US4772089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical fiber cable and method for producing same
Assignee: Polyplastics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1985-05-28
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Granted: 1988-09-20
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Expires: 2005-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A fiber-optic cable has reinforcement in the form of an elongated member such as a hollow tube, a member of solid circular cross-section, a channel member and/or an outer jacket formed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer. That polymer has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion in the range of from -10×10 -6 /°F. to -4×10 -6 /°F. The reinforcing members constitute strength members which are preferably formed separate from, or simultaneously with, the introduction of an optical fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiaki Ide
- 👤 Gabor Kiss
- 👤 Hyun N. Yoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:26
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
49 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising at least one optical fiber, and at least one strength member comprising a hollow tube formed-in-place around said at least one optical fiber, said tube formed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer which resists deformation and breakage of said at least one optical fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising at least one optical fiber, and at least one strength member comprising a hollow tube formed-in-place around said at least one optical fiber, said tube formed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer which resists deformation and breakage of said at least one optical fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 1, wherein said at least one optical fiber comprises a single fiber, and said at least one strength member comprises a single said tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 1, wherein said at least one optical fiber comprises a plurality of fibers, said at least one strength member comprises a plurality of said tubes individually surrounding said fibers, and a jacket surrounds all of said tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 3, wherein said jacket is formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 1, wherein said at least one fiber is formed of glass, said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion which is from -10×10 -6 /°F. to -4×10 -6 /°F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 1, wherein there is a space between said optical fiber and an inner periphery of said tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A reinforced optic-fiber cable comprising: a strength member in the form of a channel member which includes a core and a plurality of longitudinal channels, said channel member formed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer which resists deformation of said cable, and a plurality of optical fibers disposed in respective ones of said channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A reinforced optic-fiber cable comprising: a strength member in the form of a channel member which includes a core and a plurality of longitudinal channels, said channel member formed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer which resists deformation of said cable, and a plurality of optical fibers disposed in respective ones of said channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A reinforced optic-fiber cable according to claim 7, wherein said channel member includes a plurality of ribs projecting radially from said core to define said channels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A reinforced optic fiber-cable according to claim 7, wherein said fibers are formed of glass and said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion which is from -10×10 -6 /°F. to - 4×10 -6 /°F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 7, wherein said channels are outwardly open, and a jacket surrounds said channel member and encloses said channels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A reinforced optic fiber cable according to claim 10, wherein said jacket is formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising at least one optical fiber and at least one strength member comprising an elongated member of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer extending generally in the direction of said fiber, and jacket means enclosing said fiber and said elongated member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising at least one optical fiber and at least one strength member comprising an elongated member of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer extending generally in the direction of said fiber, and jacket means enclosing said fiber and said elongated member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 12, wherein said elongated member is helically wound around said fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 12, wherein said elongated member extends parallel to said fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 14, wherein there are a plurality of said fibers, said elongated member extending centrally of said fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 12, wherein there are a plurality of said optical fibers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 12, wherein said optical fiber is formed of glass, said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion from -10×10 -6 / °F. to -4×10 -6 /°F.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 12, wherein said jacket is formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers, a strength member extending along said fibers, and an outer jacket formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and surrounding said fibers and strength member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising a plurality of optical fibers, a strength member extending along said fibers, and an outer jacket formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer and surrounding said fibers and strength member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A reinforced fiber-optic cable according to claim 19, wherein said optical fibers are arranged in spaced rows, and a layer of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer separating adjacent rows.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising the steps of forming a strength member by forming thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the shape of a hollow tube in surrounding relationship to an optical fiber such that deformation of said fiber is resisted by said tube.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising the steps of forming a strength member by forming thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the shape of a hollow tube in surrounding relationship to an optical fiber such that deformation of said fiber is resisted by said tube.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said positioning step includes positioning an optical fiber formed of glass in said tube, with said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of from -10×10 -6 /°F. to -4×10 -6 /°F.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said tube is extruded by passing a plurality of filaments of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer through a heating die and fusing said filaments together.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said tube is formed by coating said fiber with a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said forming step comprises forming a plurality of said tubes, and said positioning step comprises positioning an optical fiber within each said tube, and further comprising the step of surrounding all of said tubes within a jacket.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 25, wherein said jacket is formed of a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 21, wherein said tube is formed by melt extrusion.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising the steps of: forming a strength member by extruding a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the shape of a channel member having a core and a plurality of longitudinal channels, and positioning optical fibers within respective ones of said channels, with deformation and breakage of said fibers being resisted by said strength member.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
