and thus creates a calculates a representative distance value. The distance value is calculated in relation the periodic spacing between two detected points on the physically detectable binder and is continuously monitored by a closed feedback loop. A computer receives status data from the closed feedback loop and compares the received data to a stored laylength parameter. In light of the comparison, an algorithm adjusts the binder head speed accordingly. This process repeats until the desired stored laylength is detected by the detection system.

Abstract: The present invention adds a gel-swellable layer in fiber optic cables to aid in protecting the fibers within the cable. The gel-swellable layer can be placed on the fibers, individual ribbons, stacks of ribbons and on the inner surface of tubes by various methods, such as co-extrusion, and can be cured by either heat curing or UV curing. The gel-swellable layers of this invention can be either smooth or textured. When the fibers are placed into the tubes and the tubes are filled with the water resistant gel, the gel-swellable layer absorbs some of the gel causing it to “swell”. As a result of the “swelling” a certain volume of gel is absorbed by the layer, thus reducing the capability of the gel to flow at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable with optical fibers stranded around a central strength member, and surrounded outer jacket made of a low coefficient of friction material and thinly constructed to show the profile of the stranded shape of the optical lines through the jacket, to thereby form a textured surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and adjusting binder laylength during the process of manufacturing a selected fiber optic cable design. Specifically, a binder, having a distinguishing and physically detectable feature, is wrapped around fiber optic bundles or a buffer tube. A detection system detects the unique feature associated with the binder and thus creates a calculates a representative distance value. The distance value is calculated in relation the periodic spacing between two detected points on the physically detectable binder and is continuously monitored by a closed feedback loop. A computer receives status data from the closed feedback loop and compares the received data to a stored laylength parameter. In light of the comparison, an algorithm adjusts the binder head speed accordingly. This process repeats until the desired stored laylength is detected by the detection system.

Abstract: The present invention adds a gel-swellable layer in fiber optic cables to aid in protecting the fibers within the cable. The gel-swellable layer can be placed on the fibers, individual ribbons, stacks of ribbons and on the inner surface of tubes by various methods, such as co-extrusion, and can be cured by either heat curing or UV curing. The gel-swellable layers of this invention can be either smooth or textured. When the fibers are placed into the tubes and the tubes are filled with the water resistant gel, the gel-swellable layer absorbs some of the gel causing it to “swell”. As a result of the “swelling” a certain volume of gel is absorbed by the layer, thus reducing the capability of the gel to flow at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A cable with a ripcord disposed in the webbed connection portion between the messenger portion and the communications portion of the cable, the ripcord allowing for easy separation of the messenger portion from the communications portion of the cable. The figure-8 cable with a ripcord allows for doing away with or minimizing the need to access the cable with pocket knives, box cutters, razor blades, scalpels and other tools of dangerous implementation, all of which enjoy various levels of imprecise results. The connection portion may have an internal or external weakened section to facilitate the separation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and adjusting binder laylength during the process of manufacturing a selected fiber optic cable design. Specifically, a binder, having a distinguishing and physically detectable feature, is wrapped around fiber optic bundles or a buffer tube. A detection system detects the unique feature associated with the binder and thus creates a calculates a representative distance value. The distance value is calculated in relation the periodic spacing between two detected points on the physically detectable binder and is continuously monitored by a closed feedback loop. A computer receives status data from the closed feedback loop and compares the received data to a stored laylength parameter. In light of the comparison, an algorithm adjusts the binder head speed accordingly. This process repeats until the desired stored laylength is detected by the detection system.

Abstract: A cable with a ripcord disposed in the webbed connection portion between the messenger portion and the communications portion of the cable, the ripcord allowing for easy separation of the messenger portion from the communications portion of the cable. The figure-8 cable with a ripcord allows for doing away with or minimizing the need to access the cable with pocket knives, box cutters, razor blades, scalpels and other tools of dangerous implementation, all of which enjoy various levels of imprecise results. The connection portion may have an internal or external weakened section to facilitate the separation.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable with optical fibers stranded around a central strength member, and surrounded outerjacket made of a low coefficient of friction material and thinly constructed to show the profile of the stranded shape of the optical lines through the jacket, to thereby form a textured surface

Abstract: A fiber optic cable utilizing fibers mixed within the jacket material. This design improves the properties of the jacket by decreasing the jacket's shrinkage after aging; decreasing the jacket's coefficient of thermal expansion; and increasing the jacket's surface roughness.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a buffer tube wherein the optical unit is maintained in an axial center location of the buffer tube and protected from contact with an inner wall of the buffer tube. At least first and second gel layers are interposed between the buffer tube and the optical unit, wherein the first gel layer surrounds the optical unit, the second gel layer surrounds the first gel layer, and the first and second gel layers have different rheological properties. The inner gel layer may have a yield stress and a viscosity which are lower than a yield stress and a viscosity of the outer gel layer. The lower yield stress and viscosity of the inner gel layer serves to maintain the optical unit in an axial center position within the buffer tube and facilitates easy re-positioning of the optical unit to the axial center position when the buffer tube is flexed or bent. As a result, the optical unit may be maintained in a low stress state and stress-induced attenuation may be prevented.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a buffer tube wherein the optical unit is maintained in an axial center location of the buffer tube and protected from contact with an inner wall of the buffer tube. At least first and second gel layers are interposed between the buffer tube and the optical unit, wherein the first gel layer surrounds the optical unit, the second gel layer surrounds the first gel layer, and the first and second gel layers have different rheological properties. The inner gel layer may have a yield stress and a viscosity which are lower than a yield stress and a viscosity of the outer gel layer. The lower yield stress and viscosity of the inner gel layer serves to maintain the optical unit in an axial center position within the buffer tube and facilitates easy re-positioning of the optical unit to the axial center position when the buffer tube is flexed or bent. As a result, the optical unit may be maintained in a low stress state and stress-induced attenuation may be prevented.

Abstract: The present invention adds a gel-swellable layer in fiber optic cables to aid in protecting the fibers within the cable. The gel-swellable layer can be placed on the fibers, individual ribbons, stacks of ribbons and on the inner surface of tubes by various methods, such as co-extrusion, and can be cured by either heat curing or UV curing. The gel-swellable layers of this invention can be either smooth or textured. When the fibers are placed into the tubes and the tubes are filled with the water resistant gel, the gel-swellable layer absorbs some of the gel causing it to “swell”. As a result of the “swelling” a certain volume of gel is absorbed by the layer, thus reducing the capability of the gel to flow at elevated temperatures. Additionally, the swelled layers create a desirable stiffness transition from harder (less swelled) particles at the surface of the fiber to softer (more swelled) particles on the surface of the swelled layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining and adjusting binder laylength during the process of manufacturing a selected fiber optic cable design. Specifically, a binder, having a distinguishing and physically detectable feature, is wrapped around fiber optic bundles or a buffer tube. A detection system detects the unique feature associated with the binder and thus creates a calculates a representative distance value. The distance value is calculated in relation the periodic spacing between two detected points on the physically detectable binder and is continuously monitored by a closed feedback loop. A computer receives status data from the closed feedback loop and compares the received data to a stored laylength parameter. In light of the comparison, an algorithm adjusts the binder head speed accordingly. This process repeats until the desired stored laylength is detected by the detection system.