초록

An optical-fiber cable includes an adhesive material that adhesively couples a water-swellable element to a plurality of optical fibers.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An optical-fiber cable, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers;a water-swellable element substantially enclosing said optical fibers; andan adhesive material adhesively coupling said water-swellable element to said optical fibers without requiring frictional coupling. 2. The optical-fiber cabl

1. An optical-fiber cable, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers;a water-swellable element substantially enclosing said optical fibers; andan adhesive material adhesively coupling said water-swellable element to said optical fibers without requiring frictional coupling. 2. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material is embedded in said water-swellable element. 3. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material is provided as at least one bead. 4. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a plurality of intermittent beads of adhesive material. 5. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a plurality of discrete domains of adhesive material. 6. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a curable adhesive material. 7. The optical-fiber cable of claim 6, wherein said curable adhesive material has been cured, and said cured adhesive material bonds said water-swellable element to said optical fibers. 8. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a thermally curable material. 9. The optical-fiber cable of claim 8, wherein said adhesive material comprises a silicone. 10. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a radiation-curable material. 11. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a hot melt adhesive. 12. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material comprises a foamed adhesive material. 13. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said optical fibers comprise a ribbon stack. 14. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said optical fibers comprise loosely disposed or helically wound optical fibers. 15. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said water-swellable element comprises water-absorbing tape and/or water-absorbing yarn. 16. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said water-swellable element comprises a water-swellable powder sandwiched between two layers. 17. The optical-fiber cable of claim 1, wherein said water-swellable element is substantially free of superabsorbent particulate powders. 18. An optical-fiber cable, comprising: a plurality of optical fibers;a water-swellable element substantially enclosing said optical fibers; andan adhesive material adhesively bonding said water-swellable element and said optical fibers, wherein said adhesive material resists movement of said optical fibers relative to said water-swellable element without requiring the application of an external compressive force upon said water-swellable element. 19. The optical-fiber cable of claim 18, wherein said adhesive material provides the predominant coupling force between said water-swellable element and said optical fibers. 20. The optical-fiber cable of claim 18, wherein said adhesive material is embedded in said water-swellable element. 21. The optical-fiber cable of claim 18, wherein the optical-fiber cable is essentially free of thixotropic filling gel.