# US 2014/0153885 A1 · Fiber optic cable for very-short-distance networks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0153885 A1 - Document ID: US20140153885A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/175,442 - Filed: 2014-02-07 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-07-26 - Assignees: Corning Optical Communications LLC - Applicants: Corning Optical Communications LLC - Inventors: Mark Alan Bradley; William Welch McCollough; James Arthur Register, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140153885A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/4433: {Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element} - G02B 6/4206: {Optical features (G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence)} - G02B 6/4214: {the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device (G02B6/4246 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/4431: {with provision in the protective covering, e.g. weak line, for gaining access to one or more fibres, e.g. for branching or tapping (break-out terminations G02B6/4471)} - G02B 6/4472: {Manifolds} - G02B 6/4403: {with ribbon structure (G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A fiber optic cable includes a polymeric jacket defining an outer periphery and a cavity interior thereto, an optical fiber positioned within the cavity, and first and second longitudinal strength elements fully embedded in the jacket on opposite sides of the cavity from one another, where the strength elements define a bend axis of the cable passing there through that is orthogonal to the length of the cable, and the bend axis and the length of the cavity define a preferential plane for bending. The cable resists bending about a third axis that is orthogonal to the length of the cable and the bend axis, where the third axis and the length of the cable define a non-preferential plane for bending. The difference in flexural rigidity between the preferential and non-preferential planes limits formation of spontaneous knots in a coil of the cable while providing flexibility for ease of handling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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; optical fibers positioned within the cavity of the jacket; 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the cable resists bending in the non-preferential plane by no more than four times as much as the cable resists bending in the preferential plane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the flexural rigidity of each strength member is less than 200 N·m2. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the first and second longitudinal strength elements consist of stranded stainless steel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable is less than five millimeters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fiber optic cable of claim 5, 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 or equal to 1.5 millimeters. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The fiber optic cable of claim 5, wherein when the cable is fully bent back upon itself about the bend axis, the bend diameter of the optical fiber in the cavity is greater than the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the cable is round in cross-section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fiber optic cable of claim 1, wherein the cable only includes two strength members embedded in the jacket. ### Claim 10 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the cable resists bending in the non-preferential plane by no more than four times as much as the cable resists bending in the preferential plane. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the flexural rigidity of each strength member is less than 200 N·m2. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the first and second longitudinal strength elements consist of stranded stainless steel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable is less than three millimeters. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fiber optic cable of claim 14, wherein when the cable is fully bent back upon itself about the bend axis, the bend diameter of the optical fiber in the cavity is greater than the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the cable is round in cross-section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The fiber optic cable of claim 10, wherein the cable only includes two strength members embedded in the jacket. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The fiber optic cable of claim 18, wherein the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable is less than five millimeters. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The fiber optic cable of claim 19, wherein when the cable is fully bent back upon itself about the bend axis, the bend diameter of the optical fibers in the cavity is greater than the largest dimensions of the outer periphery orthogonal to the length of the cable, due at least in part to the freedom of movement of the optical fibers within the cavity.