Abstract: An optical fiber cable including a central strength member, a first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks, a binder film, and a cable sheath. The central strength member extends along a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber cable. The tight-buffered ribbon stacks are SZ-stranded around the central strength member. An interstitial space is provided between adjacent tight-buffered ribbon stacks. A binder film continuously and contiguously surrounds the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks along the longitudinal axis. The binder film includes first portions and at least one second portion. Each of the at least one second portion of the binder film extends into one of the interstitial spaces of the first plurality of tight-buffered ribbon stacks. The cable sheath continuously and contiguously surrounds the binder film along the longitudinal axis, and the cable sheath is coupled to the first portions of the binder film.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core and a jacket surrounding the core. The jacket includes a base layer formed from a foamed material including a polymer. A surface layer of the jacket is formed from a second composition that differs from the first composition and also includes the polymer. An interface bonds the surface and base layers to one another.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core assembly including an optical fiber, a polymeric sleeve surrounding the core assembly, water-swellable material integrated with the polymeric sleeve, and a jacket surrounding the polymeric sleeve. The polymeric sleeve is continuous peripherally around the core assembly, forming a continuous closed loop when viewed in cross-section, and continuous lengthwise along a length of the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, strength components disposed on opposite sides of the optical fiber, and a polymeric cable jacket. The optical fiber includes a glass core, a glass cladding, and a polymer coating. The cable jacket surrounds the optical fiber and the strength components. Further, the cable jacket is tightly drawn onto the optical fiber, where excess fiber length of the optical fiber is such that positive strain is present in the optical fiber at room temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: An optical communication cable is provided having a cable body with an inner surface defining a passage within the cable body and a plurality of core elements within the passage. A film surrounds the plurality of core elements, wherein the film directs a radial force inward onto the plurality of core elements to restrain and hold the plurality of core elements in place.

Abstract: An optical communication cable subassembly includes a cable core having optical fibers each comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, buffer tubes surrounding subsets of the optical fibers, and a binder film surrounding the buffer tubes. Armor surrounds the cable core, the binder film is bonded to an interior of the armor, and water-absorbing powder particles are provided on an interior surface of the binder film.

Abstract: An optical communication cable is provided. The cable includes a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements wrapped around an elongate central strength member such that a portion of the length of the plurality of wrapped elongate optical transmission elements form a spiral portion around the elongate central strength member. The cable includes an elastic sleeve surrounding the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements, and the elastic sleeve is formed from an extruded first material. The cable includes a cable body formed from an extruded second material different from the first material, and the cable body surrounds the film, and the cable body has an inner surface that faces the outer surface of the film.

Abstract: A recirculating powder applicator includes an applicator body having an inlet on an upstream surface and an outlet on a downstream surface, wherein the inlet and outlet define a passage that extends transversely through the thickness of the applicator body, a powder conduit, an air inlet, an exhaust aperture located on one of the upstream or downstream surfaces, and a circulation chamber located on the interior of the applicator body. The powder conduit and air inlet are in fluid communication with the passage and the passage is in fluid communication with the circulation chamber. A method of applying powder to a substrate during a continuous process includes using a recirculating powder applicator.

Abstract: A recirculating powder applicator includes an applicator body having an inlet on an upstream surface and an outlet on a downstream surface, wherein the inlet and outlet define a passage that extends transversely through the thickness of the applicator body, a powder conduit, an air inlet, an exhaust aperture located on one of the upstream or downstream surfaces, and a circulation chamber located on the interior of the applicator body. The powder conduit and air inlet are in fluid communication with the passage and the passage is in fluid communication with the circulation chamber. A method of applying powder to a substrate during a continuous process includes using a recirculating powder applicator.

