Fiber optic cable and method of manufacture

摘要

A fiber-optic cable for applications subject to extreme temperatures and high crushing and bending forces incorporating a loose fluoropolymer buffer material, a aramid/fiberglass strength member, and a fluoropolymer outer jacket compromising low smoke, low toxicity, and low flammability when exposed to flame.

主权项

1. A method of fabricating a fiber-optic cable comprising:
providing a loose buffer layer in the form of a tube of a first fluoropolymer material having a wall thickness in the range of about 0.012 inches to 0.028 inches; wrapping the buffer layer in a strength member that includes aramid and glass fibers forming a buffer and strength member assembly; applying an outer jacket to the buffer layer and strength member assembly by coating the buffer layer and strength member assembly with a second fluoropolymer material in such a way to produce a fiber-optic cable with an outside diameter in the range of about 0.112 to 0.160 inches, the fiber-optic cable having a first end and a second end; and introducing a plurality of loosely arranged optical fibers into the buffer layer of the fiber-optic cable including inserting a lead wire into the buffer layer that is accessible at the first and second ends of the fiber-optic cable, attaching a filament to the lead wire and pulling the lead wire through the fiber-optic cable so the filament is accessible at both the first and second ends of the fiber-optic cable, and attaching the filament to the plurality of optical fibers and pulling the filament through the fiber-optic cable so the plurality of optical fibers is accessible at both the first and second ends of the fiber-optic cable.