JP2018173649A - Round and small diameter optical cable with ribbon type optical fiber structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cable structure that has advantage of both ribbon cables and single-fibers cables.SOLUTION: There is provided an optical fiber cable 15 including an optical fiber ribbon 1 in a pipe 14. The ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side. At least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length direction of the fibers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a fiber optic cable that incorporates a ribbon-type structure in place of individually separated loose optical fibers.

  There are two types of optical fiber cables, ribbon cables and cables having separate optical fibers. These may be protected with a loose tube or may be firmly protected. When designing and assembling networks, the advantages and disadvantages of these cables are compared. The advantages and disadvantages of these cables are listed below.

Advantages of ribbon cables include the following: That is,
(1) The ribbon cable enables easy MPO connection;
(2) Ribbon cables are relatively easy to mass splice; and (3) Ribbon cables are less skewed than cables with individual fibers. is there.
However, the design and manufacture of ribbon cables can be more difficult.

The advantages of individual fiber cables are:
(1) The PMD is lower than the ribbon cable; and (2) The cable is easier to design and manufacture than the ribbon cable.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional flat ribbon cable 4. This type of ribbon cable can be used by users who require low skew in view of high speed transmission (eg 40G or 100G parallel transmission). In addition, a user who prefers easy operability of MPO connection can use this type of cable. Two 12 fiber ribbons 5, 6 are stacked in the cable 4 on top of each other. The cable 4 has an outer jacket 7. In order to keep the shape of the ribbon flat, the aramid 8 is located in the jacket and the internal shape is rectangular. This type of cable requires careful manipulation during installation, as bending in the wrong direction can damage the fiber.

  Conventional single-fibers cables may be used by users who prefer small circular cables. FIG. 3 shows an example of a single fiber cable 13. Twenty-four fibers can be split into two 12-fiber unit bundles 11 by a binder. An appropriate amount of aramid yarn 12 is inserted between the inner pipe (eg pipe 9) and the outer pipe 10 to protect the optical fiber from tension during installation and use. This type of cable has a small cable diameter, is lightweight and flexible, and can be installed in a limited space.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0296781

  It is an object of the present invention to produce a cable structure that has the advantages of both a ribbon cable and a single fiber cable.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address at least the above problems and / or drawbacks and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and typical embodiments of the present invention may not solve any of the problems listed above.

The first embodiment of the present invention
An optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe,
The ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side;
The optical fiber cable is characterized in that at least two of the optical fibers are intermittently coupled along the length of the fiber.

Other feature points of the first embodiment may include the following points. That is,
The fiber is a multimode fiber,
The ribbon is twisted in a spiral shape,
The ribbon is twisted in an SZ shape,
The ribbon is tightly buffered,
The ribbon is loosely buffered with gel in the pipe,
The ribbon is gently protected with an aramid yarn in the pipe,
The ribbon is gently protected by a water shielding yarn in the pipe,
The jacket pipe has an outer diameter of 3.0 mm or less and the ribbon has 12 fibers;
The outer diameter of the pipe is 3.8 mm or less, and the cable includes a second optical fiber ribbon in the pipe, each of the two optical fiber ribbons having 12 fibers;
Each of the four optical fiber ribbons has an outer diameter of the pipe of 4.8 mm or less, and the cable includes a second optical fiber ribbon, a third optical fiber ribbon, and a fourth optical fiber ribbon in the pipe. Has 12 fibers,
The pipe includes stainless steel,
The pipe contains PBT,
The pipe contains a PBT alloy,
The pipe contains PE,
The pipe contains FRPE, and the pipe contains PVC.

The third embodiment of the present invention
A strength member;
A cable including an optical fiber cable,
The fiber optic cable includes a fiber optic ribbon in a pipe;
The ribbon comprises at least two optical fibers arranged side by side;
The cable is characterized in that at least two of the optical fibers are intermittently coupled along the length of the fiber.

Other feature points of the third embodiment include the following points. That is,
The optical fiber cable is surrounded by the strength member and an outer pipe, and the strength member includes an aramid yarn,
A central member and at least two attached optical fiber cables, wherein the central member is surrounded by the at least three optical fiber cables;
Points including the outer pipe,
A point comprising an inner pipe and an aramid yarn layer between the inner pipe and the outer pipe;
A point comprising an inner pipe and an armor layer between the inner pipe and the outer pipe;
The strength member includes a wire surrounding the optical fiber cable;
A point comprising an aramid yarn between the optical fiber cable and the outer pipe;
A point comprising an aluminum pipe surrounding the optical fiber cable and a wire strength element surrounding the aluminum pipe;
A point comprising an aluminum pipe surrounding the optical fiber cable and a wire strength element surrounding the aluminum pipe;
The optical fiber cable and the strength member are arranged in parallel, and a pipe surrounds the optical fiber cable and the strength member;
The strength member includes an FRP rod;
The strength member includes a metal wire, and the strength member includes a stainless steel tube having an optical fiber in a pipe.

The fourth embodiment of the present invention
A cable including an optical fiber cable,
The optical fiber cable is an optical fiber ribbon in a stainless steel pipe;
An outer pipe,
Including
The ribbon comprises at least two optical fibers arranged side by side;
A cable, wherein at least two of the optical fibers are intermittently coupled along the length of the fiber.

  Other features of the fourth embodiment may include a second optical fiber ribbon in the stainless steel pipe.

1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fiber ribbon. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fiber ribbon. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fiber ribbon. It is sectional drawing of the conventional ribbon cable. It is sectional drawing of the cable of the conventional separate fiber. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a 24 fiber cable using a new fiber ribbon. Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of a 24-fiber trunk cable using a new fiber ribbon. An embodiment of a 24-fiber cable 19 for use in interconnection with a new fiber ribbon is shown. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a 144 fiber trunk cable for vertical and horizontal use with a novel fiber ribbon. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a 288 fiber trunk cable 26 for use in the vertical and horizontal directions with a novel fiber ribbon. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an Alma core type OPGW cable using a new fiber ribbon. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a Centra core type OPGW cable using a new fiber ribbon. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a Hexa core type OPGW cable using a novel fiber ribbon. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a loose tube cable using a novel fiber ribbon. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an ADSS cable using a novel fiber ribbon. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an ADSS cable using a novel fiber ribbon. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a center loose tube cable using a novel fiber ribbon. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a center loose tube cable using a novel fiber ribbon. Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a logging cable using a new fiber ribbon.

  The following detailed description is provided to help the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatus, and / or systems described herein. Various alterations, modifications, and equivalents to the systems, devices, and / or methods described herein will be suggested to those skilled in the art. Descriptions of well-known functions and structures have been omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The new concept ribbon shown in FIGS. 1A-1C allows the design of small circular cables such as single fiber cables. New cables using new ribbons can meet the demands of the cables such as low skew, high speed connections, and the ability to mount many in a limited space.

  The features of the new cable design ribbon will be described below using the example of the 12-fiber ribbon 1 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. FIG. 1A shows a ribbon 12 of 12 fibers viewed from the Z direction. In FIG. 1A, twelve fibers 1a to 1l are arranged on the X axis. The fibers can have a suitable color scheme, but this is not necessary. For example, the blue fiber 1a can be intermittently coupled to the orange fiber 1b adjacent to the blue fiber. Similarly, all the fibers 1a to 1l arranged side by side are partially coupled. Further, although this embodiment shows that each fiber is intermittently coupled to at least one other fiber, intermittent coupling need not occur between the fibers. There may be several fibers combined with other fibers along the entire length of the fiber.

  The fibers can be joined by any known conventional method. One such known binding method is described in US Pat. No. 6,057,097, which is incorporated herein by reference. A coupling element 2 is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Note that in FIG. 1B only one of the coupling elements 2 between the fiber 1a and the fiber 1b is shown. There will also be coupling elements between the other fibers. There may also be a coupling element between the fibers of FIG. 1C.

  FIG. 1A shows the coupling elements 2 arranged in a diagonal pattern across the ribbon. However, these coupling elements need not be diagonal. Other patterns can also be used.