Abstract: An optical communication cable subassembly includes a cable core having optical fibers each comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, buffer tubes surrounding subsets of the optical fibers, and a binder film surrounding the buffer tubes. Armor surrounds the cable core, the binder film is bonded to an interior of the armor, and water-absorbing powder particles are provided on an interior surface of the binder film.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes core elements wound in a pattern of stranding, the core elements comprising tubes surrounding optical fibers. The fiber optic cable further includes an binder film surrounding the stranded core elements. The binder film is continuous peripherally around the core elements, forming a continuous closed loop when viewed in cross-section, and continuous lengthwise along a length of the cable that is at least a meter. Further, the binder film is in radial tension and opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements.

Abstract: An optical communication cable subassembly includes a cable core having optical fibers each comprising a core surrounded by a cladding, buffer tubes surrounding subsets of the optical fibers, and a binder film surrounding the buffer tubes. Armor surrounds the cable core, the binder film is bonded to an interior of the armor, and water-absorbing powder particles are provided on an interior surface of the binder film.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core, armor surrounding the core, and a jacket surrounding the armor. The core includes tubes, each tube having a passage defined therein, optical fibers positioned in the passages, and a binder sleeve defining an exterior of the core. Portions of the binder sleeve are directly bonded to the armor, while other portions are not. Spacing between the armor and the core, as well as the bond between the armor and binder sleeve, facilitate tubing-off of an end section of the cable to include removal of the binder sleeve.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes core elements wound in a pattern of stranding, the core elements comprising tubes surrounding optical fibers. The fiber optic cable further includes an binder film surrounding the stranded core elements. The binder film is continuous peripherally around the core elements, forming a continuous closed loop when viewed in cross-section, and continuous lengthwise along a length of the cable that is at least a meter. Further, the binder film is in radial tension and opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements.

Abstract: Fiber optic bundles include helically stranded subunit cables. The assemblies have small cross sections and low bend radii while maintaining acceptable attenuation losses. Binders can be omitted to improve ease of processing and installation. Helically stranding of the subunit cables allows ease of access to the individual cables during installation.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a core, armor surrounding the core, and a jacket surrounding the armor. The core includes tubes, each tube having a passage defined therein, optical fibers positioned in the passages, and a binder sleeve defining an exterior of the core. Portions of the binder sleeve are directly bonded to the armor, while other portions are not. Spacing between the armor and the core, as well as the bond between the armor and binder sleeve, facilitate tubing-off of an end section of the cable to include removal of the binder sleeve.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, strength components disposed on opposite sides of the optical fiber, and a polymeric cable jacket. The optical fiber includes a glass core, a glass cladding, and a polymer coating. The cable jacket surrounds the optical fiber and the strength components. Further, the cable jacket is tightly drawn onto the optical fiber, where excess fiber length of the optical fiber is such that positive strain is present in the optical fiber at room temperature (25° C.).

Abstract: An optical cable is provided. The optical cable includes a tubular, elongate body having an inner surface defining a cavity extending between first and second ends of the elongate body and an optical transmission element located with the cavity. The optical cable includes a coupling or bonding structure non-permanently and non-rigidly joining the outer surface of the optical transmission element to the elongate body at a plurality of periodic contact zones such that relative movement between the optical transmission element and the elongate body is resisted.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes core elements wound in a pattern of stranding, the core elements comprising tubes surrounding optical fibers. The fiber optic cable further includes an binder film surrounding the stranded core elements. The binder film is continuous peripherally around the core elements, forming a continuous closed loop when viewed in cross-section, and continuous lengthwise along a length of the cable that is at least a meter. Further, the binder film is in radial tension and opposes outwardly transverse deflection of the core elements.

Abstract: An optical communication cable includes a cable jacket formed from a first material, a plurality of core elements located within the cable jacket, and an armor layer surrounding the plurality of core elements within the cable jacket, wherein the armor layer is a multi-piece layer having a first armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements and a second armor segment extending a portion of the distance around the plurality of core elements, wherein a first lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a first lateral edge of the second armor segment and a second lateral edge of the first armor segment is adjacent a second lateral edge of the second armor segment such that the combination of the first armor segment and the second armor segment completely surround the plurality of core elements.