Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to optical fibers, and, more particularly, to an optical fiber cable with bundles of optical fibers.
BACKGROUND
Packing efficiency of an optical fiber cable decides a size, shape and weight of an optical fiber cable. Generally, the optical fiber cables have one or more optical fiber cable bundles which in combination decide the shape and size of the optical fiber cable. To reduce the size of the optical fiber cable, a packing density of the optical fiber cable must be improved that may results in enhanced packing efficiency.
Prior art reference “JP2022164314A” discloses an arrangement of IBR bundles in layer around a CSM.
Prior art reference “US11181706B2” discloses an arrangement of IBR bundles in layers.
Prior art reference “WO2019088256A1” discloses an arrangement of IBRs in layer around having a central bundle.
However, the optical fiber cables listed hereinabove suggest fiber bundles with same number of optical fibers, and thus provide poor packing efficiency inside the optical fiber cable.
Thus, there is a need for an optical fiber that overcomes the above stated disadvantages of conventional optical fiber cable.

SUMMARY
In an aspect of the present disclosure, an optical fiber cable is disclosed. The optical fiber cable has a plurality of optical fiber bundles. Each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles has a plurality of optical fibers such that a number of the plurality of optical fibers in at least two or more optical fiber bundles of the plurality of optical fiber bundles is different. The optical fiber cable further has a sheath that surrounds the plurality of optical fiber bundles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The following detailed description of the preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limited by the accompanying figures, in which, like references indicate similar elements.
FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an optical fiber cable.
FIG. 2A illustrates a cross sectional view of an optical fiber cable.
FIG. 2B illustrates a cross sectional view of an optical fiber cable.
FIG. 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of an optical fiber cable.

DEFINITIONS
The term “sheath” as used herein is referred to as an outermost layer or an outermost layer of the optical fiber cable that holds and protects the contents of the optical fiber cable.
The term “strength member” as used herein is referred to as a cable element made up of filaments or yarns that provides strength to the optical fiber cable.
The term “ribbon bundle” as used herein is referred to as a bundle of optical fiber ribbons.
The term “intermittently bonded fiber (IBR)” as used herein refers to an optical fiber ribbon having a plurality of optical fibers such that the plurality of optical fibers is intermittently bonded to each other by a plurality of bonded portions that are placed along the length of the plurality of optical fibers. The plurality of bonded portions is separated by a plurality of unbonded portions.
The term “single core fiber” as used herein is referred to as an optical fiber having only one core.
The term “multi-core fiber” as used herein is referred to as an optical fiber having more than one cores.
The term “multi-mode fiber” as used herein is referred to as a type of optical fiber that enables multiple light modes to be propagated inside the optical fiber.
The term “single mode fiber” as used herein is referred to as a type of optical fiber designed to carry only a single light mode or ray of light.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The detailed description of the appended drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred aspects of the present disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different aspects that are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 1 illustrates an optical fiber cable 100, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 100 may have a plurality of optical fiber bundles 102. Each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have a plurality of optical fibers 104. Specifically, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have first through third optical fiber bundles 102a-102c and the plurality of optical fibers 104 may have first through third plurality of optical fibers 104a-104c. Specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 102a may have the first plurality of optical fibers 104a, the second optical fiber bundle 102b may have the second plurality of optical fibers 104b, and the third optical fiber bundle 102c may have the third plurality of optical fibers 104c. Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 has three optical fiber bundles (i.e., the first through third optical fiber bundles 102a-102c), it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have any number of optical fiber bundles, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each optical fiber bundle may be structurally and functionally similar to the first through third optical fiber bundles 102 as described herein.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have a shape such as, but not limited to, a substantial circular shape, an arc shape, an oval shape, and the like. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have the substantial circular shape. Specifically, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have the substantial circular shape. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any shape for each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
As discussed, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may have the plurality of optical fibers 104 such that a numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 104 in at least two or more optical fiber bundles of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 is different. In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 104a, a numerical count of optical fibers in the second plurality of optical fibers 104b, and a numerical count of optical fibers in the third plurality of optical fibers 104c is different. In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 104a and a numerical count of optical fibers in the second plurality of optical fibers 104b is different. However, a numerical count of optical fibers in the third plurality of optical fibers 104c is same as the numerical count of optical fibers in one of, the first plurality of optical fibers 104a and the second plurality of optical fibers 104b. In some other aspects of the present disclosure, the numerical count of the optical fibers in the third plurality of optical fibers 104c may be different from the numerical count of the optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 104a and the numerical count of the optical fibers in the second plurality of optical fibers 104b. Specifically, the different numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 104a, the second plurality of optical fibers 104b, and the third plurality of optical fibers 104c may facilitate to improve a packaging efficiency inside the optical fiber cable 100. Further, the different numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 104a, the second plurality of optical fibers 104b, and the third plurality of optical fibers 104c may facilitate in efficient arrangement of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 inside the optical fiber cable 100. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 may have a filling coefficient that may be greater than 0.4. Specifically, when the filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable 100 is greater than 0.4, the packaging efficiency of the optical fiber cable 100 is better, thus lead to the optical fiber cable 100 having a smaller diameter and a lower weight.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 104 (i.e., the first through third plurality of optical fibers 104a-104c) may be, but not limited to, single mode optical fibers, multimode optical fibers, single core optical fibers, multicore optical fibers, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the plurality of optical fibers 104, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 104 may be bound by one or more binders 106 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the binders 106”). Specifically, the first through third plurality of optical fibers 104a-104c may be bounded by first through third binders 106a-106c of the binders 106, respectively. Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the first through third optical fiber bundles 102a-102c of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 are bound by the first through third binders 106a-106c, respectively, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the plurality of binders 106 may have any number of binders, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may be bound by a binder that may be structurally and functionally similar to the binders 106 as described herein. In some other aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 may be bound by two binders of the plurality of binders 106 that may be wound in opposite direction respective to each other.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 102 may be in a range of 24 to 1152. Specifically, the numerical count of the first plurality of optical fibers 102a, the numerical count of the second plurality of optical fibers 102b, and the numerical count of the third plurality of optical fibers 102c may be in the range of 24 to 1152. The numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 102 in the range of 24 to 1152 may facilitate to achieve an efficient bundle size in the optical fiber cable 100 such that the optical fiber cable 100 has a smaller number of components to be handled during manufacturing process, lower handling stress, and lower optical attenuation issues.
In other words, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 that has the plurality of optical fibers 104 may be bound by the binders 106. Specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 102a that has the first plurality of optical fibers 104a may be bound by the binders 106a. Similarly, the second optical fiber bundle 102b that has the second plurality of optical fibers 104b may be bound by the binders 106b. Similarly, the third optical fiber bundle 102c that has the third plurality of optical fibers 104c may be bound by the binders 106c. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the binders 106 may be, but not limited to, a yarn-based binder (e.g., polyester, aramid, and the like), a tape-based binder (e.g., a Polypropylene tape), and the like. Further, the binders 106 may be, but not limited to, a Single-end binder, a Dual-end binder, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the binders 106, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 104 may be in the form of at least one of, but not limited to, loose fibers, optical fiber ribbon, intermittently bonded fibers (IBRs), and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover the plurality of optical fibers 104 in any form, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 100 may further have a sheath 108 that surrounds the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102. Specifically, the sheath 108 may be adapted to act as an outermost covering for the optical fiber cable 100 such that the sheath 108 facilitates in reduction of abrasion and to provide the optical fiber cable 100 with extra protection against external mechanical effects such as crushing, and the like. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the sheath 108 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a synthetic plastic material, a natural plastic material, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of material for the sheath 108, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 further has one or more strength members 110 (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the strength members 110”) embedded in the sheath 108. Specifically, the strength members 110 may be adapted to provide strength to the optical fiber cable 100 that may be required during an installation process of the optical fiber cable 100. Further, the strength members 110 may be adapted to provide majority of structural strength and support to the optical fiber cable 100. Furthermore, the strength members 110 may enhance a tensile strength of the optical fiber cable 100, which is highly needed during the installation process. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the strength members 110 may be made up of, but not limited to, Aramid Reinforcement Plastic (ARP), Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP), steel rods, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the strength members 110, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2A illustrates an optical fiber cable 200, according to another aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 200 may have a plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 that may be substantially similar to the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102 (as shown in FIG. 1).
