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 a bonding matrix material randomly to at least a portion of at least two adjacent optical fibers. The bonding matrix material is applied randomly to the adjacent optical fibers in such a way that the linear array of optical fibers forms a partially bonded optical fiber ribbon. The bonding matrix material applied randomly to the adjacent optical fibers is dense enough to allow the resulting partially bonded optical fiber ribbon to lay substantially flat. Also, the bonding matrix material applied randomly to the adjacent optical fibers is sparse enough to allow the resulting partially bonded optical fiber ribbon to be rolled into a substantially circular shape.

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 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 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: 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: 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 a bonding matrix material randomly to at least a portion of at least two adjacent optical fibers. The bonding matrix material is applied randomly to the adjacent optical fibers in such a way that the linear array of optical fibers forms a partially bonded optical fiber ribbon. The bonding matrix material applied randomly to the adjacent optical fibers is dense enough to allow the resulting partially bonded optical fiber ribbon to lay substantially flat. Also, the bonding matrix material applied randomly to the adjacent optical fibers is sparse enough to allow the resulting partially bonded optical fiber ribbon to be rolled into a substantially circular shape.

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 long span ADSS fiber optic cable has an outer jacket, a central tension rod member, and gel-free buffer tubes stranded around the rod member. Each tube is made of a flexible material having a determined elastic modulus, and optical fibers are contained in each tube with a water absorbent material. Water blocking yarns fill voids between the buffer tubes and surround the tubes. An inner jacket envelops the tubes and the yarns, and additional yarns are provided between the inner and the outer cable jackets. The elastic modulus of the buffer tubes is sufficiently high so that the cable sustains a compressive load of at least 220 N/cm over ten minutes with not more than a 0.1 dB increase in attenuation in any fiber. The rod member and the yarns enable the cable to span a distance of approximately 500 to 1050 feet in a NESC Heavy Load district.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein seek to eliminate substantially all of the voids or air gaps among neighboring fibers within a CFU by wetting a plurality of optical fibers that comprises the CFU with an acrylate prepolymer resin before the plurality of the optical fibers are grouped together tightly. In one embodiment, instead of extruding a first acrylate prepolymer resin to the optical fibers immediately after a first die, the disclosed process wets the optical fibers with a first acrylate prepolymer resin prior to the first die.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein seek to eliminate substantially all of the voids or air gaps among neighboring fibers within a CFU by wetting a plurality of optical fibers that comprises the CFU with an acrylate prepolymer resin before the plurality of the optical fibers are grouped together tightly. In one embodiment, instead of extruding a first acrylate prepolymer resin to the optical fibers immediately after a first die, the disclosed process wets the optical fibers with a first acrylate prepolymer resin prior to the first die.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing tight-buffered optical fiber having improved fiber access. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for making a tight buffer upcoated optical fiber having a predetermined buffer stripping force is provided. The method includes controlling residual acrylate unsaturation (RAU) and oxygen in at least an outer surface of un-buffered optical fiber to achieve a predetermined buffer stripping characteristic, applying a tight buffer composition comprising acrylate to the un-buffered optical fiber, and curing the tight buffer composition.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include a UV curable acrylate buffer coating for optical fiber. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a buffered optical fiber is provided. The buffered optical fiber includes a core, a cladding surrounding the core, a primary layer surrounding the cladding, a secondary layer surrounding the primary layer. A clear or translucent buffer surrounds the optical fiber, wherein the buffer includes polyester/polyether polyol aliphatic urethane acrylate, and the buffer has an elastic modulus greater than 40,000 psi.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems and methods for providing tight-buffered optical fiber having improved fiber access. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method for making a tight buffer upcoated optical fiber having a predetermined buffer stripping force is provided. The method includes controlling residual acrylate unsaturation (RAU) and oxygen in at least an outer surface of un-buffered optical fiber to achieve a predetermined buffer stripping characteristic, applying a tight buffer composition comprising acrylate to the un-buffered optical fiber, and curing the tight buffer composition.