Plural Unit Type Patents (Class 385/112)
  • Patent number: 5425121
    Abstract: Light, flexible tubes are placed around optical fibers extending from the end of a cable jacket. A water impervious plug encases the end of the cable jacket and a portion of the flexible tubes. Couplers are attached to the light waveguide terminal ends and the optical couplers and the plug are placed in an opto-electronic equipment closure. The assembly is designed for use with cable television system aerial closures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Terry L. Cooke, David H. Mutzabaugh
  • Patent number: 5422973
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dry single tube fiber optic cable of the loose tube variety in which there is no filling or flooding materials but none the less adequate provisions are made to protect the optical fibers from damage due to water penetration. The cable structure comprises (1) one or more groups of optical fibers each held together by a circumscribing water absorbent material; (2) a buffering tube having an internal channel larger than the one or more groups of optical fibers in which the groups of optical fibers are moveably disposed; (3) a strength member circumscribing the buffering tube; (4) a water absorbent material circumscribing the strength member, and (5) a jacket circumscribing the strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen T. Ferguson, Larry W. Field
  • Patent number: 5408562
    Abstract: A submarine, optical-fiber cable having a central metal wire, a slotted rod surrounding the wires, an absorbent sheath surrounding the slotted rod, a plurality of strength members helically wound around the absorbent sheath, a metal jacket surrounding the strength members, and a plastic sheath surrounding the metal jacket. The slotted rod includes peripheral helical slots, and each of the slots may receive at least one optical fiber or at least one optical ribbon. The optical ribbon includes at least two optical fibers. Each of the optical fibers has a tensile strain ranging from about 0.015 to 0.3% along its axis. The absorbent sheath includes a layer surrounding and contacting the slotted rod for absorbing water. The cable is suitable for operating in deep sea beds for a long period of time, for laying and recovering cables, and for quick repair. Modulated strain distribution in the optical fibers suppresses stimulated Brillouin scattering therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignees: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Ocean Cable Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yoshizawa, Tadatoshi Tanifuji, Yasuo Ishino, Takeshi Imai, Akira Mochizuki, Kazumasa Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5402516
    Abstract: Optical fiber and cable performance are assured by a category of UV-cured polyurethane acrylates. Low cost is the consequence of use of the polycarbonate oligomer. Good performance and long life are ascribed to other ingredients of the coatings. Dependence on the hindered phenols for antioxidant protection assures sufficient protection for these inherently stable materials without incurring fiber damage found to result from use of hindered amine antioxidants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories
    Inventors: Lee L. Blyler, Jr., Darryl L. Brownlow, Daryl Inniss, James R. Petisce, Lloyd Shepherd, Carl R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 5390273
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable which is flame resistant and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, which includes a central strength member, a fluid impervious tube wound around the strength member, a plurality of optical fibers loosely received in the tube, a sheath of plastic material encircling the tube and the central member, a thermal barrier layer intermediate the tube and the sheath and encircling the tube and the central member to protect the elements inwardly of the heat barrier from heat and flame external to the barrier layer and a water blocking material in any otherwise empty spaces within the tube and between the barrier layer and the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Pirelli Cable Corporation
    Inventors: Mujibar M. Rahman, Grant M. Davidson, John C. Smith
  • Patent number: 5371825
    Abstract: A high-strength, waterproof cable capable of transmitting large quantities of information over great distances in a reliable and durable fashion and a method of making the cable is provided. The cable includes a first central core portion having a pair of opposed ends, with each end having a locking surface. The cable further includes a second central core portion having a pair of opposed ends, each end having a locking surface. The second core portion is sealed to the first core portion by engagement of the respective locking surfaces. The sealed first and second core portions form a central core having a hollow interior chamber. A water-blocking material is located in the sealed chamber and an optical fiber array is located in the sealed chamber and embedded in the water-blocking material. A multiplicity of high tensile strength steel wires are helically wrapped around the core and a thermoplastic jacket is positioned outwardly of and surrounding the steel wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Assignee: Simplex Wire and Cable Company
    Inventor: Richard Traut
  • Patent number: 5369720
    Abstract: In an optical fibre cable, the transmission package comprises a stack (11) of ribbon fibre elements (110) secured within a metal tube (12) by an adhesive (13). The adhesive has a peel strength sufficiently low to permit separation of the individual ribbon from the stack, e.g. to effect jointing operations. Advantageously the adhesive is foamed by injection of a gas during cable manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Mark J. Parry, Desmond J. Kenny, Philip A. Norman
