WO1996008742A1 - Large diameter optical signal cable - Google Patents
Large diameter optical signal cable Download PDFInfo
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- WO1996008742A1 WO1996008742A1 PCT/US1994/014149 US9414149W WO9608742A1 WO 1996008742 A1 WO1996008742 A1 WO 1996008742A1 US 9414149 W US9414149 W US 9414149W WO 9608742 A1 WO9608742 A1 WO 9608742A1
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- Prior art keywords
- cable
- setable
- soft
- pod
- fibers
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4403—Optical cables with ribbon structure
- G02B6/4404—Multi-podded
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
- G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
- G02B6/4457—Bobbins; Reels
- G02B6/4458—Coiled, e.g. extensible helix
Definitions
- This invention relates to the field of fiber optics and more specifically to fiber optic signal lines comprised of multiple fiber optic strands, particularly those in coiled form which are flexed or increased or decreased in length during use.
- Fiber optic cables are currently used to transmit optical signals between moving parts of electronic equipment which require data transmission.
- Special care in design and installation is required to ensure the proper operation of the fiber.
- Such equipment as robots, X-Y positioning tables, cabinet doors and drawers, and any other equipment which requires parts to be constantly or intermittently in motion, thereby causing the parts to be constantly or intermittently spaced at different distances, are applications which require such careful design of the optical fiber cable.
- Fiber optic cables are generally made from glass such as quartz glass or doped silica glass and are extremely small in diameter. These fibers generally have a silica glass core and cladding, the core and the cladding being doped with different levels of dopants to effect the required refractive indices.
- the core size of glass fibers is typically on the order of 10 microns for single mode and 50-100 microns for multimode fibers.
- Single glass fibers can be made very bend-insensitive, and as well can be buffered with protective materials to withstand the bending associated with relative movement of machine parts and other applications such as coiled cables.
- One such fiber optical cable which addresses this problem is U.S. Patent No. 5,182,785 to Sayegh et al., assigned to W.L.
- Plastic-core fibers have core sizes on the order of 1000 microns, much larger than glass fibers.
- the large core size of plastic fibers provides a high numerical aperture (0.5 or greater) with operating windows in the shorter wavelength region of 500 to 700 nano-meters, allowing low cost components to be used in the data transmission system.
- Plastic fibers do have many limitations, not the least of which is very high loss characteristics as compared to glass fibers. The plastic fabrication process does not routinely allow for the grading of the core index profile, therefore these fibers exhibit high modal dispersion.
- the losses due to modal dispersion are greatly increased when these fibers are subjected to macro-bending, such as when coiled, flexed, or routed in relatively tight bend radii. Power and data losses on the fiber can become excessive due to this macro-bending.
- macro-bending such as when coiled, flexed, or routed in relatively tight bend radii.
- Power and data losses on the fiber can become excessive due to this macro-bending.
- forming a plastic-core fiber into a coiled cable configuration with a relatively small radius of curvature results in losses so high that the fiber is rendered unusable for data transmission purposes.
- large-core plastic fibers In a system which uses large-core plastic fibers for data transmission, and requires routing of the fiber into tight bend radii, or requires the connection of moving parts where the fiber undergoes repeated flexing and bending motions, or if the system requires the use of a large-core fiber in a coiled cable configuration, large-core plastic fibers cannot be used. Furthermore, large-core glass fibers are not capable of making small bends without fracturing. Thus the designer of such fiber optic systems is limited in options when designing such systems.
- the cable of the invention provides a solution to this problem by providing a large core optical path for data transmission which can be formed into a coiled-cable configuration with very little optical loss.
- the present invention provides a fiber optic data transmission cable in a coiled cable configuration comprised of at least one pod, each pod comprising a plurality of glass fibers, each fiber comprising a glass core and a glass cladding, the individual fibers having a diameter on the order of 30-50 microns.
- the plurality of fibers is grouped together to form a bundle with a generally circular cross-section.
- the cross-section is generally equivalent to the cross-sectional diameter of a plastic-core fiber, namely on the order of about 1000 microns.
- Wrapped around the plurality of glass fibers, i.e., the bundle is a layer of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape, which is usually helically wound around the bundle.
- PTFE porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene
- the PTFE tape has a low compression modulus which minimizes the chance of losses due to macrobending of the individual fibers.
