Abstract: An optical fiber cable having a locating element and extending from a distribution enclosure to a premise is provided. The optic fiber cable includes a core having at least one optical fiber transmission medium disposed within a tubular member that has a jacket system disposed thereabout. A longitudinally extending detectable element is provided that does not function as a communications cable and that is detachably connected to said tubular member by the jacket system which is also disposed about the detectable element so as to define a web between the tubular member and the detectable element. The detectable element terminates before at least one of the distribution enclosure or the premise. The web defines a notch between the tubular member and the detectable element which serves as a shear plane to facilitate the propagation of a tear between the tubular member and the detectable element.

Abstract: A ribbon drop cable is provided. The ribbon drop cable includes a ribbon band of a plurality of communication medium. The ribbon band having a top flattened portion, a bottom flattened portion, a first side and a second side. At least one dielectric strength rod is disposed proximal to either the first side or second side of the ribbon band. The ribbon drop cable further includes a sheath which surrounds the ribbon band and the strength elements. The sheath is configured to hold the strength elements and the ribbon band in alignment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dielectric optical fiber cable which is capable of being remotely detected while buried. Specifically, this invention incorporates a detectable and easily removable locating element which is attached to the optical fiber cable by a web defined by the jacket extending over both the optical fiber cable and the locating element. The web allows for the locating strand to be easily removed once separation of the locating element from the optical fiber cable is initiated. The web is designed to allow the initial tear to propagate into a precise longitudinal tear along a predetermined length of the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: A water-tight fiber optic ribbon communications cable constructed without the use of gel or grease in the buffer tube(s) thereof. A plurality of water-blocking yarns are provided around at least a portion of the stack of fiber optic ribbons loosely positioned within the buffer tube(s) that possess water swellable characteristics. The swell capacity of the plurality of water blocking yarns exceeds the critical mass of water that could enter the buffer tube(s) by a factor of 2.0 or more. Optionally, superabsorbent powder can be applied between and/or on the fiber optic ribbon stack.

Abstract: A water-tight fiber optic ribbon communications cable constructed without the use of gel or grease in the buffer tube(s) thereof. A plurality of water-blocking yarns are provided around at least a portion of the stack of fiber optic ribbons loosely positioned within the buffer tube(s) that possess water swellable characteristics. The swell capacity of the plurality of water blocking yarns exceeds the critical mass of water that could enter the buffer tube(s) by a factor of 2.0 or more. Optionally, superabsorbent powder can be applied between and/or on the fiber optic ribbon stack.

Abstract: Loose tube fiber optic cable containing a core of S-Z stranded strands comprising optical fibers having first and second alternatively repeating first and second sections, and a sheath circumscribing the core. The ROL transition points defined by the junctures of first and second strand sections along the length of the cable have been provided at an optimized reduced distance therebetween that is approximately 1/2 of the longitudinal length of the sheath entry window created during mid-span entry of the loose tube fiber optic cable. Thus, at least one (1) ROL transition point will be located within the sheath entry window during mid-span entry access to the cable, and most suitably either two (2) or three (3) ROL transition points will be located.

Abstract: A water-tight optical fiber communications cable constructed without the use of a viscous water-blocking compound other than in the buffer tubes thereof. One or more water swellable yarns are helically wrapped around the central strength member to absorb any water which may be present in the interstices between the central strength member and the buffer tubes. Additionally, a water swellable tape is disposed between the core and the jacket of the cable to absorb water from the interstices between the buffer tubes and elements overlaying the core of the cable.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a loudspeaker system of the dipole type, particularly for use in surround sound, reverberation and similar applications. An exemplary embodiment of the speaker system comprises a pair of woofers having dual voice coil drivers mounted on oppositely facing baffles (e.g., front and rear facing). Preferably, each baffle also includes a high frequency speaker mounted thereon. On a first baffle (e.g., front), both voice coils of the dual voice coil driver and the voice coil of the high frequency speaker are driven in-phase, and on the other baffle (e.g., rear), the second voice coil of the dual voice coil driver and the voice coil of the high frequency speaker are driven out-of-phase from those from the first baffle but in-phase with one another. The coils of the speakers are driven from suitable filter circuits.