Multi-fiber, fiber optic cable assemblies providing constrained optical fibers within an optical fiber sub-unit, and related fiber optic components, cables, and methods

摘要

Multi-fiber, fiber optic cable assemblies and related fiber optic components, cables, and methods providing constrained optical fibers within an optical fiber sub-unit are disclosed. The optical fiber sub-unit(s) comprises optical fibers disposed adjacent a sub-unit strength member(s) within a sub-unit jacket. Movement of optical fibers within a sub-unit jacket can be constrained. In this manner, the optical fibers in an optical fiber sub-unit can be held together within the optical fiber sub-unit as a unit. As a non-limiting example, the optical fiber sub-unit(s) may be exposed and constrained in a furcation assembly as opposed to the optical fibers, thereby reducing complexity in fiber optic cable assembly preparations. Constraining the optical fibers may also allow optical skew, reduction of entanglement between the optical fibers and the cable strength members to reduce or avoid optical attenuation, and/or allow the optical fibers to act as anti-buckling components within the fiber optic cable.

主权项

1. A fiber optic cable assembly, comprising:
a fiber optic cable comprising a cable jacket, one or more cable strength members disposed within the cable jacket, and one or more optical fiber sub-units disposed within the cable jacket, wherein each optical fiber sub-unit includes a sub-unit jacket and a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the sub-unit jacket; an end portion of the fiber optic cable comprising end portions of the one or more optical fiber sub-units and end portions of the one or more cable strength members both exposed from an end portion of the cable jacket; and a furcation assembly receiving the end portion of the fiber optic cable at a first end of the furcation assembly, the furcation assembly terminating the end portion of the cable jacket and the end portions of the one or more cable strength members, and the end portions of the one or more optical fiber sub-units extending through and from a second end of the furcation assembly; the one or more cable strength members are disposed within the cable jacket in a first length, and the one or more optical fiber sub-units are disposed within the cable jacket in a second length, the second length greater than the first length wherein the furcation assembly transfers at least a portion of tensile load placed on the furcation assembly to the one or more cable strength members.