62 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising the steps of: forming a strength member by extruding a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the shape of a channel member having a core and a plurality of longitudinal channels, and positioning optical fibers within respective ones of said channels, with deformation and breakage of said fibers being resisted by said strength member.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said channel member is formed with a plurality of ribs projecting radially from said core, said ribs being circumferentially spaced to define said channels, and a jacket is formed around said channel member to enclose said channels.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said jacket is formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said optic fibers are formed of glass and said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer has a coefficient of linear thermal expansion from -10×10 -6 /°F. to -4×10 -6 /°F.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said channel member is extruded by passing a plurality of filaments of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer through a heating die and fusing said filaments together.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said channel member is formed by melt extrusion.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising the steps of: forming a strength member by extruding a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the shape of an elongated member, positioning said elongated member adjacent an optical fiber and extending generally in the longitudinal direction thereof, and surrounding said optical fiber and elongated member by means of a jacket.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic cable comprising the steps of: forming a strength member by extruding a thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the shape of an elongated member, positioning said elongated member adjacent an optical fiber and extending generally in the longitudinal direction thereof, and surrounding said optical fiber and elongated member by means of a jacket.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein said positioning step includes winding said elongated member helically around said optical fiber.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein said positioning step comprises positioning said elongated member parallel to said optical fiber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 34, wherein said elongated member is formed by melt extrusion.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 34, further comprising the step of surrounding said elongated member and optical fiber by a jacket formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic comprising the step of surrounding a plurality of optical fibers and a strength member with a jacket formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
30 words
A method of making a reinforced fiber-optic comprising the step of surrounding a plurality of optical fibers and a strength member with a jacket formed of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 39 including the steps of arranging said optical fibers in spaced rows, and positioning a layer of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer between adjacent rows.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 39, wherein said optical fibers are formed of glass, said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion from -10×10 -6 /°F. to -4×10 -6 /°F.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
68 words
An improved optial fiber cable construction, comprising (A) an optical fiber for conduction of light energy signals; (B) a coating of thermoplastic material around the surface of said optical fiber; (C) a jacket of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer positioned around the coating of thermoplastic material; and (D) said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer being of the type which is melt processable and which exhibits optical anisotrophy in the melt.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
68 words
An improved optial fiber cable construction, comprising (A) an optical fiber for conduction of light energy signals; (B) a coating of thermoplastic material around the surface of said optical fiber; (C) a jacket of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer positioned around the coating of thermoplastic material; and (D) said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer being of the type which is melt processable and which exhibits optical anisotrophy in the melt.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cable according to claim 42 wherein said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is a copolymer of polyehylene terephtalate and p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cable according to claim 43 wherein said p-hydroxybenzoic acid is 60 mole %.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cable according to claim 42 wherein said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, hydroquinone, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
36 words
The cable according to claim 42 which included: (A) a plurality of optical fibers, each including said coating of thermoplastic material; and (B) said jacket of thermoplastic liquid crystalline polymer surrounding said plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of making an optical fiber cable comprising the steps of: (A) providing a coated optical fiber to the die member of an extruding machine; and (B) providing a liquified thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer to said die member to surround said coated optical fiber therewith.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
46 words
A method of making an optical fiber cable comprising the steps of: (A) providing a coated optical fiber to the die member of an extruding machine; and (B) providing a liquified thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer to said die member to surround said coated optical fiber therewith.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 47 wherein: (A) said extruding machine includes a heated feed section; and (B) said thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer is provided to said feed section in solid form.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-20 | 1992-03-21 | 1992-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-20 | 1996-03-21 | 1996-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-20 | 2000-03-21 | 2000-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |