초록 ▼

A fiber optic cable has at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member having a major strength member dimension, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has two major surfaces that are generally flat and includes a cavity with a cavity minor dimension generally orientated with a minor dimens

A fiber optic cable has at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member having a major strength member dimension, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has two major surfaces that are generally flat and includes a cavity with a cavity minor dimension generally orientated with a minor dimension of the fiber optic cable, wherein the at least one optical fiber is disposed within the cavity. In one embodiment, the cavity minor dimension of the fiber optic cable is about the same size or larger than the strength member dimension that is generally aligned with a minor dimension of the cable, thereby allowing access to the cavity when the fiber optic cable is entered while inhibiting damage to the at least one optical fiber. Fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

That which is claimed is: 1. A fiber optic cable comprising: at least one optical fiber; a first strength member and a second strength member, wherein the first strength member has a strength member dimension (D); a cable jacket, the cable jacket having two major surfaces and a cavity, the cavity h

That which is claimed is: 1. A fiber optic cable comprising: at least one optical fiber; a first strength member and a second strength member, wherein the first strength member has a strength member dimension (D); a cable jacket, the cable jacket having two major surfaces and a cavity, the cavity having a cavity minor dimension generally orientated with a minor dimension of the fiber optic cable, the at least one optical fiber being disposed within the cavity and the first strength member and second strength member are disposed on opposite sides of the cavity, wherein the cavity minor dimension is larger than the strength member dimension (D), thereby allowing access to the cavity while inhibiting damage to the at least one optical fiber; and at least one foam tape disposed within the cavity. 2. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the cavity minor dimension being greater than the strength member dimension (D) by about five percent or more. 3. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the cavity being generally rectangular. 4. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber being a portion of a fiber optic ribbon. 5. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, further comprising a water-swellable component or a water-blocking component. 6. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the minor dimension of the fiber optic cable being about 10 millimeters or less and a major dimension of the fiber optic cable being about 15 millimeters or less. 7. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber being portion of a fiber optic ribbon having a ribbon planar surface and the at least one foam tape having a planar surface, wherein the ribbon planar surface generally faces the planar surface of the at least one foam tape. 8. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber being a portion of a fiber optic ribbon and a first foam tape is disposed on a first side of the fiber optic ribbon and a second foam tape is disposed on a second side of the fiber optic ribbon. 9. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one foam tape having a water-swellable layer attached thereto. 10. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber being a portion of a fiber optic ribbon, wherein the fiber optic ribbon has an excess ribbon length. 11. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber being a portion of a fiber optic ribbon that has an excess ribbon length and further comprises a first foam tape disposed on a first side of the fiber optic ribbon, a second foam tape disposed on a second side of the fiber optic ribbon. 12. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one foam tape is an open cell polyurethane material. 13. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the cavity having a major dimension, wherein the at least one foam tape is generally aligned with the major dimension of the cavity. 14. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the cavity having a major dimension that forms a major dimension cavity surface, wherein the at least one foam tape contacts the major dimension cavity surface. 15. The fiber optic cable of claim 1, the at least one optical fiber being a portion of a fiber optic ribbon and further comprising a first foam tape disposed on a first side of the fiber optic ribbon and a second foam tape disposed on a second side of the fiber optic ribbon, wherein the first and second foam tape are generally aligned with a major dimension of the cavity. 16. A fiber optic cable comprising: at least one optical fiber ribbon; a first strength member; a second strength member; a cable jacket, the cable jacket having a cavity with the first strength member and the second strength member being disposed on opposite sides of the cavity, the cavity having a cavity minor dimension generally orientated with a minor dimension of the fiber optic cable, wherein the at least one optical fiber ribbon is disposed within the cavity; and at least one foam tape disposed within the cavity for coupling the at least one optical fiber ribbon within the cavity. 17. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the cavity minor dimension being greater than a first strength member dimension (D) by about five percent or more. 18. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the cavity being generally rectangular. 19. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one optical fiber ribbon being splitable into subunits. 20. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, further comprising an armor component. 21. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, further comprising a water-swellable component or a water-blocking component. 22. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the cable jacket being flame retardant. 23. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one optical fiber ribbon having a ribbon planar surface and the at least one foam tape having a planar surface, wherein the ribbon planar surface generally faces the planer surface of the at least one foam tape. 24. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one optical fiber ribbon being disposed on a first side of the fiber optic ribbon and a second foam tape is disposed on a second side of the fiber optic ribbon. 25. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one foam tape having a water-swellable layer attached thereto. 26. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one optical fiber ribbon has an excess ribbon length and is sandwiched between the at least one foam tape and a second foam tape. 27. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one foam tape is an open cell polyurethane material. 28. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the cavity having a major dimension, wherein the at least one foam tape is generally aligned with the major dimension of the cavity. 29. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the cavity having a major dimension that forms a major dimension cavity surface, wherein the at least one foam tape contacts the major dimension cavity surface. 30. The fiber optic cable of claim 16, the at least one optical fiber ribbon being sandwiched between the at least one foam tape and a second foam tape, wherein the foam tapes are generally aligned with a major dimension of the cavity.