Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a jacket and modules including optical fibers. The jacket has an interior that forms an elongate conduit between proximal and distal ends. The modules extend lengthwise through the conduit without being bound together in a pattern of twisting or wound together in a pattern of stranding. Also, the jacket and modules are sized such that free space is provided within the conduit between the modules and the jacket. The jacket is at least ten meters long, and the orientation, alignment, and size of the modules allow individual modules to slide lengthwise relative to one another through the conduit. Pulling one of the modules from the proximal end of the jacket while holding the other modules fixed at the distal end of the jacket draws the one module further into the jacket on the distal end of the jacket.

Abstract: A furcation tube for an optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of channels for receiving a plurality of optical fiber strands that allows for the breakout of multiple fiber groups without the need for marking individual fibers. For example, a 24 fiber cable can be broken out into two, 12-fiber groups within the same furcation tube for connectorization. This improves the sortabilility of the optical fiber strands and eliminates the extra bulk of using multiple furcation tubes. The furcation tube includes strength members disposed therein for strain relief.

Abstract: Micromodule subunit cables are constructed to allow for ease of identification between optical fibers in differing groups of optical fibers. In one cable, a first group of fibers is located within a first subunit while a second group of fibers is located within a second subunit, both subunits being enclosed in a cable jacket.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable with first and second cavities accommodating separate groups of fibers. Arranging the optical fibers in separate cavities allows the fibers to be distinguished from one another without requiring secondary marking indicia such as stripes on the fibers. The cable jacket can be extruded such that the cavities are formed integrally in the jacket during extrusion.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes a jacket and modules including optical fibers. The jacket has an interior that forms an elongate conduit between proximal and distal ends. The modules extend lengthwise through the conduit without being bound together in a pattern of twisting or wound together in a pattern of stranding. Also, the jacket and modules are sized such that free space is provided within the conduit between the modules and the jacket. The jacket is at least ten meters long, and the orientation, alignment, and size of the modules allow individual modules to slide lengthwise relative to one another through the conduit. Pulling one of the modules from the proximal end of the jacket while holding the other modules fixed at the distal end of the jacket draws the one module further into the jacket on the distal end of the jacket.

Abstract: Micromodule subunit cables are constructed to allow for ease of identification between optical fibers in differing groups of optical fibers. In one cable, a first group of fibers is located within a first subunit while a second group of fibers is located within a second subunit, both subunits being enclosed in a cable jacket.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable with first and second cavities accommodating separate groups of fibers. Arranging the optical fibers in separate cavities allows the fibers to be distinguished from one another without requiring secondary marking indicia such as stripes on the fibers. The cable jacket can be extruded such that the cavities are formed integrally in the jacket during extrusion.

Abstract: A furcation tube for an optical fiber cable comprising a plurality of channels for receiving a plurality of optical fiber strands that allows for the breakout of multiple fiber groups without the need for marking individual fibers. For example, a 24 fiber cable can be broken out into two, 12-fiber groups within the same furcation tube for connectorization. This improves the sortabilility of the optical fiber strands and eliminates the extra bulk of using multiple furcation tubes. The furcation tube includes strength members disposed therein for strain relief.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable may include a jacket having an inner surface extending around and defining an interior space. The fiber optic cable may include an inner group of optical fibers positioned in the interior space, where each of the optical fibers of the inner group is positioned adjacent to a central lengthwise axis of the fiber optic cable. An outer group of optical fibers may be positioned in the interior space around the inner group of optical fibers and a strength material may be positioned in the interior space around the outer group of optical fibers. Each of the optical fibers may be configured in the cable to exhibit a crush-induced optical attenuation of less than 0.6 dB when the cable is subjected to a crushing force of about 220 Newtons per centimeter of cable length.

Abstract: A tube assembly of the present invention has at least one subunit with at least one dry insert generally surrounding the subunit which may be disposed within a tube, thereby forming a tube assembly. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. Additionally, the tube assembly can be a portion of a fiber optic cable having a sheath that may include a plurality of strength members and a cable jacket. In other embodiments, the subunits and dry insert are disposed within a cavity, thereby forming a tubeless cable. Additionally, subunits may include a marking indicia for denoting the security level.

Abstract: One embodiment is a fiber optic cable including at least one subunit, a tube, a plurality of strength members, and a cable jacket. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. The tube houses at least a portion of the at least one subunit to form a tube assembly. The plurality of strength members are disposed radially outward of the tube and are surrounded by the cable jacket. Other embodiments include a plurality of subunits in a stack with each subunit having a sheath for security purposes. Additionally, a tube assembly can have a fiber optic packing density of about 0.05 or greater.

Abstract: A tube assembly of the present invention has at least one subunit with at least one dry insert generally surrounding the subunit which may be disposed within a tube, thereby forming a tube assembly. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. Additionally, the tube assembly can be a portion of a fiber optic cable having a sheath that may include a plurality of strength members and a cable jacket. In other embodiments, the subunits and dry insert are disposed within a cavity, thereby forming a tubeless cable. Additionally, subunits may include a marking indicia for denoting the security level.

Abstract: One embodiment is a fiber optic cable including at least one subunit, a tube, a plurality of strength members, and a cable jacket. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. The tube houses at least a portion of the at least one subunit to form a tube assembly. The plurality of strength members are disposed radially outward of the tube and are surrounded by the cable jacket. Other embodiments include a plurality of subunits in a stack with each subunit having a sheath for security purposes. Additionally, a tube assembly can have a fiber optic packing density of about 0.05 or greater.

Abstract: A tight buffered optical fiber having a protective layer generally surrounding the optical fiber, a release layer at least partially bonding to and generally surrounding the protective layer and a buffer layer generally surrounding and being strippable from the release layer. The release layer including an acrylate with oligomers, monomers and a reactive release substance distributed with a matrix. The reactive release substance may include a silicone selected from the group including methyl and phenyl silicones. The matrix may be mechanically or chemically bonded to the protective layer so that stripping the buffer layer does not remove the release layer.

Abstract: A fiber optic interconnect cable having at least one optical fiber ribbon surrounded by a cable jacket with substantial hoop strength, the cable jacket having a top wall, a bottom wall, and sidewalls. The sidewalls being thicker than the top and bottom walls. The jacket being formed of a material having a hardness for cable performance characteristics, the hardness being between a Shore A hardness of about 85 and a Shore D hardness of about 70. Other embodiments include a core formed as a generally rod-shaped structure with a plurality of slots formed in an outer surface thereof. The plurality of slots extending generally lengthwise along the core and an outer jacket surrounding the core. At least one interconnect ribbon cable is disposed in at least one of the slots.

Abstract: A fiber optic interconnect cable embodiment having at least one optical fiber ribbon surrounded by a cable jacket with substantial hoop strength, said cable jacket having top and bottom walls and sidewalls, said sidewalls being thicker than said top and bottom walls. The jacket being formed of a material having a hardness for cable performance characteristics, a preferred material hardness for the jacket material is a Shore A hardness of about 85 to a Shore D hardness of about 70. The fiber optic interconnect cable having a total vertical free space between the inner walls and the at least one optical ribbon of about 1.7 mm±25%. A fiber optic cable embodiment comprises a core formed as a generally rod-shaped structure and having a plurality of slots formed in an outer surface of the core and extending generally lengthwise therealong, an outer jacket of tubular form surrounding the core, and at least one interconnect ribbon cable disposed in each of the slots of the core.

Abstract: Optical fibers are lightly tacked together in parallel relation to prevent relative sliding between the fibers along their lengthwise directions, by forming a longitudinally extending frangible web bonded between the fibers. The web in one embodiment is formed by applying a coating of a hardenable composition in a fluid state to the adjacent fibers and then removing the composition from the fibers except on the opposing surfaces of the adjacent fibers, and causing or allowing the composition remaining between the fibers to harden. Alternatively, a coloring compound is coated onto each fiber and the fibers are pressed and held together until the compound solidifies. In yet another embodiment a solid coating of material soluble in a volatile solvent is provided on each fiber, and the coatings are contacted by solvent to render them tacky, the fibers then being pressed and held together until the coatings resolidify.

Abstract: Optical fibers are lightly tacked together in parallel relation to prevent relative sliding between the fibers along their lengthwise directions, by forming a longitudinally extending frangible web bonded between the fibers. The web in one embodiment is formed by applying a coating of a hardenable composition in a fluid state to the adjacent fibers and then removing the composition from the fibers except on the opposing surfaces of the adjacent fibers, and causing or allowing the composition remaining between the fibers to harden. Alternatively, a coloring compound is coated onto each fiber and the fibers are pressed and held together until the compound solidifies. In yet another embodiment a solid coating of material soluble in a volatile solvent is provided on each fiber, and the coatings are contacted by solvent to render them tacky, the fibers then being pressed and held together until the coatings resolidify.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having both water blocking and flame retardant properties that is particularly useful for indoor or indoor/outdoor applications. In one embodiment, the fiber optic cable includes at least one buffer tube, at least one optical fiber disposed within the buffer tube, a composite tape surrounding the buffer tube that comprises a layer formed of an inherently flame retardant material and at least one coating a water swellable material, and a jacket surrounding the composite tape. The fiber optic cable can also include a water blocking element disposed within the buffer tube. The water swellable coatings of the composite tape and the water blocking element within the buffer tube therefore inhibit water migration along the length of the cable, while the flame retardant layer of the composite tape provides fire resistance.

Abstract: A tight buffered optical fiber having a protective layer generally surrounding the optical fiber, a release layer at least partially bonding to and generally surrounding the protective layer and a buffer layer generally surrounding and being strippable from the release layer. The release layer including an acrylate with oligomers, monomers and a reactive release substance distributed with a matrix. The reactive release substance may include a silicone selected from the group including methyl and phenyl silicones. The matrix may be mechanically or chemically bonded to the protective layer so that stripping the buffer layer does not remove the release layer.