  The length of the coupling element can be very small compared to the length of the portion of the fiber that is not coupled to the coupling element (gap 3). For example, the length of the coupling element 2 can be between about 2 mm and 20 mm. A preferred length is 10 mm. The gap between the coupling elements can be between about 20 mm and 500 mm. A preferred length is 50 mm. A suitable ratio of bond length to gap length can be between about 1/5 to 1/20. This intermittent coupling structure allows the ribbon to become more flexible like a single fiber.

  FIG. 1B shows the ribbon 1 of 12 fibers not inserted into the cable as viewed from the y direction. FIG. 1C shows the twelve fiber ribbon 1 inserted into the cable as viewed from the y direction (cable not shown).

  Alternatively, mass splicing can be performed as with conventional ribbons.

  Four fiber ribbons, eight fiber ribbons, and other fiber configurations may be used depending on the specific needs of the user. Also, multimode (MM) fiber and single mode (SM) fiber can be used depending on the specific needs of the user.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a 24-fiber cable 15 using a new fiber ribbon. The structure consists of two 12-fiber ribbons 1 and a pipe 14. In this embodiment, the pipe may be a single layer jacket. However, in the context of the present invention, a pipe may refer to a “jacket” or “tube”. In this embodiment, the cable does not include aramid yarn in the pipe 14. Each ribbon can be identified by marking the ribbon or by using a different color yarn around the ribbon. In this embodiment, the material of the pipe 14 is PVC. Other pipe materials such as PE, FRPE, PP, PBT, or other thermoplastics can also be used. Like conventional single fiber cables, the cable shape is circular and the diameter of the cable is small. This cable can also be used as a unit cable for larger cables. The ribbon style in the cable can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The total number of all fibers in the cable can also be changed. The ribbon 1 may be twisted in a spiral shape or twisted in an SZ shape.

  Also, the inner diameter of the pipe can be adjusted so that the cable is recognized as being “tightly buffered” or “loosely buffered”. An example of a tightly protected cable would be one in which the ratio of the pipe inner diameter cross-section to the ribbon cross-section is less than about 1.34. A cable that is not “tightly protected” may be recognized as being “softly protected”.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a 24-fiber trunk cable 16. An aramid yarn 18 is embedded between the 24-fiber cable 15 and the outer pipe 17 shown in FIG. The amount of the aramid yarn 18 depends on the demand for tensile performance (for example, GR409 in the vertical direction or GR409 in the horizontal direction). In this example, the material of the outer pipe 17 is PVC. Other pipe materials such as PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastics can also be used. Like the conventional cable shown in FIG. 3, the cable shape is circular and the diameter of the cable is small. The ribbon style in the cable can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The total number of all fibers in the cable can also be changed.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a 24-fiber cable 19 for use in interconnection. This cable is composed of two 12-fiber ribbons 1 and an aramid yarn 21 surrounded by a single-layer pipe 20. An appropriate amount of yarn 21 is embedded to meet the tensile specifications (eg, interconnect GR409). The material of the pipe 20 can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The cable shape is circular, and the diameter of the cable is 3.8 mm or less as an example. This is the same as a conventional single fiber cable. However, other diameters can be used. The ribbon style in the cable can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The total number of all fibers in the cable can also be changed. For example, when there is one 12-fiber ribbon in the cable, the cable diameter can be 3.0 mm or less. When there are four 12-fiber ribbons in the cable, the cable diameter can be 4.8 mm or less.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a 144 fiber trunk cable for use in the vertical and horizontal directions. There are 12 cables 23 having a 12-fiber outer diameter of 3.0 mm, and these surround the central strength member 24. The cable 23 is the same as the cable 19 in FIG. 6 except that the total number of fibers and the outer diameter are different. An FRP having an appropriate size is selected as the central member 24 so as to satisfy the tensile specification and the temperature specification (for example, GR409 in the vertical direction or GR409 in the horizontal direction). The material of the outer pipe 25 can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The cable 22 shows twelve 12-fiber cables 23, some of which can be replaced with fillers made of PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastics. is there.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a 288 fiber trunk cable 26 for use in the vertical and horizontal directions. There are twelve cables 27 with a 24-fiber outer diameter of 3.8 mm, which surround the central strength member 29. The cable 27 is the same as the cable 19 of FIG. An FRP having an appropriate size is selected as the central member 29 so as to satisfy a tensile specification (for example, GR 409 in the vertical direction or GR 409 in the horizontal direction). The material of the outer pipe 28 can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The cable 26 shows twelve 24-fiber cables 27, some of which can be replaced with fillers made of PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastics. is there.

