Appeal No. 2003-2153 Page 6
Application No. 09/632,160
Figure 1 is a diagram of a cross-section of a first embodiment of an optical fiber
cable having one or more optical fibers 12, a buffer tube 14 having the one or more
optical fibers 12 arranged therein, and a thermoset material generally indicated as 16
(by hatching) for cyclically connecting the optical fiber to the buffer tube 14. The cable
10 is an indoor/outdoor flame retardant cable that also has a fiberglass yarn matrix 18
having one or more layers of fiberglass yarns 19, 20 being arranged about the buffer
tube 14; and a jacket 22 being arranged about the fiberglass yarn matrix 18. As shown,
the indoor/outdoor flame-retardant cable 10 also has ripcords 24, 26 for pulling to
access and service the optical fiber inside the cable.
Figure 2 is a diagram of a second embodiment of a cable having one or more
optical fibers 102 arranged in a buffer tube 104, and having cyclically-placed thermoset
material such as a low viscosity elastomer generally indicated as 106, 108 to hold the
one or more optical fibers 102 in the buffer tube 104 at intervals of about every ½
meter. The cyclically-placed thermoset material 106, 108 prevents water ingress in the
buffer tube 104, especially when used in combination with water swellable powder, and
allows for fiber helix movement as the cable expands and contracts in the temperature
range from -40 to +70 degrees Celsius.
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Last modified: November 3, 2007