Draka Comteq B.v.

Draka Comiteq, B.v.

Greg DeChristopher

Bob J Overton

Don Parris

Justin Elisha Quinn

Wayne Cheatle

Boyce Lookadoo

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

A buffer tube arrangement includes an adhesive material to adhesively bond a water-swellable element to a plurality of optical fibers and/or a buffer tube.

Buffer tube with adhesively coupled optical fibers and/or water-swellable element

An optical-fiber cable includes an adhesive material that adhesively couples a water-swellable element to a plurality of optical fibers.

Optical-fiber cable having optical fibers adhesively coupled to water-swellable element

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.

Coupling element for optical fiber cables

Coupling composition for optical fiber cables

In a buffer tube arrangement, discrete domains of adhesive material provide adhesive coupling of a water-swellable element and an optical fiber bundle that includes a plurality of optical fibers.

Gel-free buffer tube with adhesively coupled optical element

Disclosed is a fiber optic cable that includes optical fibers and a water-swellable element, such as a powder-free fabric tape, that are enclosed within a buffer tube. Adhesive material, such as discrete domains of adhesive foam, may be optionally employed to provide adhesive coupling of the optical fibers and the water-swellable element.

Fiber optic cable having a water-swellable element

A water-swellable material is included for water-blocking inside a buffer tube in a cable design, and an adhesive material is provided in or on the water-swellable material. The adhesive material may function as a bonding agent between the water-swellable material and the inside wall of a buffer tube, thus providing coupling of the water-swellable material to the buffer tube. In addition, or alternatively, a second adhesive material may be provided for bonding the optical fibers to the water-swellable material. The adhesive materials may be in the form of a bead or beads and may be foamed or unfoamed.

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Hickory, NC, United States of America

Greg DeChristopher