  The present invention can also be used in an optical ground wire (OPGW). The present invention enables mass splicing and dramatically reduces the time for termination in difficult locations such as high-voltage line towers. FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional armor core type OPGW cable 30. The Almacore type OPGW cable 30 has three optical units 33 surrounded by pipes 34. In the present embodiment, the pipe 34 is made of aluminum. The pipe 34 is surrounded by several aluminum alloy wires 35 and several aluminum clad steel wires 36. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW embodiment by replacing the optical unit 33 with a buffer pipe 32 containing a 12 fiber ribbon 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 32 may be made of PE, PP, PBT, PBT alloy, or other thermoplastic. The 12-fiber ribbon 1 can be tightly protected by a pipe or gently protected by gel, silicon, or air.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional Centracore type OPGW cable 37. The core of the cable consists of a hermetically sealed stainless steel pipe 39 having a plurality of optical fibers 38. The stainless steel pipe 39 is covered by an aluminum pipe 40, and the pipe 40 is surrounded by a number of aluminum alloy wires 41 and a number of aluminum clad steel wires 42. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW embodiment by replacing the cable core with a stainless steel tube 43 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The stainless steel pipe 43 can be filled with gel, silicon, or air.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a conventional hexacore type OPGW cable 44. The core consists of three hermetically sealed stainless steel pipes 45 containing a plurality of fibers and three aluminum clad steel wires 46 surrounding one aluminum clad steel wire 46. The core is surrounded by an aluminum pipe (not shown) and is further surrounded by an aluminum clad steel wire 46 and an aluminum alloy wire 47. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW embodiment by replacing the hermetically sealed stainless steel pipe 45 with a stainless steel pipe 48 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. As a result, up to 432 fibers can be put in one cable.

  Loose tube cables, sometimes called black jacket cables, have a single fiber and are often used as feeder cables, distribution cables, and lead-in cables. In general, a cable having a relatively large number of fibers is used as a feeder cable. Ribbon splicing between the feeder cable and another cable (feeder cable or distribution cable) improves efficiency and reduces cable installation time and cost. However, low PMD for WDM is usually required for feeder cables. The feeder cable having the ribbon of the present invention can satisfy both of these requirements (ribbon splicing and low PMD).

