Variable fiber count optical fiber cable core

A variable fiber count optical fiber cable core for use as a part of an optical fiber cable, the optical fiber cable having an elongate cylindrical core tube formed symmetrically about a longitudinal axis within which the cable core is received, said cable core comprising:

• at least a first optical fiber unit having a first predetermined number of optical fibers therein;
• and
• at least a second optical fiber unit having a second predetermined number of optical fibers therein;
• at least a third optical fiber unit having a third predetermined number of optical fibers therein;
• said first predetermined number of optical fibers differing from said second predetermined number of optical fibers and said at least first and second optical fiber units, respectively, being formed as a stack of optical fiber units within the core tube said third predetermined number of optical fibers differing from both of said first and second predetermined numbers of optical fibers, respectively;
• said third optical fiber unit being stacked with said at least a first optical fiber unit and said at least a second optical fiber unit, respectively, as a part of said stack of optical fiber units;
• wherein said first predetermined number of optical fibers comprises thirty-six optical fibers, said second predetermined number of optical fibers comprises twenty-four optical fibers, and said third predetermined number of optical fibers comprises twelve optical fibers;
• and wherein said stack of optical fiber units comprises twenty-six of said first optical fiber units, twelve of said second optical fiber units, and four of said third optical fiber units, respectively.

A variable fiber count optical fiber cable core for use as a part of an optical fiber cable, the optical fiber cable having an elongate cylindrical core tube formed symmetrically about a longitudinal axis within which the cable core is received, said cable core comprising:

• at least a first optical fiber unit having a first predetermined number of optical fibers therein;
• and
• at least a second optical fiber unit having a second predetermined number of optical fibers therein;
• at least a third optical fiber unit having a third predetermined number of optical fibers therein;
• said first predetermined number of optical fibers differing from said second predetermined number of optical fibers and said at least first and second optical fiber units, respectively, being formed as a stack of optical fiber units within the core tube
• said third predetermined number of optical fibers differing from both of said first and second predetermined numbers of optical fibers, respectively;
• said third optical fiber unit being stacked with said at least a first optical fiber unit and said at least a second optical fiber unit, respectively, as a part of said stack of optical fiber units;
• wherein said stack of optical fiber units is formed of a first plurality of said third optical fiber units, a first plurality of said second optical fiber units joined thereto, a plurality of said first optical fiber units joined to said first plurality of second optical fiber units, a second plurality of second optical fiber units joined to said first optical fiber units, and a second plurality of third optical fiber units joined to said second plurality of second optical fiber units, symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the cable tube;
• and wherein each of said first and second pluralities of said third optical fiber units comprise at least three of said third optical fiber units, wherein each of said first and second pluralities of said second optical fiber units comprise at least six of said second optical fiber units, and wherein said plurality of said first optical fiber units comprises at least fourteen of said first optical fiber units.