- Over the PTFE tape is a heat-setable polymer jacket which provides the elastic forces necessary for extension and retraction of the coiled cable, as well as providing protection from external forces.
- Connectors can be installed on each end of the cable of the invention by applying epoxy, or other suitable adhesive, to the entire bundle and polishing the exposed surface after curing. This allows the cable of the invention to be used in conjunction with plastic-core fibers with little loss at the area of connection since the area of light transmission is the same. When formed into a coiled cable configuration, the cable of the invention exhibits little loss due to bending.
- One advantage of the cable of the invention is that it enables data transmission over a large-core fiber in a coiled cable configuration, or in other configurations requiring small bend radii, such as in right-angle connectors.
- Another advantage of the cable of the invention is improved flexibility over similar-size plastic-core fibers, as well as improved flex life.
- the cable of the invention also has a higher temperature rating than similar-size plastic-core fiber optic cables.
- FIG 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a single-pod form of the cable of the invention.
- FIG 2 shows a side view of a single-pod form of the cable of the invention in a coiled cable configuration, with a sample connector dotted in as attached to one end.
- FIG 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable of the invention in a two-pod form.
- FIG 4 shows a side view of the two-podded form of the cable of the invention in a coiled cable configuration.
- FIG 5 shows a side view of the two-podded form of the cable of the invention in a coiled cable configuration, with the coiled cable in an extended position.
- FIG 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable of the invention in a multi-pod form.
- FIG. 1 shows in a cross-section view of a single-pod form of the cable J. of the invention.
- a plurality of optical glass fibers 2 are gathered together to form a bundle of fibers 3, having a generally circular cross-section, and having an outside diameter, dimension "D", equal to that of a plastic-core fiber optic, generally about 1000 microns.
- Each glass fiber is comprised of a glass core 4 and a glass cladding 5, with the fiber outside diameter about 30 to 50 microns.
- the glass cladding has a lower refractive index than the glass core to effect the light guiding properties of the fiber optic.
- the bundle of fibers is generally formed so as to have a helical lay, so as to minimize stresses in the fibers upon bending
- a layer of a soft, resilient matenal, 6 surrounds the bundle of fibers to provide a protective layer and to decouple the optical fibers from outside forces
- the layer of soft, resilient matenal, 6 is preferably tapewrapped porous, expanded PTFE, but may be any soft woven or non-woven matenal such as cotton or felt, or am soft polymenc material such as those in the low Shore A hardness range
- the low compressive modulus of expanded PTFE provides an effective buffer against crushing, as well as giving a soft, resilient layer for the outside fibers of the bundle to contact, thereby preventing microbending of the fibers during bending of the cable
- Porous expanded PTFE is desc ⁇ bed in U S Pat No 3,953,566, assigned to W L Gore &
- a heat-setable polymer jacket 7 surrounds the soft, resilient matenal 6
- the matenal for the jacket is preferably a high-strength polymer, with a hardness in the Shore D 40-80 r.ange, such as Hytrel® polyester (E I DuPont de Nemours and Co )
- Hytrel® polyester E I DuPont de Nemours and Co
- a polyester one could use as the jacket other extrudable polymers commonh used in the art, such as polyviny lchlo ⁇ de, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyamide or a polyurethane polymer, which must be either heat-setable or possess elastic memory so that it will hold the coil shape when once the coil is formed
- FIG 2 shows in a side view a single-pod form of the cable I of the invention in a coiled cable configuration
- the coiled cable is shown in the retracted position, with at least one coil 8, which allows the cable to be extended in length without excessive bending or terminal forces being applied to the optical fiber bundle du ⁇ ng normal manufacture, termination, installation, or use of the cable
- the cable is formed into a coiled cable configuration by coiling the cable into a desired coiled form and heating for a time at about 120 °C, then cooling
- An optical connector 9 is shown in dotted presentation to show a typical termmated cable Standard connectors known in the art for terminating plastic optical fibers of comparable size may be used to terminate the single-pod form of the cable of the invention
- FIG 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a form of the cable K) of the invention havmg two pods
- two bundles of fibers 3 are each surrounded by a layer of a soft, resilient matenal, 6, the matenals and construction being the same as in the single-pod form of the invention
- the two bundles of fibers 3 share a common jacket 7, the matenal of the jacket being the same as in the single-pod form
- the two-podded form can be formed into a coiled cable configuration as shown in FIGS 4 and 5
- FIG 4 shows the two-podded form in a coiled cable configuration in the retracted form H., the cable havmg at least one coil .12, which allows the cable to be extended in length without excessive bending or terminal forces being applied to the optical fiber bundle during normal manufacture, termination, installation, or use of the cable
- FIG 5 shows the two- podded form in a coiled cable configuration in the extended form JM3 As in the single- pod cable I.
