Optical fiber cable and core with a reinforced buffer tube having visible strength members and methods of manufacture thereof
US6377738B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 4, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4433
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical fiber cable core includes a buffer tube containing at least one optical fiber and reinforced by at least two substantially radially incompressible longitudinal strength members, each strength member having surface portions radially outermost with respect to the tube axis which are at or protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. If the strength members protrude from the exterior surface of the buffer tube, less than 50%, and preferably less than 20%, of the outer surface of the strength members protrudes from the exterior surface of the buffer tube. The positions of the strength members can be readily determined, can be visible and can be easily removed from the buffer tube prior to slitting the buffer tube to achieve midspan access. The core can include a buffer tube having an inner tubular portion, an outer tubular portion including the strength members, and a release agent between the tubular portions to enable easy separation of the tubular portions so that conventional slitting tools can be used to gain midspan access. Also, an optical fiber cable including the core and methods of manufacturing a reinforced buffer tube are disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.