  The distribution cable is usually arranged between the feeder cable and several lead-in cables. The distribution cable is terminated with a feeder cable at one end of the cable. Ribbon splicing is effective for terminating at this access point. Further, the wiring cable is terminated with another cable (feeder cable or lead-in cable) at the other end of the cable or at the center point of the cable. Single fiber splicing may be required to terminate at this access point. The distribution cable using the ribbon of the present invention can facilitate both ribbon splicing and single fiber splicing.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a conventional loose tube cable 49. The cable core consists of five gel-filled buffer pipes 56. The buffer pipe 56 is twisted in an SZ shape around a central strength member 53 such as FRP. The buffer pipe 56 is surrounded by the water shielding system 55 and the polyester tape 51. There may also be a lip cord 54. There is a polyethylene pipe 50 on the outside of the tape. The material of the pipe can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The present invention can be incorporated into this loose tube embodiment by replacing the buffer pipe 56 with a buffer pipe 57 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 57 may be PE, PP, PBT, an alloy of PBT and polyether, or other thermoplastic. The buffer pipe can be filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of a conventional ADSS cable 58 for short-term use. The cable core is composed of four buffer pipes 64. The tube is twisted in an SZ shape around a central strength member 63 such as FRP. The buffer pipe 64 is surrounded by a water shielding system 65 such as a water shielding yarn binder. Surrounding the impermeable system is a torque balance aramid yarn 61. The aramid yarn 61 helps protect the cable from the high tension required for elevated installation. There may also be a lip cord 62. A polyester tape 60 surrounds the aramid yarn 61. Outside the tape 60 is a polyethylene pipe 59. The material of the pipe can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The present invention can be incorporated into this ADSS embodiment by replacing the buffer pipe 64 with a buffer pipe 66 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 66 may be PE, PP, PBT, an alloy of PBT and polyether, or other thermoplastic. The buffer pipe can be filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a conventional ADSS cable 67 for long-term use. The cable core consists of 24 buffer pipes 75. Nine of the pipes 75 are arranged outside the central strength member 68 such as FRP so as to form the first layer, and 15 of the pipes 75 are outside the first layer so as to form the second layer. Placed in. A water shielding binder 76 is located between the first layer and the second layer. Surrounding the second layer is a non-hygroscopic core wrap 73, which is further surrounded by a polyethylene inner pipe 70. Surrounding the inner pipe 70 is a torque balance aramid yarn 72. Aramid yarn 72 provides support during elevated installation. There may also be a lip cord 74. Surrounding the aramid yarn 72 is a non-hygroscopic core wrap 71, which is further surrounded by a polyethylene outer pipe or an anti-tracking outer pipe 69. The material of the inner and / or outer pipe can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The present invention can be incorporated into this ADSS embodiment by replacing the buffer pipe 75 with a buffer pipe 77 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 77 can be PE, PP, PBT, an alloy of PBT and polyether, or other thermoplastic. The buffer pipe can be filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air. Moreover, although this embodiment has shown the two-layer pipe, the pipe of only one layer may be sufficient.

  FIG. 15 shows an example of a conventional center loose tube cable 78. The core of the cable consists of a single buffer pipe 80 arranged at the center of the cable. Surrounding the core is a strength element 82 such as an aramid yarn. A water shielding system 83 surrounds the strength element 82. Surrounding the water shielding system 83 is a polyethylene outer pipe 79. The material of the pipe can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The present invention can be incorporated into this center-loose tube embodiment by replacing the buffer pipe 80 with a buffer pipe 84 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 84 may be ferrous metal or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, an alloy of PBT and polyether, or other thermoplastic. The buffer pipe can be filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air.

  FIG. 16 shows another example of a conventional center loose tube 85. Two strength members 86 are disposed on either side of a buffer pipe 89 disposed in the center of the cable. The strength member can be any type of ferrous metal or non-ferrous metal, can be any type of FRP, or can be a metal pipe with an optical fiber. A water shielding system 87 is adjacent to the strength member 86 and the buffer pipe 89. An outer pipe 88 surrounds the inner element. The material of the pipe can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. There may also be a lip cord 90. The present invention can be incorporated into this center loose tube embodiment by replacing the buffer pipe 89 with a buffer pipe 91 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 91 can be made of ferrous metal or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, an alloy of PBT and polyether, or other thermoplastic. The buffer pipe can be filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air.

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a conventional logging cable 92. The cable core consists of a single stainless steel pipe 94 located in the center of the cable. Surrounding the stainless steel pipe 94 is a polyethylene outer pipe 93. The material of the pipe can be PVC, PE, FRPE, polyurethane, polyamide, or other thermoplastic. The present invention can be incorporated into this center loose tube embodiment by replacing the buffer pipe 94 with a buffer pipe 95 containing one or more 12-fiber ribbons 1. The ribbon style can be changed. For example, the size of the ribbon can be changed from, for example, 2 fibers to 24 fibers. The buffer pipe 95 can be ferrous metal or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, an alloy of PBT and polyether, or other thermoplastic. The buffer pipe can be filled with gel, silicon, yarn, or air.

