Fiber optic cables manufactured as an assembly and method for manufacturing the same
AssigneeCorning Cable Systems LLC
InventorsChristopher Quinn, Craig Conrad, David Chiasson, Carl Whisnant
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A plurality of fiber optic cables are manufactured as an assembly of fiber optic cables that are later separated into independent fiber optic cables. A method of manufacturing the fiber optic cable assembly is also described. A jacketing cover is extruded over components of the fiber optic cables with a portion connecting the fiber optic cables, and the fiber optic cables can separated from each other by tearing, cutting, or removing a filling element between the fiber optic cables.
Claims23
A method of making at least two independent fiber optic cables, the process including the steps of:
- feeding a plurality of components for making at least two independent fiber optic cables into a single extrusion cross-head;
- extruding a jacket covering over the plurality of components thereby making an assembly of at least two fiber optic cables simultaneously with at least a portion of the covering connecting the at least two fiber optic cables;
- and
- separating the assembly into at least two independent fiber optic cables along the entire length of the assembly, thereby creating at least two independent fiber optic cables.
A method of making at least two fiber optic cables comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of components to make the at least two fiber optic cables;
- extruding a jacket covering over the plurality of components using a common extrusion head thereby making an assembly, the covering of the assembly connecting the at least two fiber optic cables;
- taking up the assembly on a single reel;
- and
- separating the assembly along its entire length, thereby forming the at least two fiber optic cables.
At least two independent fiber optic cables comprising at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member, at least one water-swellable component, and a covering, the at least two fiber optic cables being manufactured by the process comprising the steps of:
- providing the at least one optical fiber, the at least one strength member, and the at least one water-swellable component for each of the at least two independent fiber optic cables, wherein the at least one water-swellable component has a length that is longer than the at least one optical fiber;
- extruding a jacket covering about the at least one optical fiber, the at least one strength member, and the at least one water-swellable component of each of the fiber optic cables simultaneously, the fiber optic cables being attached to at least one other fiber optic cable by a portion of the jacket covering, wherein the step of extruding includes passing the optical fibers, strength members, and water-swellable component for each of the fiber optic cables through a single extrusion die;
- and
- separating the fiber optic cables along their length, thereby producing at least two independent fiber optic cables.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.