OPTICAL FIBER ASSEMBLIES

摘要

Fiber optic assemblies include subunit cables wrapped in binders. The assemblies have small cross sections and low bend radii while maintaining acceptable attenuation losses. Stranding of the subunit cables allows ease of access to the individual cables during installation.

主权项

1. A fiber optic assembly particularly suited for providing fiber optic service indoors, comprising:
a bundle of subunit fiber optic cables, wherein the bundle of subunit fiber optic cables comprises at least six subunit fiber optic cables, wherein each of the at least six subunit fiber optic cables comprises:
an optical fiber supported by the subunit fiber optic cable, wherein the optical fiber is bend-insensitive such that the optical fiber experiences an absolute delta attenuation value of less than 0.2 dB at 1550 nanometers wavelength under up to five wraps about a 15 mm diameter mandrel and experiences an absolute delta attenuation value of less than 0.5 dB at 1550 nanometers wavelength under up to five wraps about a 10 mm diameter mandrel, whereby the optical fiber is configured to be bent around tight corners without excessive attenuation losses and, in use, the subunit fiber optic cables can be separated from the fiber optical assembly and run to separate locations, and the use of bend-insensitive optical fiber further allows the subunit cables to be run through tight locations and along tortuous paths;an integral, individual strength component, wherein the strength component comprises a layer of flexible, loose tensile strength members, wherein the layer of loose tensile strength members reinforces the optical fiber, whereby the fiber optic assembly incorporating the subunit fiber optic cables has high tensile strength, while not being excessively rigid or inflexible; anda subunit jacket surrounding the layer of loose tensile strength members, wherein the subunit jackets comprise polyvinyl chloride, wherein the subunit fiber optic cables are flame retardant cables and include additives to improve flame resistance, whereby the subunit fiber optic cables have flame retardant properties to achieve desired flame ratings for the fiber optic assembly; and wherein the fiber optic assembly free of an outer jacket, whereby the omission of the outer jacket in part gives the fiber optic assembly a small cross-section, and, more specifically, wherein an average diameter of the fiber optic assembly is less than 12.5 mm, and wherein the fiber optic assembly is free of glass-reinforced plastic strength members, whereby omission of glass-reinforced plastic strength members, including as a central strength component, in part gives the fiber optic assembly a small bending radius.