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have a central optical fiber bundle 202a and a set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 202b-202w such that the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 202b-202w are arranged around the central optical fiber bundle 202a to define one or more layers 206. For ease of brevity, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 having the first optical fiber bundle 202a and the second through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202b-202w are designated as the central optical fiber bundle 202a and the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 202b-202w, respectively. Specifically, the one or more layers 206 may have first and second layers 206a and 206b, respectively. As illustrated, in an exemplary scenario, the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 202b-202w may be disposed around the central optical fiber bundle 202a in a way such that the second through eighth optical fiber bundles 202b-202i defines the first layer 206a and the nineth through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202j-202w defines the second layer 206b. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 200 may further have one or more water blocking layers 210 that may be wrapped around the one or more layers 206. As illustrated, the one or more layers 206 may have the first layer 206a and the second layer 206b. In such a scenario, the one or more water blocking layers 210 may be wrapped around the second layer 206b of the one or more layers 206. Specifically, the one or more water blocking layers 210 may provide water resistance to the optical fiber cable 200. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more water blocking layers 210 may be selected from one of, a water blocking tape (WBT), aramid yarns, glass roving yarns, mica tape, and a water swellable yarns.
Each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have a plurality of optical fibers 204 that may be substantially similar to the plurality of optical fibers 104 (as shown in FIG. 1).
Specifically, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have the first through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202a-202w and the plurality of optical fibers 204 may have first through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204a-204w. Specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 202a (i.e., the central optical fiber bundle 202a) and the second through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202b-202w (i.e., the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 202b-202w) may have the first plurality of optical fibers 204a and the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w, respectively. Although FIG. 2A illustrates that the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 has twenty-three optical fiber bundles (i.e., the first through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202a-202w), it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have any number of optical fiber bundles, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each optical fiber bundle may be structurally and functionally similar to the first through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202a-202w as described herein.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have a shape such as, but not limited to, a substantially circular shape, an arc shape, an oval shape, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have the substantially circular shape. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have the substantially circular shape. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any shape for each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
As discussed, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have the plurality of optical fibers 204 such that a numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 204 in at least two or more optical fiber bundles of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 is different. In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 204a may be greater than a numerical count of optical fibers in the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w. Further, a numerical count of optical fibers in at least one of the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w may be different from all other plurality of optical fibers 204. In an aspect, a numerical count of optical fibers in each of the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w may be same. For example, the numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 204a may be different from the numerical count of optical fibers in the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w and a numerical count of optical fibers in each of the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w may be same. In another aspect, a numerical count of optical fibers in the second plurality of optical fibers 204b may also be different from the numerical count of optical fibers in third through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204c-204w and a numerical count of optical fibers in each of the third through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204c-204w may be same.
Specifically, the different numerical count of optical fibers in the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may facilitate to improve a packaging efficiency inside the optical fiber cable 200. Further, the different numerical count of optical fibers in the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may facilitate in efficient arrangement of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 inside the optical fiber cable 200.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 200 may have a filling coefficient that may be greater than 0.4. Specifically, when the filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable 200 is greater than 0.4, the packaging efficiency of the optical fiber cable 200 is better, that enables the optical fiber cable 200 to have a smaller diameter and a lower weight.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 204 (i.e., the first through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204a-204w) may be, but not limited to, single mode optical fibers, multimode optical fibers, single core optical fibers, multicore optical fibers, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the plurality of optical fibers 204, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 204 may be in a range of 24 to 1152. Specifically, the numerical count of the first through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204a-204w may be in the range of 24 to 1152. The numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 204 in the range of 24 to 1152 may facilitate to achieve an efficient bundle size in the optical fiber cable 200 such that the optical fiber cable 200 has a smaller number of components to be handled during manufacturing process, lower handling stress, and lower optical attenuation issues.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 204 may be bound by one or more binders 208 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the binders 208”). In other words, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 that has the plurality of optical fibers 204 may be bound by the binders 208. Specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 202a that has the first plurality of optical fibers 204a may be bound by the binders 208 (i.e., a first binder 208a of the binders 208). Similarly, the second through twenty third optical fiber bundles 202b-202w that have the second through twenty third plurality of optical fibers 204b-204w, respectively, may be bound by the binders 208 (i.e., second through twenty third binders 208b-208w, respectively of the binders 208). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the binders 208 may be, but not limited to, a yarn-based binder (e.g., polyester, aramid, and the like), a tape-based binder (e.g., a Polypropylene tape), and the like. Further, the binders 208 may be, but not limited to, a Single-end binder, a Dual-end binder, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the binders 208, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 204 may be in the form of at least one of, but not limited to, loose fibers, optical fiber ribbon, intermittently bonded fibers (IBRs), and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover the plurality of optical fibers 204 in any form, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 200 may further have the sheath 108 that surrounds the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more layers 206 may be disposed between the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 and the sheath 108.
