Alcatel Na Cable Systems, Inc.

Alcatel Na, Inc.,

Richard C Nilsson

John C Nelson

Jeffrey Scott Barker

Gary W Edmundson

Timothy A Oberschlake

James M Berry

The optical fiber/metallic conductor composite cable has a cable core with an optical fiber subgroup and an insulated metallic conductor subgroup. The optical fiber subgroup can be a loose tube construction, a slotted core construction, a unitube/monotube construction or a tight buffer tube construction. The individual insulated wires of the insulated metallic conductor subgroup extend longitudinally within the composite cable. Preferably, the optical fiber subgroup is on the outer periphery of the cable core to provide easy accessibility, but it can be centrally located.

Optical fiber/metallic conductor composite cable

A branch point for an optical fiber stub or drop cable from a main distribution cable has an optical fiber cable splice module for protecting the optical fibers and splices from moisture and mechanical damage, providing a strong anchoring point for the optical fiber drop cable, and insuring that the minimum fiber bend radius is not violated. The splice module forms an enclosure for the splices which are held in place mechanically by rows of pins. The stub cable may also be preconnectorized.

Optical fiber cable having spliced fiber branch and method of making the

A predetermined optical fiber cable has a main trunk cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers disposed therein and multiple drop cables spliced to the trunk cable at various branch points, the preterminated fiber optic cable being completely assembled at the time of manufacture and is easily installed thereafter. At each branch point an optical fiber cable splice closure is utilized for protecting the optical fibers and splices from moisture and mechanical damage, providing a strong anchoring point for the optical fiber drop cable, and insuring that the minimum fiber bend radius is not violated. The splice closure is cylindrical in shape and has a cavity providing room for the splices and for excess optical fiber storage. Because the splice closure is relatively small (an outer diameter of no greater than 4 inches and a length of no greater than 7 inches), the preterminated fiber optic cable, after manufacture, may be wound in reels for installment without incurring cable or fiber damage and, further, may be depolyed within standard PVC piping having a 4 inch inner diameter. The preterminated fiber optic cable may also be preconnectorized.

Preterminated fiber optic cable

A pulling eye assembly for optical fiber cables is formed of a housing having a gripping device for gripping the multiple strength members. The first embodiment uses longitudinally extending cavities which communicate with radially directed threaded set-screw holes for receiving epoxy and/or set-screws. In the second embodiment, a pair of collets are used to grip the strength members. In both cases, a crimping sleeve is attached to an end of the cylindrical housing and being crimpably engageable with an outer surface of an optical fiber cable.

Optical fiber cable pulling eye

The optical fiber cable has a plurality of centrally located optical fibers. Carrying the optical fibers is a gel-filled plastic buffer tube. A plurality of radial strength yarn threads extended along the outside of the buffer tube in a contra-helical pattern. In the armored cable embodiment, a strength and protective member in the form of a corrugated steel armor layer may be provided for additional protection against possible rodent damage. The armor is usually coated with a thin layer of plastic material in the form of a water blockable flooding compound. A ripcord is provided to assist in removal of the armor. A final polyethylene outer jacket is provided for additional cable protection. Embedded within the outer jacket is a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending strength members.

Unitube optical fiber cable

A pulling assembly for connectorized optical fiber cables is formed of a flexible metal braided hose portion for conveying a pulling force to said cable and for providing a chamber in which the cable connectors may be housed during a cable pulling operation. A cylindrical housing is attached to one end of said braided metal hose and includes a concentrically-arranged central strength member gripping apparatus and a buffer tube alignment structure disposed about the central strength member gripping apparatus. A crimping sleeve is attached to an opposite end of said cylindrical housing fixing said concentric arrangement within the cylindrical housing and being crimpably engageable with an outer surface of an optical fiber cable.

Pulling eye assembly for connectorized optical fiber cables

An optical fiber cable contains a central strength member surrounded by a plurality of fiber-carrying guides traversing the length of the cable along reversing helical paths. A plurality of strength members are provided in lieu of selected symmetrically spaced guides. The strength members provide axial and torsional stability due to their reversing helical path. Periodic bandmarks are provided on each fiber for identification. An excessive length of fiber is provided in each guide to minimize fiber stress.

Growing community of inventors

Hickory, NC, United States of America

Richard C Nilsson