Optical fiber cable apparatus having encased ribbon stack

US6778745B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fitel USA Corp. · US

Inventors

• Harold P Debban · Snellville, US
• Clyde Jefferson Lever · Buford, US
• Richard Norris · Powder Springs, US
• Dennis M Slaton · Dahlonega, US
• Richard D. Small · Lilburn, US
• Phillip M. Thomas · Suwanee, US
• Peter A. Weimann · Atlanta, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 2001
• Grant date: Aug 17, 2004
• Expiry date: May 20, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/4411
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include an optical fiber cable having improved optical fiber densities and no central strength member. The optical fiber cable includes one or more multi-fiber unit tubes having an optical fiber ribbon stack snugly positioned therein. The diagonal length of the ribbon stack is approximately equal or, alternatively, at least 90% of the inner diameter of the unit tube. The multi-fiber unit tube is made of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or other material soft and flexible enough to allow the ribbon stack to be relatively firmly positioned therein without affecting the optical fiber performance. The optical fiber cable includes one or more filling materials such as yarn fillers positioned, e.g., between the ribbon stack and the inner walls of the unit tube, to maintain the shape of the multi-fiber unit tube. The yarn filler material includes super absorbent polymers to reduce propagation of water down the unit tube.