  • Patent number: 5355427
    Abstract: A gas blocked fiber optic cable (10). A cable (10) having a fiber glass epxoy rod (12) which is top coated with EVA-Copolymer (28) and surrounded by fiber optic cables (16). Optical fibers (16) are enclosed in buffer tubes (18) filled with gel (20). Interstitial filling (28) surrounds buffer tube (18). Acid terpolymer top coat (24) bonds filler (28) to buffer tubes (18) preventing gas migration throughout the length of the cable. Black thermo plastic elastomer (30) layer surrounds filler (28) which is surrounded by the outer most polyethylene jacket (32) which is UV resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Belden Wire & Cable Company
    Inventors: Galen M. Gareis, Richard C. Allen
  • Patent number: 5345526
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and method for making the cable includes a plurality of buffer tubes positioned around a central member with three levels of color coding to enhance identification of individual optical fibers within the cable. Each of the buffer tubes has a predetermined color for identifying each individual buffer tube from the other buffer tubes, and a plurality of optical fibers are positioned within each buffer tube and arranged in a plurality of optical fiber bundles within each buffer tube. Each optical fiber bundle includes a binder yarn surrounding respective ones of the optical fibers with each of the binders having a predetermined color for identifying each individual optical fiber bundle from the other optical fiber bundles within a respective buffer tube. In addition, each of the optical fibers has a predetermined color for identifying each individual optical fiber from other optical fibers within a respective optical fiber bundle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Comm/Scope
    Inventor: Douglas J. Blew
  • Patent number: 5343549
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber optic cable in which a plurality of buffer tubes each contain optical fibers and a filling compound. The cable outer jacket and the coating on a central member are each made from a flame resistant plastic material. The cable has an NEC listing of OFNR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Samuel D. Nave, Harvey R. McDowell, III
  • Patent number: 5329606
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fiber optic cable construction for optical well monitoring systems, socalled FOWM cables. Such cables have to withstand high temperature, high hydrostatic pressure and an aggressive environment. The fiber optic FOWM cable comprises a first layer of elements stranded around a central core (6;16;24). At least one of said elements is constituted by a tube (4,5;12,13;22,23) within which there is loosely inserted an optical fiber element (2,3;14,15;26,27). The tube (4,5;12,13;22,23) has a diameter which is less than that of the other stranded elements (7;11;21) of the first layer, so as to provide mechanical protection of the tubes and optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Alcatel Kabel Norge AS
    Inventor: Jon S. Andreassen
  • Patent number: 5293443
    Abstract: A light waveguide cable includes a compartment holding at least two side-by-side stacks of light waveguide ribbons. The cable is so dimensioned that the order of the ribbons within any stack, and the relative positions of the stacks with respect to each other within any compartment, do not change under normal cable handling conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher K. Eoll, Andrew S. Dodd, Richard S. Wagman
  • Patent number: 5289556
    Abstract: Optical fiber unit with optical fibers loosely contained within a flexible tube formed from two plastic strips which are bonded together along edge seams. The structure is completely flexible and the tube is compressible and deformable to assist in packing into channels in a cable while maximizing fiber density in the cable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Rawlyk, David W. Chiasson, Michael S. Fedoroff
  • Patent number: 5280137
    Abstract: A thermoplastic cable and method of manufacture for use in an electrical system comprising a core which comprises a transmission medium, said transmission medium being an insulated metallic conductor or optical fiber, and a jacket which encloses the core and the jacket being co-extruded on the core and comprises an extruded inner layer and an extruded outer layer, with the inner layer being inseparable from and integrally formed with the outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Ward
  • Patent number: 5271081
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a jacketed signal conduit with a blocking material are provided. The blocking material is injected into the jacketed signal conduit such that the blocking material occupies space within the jacketed signal conduit not occupied by the signal conduit. The injected blocking material inhibits fluid intrusion and migration between the signal conduit jacket and the signal conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Halliburton Geophysical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Hanna Khalil
  • Patent number: 5249249
    Abstract: A light waveguide cable includes a compartment holding at least two side-by-side stacks of light waveguide ribbons. The cable is so dimensioned that the order of the ribbons within any stack, and the relative positions of the stacks with respect to each other within any compartment, do not change under normal cable handling conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher K. Eoll, Andrew S. Dodd, Richard S. Wagman
