Fiber optic cable having extended contraction window and associated method and apparatus for fabricating the cable
US5542020A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 10, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 10, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4441
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fiber optic cable according to the present invention includes at least one lengthwise extending channel surrounding an elongate central support member with each channel defining a channel axis. At least one optical fiber is positioned within each channel and has an average position offset in a direction generally radially inward from the channel axis toward the central support member at about room temperature. In one embodiment, the at least one channel is defined by one or more buffer tubes stranded about the central support member. In another embodiment, the at least one channel is defined by core having one or more lengthwise extending slots. The fiber optic cable may also include a protective jacket surrounding the central support member and the channel defining means. The optical fibers typically have a coefficient of thermal expansion less than the respective coefficient of thermal expansion of at least one of the protective jacket, the channel defining means and central support member. Thus, by offsetting the average position of the optical fibers at about room temperature in a direction extending generally radially inward from the channel axis, the thermal contraction win…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.