Fiber optic microcable produced with radiation cured composite
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsSteven J. Cowen, Christopher M. Young, James H. Dombrowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention provides a fiber reinforced optical microcable comprised of a buffered optical waveguide coated with a fiber reinforced protective sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin. The microcable is manufactured by soaking reinforcing fibers in the UV curable resin, placing the wetted fibers around the buffered optical waveguide, squeezing the fibers and buffered optical waveguide through a die, and then curing the resin with ultraviolet light.
Claims21
A fiber optic microcable, comprising:
- an optical fiber core;
- a buffer surrounding said core;
- a sheath surrounding said buffer, said sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,000 kPa, a post-cure tensile strength of approximately 28,000 to 56,000 kPa, a post-cure moisture absorption of less than one per cent after 24 hours of water immersion, said resin having an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise within the range of 27.degree. C. to 60.degree. C., and a glass transition temperature ranging from 60.degree. C. to 105.degree. C.;
- and
- a plurality of fibers embedded in said sheath.
A fiber optic microcable, comprising:
- an optical fiber core;
- a buffer surrounding said core;
- a sheath surrounding said buffer, said sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,00 kPa, said resin having an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise within the range of 27.degree. C. to 60.degree. C.;
- and
- a plurality of fibers embedded in said sheath.
A fiber optic microcable, comprising:
- an optical wave guide having a buffered outer coating;
- a plurality of fibers placed around said buffered optical waveguide, said fibers wetted with an ultraviolet light curable resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,000 kPa, a post-cure tensile strength of approximately 28,000 to 56,000 kPa, a post-cure moisture absorption of less than one per cent after 24 hours of water immersion, said resin having an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise at 27.degree. C., and a glass transition temperature ranging from 60.degree. C. to 105.degree. C.;
- and
- a sheath surrounding said buffered optical waveguide, said sheath manufactured by curing said ultraviolet light cured.
A fiber optic microcable, comprising:
- an optical fiber core;
- a buffer surrounding said core;
- a sheath surrounding said buffer, said sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,000 kPa, a post-cure tensile strength of approximately 28,000 to 56,000 kPa after 72 hours of immersion in water having a temperature of 23.degree. C., a post-cure moisture absorption of less than one per cent after 24 hours of water immersion, said resin having an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise within the range of 27.degree. C. to 60.degree. C., and a glass transition temperature ranging from 60.degree. C. to 105.degree. C.;
- and
- a plurality of fibers embedded in said sheath.
A fiber optic microcable, comprising:
- an optical fiber core;
- a buffer surrounding said core;
- a sheath surrounding said buffer, said sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin having a post-cure Young's modulus ranging from approximately 700,000 to 2,500,000 kPa, a post-cure tensile strength of approximately 28,000 to 56,000 kPa, said resin having an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise within the range of 27.degree. C. to 60.degree. C.;
- and
- a plurality of fibers embedded in said sheath.
A fiber optic microcable, comprising:
- an optical fiber core;
- a buffer surrounding said core;
- a sheath surrounding said buffer, said sheath formed of an ultraviolet light cured resin having an uncured viscosity of less than 250 centipoise within the range of 27.degree. C. to 60.degree. C.;
- and
- a plurality of fibers embedded in said sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.