  • Patent number: 5245134
    Abstract: A mutliconductor cable having separatable insulated conductors is provided having a plurality of insulated conductors spaced apart in planar relationship and at least the exterior layer is comprised of porous PTFE, wherein a contact area exists between adjacent exterior layers so that adjacent insulated conductors bond with each other. A multiconductor cable is also described comprising a plurality of conductors insulated in discrete clusters wherein each cluster is surrounded by an exterior layer of expanded porous PTFE which forms a bond with the adjacent exterior layer. A multiconductor cable comprising coaxial cables which are bonded together by the exterior layer of expanded porous PTFE is also described.A process of making the multiconductor cable is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James G. Vana, Jr., Paul R. Warren, Michael L. Eckert
  • Patent number: 5233678
    Abstract: Provided is an optical cable using multifiber optical units. Each of said multifiber optical units has a laminated body of a tape-type optical unit accommodated in a groove formed in a rod-like member. The tape-type optical unit is constituted by a plurality of optical fibers arranged in one row and coated collectively. The improvement is that the distance between the center of the rod-like member and a bottom portion of said groove is made to be equal to or larger than one half of the height of the laminated body to thereby reduce side pressure exerted on the tape type-optical units at the groove bottom portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Katurashima, Yoshinobu Kitayama, Hiroaki Sano, Hiroki Ishikawa, Shigeru Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5229851
    Abstract: A plurality of optical fiber ribbons, each containing a plurality of optical fibers, are loosely enclosed in a substantially fluid impervious tube of plastic material. A plurality of such ribbon enclosing tubes are wound in S or Z fashion around a central structural member which can be covered with a plastic material. The so-wound tubes are encircled by threads or tape to hold them in place, and a covering of helically wound yarns is applied around the tubes to provide strength. A plastic sheath is applied over the yarns, and if desired the sheath is covered with other layers. Any otherwise empty spaces within the tubes and between the sheath and the tubes is filled with a water blocking material which permits the ribbons to move with respect to the enclosing tubes and which permits the tubes to move with respect to the sheath and the central member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Pirelli Cable Corporation
    Inventor: Mujib Rahman
  • Patent number: 5224192
    Abstract: A simplified loose tube fiber optic cable, and a method for making the cable, is disclosed. A plurality of transmission units, each including a plurality of light waveguides and filling compound in a buffer tube, are provided. The transmission units are stranded together with a plurality of tensile yarns coated with a hardenable material. After the hardenable material is cured, an outer tube is extruded over the buffer tubes and coated tensile yarns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventor: Richard S. Wagman
  • Patent number: 5224191
    Abstract: A stranding element for use in forming optical cables has an envelope and a plurality of bands, which are each formed of a plurality of light waveguide fibers arranged in a band stack. The band stack is received in a cavity of the envelope of the stranding element. In one embodiment, the envelope has a cross sectional cavity corresponding to the band and the envelope and band stack are longitudinally twisted substantially the same amount. In another embodiment, the band stack is received in a skin and is twisted in an envelope, which has a hollow tubular form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Guenter Zeidler
  • Patent number: 5212756
    Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon composite, each ribbon joined to adjacent ribbon by a flexible web member, the web member having sufficient length so that the optical fiber ribbons can be moved to positions where the plane delimited by the optical fibers of any given ribbon is spaced apart from, but generally parallel with the plane(s) delimited by the optical fibers of the other ribbons of the composite. One or more of the composites is used as a component of a fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher K. Eoll
  • Patent number: 5208889
    Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon cable having a specified space between the first and second optical fibers, a guide piece to fit onto the cable against the web of jacket between the first two optical fibers, and an assembly of the cable and guide piece with an optical fiber connector to supply accuracy and predictability of dimensions for assembly of optical fiber cables to connectors of close dimensional tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Alfredo L. Cedrone, Brian K. Lloyd
  • Patent number: 5179611
    Abstract: A water absorptive composition comprising a thermoplastic elastomer as a first component, a second component and a third component selected from the group which consists of: a water-soluble resin; a hydrophilic compound selected from the group consisting of metal salt of carboxylic acid, polyhydric alcohol, amino alcohol, linear polyether, saccharide, and sugar alcohol; and a surface treating agent selected from the group consisting of sorbitan fatty acid ester, glycidyl ether of polyhydric alcohol, and silane coupling agent. The composition is suitably used for producing a water absorptive member for protecting optical fiber elements of an optical fiber cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignees: Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Nippon Telgraph and Telephone Corporation, Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Masanari Umeda, Yukio Sakuraba, Fumihiro Ashiya, Toshinobu Matsuo
  • Patent number: 5173799
    Abstract: A change in the wavelength of a laser beam is achieved by causing the beam to have a conical wavefront and applying it to a nonlinear crystal so that the beam converges along the center axis producing an output beam of a different wavelength. The conical wavefront is achieved by use of lenses, mirrors and crystals with conical surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryohei Tanuma
  • Patent number: 5173961
    Abstract: In optic cable there is provided a ripcord which lies partly within the sheath and partly outside the sheath by extending between overlapped edges of the sheath. Parts of the ripcord outside the sheath and spaced along the cable and are accessible by removal of directly overlying regions of jacket. No cutting of the sheath is required to access the ripcord which, however, after access may be used for ripping along the sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventor: David W. Chiasson
  • Patent number: 5165003
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable of the type having a core comprising a plurality of units wherein each unit comprises a plurality of optical fibers extending generally along the cable and a binder wrapped about the unit. A tube containing a waterblocking material therein is provided to enclose the plurality of units, and a jacket is provided to enclose the tube. The improved cable provides for a binder comprising an interlocking stitch formed of one or more yarns to provide improved fiber unit identification and obviate "microbending" losses due to binder tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Fiber Optics Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Carter
  • Patent number: 5157752
    Abstract: Optical cable with optical fibers and a water blocking element extending together along a passageway. The water blocking element swells upon contact with water so as to block the passageway against water migration. The water blocking element may be of filamentary structure, e.g. string or tape which acts as a carrier for water swellable particles, e.g. polyacrylate. The water blocking element may, however, be a filament of the swellable material which is spun with other filaments, e.g. polyester to form a string. The cable may be air pressurizable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Johannes I. Greveling, Joyce J. Fidler, David W. Chiasson, Michael G. Rawlyk, Michael S. Fedoroff
  • Patent number: 5140664
    Abstract: An optical fibers cable and the relative components comprise a barrier mixture to protect the optical fibers; the barrier mixture is a further object of the invention and consists of an homogeneous phase comprising (a) at least a silicon unsaturated organic compound having more than 0.2 mmoles of unsaturated groups per 100 g of the compound, (b) at least a catalyst selected from the group comprising inorganic and organic complexes of transition metals and organic salts of transition metals, and (c) at least an organic solvent substantially non-volatile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Bosisio, Antonio Campana
  • Patent number: 5101467
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical transmission cable having one or more cable elements. Each cable element includes a plurality of optical fibers embedded in the outer surface of a plastic layer applied directly over an antibuckling member. When the plastic layer is silicone rubber, the optical fibers may be peeled away from the bundle by hand as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Siecor Corporation
    Inventor: Werner Bernard
  • Patent number: 5087110
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable. In view of narrowing optical fiber cables, the spiral grooves to accommodate optical fiber cables are formed in the core loading material, in the longitudinal direction, by bundling high tensile strength synthetic resin fibers and covering the external circumference of the bundled material with a synthetic resin covering layer. Moreover, a method is disclosed for manufacturing an optical fiber cable which stably loads the optical fibers by holding the core loading material in order to eliminate deviation generated in the rotating direction around the core loading material on the occasion of loading fibers in the spiral grooves of core loading material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Inagaki, Sakae Yoshizawa, Kazuya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5054880
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an optical line, in which at least one LWG (4, 11, 15, 19) extends in an envelope (3, 9, 13, 18) with excess length and is fixed with respect to the envelope by positioning elements (7, 8, 12, 20). The adjustment of an exactly defined excess length of one or several LWGs is made possible without the use of expensive manufacturing devices in that the positioning elements (7, 8, 12, 20) are provided on the LWGs (4, 11, 15, 19) prior to or during the insertion in the envelope (3, 9, 13, 18) and that the LWGs are pulled in by unreeling forces acting on the envelope (3, 9, 13, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corp.
    Inventor: Siegfried Bruggendieck