Water-resistant optical fiber cables

摘要

Water-resistant optical fiber cables and associated methods for forming water-resistant optical fiber cables are provided. A cable may include an outer jacket that defines a cable core. At least one optical fiber may be positioned within the cable core and encapsulated within a suitable sheath, such as a buffer tube. Additionally, a plurality of discrete water swellable fibers may be loosely positioned within the cable to provide water-resistance for the at least one optical fiber.

主权项

1. A cable, comprising:
an outer jacket defining a cable core; a buffer tube situated within the cable core; at least one optical fiber positioned within the buffer tube; and a plurality of discrete elongated water swellable fibers loosely positioned within the buffer tube, each of the water swellable fibers having a longest dimension between approximately two millimeters and approximately two hundred millimeters, wherein the plurality of water swellable fibers are not adhered to a longitudinally extending substrate layer.