- the two-pod cable JO is formed into a coiled cable configuration by coiling the cable into a desired coiled form and heating for a time at about 120 °C, then coolin Standard connectors known in the art for terminating plastic optical fibers of comparable size may be used to terminate the bundles of fibers 3 in each pod of the two-pod form of the cable of the invention.
- FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-pod form of a cable .14 of the invention having multiple (at least three) pods J_5. h> this form, each pod comprises a bundle of fibers 3, each surrounded by a layer of a soft, resilient material, 6, and a heat- setable jacket 7. The materials and construction for each pod are the same as in the single-pod form of the invention.
- each pod __5 is cabled together with similar pods l__, then preferably surrounded by a binder ⁇ __ of suitable material, such as porous, expanded PTFE.
- suitable material such as porous, expanded PTFE.
- Other materials common to the wire and cable industry, such as polyester tape may be used for the binder J_6.
- An overall jacket JL2 surrounds the binder, the jacket being made of any of the extrudable polymers common to the wire and cable industry, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, thermoplastic elastomer, and any of the fluoropolymers such as fluorinated ethylene propylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.
- the entire multi-pod cable may then be formed into a coiled cable configuration by coiling the cable into a desired coiled form and heating for a time at about 120 °C, then cooling.
- standard connectors known in the art for terminating plastic optical fibers of comparable size may be used to terminate the bundles of fibers 3 in each pod of the multi-pod form of the cable of the invention.
- a single- pod form of the cable was made and compared to a typical plastic-core fiber with a core diameter of 1000 microns.
- the single-pod cable optical fiber bundle was made with approximately 150 individual optical glass fibers. Twenty feet of the single-pod cable was tested for power loss (attenuation) before and after coiling, and the results were compared to the loss data for a comparable sized plastic-core fiber. The results are summarized in Table 1 below.
- Table 1 Comparison of power loss in straight and coiled-cable configurations of plastic- core and glass-fiber bundle.
- the cable of the invention is usable for data transmission over the coiled length, whereas the plastic-core cable is rendered un-usable after coiling.
- the cable of the invention provides a way to make flexible fiber optic data links which can be used in conjunction with plastic-core fibers with little loss at the area of connection since the area of light transmission is the same.
- the cable of the invention When formed into a coiled cable configuration, the cable of the invention exhibits little loss due to bending so that it enables data transmission over a large-core fiber in a coiled cable configuration, or in other configurations requiring small bend radii, such as in right-angle connectors.
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Abstract
A fiber optic data transmission cable in a coiled cable configuration is described which is comprised of a plurality of glass fibers, each comprising a glass core and a glass cladding, the individual fibers having a diameter over the cladding on the order of 30 to 50 microns. The plurality of fibers is grouped together to form a bundle with a generally circular cross-section, and has a cross-sectional diameter generally equivalent to a plastic-core fiber, that is, about 1000 microns. Around the plurality of glass fibers is a layer of soft resilient material, e.g., porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape. Over this is a heat-setable polymer jacket which provides the elastic forces necessary for extension and retraction of the coiled cable, as well as providing protection from external forces. The cable may be made in single-pod, two-pod, or multi-pod forms. Connectors can be installed on each end of the cable, which allows the cable of the invention to be used in conjuction with plastic-core fibers with little loss at the area of connection since the area of light transmission is the same.
