Hughes Aircraft Company

Nancy J Christie

Daniel K Schotter

A linear optical fiber waveguide dispenser (10) comprising a linear payout leader holder (15) including an optical fiber waveguide having an unjacketed portion (16) and leader (17) comprising a coiled jacketed portion disposed within a housing (11). The housing (11) has an exit aperture (14) through which the jacketed fiber waveguide protrudes. A fiber optic connector (18) is connected onto the end of the jacketed portion of the waveguide. The linear dispenser (10) accommodates the leader (17) without having to increase the size of the payout helix generated thereby. The linear payout leader holder (15) may be used with a balloon assisted dispenser that has its helix sufficiently dampened to create a linear payout. It allows a strengthened leader (17) to be coiled inside the dispenser (10), an arrangement that would not normally fit into the exit of a conventional linear payout dispenser. Also, in situations where there is the need for the fiber to payout close to the dispenser (10), the linear payout leader holder (15) provides a smooth nonabrasive mechanism to accomplish this. Payouts with a helix as small as four fiber waveguide diameters are achievable using the present invention, and the waveguide is protected during the high stress payout initiation phase. A plurality of single pylon launchers (20a-20d) having dual payout capability are provided and incorporate a payout initiation system with the use of the present invention and a balloon assisted dispenser (10).

Linear payout leader holder

An optical fiber payout canister (22) comprises a bobbin (30) having a dispensing end and an optical fiber pack having a plurality of optical fiber layers (34, 36) wound upon the bobbin (30). The pack has a transition winding pattern between the optical fiber layers (34, 36) at the dispensing end thereof, and an overcoat adhesive layer overlies the transition winding pattern of the optical fiber pack. The adhesive layer desirably comprises from about 80 to about 72 parts by weight of a precatalyzed organofunctional siloxane polymer and from about 20 to about 28 parts by weight of a silicone elastoplastic resin. The adhesive layer desirably has a tensile strength of from about 25 to about 40 psi, and a modulus of elasticity of from about 1200 to about 1600 psi, over a temperature range of from about -50.degree. C. to about +80.degree. C.

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Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Nancy J Christie