Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.

Takashi Tanaka

Stephen R Stokes

William E Beasley, Jr

Richard G Gravely

Natalie Roskam

Loose tube fiber optic cable containing a core of S-Z stranded strands comprising optical fibers having first and second alternatively repeating first and second sections, and a sheath circumscribing the core. The ROL transition points defined by the junctures of first and second strand sections along the length of the cable have been provided at an optimized reduced distance therebetween that is approximately 1/2 of the longitudinal length of the sheath entry window created during mid-span entry of the loose tube fiber optic cable. Thus, at least one (1) ROL transition point will be located within the sheath entry window during mid-span entry access to the cable, and most suitably either two (2) or three (3) ROL transition points will be located.

S-Z stranded optical cable with optimized short ROL pitch

A water-tight optical fiber communications cable constructed without the use of a viscous water-blocking compound other than in the buffer tubes thereof. One or more water swellable yarns are helically wrapped around the central strength member to absorb any water which may be present in the interstices between the central strength member and the buffer tubes. Additionally, a water swellable tape is disposed between the core and the jacket of the cable to absorb water from the interstices between the buffer tubes and elements overlaying the core of the cable.

Growing community of inventors

Kamakura, Japan

Takashi Tanaka