Corning Research & Development Corporation

Siecor Corporation

Corning Cable Systems

Corning Optical Communications LLC

Siecor Operations, LLC

Gregory A Mills

Julie Ann Chalk

David Wesley Chiasson

Xiaomin Zhao

Gregory Alan Lochkovic

Joel Laine Parker

Olus Naili Boratav

Randall Dwaine Tuttle

Christopher K Eoll

Bin Yang

Girish Arun Saigaonkar

Jeffrey Dean Danley

Ching-Kee Chien

Klaus Hartkorn

Shail K Moorjani

Arash Abedijaberi

Zhaoxu Tian

William J McCallum, Iii

John R Keesee

Jeff J Englebert

Ilona W Schmidt

Michael D Genovese

Darin Gregory Howe

Ronald Steven Black

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each having a subunit coating surrounding at least one optical fiber. The subunit coating is made of a first material. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a plurality of bonds intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. Each bond of the plurality of bonds has a unique longitudinal position along a length of the optical fiber ribbon such that no other bond of the plurality of bonds is located at the unique longitudinal position. Further, each bond of the plurality of bonds includes a diffusion zone comprising a mixture of the first material and the second material.

Ribbon with non-overlapping intermittent bonds between optical fiber subunits

The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber ribbon in which the optical fibers of the optical fiber ribbon are intermittently bonded together at bonding regions along the length of the optical fiber ribbon. The bonding regions of the optical fiber ribbon each include a joining ribbon matrix that have different colors along the length of the optical fiber ribbon.

Intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with joining ribbon matrices

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of subunits each comprising a subunit coating surrounding at least two optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other. The subunit coating is made of a first material. A plurality of bonds are intermittently formed between adjacent subunits of the plurality of subunits. The plurality of bonds are made of a second material. The optical fiber ribbon includes a diffusion zone at an interface between each of the plurality of bonds and the subunit coating of each adjacent subunit. Each diffusion zone has a gradient of the second material in the first material. Further, the intermittent bonds may include one or more saddle surfaces formed by intersecting convex and concave curvatures. A method of forming such optical fiber ribbons is also disclosed.

Intermittently bonded ribbon with intermittent bonds created with a wet-on-wet process

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged adjacently to each other and a plurality of bonding regions intermittently spaced along a length of the optical fiber ribbon. At each bonding region, at least one bond is formed between two optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers. Further, the at least one bond comprises a first material applied to outer surfaces of the two optical fibers and a second material applied over the first material. The first material is different from the second material, and at least one of the first material or the second material includes a colorant configured to identify the optical fiber ribbon. Also disclosed are embodiments of making such an optical fiber ribbon as well as of optical fiber cables including such an optical fiber ribbon.

Intermittently bonded ribbon having bonding regions with multiple materials

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an optical fiber ribbon. The optical fiber ribbon includes optical fibers arranged in a row having a first width. Indicator fibers are provided at the edges of the row. The indicator fibers have different color fiber jackets. The optical fiber ribbon also includes a primary matrix into which the plurality of optical fibers is embedded. The optical fiber ribbon also includes an opacifying layer having a second width and a color layer, distinct from the opacifying layer, having a third width. The optical fiber ribbon further includes a layer of printing disposed on an outer surface of the primary matrix. In the optical fiber ribbon, the first width is greater than at least one of the second width or the third width such that the indicator fibers extend past at least one of the opacifying layer or the color layer.

Colored ribbon with discrete color layers

Disclosed here are embodiments of an optical fiber ribbon. In the optical fiber ribbon, a plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a row. The optical fibers are embedded in a primary matrix. The primary matrix comprises a base resin and an opacifier pigment. A secondary matrix is disposed around the primary matrix, and a layer of printing is disposed between the primary matrix and the secondary matrix. The secondary matrix has a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 as measured according to ASTM D2805. Embodiments of a method of preparing an optical fiber ribbon are also disclosed in which optical fibers are arranged in a row and embedded in a primary matrix. Characteristics of the optical fibers is printed onto the primary matrix, and the primary matrix is coated with a secondary matrix having a contrast ratio of from 0.2 to 0.9 according to ASTM D2805.

Optical ribbon with printing between opaque primary layer and colored secondary layer

Durable optical fiber ribbons are formed by promoting a strong bond between fiber ink layers and ribbon matrix material. During curing of the ink layer desired oxygen levels are maintained in the curing environment of the manufacturing process.

Durable optical fiber ribbons and methods of making optical fiber ribbons

A fiber optic cable component, for example, an optical ribbon ( ), individual optical fiber, fiber bundle, or a non-optical fiber component, having a radiation markable section, the radiation markable section including a radiation reactive ingredient compounded with a base matrix material, and methods for creating markings in the radiation markable section. When irradiated with a suitable radiation source, a photochemical reaction occurs that creates markings in the radiation markable section, so that the ribbon classification task may be done with ease and reliability. The marking of fiber optic cable components according to the present invention may, for example, be accomplished by a radiation source of the laser type.

Radiation marking of fiber optic cable components

A fiber optic cable component, for example, an optical ribbon ( ), individual optical fiber, fiber bundle, or a non-optical fiber component, having a radiation markable section, the radiation markable section including a radiation reactive ingredient compounded with a base matrix material, and methods for creating markings in the radiation markable section. When irradiated with a suitable radiation source, a photochemical reaction occurs that creates markings in the radiation markable section, so that the ribbon classification task may be done with ease and reliability, so that substantial physical damage to the layer by the radiation source is avoided. The marking of fiber optic cable components according to the present invention may, for example, be accomplished by a radiation source of the laser type.

An optical article including at least one optical fiber and a printable layer connected to the optical fiber. The printable layer including randomly spaced printed ink shapes for avoiding or controlling optical attenuation. A method and an apparatus for making optical articles with the randomized ink shape spacings are also disclosed.

Optical article printing for controlled attenuation

An optical ribbon (20) includes optical fibers (28) encased in a ribbon common layer (21). Ribbon common layer (21) is printed with ink dots (23) such that ample spacing between dots (23), and controlled print spacing intervals, reduce delta attenuation.

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Claremont, NC, United States of America

Gregory A Mills