US4960318A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber cable
Assignee: Radio Frequency Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-25
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Granted: 1990-10-02
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Expires: 2009-04-25
Abstract
Abstract An optical fiber cable contains a central strength member surrounded by a plurality of fiber-carrying guides traversing the length of the cable along reversing helical paths. A plurality of strength members are provided in lieu of selected symmetrically spaced guides. The strength members provide axial and torsional stability due to their reversing helical path. Periodic bandmarks are provided on each fiber for identification. An excessive length of fiber is provided in each guide to minimize fiber stress.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Nilsson
- 👤 James M. Berry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4407; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
An optical fiber cable, comprising: a central strength member located generally along a longitudinal axis of said cable; a plurality of optical fibers disposed in a plurality of fiber guides traversing the length of said cable along reversing helical paths surrounding said central strength member; strength members symmetrically positioned about the central strength member and traversing the length of said cable along reversing helical paths located in juxtaposition with and between selected ones of the paths of the fiber guides; and a jacketing means for enclosing said cable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical fiber cable, comprising: a central strength member located generally along a longitudinal axis of said cable; a plurality of optical fibers disposed in a plurality of fiber guides traversing the length of said cable along reversing helical paths surrounding said central strength member; strength members symmetrically positioned about the central strength member and traversing the length of said cable along reversing helical paths located in juxtaposition with and between selected ones of the paths of the fiber guides; and a jacketing means for enclosing said cable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
61 words
An optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cable further comprises: a profile member surrounding said central strength member, said profile member having a plurality of reversing helical grooves formed on the outer surface of said profile member, said grooves functioning as said fiber guides and said strength members being embedded in said profile member adjacent said grooves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fiber guides comprise buffer tubes helically wrapped about the central strength member, and said strength members are provided in place of two or more buffer tubes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strength members are dielectric.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said strength members are metallic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical fiber cable as described in claim 1, wherein the helical paths of the fiber guides have a preferred pitch in the range of 75 mm to 125 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical fiber cable as described in claim 1, wherein the number of revolutions of the helical paths of the fiber guides range from one to four between reversal points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical fiber cable as described in claim 1, wherein the helical paths reverse direction at a distance of no more than 300 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical fiber cable employing a plurality of optical fibers laying generally longitudinally along the length of said cable, the improvement comprising: band marking on said fibers for providing positive distinguishing markings on each said fiber, said band marking repetitively placed along the length of said fibers at intervals greater than 20 mm and less than 100 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical fiber cable employing a plurality of optical fibers laying generally longitudinally along the length of said cable, the improvement comprising: band marking on said fibers for providing positive distinguishing markings on each said fiber, said band marking repetitively placed along the length of said fibers at intervals greater than 20 mm and less than 100 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 9, wherein said band marking comprises inked ring patterns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 10, wherein said inked ring patterns for each fiber are of a single color for such fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A optical fiber cable as claimed in claim 9, wherein the band markings comprise patterns having a maximum length of approximately 10 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
An optical fiber cable of the type employing a central strength member and a plurality of optical fiber guides traversing the length of said cable along reversing helical paths, surrounding said central strength member, said fiber guides having a cross section with a predetermined depth, the improvement comprising: optical fibers disposed in said optical fiber guides, said fibers having a length through said guides equal to at least 101 percent of the longitudinal cable length.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
An optical fiber cable of the type employing a central strength member and a plurality of optical fiber guides traversing the length of said cable along reversing helical paths, surrounding said central strength member, said fiber guides having a cross section with a predetermined depth, the improvement comprising: optical fibers disposed in said optical fiber guides, said fibers having a length through said guides equal to at least 101 percent of the longitudinal cable length.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical fiber cable as described in claim 13, wherein the fibers are disposed halfway into the depth of said guides.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical fiber cable particularly adapted for use with local injection and detection couplers which require a predetermined length of uncoated fiber for injecting and detected light traveling in said fiber, said cable employing a plurality of optical fibers laying generally longitudinally along the length of said cable, the improvement comprising: band marking on said fibers for providing positive distinguishing markings on each said fiber, said band marking repetitively placed along the length of the fibers at intervals equal to or greater than the the predetermined length of uncoated fiber needed for the coupler.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
94 words
An optical fiber cable particularly adapted for use with local injection and detection couplers which require a predetermined length of uncoated fiber for injecting and detected light traveling in said fiber, said cable employing a plurality of optical fibers laying generally longitudinally along the length of said cable, the improvement comprising: band marking on said fibers for providing positive distinguishing markings on each said fiber, said band marking repetitively placed along the length of the fibers at intervals equal to or greater than the the predetermined length of uncoated fiber needed for the coupler.
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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) | 1993-10-01 | 1994-04-02 | 1994-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-01 | 1998-04-02 | 1998-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-01 | 2002-04-02 | 2002-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |