Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a plurality of multi-fiber unit tubes. The multi-fiber unit tubes are substantially circular and dimensioned to receive a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fiber cable also includes a plurality of partially bonded optical fiber ribbons positioned within at least one of the multi-fiber tubes. The partially bonded optical fiber ribbons are partially bonded in such a way that each partially bonded optical fiber ribbon is formed in a random shape. The partially bonded optical fiber ribbons also are partially bonded in such a way that the plurality of partially bonded optical fiber ribbons are randomly positioned within the multi-fiber unit tube. The optical fiber cable also includes a jacket surrounding the plurality of multi-fiber unit tubes.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution cable for servicing living units inside a MDU building, is formed by surrounding differently colored optical fibers with a jacket having a diameter of not more than about 3.5 mm. The jacket is opaque for hiding the colored fibers at least partially from view, thus reducing or eliminating any negative visual impact of the cable when installed. The colored cable fibers are arranged so that they are visible to an installer when only the cable jacket is cut open. Connection modules are mounted at corresponding living units, and a section of the cable is placed in each module. The jacket on a cable section in a given module is cut open, and a fiber assigned to the corresponding living unit is identified by color. The fiber is cut, and a length of the fiber is removed from the cable section and stored in the given module.

Abstract: A high count optical fiber cable is formed of a number of sub-unit components stranded around a central tension member. Each sub-unit component is formed to include the total number of individual fibers required to populate a given equipment rack (e.g., 288 fibers, for example). The individual fibers are preferably provided using a plurality of rollable optical fiber ribbons (permitting the large number of individual fibers to be compacted into a relatively small space), with water blocking material included in each sub-unit component. The sub-unit components may be formed to include individual strength members (i.e., in the form of sub-unit cables), or as loose tubes with an outer strength member disposed to surround the sub-units. Each sub-unit component is specifically sized to match the fiber capacity of, for example, a full equipment rack, minimizing the number of physical cables required for high density applications (e.g., data centers).

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising a duct space and a fiber density in the duct space. The fiber density is greater than 2.3 fibers/mm2.

Abstract: An optical fiber distribution or breakout cable for serving multiple customer premises in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) building. The cable contains a number of bend insensitive fibers each having a different colored coating for identification. A jacket of a flame-retardant polymer compound is extruded to surround the fibers. The jacket is sufficiently opaque to hide the color coated fibers at least partially from view, and the outer diameter of the jacket is not more than about 3.5 mm. A procedure for installing the cable through a hallway of a MDU building so as to lessen any negative visual impact of the installation on observers nearby is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thread for tying a group of fibers in a fiber optic cable having an outer jacket to one another to form a fiber bundle. The thread includes a length of a binder thread, and an adhesion material coated on the binder thread so that (a) the binder thread adheres to the group of optical fibers about which the thread is tied to form the fiber bundle, and the binder thread remains adhered to the bundled fibers to restrain movement of the fibers when the outer jacket and cable elements other than the bundled fibers are removed. After the binder thread is tied about a fiber bundle, exposed surfaces of the adhesion material coated on the binder thread are treated so that the thread does not adhere to any cable elements in proximity to the thread, other than the fibers of the bundle about which the thread is tied.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising 200 micrometer (?m) optical fibers (fibers with an outer diameter of approximately 200 ?m) that are located within buffer tubes. This permits fiber packing densities of 3.8 fibers/mm2 or higher. The buffer tubes have wall thicknesses (tbuffer) between approximately 7.5 percent (7.5%) and approximately 30% of the buffer tube's outer diameter (ODbuffer), and a Young's modulus that is between approximately 750 mega-pascals (MPa) and 2,200 MPa, thereby providing the necessary structural integrity to resist kinking yet maintain flexibility.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising a stack of optical fiber ribbons. The stack comprises corner fibers at the corners of the stack, edge fibers the edges of the stack, and internal fibers that are internal to the stack. The corner fibers have a higher tolerance to fiber bending (or lower sensitivity to bending) than the internal fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a compression-resistant seismic optical fiber cable for repeated deployment. The seismic optical fiber cable includes a central core tube dimensioned to receive at least one bundle of optical fibers. The central core tube is dimensioned to allow the optical fibers in the at least one bundle of optical fibers to relax relative to the other optical fibers. The seismic optical fiber cable also includes at least one strength member layer surrounding the central core tube. The strength member layer provides flexibility and tensile strength to the seismic optical fiber cable. The seismic optical fiber cable also includes a jacket surrounding the strength member. The seismic optical fiber cable also includes at least one rigid fiber reinforced composite rod linearly applied within the jacket. The one linearly-applied rigid fiber reinforced composite rod provides compressive resistance for the seismic optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for making a partially bonded optical fiber ribbon. The method includes providing a linear array of optical fibers, and applying with an ink jet printing machine a bonding matrix material to at least a portion of at least two adjacent optical fibers. The applied bonding matrix material has a viscosity of approximately 2.0 to approximately 10.0 centipoise (cP) measured at 25 degrees Celsius (° C.). The applied bonding matrix material also has a conductivity of approximately 600 to approximately 1200 millimhos (mmhos). The applied bonding matrix material also has an adhesion of approximately 0.01 to approximately 0.20 Newtons (N). Also, the bonding matrix material is applied to at least a portion of at least two adjacent optical fibers in such a way that the linear array of optical fibers forms a partially bonded optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: A cable comprising a central member with a coating that is soft, and which deforms under compression. Ribbon stacks are then placed atop the soft material so that the bottoms of the ribbon stacks are in direct contact with the soft material, thereby causing the soft material to conform to the shape of the bottoms of the ribbon stacks.

Abstract: A method of treating a buffered optical fiber or jacketed cable having a relatively low surface energy, e.g., fibers or cables that meet low smoke zero halogen (LSZH) standards, so they can be bonded to a supporting substrate at a customer premises by a water soluble, non-flammable adhesive. One or more burners produce a flame that treats the surface of the fiber or cable by oxidizing the surface as the fiber or cable moves past the burners. The surface energy increases enough for the adhesive to wet the surface so that, when cured, the adhesive bonds the fiber or cable to the supporting substrate. In another embodiment, a blown-ion discharge is directed at a determined rate over the surface of the fiber or cable, thereby treating the surface by removing contamination and micro-etching, and increasing the surface energy enough for the adhesive to wet the surface.

Abstract: A tight-buffered optical fiber cable includes an improved method of accessing the coated optical fiber. The cable can include an optical fiber having a glass core and a cladding layer. One or more coating layers can be applied about the cladding layer. A buffer jacket material can be applied onto an outer surface of the outer coating layer as a buffer jacket outer layer. The buffer jacket outer layer can have distinctive features including a low tear strength, low elastic modulus, high elongation percentage, and low peeling force. This can allow a user of the optical fiber cable to separate at least a portion of the coated optical fiber from the buffer jacket outer layer by grasping a free end of the coated optical fiber and pulling it through the outer wall of the buffer jacket outer layer, thereby tearing through the outer wall of the buffer jacket outer layer.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising a stack of optical fiber ribbons. The stack comprises corner fibers at the corners of the stack, edge fibers the edges of the stack, and internal fibers that are internal to the stack. The corner fibers have a higher tolerance to fiber bending (or lower sensitivity to bending) than the internal fibers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a plurality of multi-fiber unit tubes. The multi-fiber unit tubes are substantially circular and dimensioned to receive a plurality of optical fibers. The optical fiber cable also includes a plurality of partially bonded optical fiber ribbons positioned within at least one of the multi-fiber tubes. The partially bonded optical fiber ribbons are partially bonded in such a way that each partially bonded optical fiber ribbon is formed in a random shape. The partially bonded optical fiber ribbons also are partially bonded in such a way that the plurality of partially bonded optical fiber ribbons are randomly positioned within the multi-fiber unit tube. The optical fiber cable also includes a jacket surrounding the plurality of multi-fiber unit tubes.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising 200 micrometer (?m) optical fibers (fibers with an outer diameter of approximately 200 ?m) that are located within buffer tubes. This permits fiber packing densities of 3.8 fibers/mm2 or higher. The buffer tubes have wall thicknesses (tbuffer) between approximately 7.5 percent (7.5%) and approximately 30% of the buffer tube's outer diameter (ODbuffer), and a Young's modulus that is between approximately 750 mega-pascals (MPa) and 2,200 MPa, thereby providing the necessary structural integrity to resist kinking yet maintain flexibility.

Abstract: A thread for tying a group of fibers in a fiber optic cable having an outer jacket to one another to form a fiber bundle. The thread includes a length of a binder thread, and an adhesion material coated on the binder thread so that (a) the binder thread adheres to the group of optical fibers about which the thread is tied to form the fiber bundle, and the binder thread remains adhered to the bundled fibers to restrain movement of the fibers when the outer jacket and cable elements other than the bundled fibers are removed. After the binder thread is tied about a fiber bundle, exposed surfaces of the adhesion material coated on the binder thread are treated so that the thread does not adhere to any cable elements in proximity to the thread, other than the fibers of the bundle about which the thread is tied.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable comprising a duct space and a fiber density in the duct space. The fiber density is greater than 2.3 fibers/mm2.

Abstract: Described are new cable designs for indoor installations wherein the cable comprises a dual-layer optical fiber buffer encasement of acrylate resin. The buffer encasement has an acrylate compliant inner layer that protects the fiber and minimizes stress transfer to the fiber; and a hard, tough acrylate outer layer that provides crush resistance. The dual-layer optical fiber buffer encasement is wrapped with reinforcing yarn and encased in an outer protective jacket. The protective jacket is relatively thick and rigid, having a thickness of 0.7-3.0 mm, and a modulus greater than 240 MPa.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a compression-resistant seismic optical fiber cable for repeated deployment. The seismic optical fiber cable includes a central core tube dimensioned to receive at least one bundle of optical fibers. The central core tube is dimensioned to allow the optical fibers in the at least one bundle of optical fibers to relax relative to the other optical fibers. The seismic optical fiber cable also includes at least one strength member layer surrounding the central core tube. The strength member layer provides flexibility and tensile strength to the seismic optical fiber cable. The seismic optical fiber cable also includes a jacket surrounding the strength member. The seismic optical fiber cable also includes at least one rigid fiber reinforced composite rod linearly applied within the jacket. The one linearly-applied rigid fiber reinforced composite rod provides compressive resistance for the seismic optical fiber cable.