At&t Bell Laboratories

Lucent Technologies Inc.

Kenneth M Kroupa

Parbhubhai D Patel

Clyde J Lever, Jr

Tek-Che Chu

Kenneth Wade Jackson

Clyde Jefferson Lever, Jr

Robert J Brown

Marsha S Stix

Roger A Willby

Stephanie Holland Webb

Seymour Shapiro

A modular optical fiber ribbon has a repetitive color identifier arrangement for the individual coated fibers defining one or more adjacent modules. Each module is identified by a digital code imprinted or otherwise marked on the top surface of the ribbon so that each individual fiber in the entire ribbon structure is uniquely identified. Each module or portion thereof can be broken out from the ribbon by means of a break-out tool which is sufficiently hard to cut the matrix bonding material which holds the fibers in the ribbon configuration, but which is not hard enough to cut the fiber coating.

Modular optical fiber ribbon

An optical fiber cable (20) includes a longitudinally extending copper core member (34). The core member is formed with at least one groove (36) in which is disposed at least one optical fiber. The optical fiber is coupled sufficiently to the core member preferably by an ultraviolet light energy cured material to substantially inhibit relative movement between the optical fiber and the core member when forces are applied to the cable. A sheath system which includes a plastic jacket (112) is disposed about the core member. The sheath system includes a strength member system which includes longitudinally extending copper wires (105, 105) and steel wires (101, 107). Disposed about the steel and copper wires is a steel shield (110) which provides hermetic protection for the optical fibers. A waterblocking material (108) is disposed among the wires and between an inner layer of the wires and the core member to cooperate with the compressive engagement of the inner layer of strength members with the core member to couple the strength members to the core member.

Underwater optical fiber cable having optical fiber coupled to grooved

An optical fiber cable (20) includes a longitudinally extending core member (34) which may be made of a plastic material. The core member is formed with at least one groove (36) in which is disposed at least one optical fiber (28). The optical fiber is coupled sufficiently to the core member, preferably by an ultraviolet light energy cured material, to inhibit substantially relative movement between the core member and the optical fiber when forces are applied to the cable. A sheath system which includes wire-like strength members and a plastic jacket (112) is disposed about the core member. A waterblocking material (108) disposed within interstices among the wire-like strength members and between an inner layer of the strength members and the core member causes coupling between the wire-like strength members and the core member.

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Roswell, GA, United States of America

Kenneth M Kroupa