Draka Comteq B.v.

Draka Comiteq, B.v.

Don Parris

Greg DeChristopher

Justin Elisha Quinn

Jeffrey Scott Barker

Patrick King Strong

Denise Lorraine Collado

Denise Matthews

Boyce Lookadoo

Brian G Risch

Disclosed is a low-shrink buffer tube having a reduced diameter. The buffer tube provides adequate crush resistance and is suitable for deployments requiring mid-span access.

Low-shrink reduced-diameter dry buffer tubes

Low-shrink reduced-diameter buffer tubes

A method for manufacturing an optical-fiber buffer tube uses a prewetting agent possessing excellent surface affinity, wetting, and interfacial adhesion with optical-fiber coatings. The prewetting agent does not pool within or leak from the resulting buffer tubes during storage or vertical installation.

Method for manufacturing an optical-fiber buffer tube

The present invention provides optical-fiber communication cables with an improved water-blocking element that reduces or eliminates microbending caused by the water-swellable particulate powders by employing such water-swellable powders in conjunction with a smooth but perforated compression-resistant carrier tape. The water-blocking element is deployed within optical-fiber buffer tubes to water-block the buffer tubes and to minimize microbending that can occur when water-swellable particulate powders press against optical fibers.

Optical-fiber cable having a perforated water blocking element

The present invention provides optical-fiber communication cables with an improved water-blocking element that reduces or eliminates microbending caused by water-swellable particulate powders. In one embodiment, such water-swellable powders may be employed in conjunction with a smooth water-soluble carrier tape. In another embodiment, such water-swellable powders may embedded within a water-soluble binder. The water-blocking element is deployed within optical-fiber buffer tubes to water-block the buffer tubes and to minimize microbending that can occur when water-swellable particulate powders press against optical fibers.

Water-soluble water-blocking element

Perforated water-blocking element

The present invention relates to optical-fiber cables having a tape enclosing one or more optical fibers. A plurality of discrete deposits of adhesive material are typically used to couple the optical fibers to the enclosing tape. A buffer tube may enclose the optical fibers and the tape. The buffer tube typically has a buffer-tube adhesive filling coefficient of between about 0.001 and 0.05.

Adhesively coupled optical fibers and enclosing tape

Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes optical fibers and a deformable coupling element enclosed within a buffer tube. The coupling element is formed from a deformable yet substantially incompressible material that is capable of releasably and intermittently coupling the optical fibers to the buffer tube in various orientations. The design of the coupling element layer permits coupling of the optical fibers to the buffer tube without the use of a compressive cushioning layer and yet permits localized movement the optical fibers relative to the buffer tube to account for disparate thermal expansion and to accommodate optical fiber placement.

Optical fiber cable having a deformable coupling element

Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes optical fibers and a deformable coupling element enclosed within a buffer tube. The coupling element is formed from a deformable yet substantially incompressible material and features a number of raised members projecting toward the optical fibers. The design of the coupling element layer permits coupling of the optical fibers to the buffer tube without the use of a compressive cushioning layer. This arrangement distributes the compressive force applied to discrete points along the outer perimeter of the optical fiber element.

Optical fiber cable having raised coupling supports

The present invention relates to a novel coupling composition that is used within optical fiber cables to protect optical fibers and to couple the optical fibers and the surrounding buffer tube casing. The present invention also relates to optical fiber cables that use the novel coupling composition.

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Newton, NC, United States of America

Don Parris