Description
TITLE OF INVENTION
LARGE DIAMETER OPTICAL SIGNAL CABLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of fiber optics and more specifically to fiber optic signal lines comprised of multiple fiber optic strands, particularly those in coiled form which are flexed or increased or decreased in length during use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic cables are currently used to transmit optical signals between moving parts of electronic equipment which require data transmission. When fiber optic cables are used in equipment with moving parts, special care in design and installation is required to ensure the proper operation of the fiber. Such equipment as robots, X-Y positioning tables, cabinet doors and drawers, and any other equipment which requires parts to be constantly or intermittently in motion, thereby causing the parts to be constantly or intermittently spaced at different distances, are applications which require such careful design of the optical fiber cable.
Fiber optic cables are generally made from glass such as quartz glass or doped silica glass and are extremely small in diameter. These fibers generally have a silica glass core and cladding, the core and the cladding being doped with different levels of dopants to effect the required refractive indices. The core size of glass fibers is typically on the order of 10 microns for single mode and 50-100 microns for multimode fibers. Single glass fibers can be made very bend-insensitive, and as well can be buffered with protective materials to withstand the bending associated with relative movement of machine parts and other applications such as coiled cables. One such fiber optical cable which addresses this problem is U.S. Patent No. 5,182,785 to Sayegh et al., assigned to W.L. Gore & Associates. Sayegh et al. teaches the use of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tape layers and a heat-set high Durometer D hardness jacket surrounding a single glass fiber to allow the fiber to withstand continuous flexing in a coiled cable configuration.
Fiber optic cables made from plastic materials have been in commercial use longer than glass fibers. Plastic-core fibers have core sizes on the order of 1000 microns, much larger than glass fibers. The large core size of plastic fibers provides a
high numerical aperture (0.5 or greater) with operating windows in the shorter wavelength region of 500 to 700 nano-meters, allowing low cost components to be used in the data transmission system. Plastic fibers do have many limitations, not the least of which is very high loss characteristics as compared to glass fibers. The plastic fabrication process does not routinely allow for the grading of the core index profile, therefore these fibers exhibit high modal dispersion. The losses due to modal dispersion are greatly increased when these fibers are subjected to macro-bending, such as when coiled, flexed, or routed in relatively tight bend radii. Power and data losses on the fiber can become excessive due to this macro-bending. In particular, forming a plastic-core fiber into a coiled cable configuration with a relatively small radius of curvature results in losses so high that the fiber is rendered unusable for data transmission purposes. In a system which uses large-core plastic fibers for data transmission, and requires routing of the fiber into tight bend radii, or requires the connection of moving parts where the fiber undergoes repeated flexing and bending motions, or if the system requires the use of a large-core fiber in a coiled cable configuration, large-core plastic fibers cannot be used. Furthermore, large-core glass fibers are not capable of making small bends without fracturing. Thus the designer of such fiber optic systems is limited in options when designing such systems.
The cable of the invention provides a solution to this problem by providing a large core optical path for data transmission which can be formed into a coiled-cable configuration with very little optical loss.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fiber optic data transmission cable in a coiled cable configuration comprised of at least one pod, each pod comprising a plurality of glass fibers, each fiber comprising a glass core and a glass cladding, the individual fibers having a diameter on the order of 30-50 microns. The plurality of fibers is grouped together to form a bundle with a generally circular cross-section. The cross-section is generally equivalent to the cross-sectional diameter of a plastic-core fiber, namely on the order of about 1000 microns. Wrapped around the plurality of glass fibers, i.e., the bundle, is a layer of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape, which is usually helically wound around the bundle. The PTFE tape has a low compression modulus which minimizes the chance of losses due to macrobending of the individual fibers. Over the PTFE tape is a heat-setable polymer jacket which provides the elastic forces necessary for extension and retraction of the coiled cable, as well as providing protection from external forces. Connectors can be installed on each end of the cable of the invention by applying epoxy, or other suitable adhesive, to the entire bundle and
polishing the exposed surface after curing. This allows the cable of the invention to be used in conjunction with plastic-core fibers with little loss at the area of connection since the area of light transmission is the same. When formed into a coiled cable configuration, the cable of the invention exhibits little loss due to bending. One advantage of the cable of the invention, therefore, is that it enables data transmission over a large-core fiber in a coiled cable configuration, or in other configurations requiring small bend radii, such as in right-angle connectors. Another advantage of the cable of the invention is improved flexibility over similar-size plastic-core fibers, as well as improved flex life. The cable of the invention also has a higher temperature rating than similar-size plastic-core fiber optic cables.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a single-pod form of the cable of the invention.
