US5148509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Composite buffer optical fiber cables
Assignee: Corning Inc
•
Filing: 1991-03-25
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Granted: 1992-09-15
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Expires: 2011-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Single fiber cables of the composite buffer type are provided which include: (a) a central optical waveguide fiber; (b) a layer of fill compound surrounding the optical fiber; (c) a layer of aramid fiber surrounding the fill compound; and (d) a plastic jacket surrounding the layer of aramid fiber. Multi-fiber cables are also provided which include: (a) a plurality of optical waveguide fibers; (b) a layer of aramid fiber surrounding the optical fibers; (c) fill compound in contact with the inner surface of the layer of aramid fiber and with the optical fibers; and (d) a plastic jacket surround the layer of aramid fiber. Methods for producing cables of these types are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Rengan Kannabiran
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 04:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4479; G02B6/4486; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4429; G02B6/443; G02B6/4432; G02B6/4402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A composite buffer cable comprising: (a) a single optical waveguide fiber having an outer coating, said outer coating having a diameter D 1 ; (b) a first layer of fill compound surrounding the optical waveguide fiber; (c) a second layer of aramid fiber surrounding and in contact with the fill compound, said second layer having an inner diameter D 2 which is less than about twice D 1 ; and (d) a plastic jacket surrounding the layer of aramid fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A composite buffer cable comprising: (a) a single optical waveguide fiber having an outer coating, said outer coating having a diameter D 1 ; (b) a first layer of fill compound surrounding the optical waveguide fiber; (c) a second layer of aramid fiber surrounding and in contact with the fill compound, said second layer having an inner diameter D 2 which is less than about twice D 1 ; and (d) a plastic jacket surrounding the layer of aramid fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the fill compound is a thixotropic gel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the plastic jacket is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the plastic jacket has an outer diameter D 3 which is less than 900 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cable of claim 4 wherein D 3 is about 600 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cable of claim 1 wherein the optical waveguide fiber comprises a core, a cladding, and at least one coating of a plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
152 words
A multifiber cable having a longitudinal axis which comprises: (a) a plurality of optical waveguide fibers, each said fiber including an outer coating having a diameter of less than or equal to about 250 μm, the combined cross-sectional areas of the fibers being A 1 ; (b) a layer of aramid fiber surrounding the plurality of optical waveguide fibers, said layer having an inner surface and said inner surface having a cross-sectional area in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of A 2 , the ratio of A 1 to A 2 being at least about 0.4; (c) fill compound in contact with the inner surface of the layer of aramid fiber and with the optical waveguide fibers, said fill compound substantially filling the space between the optical waveguide fibers and the inner surface of the layer of aramid fiber; and (d) a plastic jacket surrounding the layer of aramid fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
152 words
A multifiber cable having a longitudinal axis which comprises: (a) a plurality of optical waveguide fibers, each said fiber including an outer coating having a diameter of less than or equal to about 250 μm, the combined cross-sectional areas of the fibers being A 1 ; (b) a layer of aramid fiber surrounding the plurality of optical waveguide fibers, said layer having an inner surface and said inner surface having a cross-sectional area in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of A 2 , the ratio of A 1 to A 2 being at least about 0.4; (c) fill compound in contact with the inner surface of the layer of aramid fiber and with the optical waveguide fibers, said fill compound substantially filling the space between the optical waveguide fibers and the inner surface of the layer of aramid fiber; and (d) a plastic jacket surrounding the layer of aramid fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein the A 1 /A 2 ratio is about 0.5
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein the plurality of optical waveguide fibers comprise a central fiber surrounded by seven fibers which run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein the fill compound is a thixotropic gel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein the plastic jacket is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein each of the optical waveguide fibers comprises a core, a cladding, and at least one coating of a plastic material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein the outside diameter of the plastic jacket is less than about 1,500 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cable of claim 7 wherein at least one additional layer of polymeric material is applied to said plastic jacket.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for preparing a composite buffer cable comprising: (a) providing an optical waveguide fiber; (b) coating the optical waveguide fiber with a layer of fill compound; (c) applying aramid fibers to tee layer of fill compound; and (d) coating the structure resulting from step (c) with a plastic material.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for preparing a composite buffer cable comprising: (a) providing an optical waveguide fiber; (b) coating the optical waveguide fiber with a layer of fill compound; (c) applying aramid fibers to tee layer of fill compound; and (d) coating the structure resulting from step (c) with a plastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 15 wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: (i) applying a plurality of continuous yarns of aramid fiber to the layer of fill compound; and (ii) passing the resulting structure through a die having a circular cross-section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the fill compound is a thixotropic gel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the cable has an outer diameter which is less than 900 microns.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for preparing a multi-fiber cable comprising: (a) providing an optical waveguide fiber; (b) coating the optical waveguide fiber with a first layer of fill compound; (c) applying a plurality of optical waveguide fibers to the first layer of fill compound; (d) coating the structure resulting from step (c) with a second layer of fill compound; (e) applying aramid fibers to the second layer of fill compound; and (f) coating the structure resulting from step (e) with a plastic material.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for preparing a multi-fiber cable comprising: (a) providing an optical waveguide fiber; (b) coating the optical waveguide fiber with a first layer of fill compound; (c) applying a plurality of optical waveguide fibers to the first layer of fill compound; (d) coating the structure resulting from step (c) with a second layer of fill compound; (e) applying aramid fibers to the second layer of fill compound; and (f) coating the structure resulting from step (e) with a plastic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 19 wherein step (e) comprises the steps of: (i) applying a plurality of continuous yarns of aramid fiber to the second layer of fill compound; and (ii) passing the resulting structure through a die having a circular cross-section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the fill compound is a thixotropic gel.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 19 wherein seven optical waveguide fibers are applied to the first layer of fill compound in step (c).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the cable has an outer diameter which is less than about 1,500 microns.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 including the further step of applying at least one additional layer of polymeric material to the structure resulting from step (f).
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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) | 1995-09-15 | 1996-03-16 | 1996-09-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-15 | 2000-03-16 | 2000-09-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-15 | 2004-03-16 | 2004-09-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |