Stacks of optical fiber ribbons closely bound by respective buffer encasements with relatively hard exteriors and relatively soft interiors, associated methods, and associated fiber optic cables
US6215932A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4433
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A stack of optical fiber ribbons is enclosed in a buffer encasement having a relatively soft inner portion and an relatively hard outer portion. The inner portion has an interior surface extends around and defines a longitudinally extending passage that contains the stack, and the interior surface closely bounds the stack. The outer portion extends around, closely bounds and contacts the inner portion, and has a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the inner portion. In accordance with one example of the invention, the inner portion has an exterior surface that extends around and is spaced apart from the passage, and the outer portion has an interior surface that extends around, closely bounds, and engages the exterior surface of the inner portion, whereby the buffer encasement has multiple plies. In contrast, in accordance with another example of the invention, a surface is not defined between the inner portion and the outer portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.