Perforated Water-Blocking Element
AssigneeDraka Comteq B.V.
InventorDon Parris
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides optical-fiber communication cables with an improved water-blocking element that reduces or eliminates microbending caused by the water-swellable particulate powders by employing such water-swellable powders in conjunction with a smooth but perforated compression-resistant carrier tape. The water-blocking element is deployed within optical-fiber buffer tubes to water-block the buffer tubes and to minimize microbending that can occur when water-swellable particulate powders press against optical fibers.
Claims30
An optical-fiber cable, comprising:
- an optical fiber;
- a buffer tube enclosing said optical fiber;
- a water-blocking element positioned between said optical fiber and said buffer tube, said water-blocking element comprising (i) a substantially non-fibrous, compression-resistant carrier tape defining a plurality of perforations and (ii) a water-swellable particulate powder bonded to said perforated carrier tape, wherein said water-blocking element at least partially surrounds said optical fiber and wherein said perforated carrier tape is positioned adjacent to said optical fiber and said water-swellable powder is positioned opposite said optical fiber;
- and
- a polymeric cable jacket surrounding said buffer tube.
An optical-fiber cable, comprising:
- an optical fiber;
- a buffer tube enclosing said optical fiber;
- a water-blocking element positioned between said optical fiber and said buffer tube, said water-blocking element comprising (i) first and second substantially non-fibrous, compression-resistant carrier tapes, at least one of said first and second carrier tapes defining a plurality of perforations and (ii) a water-swellable particulate powder disposed between said first and second carrier tapes, wherein said water-blocking element at least partially surrounds said optical fiber;
- and
- a polymeric cable jacket surrounding said buffer tube.
An optical-fiber cable, comprising:
- an optical fiber;
- a buffer tube enclosing said optical fiber;
- a water-blocking element positioned between said optical fiber and said buffer tube, said water-blocking element comprising (i) a fibrous carrier tape defining a plurality of discrete perforations and (ii) a water-swellable particulate powder bonded to said perforated fibrous carrier tape, wherein said water-blocking element at least partially surrounds said optical fiber and wherein said perforated fibrous carrier tape is positioned adjacent to said optical fiber and said water-swellable powder is positioned opposite said optical fiber;
- and
- a polymeric cable jacket surrounding said buffer tube.
An optical-fiber cable, comprising:
- an optical fiber;
- a buffer tube enclosing said optical fiber;
- a water-blocking element positioned between said optical fiber and said buffer tube, said water-blocking element comprising (i) first and second fibrous carrier tapes, at least one of said first and second carrier tapes defining a plurality of perforations and interstices that facilitate the passage of water and (ii) a water-swellable particulate powder disposed between said first and second carrier tapes, wherein said water-blocking element at least partially surrounds said optical fiber;
- and
- a polymeric cable jacket surrounding said buffer tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.