Optical-fiber cable containing thermally bonded fiber optic buffer tubes and fabrication process
US6483971B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 2001 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4483
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical-fiber cable includes an assembly of buffer tubes including at least two flexible buffer tubes that are held together compactly by adhesion to one another. The cable further includes a plurality of optical fibers, which are housed within the buffer tubes, a jacket surrounding the assembly of buffer tubes, and at least one longitudinal strength member that is provided at the periphery of the assembly of buffer tubes. According to one aspect, the jacket is formed of polyethylene, the buffer tubes are formed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a thermoplastic elastomer possessing flexible diol segments, and the buffer tubes are contained within the jacket in a helical or SZ stranding configuration. According to a second aspect, a fiber optic buffer tube includes low and high melting point materials forming domains and a matrix, respectively, and preferably further includes a filler. The domains are embedded in the matrix. The latter buffer tubes are bonded together by thermal activation of the domains.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.