Optical fiber cable with impact resistant buffer tube

US9829664B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Adra Smith Baca · Hickory, US
• Dana Craig Bookbinder · Corning, US
• Manuela Ocampo · Corning, US
• Richard Curwood Peterson · Elmira Heights, US
• David Alan Seddon · Hickory, US
• Pushkar Tandon · Corning, US
• Brandon Robert Williamson · Johnson City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 2, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 28, 2017
• Expiry date: Feb 2, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B6/4486
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An crush resistant optical cable and/or crush resistant optical fiber buffer tube are provided. The cable generally includes a tube having at least one layer formed from a first material and an optical fiber located within a channel of the first tube. The buffer tube is configured to protect optical fibers from crush or impact events through a cushioning action. For example, the first material may be a polymer material having modulus of elasticity of less than 200 MPa, and the layer of the tube acts as a compliant cushioning layer at least partially contacting and surrounding an outer surface of the optical fiber when radially directed forces are applied to the outer surface of the tube.