Abstract: Armored fiber optic cables and methods for making are disclosed that include an armor layer generally surrounding a fiber optic cable that includes at least one optical waveguide and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has an outer diameter and armor layer has an inner surface, wherein a gap exists between the outer diameter of the cable jacket and the inner surface of the armor layer. The armored fiber optic cable further includes a centering element disposed in the gap between the fiber optic cable and the armor layer. The centering element generally inhibits the fiber optic cable from moving away from a middle of the armored fiber optic cable towards the inner surface of the armor layer during winding of the armored fiber optic cable, thereby inhibiting wavy armor and/or preserving the optical performance of the at least one optical waveguide.

Abstract: A distribution fiber optic cable including a plurality of optical fibers, a main cable body with some of the plurality of optical fibers being disposed within the main cable body, at least one tether optical fiber, and a cable jacket. The at least one tether optical fiber is one of the plurality of optical fibers that transitions during manufacturing from a first location within the main cable body to a tether access location for a portion of the distribution cable. The cable jacket includes a main cable body jacket and a tether access jacket portion that are connected together by a continuous transition that is applied during cable manufacturing. Thus, the craftsman may conveniently access the at least one tether optical fiber for distribution into the optical network.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a distribution fiber optic cable is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of optical fibers for a cable. Transitioning at least one of the plurality of optical fibers between a first location and a second location, where one of the locations is disposed within the main cable body and the other location is disposed within a tether access location and applying a cable jacket. The cross-sectional area of the cable jacket changes to accommodate the transitioning of the at least one of the plurality of optical fibers. In other embodiments, the cable can be a portion of a cable assembly.

Abstract: Fiber optic drop cables are disclosed that are suitable for automated preconnectorization. In one embodiment, an optical waveguide is disposed in a buffer tube that has two strength components disposed on opposite sides thereof and a plurality of strength members. The plurality of strength members are disposed at a plurality respective interstices located between the buffer tube and the two strength components and shaped into a plurality of substantially triangular shapes for improving the balancing of the residual stresses in the fiber optic cable caused by the shrinkage of a cable jacket during cooling. In another embodiment, a fiber optic cable includes a tonable lobe connected by a web that is frangible and the web includes predetermined ratios for easily and reliable separation of the tonable lobe.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable having at least one optical fiber component disposed within at least one formed area of a strength member. The strength member including a metallic or dielectric sheet having the formed area generally formed relative to an axis of the cable. The cable also includes a cable jacket substantially surrounding the strength member. The cable may include a decoupling zone adjacent the optical fiber component, a water-blocking component and/or an interfacial layer at least partially disposed between an outer surface of the strength member and the cable jacket. Another embodiment is a composite cable having a strength member formed from a sheet. The strength member further comprises an interior space having a central electrical conductor surround by a dielectric material at least partially filling the interior space and functioning as an insulator between the central electrical conductor and said strength member.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable is provided that includes a plurality of lengthwise extending, non-jacketed bundles of optical fibers and a cable jacket surrounding the bundles of optical fibers. Each bundle of optical fibers may include a binder, such as a binder thread, for maintaining the integrity of the bundle. The binder may include, for example, a binder thread formed of an air entangled, textured, continuous multi-filament thread. The fiber optic cable may also include a separation element for preventing adhesion between the bundles of optical fibers and the cable jacket without having to separately jacket each bundle of optical fibers.