  As described above, the exemplary embodiments described above are various types of cables, but these are merely exemplary, and the general concept of the invention is not limited thereto. Moreover, it is applicable also to what was twisted together with the other cable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 5, 6 Optical fiber ribbon 1a-1l, 38 Optical fiber 2 Coupling element 3 Gap 4, 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27 Cable 7 Outer jacket 8, 12, 18, 21 Aramid yarn 9 Inner pipe 10, 17, 25, 28, 88 Outer pipe 11 Unit bundle 13 Single fiber cable 14, 20, 34 Pipe 24, 29, 53, 63, 68 Center strength member 30 Almacore type OPGW cable 32, 56, 57, 64, 66, 75, 77, 84, 89, 91, 95 Buffer pipe 33 Optical unit 35, 41, 47 Aluminum alloy wire 36, 42, 46 Aluminum clad steel wire 37 Centracore type OPGW cable 39, 43, 45, 48, 94 Stainless steel Steel pipe 40 Aluminum pipe 4 Hexa-core type OPGW cable 49 Loose tube cable 50, 59 Polyethylene pipe 51, 60 Polyester tape 54, 62, 74, 90 Lip cord 55, 65, 83, 87 Water shielding system 58, 67 ADSS cable 61, 72 Torque balance aramid Yarn 69 Anti-tracking outer pipe 70 Polyethylene inner pipe 71, 73 Non-hygroscopic core wrap 76 Water blocking binder 78, 85 Center loose tube cable 79, 93 Polyethylene outer pipe 82 Strength element 86 Strength member 92 Logging cable

Claims (20)

A central strength member;
A plurality of inner pipes surrounding the central strength member and disposed within a layer in contact with the central strength member;
A plurality of optical fibers each comprising a plurality of optical fiber ribbons disposed within one of the plurality of inner pipes, the plurality of optical fibers being arranged side by side and intermittently coupled along the length Ribbon and
An outer pipe surrounding and in contact with the plurality of inner pipes;
A main line cable.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of inner pipes has a diameter of 4.8 mm or less.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of inner pipes has a diameter of 3.8 mm or less.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of inner pipes has a diameter of 3.0 mm or less.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of inner pipes is formed of a thermoplastic plastic.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein the outer pipe is formed of a thermoplastic.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein the central strength member is formed of a fiber reinforced polymer material.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein an aramid yarn is disposed in each of the plurality of inner pipes.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of optical fiber ribbons are disposed in each of the plurality of inner pipes.   The trunk cable of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a plurality of filler wires, each of the plurality of filler wires being formed from a thermoplastic.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein the coupling elements that intermittently couple the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a diagonal pattern across each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons.   The trunk cable according to claim 1, wherein a length of each coupling element that intermittently couples the plurality of optical fibers is shorter than a length of each uncoupled portion of the plurality of optical fibers. A central strength member formed from a fiber reinforced polymer material;
A plurality of inner pipes surrounding the central strength member and disposed in a layer in contact with the central strength member, each of the plurality of inner pipes being formed from thermoplastic and having a diameter of 4.8 mm or less. The inner pipe of the
A plurality of optical fibers each comprising a plurality of optical fiber ribbons disposed within one of the plurality of inner pipes, the plurality of optical fibers being arranged side by side and intermittently coupled along the length Ribbon and
An outer pipe surrounding the plurality of inner pipes and in contact with the plurality of inner pipes and formed from a thermoplastic;
A main line cable.   The trunk cable according to claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of inner pipes has a diameter of 3.8 mm or less.   The trunk cable according to claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of inner pipes has a diameter of 3.0 mm or less.   The trunk cable of claim 13, wherein an aramid yarn is disposed within each of the plurality of inner pipes.   The trunk cable of claim 13, wherein a plurality of optical fiber ribbons are disposed within each of the plurality of inner pipes.   The trunk cable of claim 13, wherein the layer comprises a plurality of filler wires, each of the plurality of filler wires being formed from a thermoplastic.   14. The trunk cable according to claim 13, wherein the coupling elements that intermittently couple the plurality of optical fibers are arranged in a diagonal pattern across each of the plurality of optical fiber ribbons.   The trunk cable according to claim 13, wherein a length of each coupling element that intermittently couples the plurality of optical fibers is shorter than a length of each uncoupled portion of the plurality of optical fibers.

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