Fiber optic cable for very-short-distance networks

A fiber optic cable configured for use in very-short-distance networks such as for use between a computer and peripheral device, the cable comprising:

• a polymeric jacket having a cavity interior thereto, wherein the cavity is elongate, wherein the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable is less than five millimeters;
• optical fibers positioned within the cavity of the jacket, wherein when the cable is fully bent back upon itself about the bend axis, the bend radius of the optical fiber in the cavity is greater than 1.5 millimeters;
• a first longitudinal strength element fully embedded in the jacket;
• and
• a second longitudinal strength element fully embedded in the jacket on an opposite side of the cavity from the first strength longitudinal member,
• wherein the first and second longitudinal strength elements define a bend axis of the cable passing through the strength elements that is orthogonal to the length of the cable, whereby the bend axis and the length of the cable define a preferential plane for bending,
• wherein the cable resists bending about a third axis that is orthogonal to the length of the cable and also orthogonal to the bend axis, whereby the third axis and the length of the cable define a non-preferential plane for bending;
• wherein the cable resists bending in the non-preferential plane, but by no more than five times as much as the cable resists bending in the preferential plane, whereby the difference in flexural rigidity between the preferential and non-preferential planes limits the formation of spontaneous knots in a coil of the cable while still providing flexibility for ease of handling, and facilitates coiling of the cable for storage.

A fiber optic cable configured for use in very-short-distance networks such as for use between a computer and peripheral device, the cable comprising:

• a polymeric jacket having a cavity interior thereto, wherein the cavity is elongate, wherein the cavity is rectangular having minor and major dimensions;
• optical fibers positioned within the cavity of the jacket, wherein the optical fibers are each free to move within the cavity and move relative to one another as the cable is manipulated to relieve stress on the optical fibers;
• a first longitudinal strength element fully embedded in the jacket;
• and
• a second longitudinal strength element fully embedded in the jacket on an opposite side of the cavity from the first strength longitudinal member,
• wherein the first and second longitudinal strength elements define a bend axis of the cable passing through the strength elements that is orthogonal to the length of the cable, whereby the bend axis and the length of the cable define a preferential plane for bending,
• wherein the cable resists bending about a third axis that is orthogonal to the length of the cable and also orthogonal to the bend axis, whereby the third axis and the length of the cable define a non-preferential plane for bending;
• wherein the cable resists bending in the non-preferential plane, but by no more than five times as much as the cable resists bending in the preferential plane, whereby the difference in flexural rigidity between the preferential and non-preferential planes limits the formation of spontaneous knots in a coil of the cable while still providing flexibility for ease of handling, and facilitates coiling of the cable for storage.