Pirelli Cable Corporation

Aaron M Anderson

Ben H Wells

Roger Vaughn

Grant M Davidson

John C Smith

John Sach

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.

Optical fiber cable and core with a reinforced buffer tube having visible strength members and methods of manufacture thereof

A composite cable for distributing electrical power to components in an optical fiber network and for transmitting optical signals between optical fiber network components includes at least one layer of insulated electrical conductors arranged in side-by-side relation to provide a layer of conductors of a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the conductors. The conductors of the at least one layer of conductors are S-Z stranded and surround the optical fibers which are loosely contained in at least one plastic buffer tube to provide desirable structural and operational features to the cable and to an optical fiber network in which the cable can be included.

Composite cable for access networks

An optical fiber cable comprises a central tube containing at least one optical fiber, a plurality of outer tubes, each containing at least one optical fiber, and at least two strength members, wherein the outer tubes and strength members are disposed around and in contact with the central tube, the strength members being between intermediate pairs of outer tubes. Preferably, a cord is wound around the outer tubes and strength members to hold them against the outer tube. Preferably, the optical fiber in the central tube is part of an optical fiber ribbon. Preferably, a plurality of individual optical fibers are provided in the outer tubes. The optical fibers are loosely contained within the central and outer tubes. One or several additional tubes containing insulated copper pairs or a coaxial cable may also be provided. Preferably, the cable tubes and the strength members are disposed in a reverse oscillating lay or S-Z fashion around the central tube.

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Batesburg, SC, United States of America

Aaron M Anderson