FIG 2 shows a side view of a single-pod form of the cable of the invention in a coiled cable configuration, with a sample connector dotted in as attached to one end.
FIG 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable of the invention in a two-pod form. FIG 4 shows a side view of the two-podded form of the cable of the invention in a coiled cable configuration.
FIG 5 shows a side view of the two-podded form of the cable of the invention in a coiled cable configuration, with the coiled cable in an extended position.
FIG 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the cable of the invention in a multi-pod form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The cable of the invention is now described with reference to the drawings to more fully and carefully delineate the components and materials used in the invention, and how they are assembled.
FIG. 1 shows in a cross-section view of a single-pod form of the cable J. of the invention. A plurality of optical glass fibers 2 are gathered together to form a bundle of fibers 3, having a generally circular cross-section, and having an outside diameter, dimension "D", equal to that of a plastic-core fiber optic, generally about 1000 microns. Each glass fiber is comprised of a glass core 4 and a glass cladding 5, with the fiber outside diameter about 30 to 50 microns. The glass cladding has a lower refractive index than the glass core to effect the light guiding properties of the fiber optic. The
bundle of fibers is generally formed so as to have a helical lay, so as to minimize stresses in the fibers upon bending A layer of a soft, resilient matenal, 6 surrounds the bundle of fibers to provide a protective layer and to decouple the optical fibers from outside forces The layer of soft, resilient matenal, 6 is preferably tapewrapped porous, expanded PTFE, but may be any soft woven or non-woven matenal such as cotton or felt, or am soft polymenc material such as those in the low Shore A hardness range The low compressive modulus of expanded PTFE provides an effective buffer against crushing, as well as giving a soft, resilient layer for the outside fibers of the bundle to contact, thereby preventing microbending of the fibers during bending of the cable Porous expanded PTFE is descπbed in U S Pat No 3,953,566, assigned to W L Gore &
Associates, Inc A heat-setable polymer jacket 7 surrounds the soft, resilient matenal 6 The matenal for the jacket is preferably a high-strength polymer, with a hardness in the Shore D 40-80 r.ange, such as Hytrel® polyester (E I DuPont de Nemours and Co ) Instead of a polyester one could use as the jacket other extrudable polymers commonh used in the art, such as polyviny lchloπde, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyamide or a polyurethane polymer, which must be either heat-setable or possess elastic memory so that it will hold the coil shape when once the coil is formed
FIG 2 shows in a side view a single-pod form of the cable I of the invention in a coiled cable configuration The coiled cable is shown in the retracted position, with at least one coil 8, which allows the cable to be extended in length without excessive bending or terminal forces being applied to the optical fiber bundle duπng normal manufacture, termination, installation, or use of the cable The cable is formed into a coiled cable configuration by coiling the cable into a desired coiled form and heating for a time at about 120 °C, then cooling An optical connector 9 is shown in dotted presentation to show a typical termmated cable Standard connectors known in the art for terminating plastic optical fibers of comparable size may be used to terminate the single-pod form of the cable of the invention
FIG 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a form of the cable K) of the invention havmg two pods In this form, two bundles of fibers 3, are each surrounded by a layer of a soft, resilient matenal, 6, the matenals and construction being the same as in the single-pod form of the invention The two bundles of fibers 3 share a common jacket 7, the matenal of the jacket being the same as in the single-pod form The two-podded form can be formed into a coiled cable configuration as shown in FIGS 4 and 5 FIG 4 shows the two-podded form in a coiled cable configuration in the retracted form H., the cable havmg at least one coil .12, which allows the cable to be extended in length without excessive bending or terminal forces being applied to the optical fiber bundle during normal manufacture, termination, installation, or use of the cable FIG 5 shows the two- podded form in a coiled cable configuration in the extended form JM3 As in the single-
pod cable I. the two-pod cable JO is formed into a coiled cable configuration by coiling the cable into a desired coiled form and heating for a time at about 120 °C, then coolin Standard connectors known in the art for terminating plastic optical fibers of comparable size may be used to terminate the bundles of fibers 3 in each pod of the two-pod form of the cable of the invention.
FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-pod form of a cable .14 of the invention having multiple (at least three) pods J_5. h> this form, each pod comprises a bundle of fibers 3, each surrounded by a layer of a soft, resilient material, 6, and a heat- setable jacket 7. The materials and construction for each pod are the same as in the single-pod form of the invention. In the multi-pod form of the cable, each pod __5 is cabled together with similar pods l__, then preferably surrounded by a binder \__ of suitable material, such as porous, expanded PTFE. Other materials common to the wire and cable industry, such as polyester tape may be used for the binder J_6. An overall jacket JL2 surrounds the binder, the jacket being made of any of the extrudable polymers common to the wire and cable industry, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyurethane, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, thermoplastic elastomer, and any of the fluoropolymers such as fluorinated ethylene propylene or polytetrafluoroethylene. The entire multi-pod cable may then be formed into a coiled cable configuration by coiling the cable into a desired coiled form and heating for a time at about 120 °C, then cooling. As in the single- and two-pod form, standard connectors known in the art for terminating plastic optical fibers of comparable size may be used to terminate the bundles of fibers 3 in each pod of the multi-pod form of the cable of the invention.
As an example of the loss characteristics of the cable of the invention, a single- pod form of the cable was made and compared to a typical plastic-core fiber with a core diameter of 1000 microns. The single-pod cable optical fiber bundle was made with approximately 150 individual optical glass fibers. Twenty feet of the single-pod cable was tested for power loss (attenuation) before and after coiling, and the results were compared to the loss data for a comparable sized plastic-core fiber. The results are summarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1 : Comparison of power loss in straight and coiled-cable configurations of plastic- core and glass-fiber bundle.
ATTENUATION (dB/ft)
FIBER CONFIGURATION
PLASTIC-CORE FIBER GLASS-FIBER BUNDLE
20 Feet Straight 0.065 0.15
20 Feet Coiled 0.9 0.22
Percent Difference 1285 % 47 %
As shown in Table 1, even though the attenuation increases with coiling in both cables, the final attenuation is much less in the single-pod form of the cable of the invention. Even after coiling, the cable of the invention is usable for data transmission over the coiled length, whereas the plastic-core cable is rendered un-usable after coiling.
The cable of the invention provides a way to make flexible fiber optic data links which can be used in conjunction with plastic-core fibers with little loss at the area of connection since the area of light transmission is the same. When formed into a coiled cable configuration, the cable of the invention exhibits little loss due to bending so that it enables data transmission over a large-core fiber in a coiled cable configuration, or in other configurations requiring small bend radii, such as in right-angle connectors.
Claims
1. A single-pod flexible optical fiber in a coiled-cable configuration comprising:
(a) a plurality of glass optical fibers formed into a bundle of generally round cross-section, each of said glass optical fibers comprising a core and a cladding;
(b) a layer of soft, resilient material surrounding said bundle; and
(c) a heat-setable polymer jacket around said soft, resilient material.
2. A cable of Claim 1 wherein said layer of soft, resilient material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
3. A cable of Claim 1 wherein said heat-setable polymer jacket comprises an extrudable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane and thermoplastic elastomer.
4. A cable of Claim 1 wherein said heat-setable polymer jacket is polyester with a hardness in the Shore D 40 to 80 range.
5. A two-pod flexible optical fiber in a coiled-cable configuration comprising:
(a) two pods, each comprising a plurality of glass optical fibers formed into a bundle of generally round cross-section, each of said glass optical fibers comprising a core and a cladding;
(b) a layer of soft, resilient material surrounding each said bundle; and
(c) a single, common heat-setable polymer jacket around both said soft, resilient materials.
6. A cable of Claim 5 wherein said layer of soft, resilient material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
7. A cable of Claim 5 wherein said heat-setable polymer jacket comprises an extrudable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane and thermoplastic elastomer.
8. A cable of Claim 5 wherein said heat-setable polymer jacket is polyester with a hardness in the Shore D 40 to 80 range.
9. A multi-pod flexible optical fiber in a coiled-cable configuration comprising:
(a) at least three pods, each comprising a plurality of glass optical fibers formed into a bundle of generally round cross-section, each of said glass optical fibers comprising a core and a cladding;
(b) a layer of soft, resilient material surrounding each said bundle;
(c) a heat-setable polymer jacket around each said soft, resilient material;
(d) said pods being arranged into a single cable;
(e) a binder surrounding said single cable ;and
(f) an overall extruable polymer jacket surrounding said binder.
10. A cable of Claim 9 wherein said layer of soft, resilient material comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
1 1. A cable of Claim 9 wherein said heat-setable polymer jacket comprises an extrudable polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylchloride, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, and thermoplastic elastomer.
12. A cable of Claim 9 wherein said heat-setable polymer jacket is polyester with a hardness in the Shore D 40 to 80 range.
13. A cable of Claim 9 wherein said binder comprises porous expanded polytetrafluoroeth lene .
14. A cable of Claim 9 wherein said binder comprises polyester. A cable of Claim 9 wherein said overall polymer jacket composes an extrudable polymer selected from the group consistuig of polyester, polyethylene, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinylchloπde, thermoplastic elastomer, and fluorinated polymers
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU13376/95A AU1337695A (en) | 1994-09-15 | 1994-12-09 | Large diameter optical signal cable |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US30657094A | 1994-09-15 | 1994-09-15 | |
US08/306,570 | 1994-09-15 |
Publications (1)
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WO1996008742A1 true WO1996008742A1 (en) | 1996-03-21 |
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PCT/US1994/014149 WO1996008742A1 (en) | 1994-09-15 | 1994-12-09 | Large diameter optical signal cable |
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AU (1) | AU1337695A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996008742A1 (en) |
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CN1325952C (en) * | 1999-06-29 | 2007-07-11 | 朗迅科技公司 | Fiber cable |
EP2914996A4 (en) * | 2012-11-05 | 2016-07-06 | Oceaneering Int Inc | Method and apparatus for curing of pre impregnated synthetic components in situ |
CN116047686A (en) * | 2023-02-01 | 2023-05-02 | 南京开拓光电科技有限公司 | Spiral optical fiber jumper manufacturing process |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2088378A1 (en) * | 1970-05-06 | 1972-01-07 | Vicon Products Corp | |
FR2455296A1 (en) * | 1979-04-23 | 1980-11-21 | Cordons Equipements | Coiled elastic sleeving for optical fibre leads - for protection during extension or flexure |
FR2544506A1 (en) * | 1983-04-13 | 1984-10-19 | Bretegnier Alain | Extensible cord (lead), in the form of a helix, for optical fibres and process for manufacturing such a cord (lead) |
EP0333636A2 (en) * | 1988-03-14 | 1989-09-20 | Heinz Konsolke | Light guide |
US5182785A (en) * | 1991-10-10 | 1993-01-26 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | High-flex optical fiber coil cable |
-
1994
- 1994-12-09 AU AU13376/95A patent/AU1337695A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1994-12-09 WO PCT/US1994/014149 patent/WO1996008742A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2088378A1 (en) * | 1970-05-06 | 1972-01-07 | Vicon Products Corp | |
FR2455296A1 (en) * | 1979-04-23 | 1980-11-21 | Cordons Equipements | Coiled elastic sleeving for optical fibre leads - for protection during extension or flexure |
FR2544506A1 (en) * | 1983-04-13 | 1984-10-19 | Bretegnier Alain | Extensible cord (lead), in the form of a helix, for optical fibres and process for manufacturing such a cord (lead) |
EP0333636A2 (en) * | 1988-03-14 | 1989-09-20 | Heinz Konsolke | Light guide |
US5182785A (en) * | 1991-10-10 | 1993-01-26 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | High-flex optical fiber coil cable |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN1325952C (en) * | 1999-06-29 | 2007-07-11 | 朗迅科技公司 | Fiber cable |
FR2837933A1 (en) * | 2002-04-02 | 2003-10-03 | Cit Alcatel | Fibre optic cable tube module having tube assemblies containing fibre optic cables within outer sleeve with tube pairs connected forming single piece and connection section shearable. |
EP2914996A4 (en) * | 2012-11-05 | 2016-07-06 | Oceaneering Int Inc | Method and apparatus for curing of pre impregnated synthetic components in situ |
CN116047686A (en) * | 2023-02-01 | 2023-05-02 | 南京开拓光电科技有限公司 | Spiral optical fiber jumper manufacturing process |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU1337695A (en) | 1996-03-29 |
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