FIG. 2B illustrates the optical fiber cable 200, according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 200 may have the one or more strength members 110 embedded in the sheath 108. Specifically, the strength members 110 may be adapted to provide strength to the optical fiber cable 200 that may be required during an installation process of the optical fiber cable 200. Further, the strength members 110 may be adapted to provide majority of structural strength and support to the optical fiber cable 100. Furthermore, the strength members 110 may enhance the tensile strength of the optical fiber cable 100, which is highly needed during the installation process. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the strength members 110 may be made up of, but not limited to, ARP, FRP, steel rods, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the strength members 110, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates an optical fiber cable 300, according to yet another aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 300 may have a plurality of optical fiber bundles 302. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have a central optical fiber bundle 302a and a set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 302b-302i such that the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 302b-302i may be arranged around the central optical fiber bundle 302a to define one or more layers 306. For ease of brevity, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 having the first optical fiber bundle 302a and the second through ninth optical fiber bundles 302b-302i are designated as the central optical fiber bundle 302a and the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 302b-302i, respectively. Specifically, the one or more layers 306 may have first and second layers 306a and 306b, respectively. As illustrated, in an exemplary scenario, the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 302b-302i may be disposed around the central optical fiber bundle 302a in a way such that the second through fifth optical fiber bundles 302b-302e defines the first layer 306a and the sixth through ninth optical fiber bundles 302f-302i defines the second layer 306b.
Each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have a plurality of optical fibers 304 that may be substantially similar to the plurality of optical fibers 104 and 204 (as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2B). Specifically, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have the first through ninth optical fiber bundles 302a-302i and the plurality of optical fibers 304 may have first through ninth plurality of optical fibers 304a-304i. Specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 302a (i.e., the central optical fiber bundle 302a) and the second through ninth optical fiber bundles 302b-302i (i.e., the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles 302b-302i) may have the first plurality of optical fibers 204a and the second through ninth plurality of optical fibers 304b-204i, respectively. Although FIG. 3 illustrates that the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 has nine optical fiber bundles (i.e., the first through nineth optical fiber bundles 302a-302i), it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have any number of optical fiber bundles, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each optical fiber bundle may be structurally and functionally similar to the first through nineth optical fiber bundles 302a-302i as described herein.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have a shape such as, but not limited to, a substantially circular shape, an arc shape, an oval shape, and the like. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the first optical fiber bundle 302a of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have the substantially circular shape, and the second through nineth optical fiber bundles 302b-302i of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may have the arc shape. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any shape for each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
As discussed, the plurality of optical fiber bundles 202 may have the plurality of optical fibers 304 such that a numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 304 in at least two or more optical fiber bundles of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 is different. In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 304a may be greater than a numerical count of optical fibers in the second through ninth plurality of optical fibers 304b-304i. Further, a numerical count of optical fibers in at least one of the second through nineth plurality of optical fibers 304b-304i may be different. For example, the numerical count of optical fibers in the first plurality of optical fibers 304a may be greater than the numerical count of optical fibers in the second through nineth plurality of optical fibers 304b-304i and a numerical count of optical fibers in the second plurality of optical fibers 304b may be different from the numerical count of optical fibers in third through ninth plurality of optical fibers 304c-304i.
Specifically, the different numerical count of optical fibers in the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may facilitate to improve a packaging efficiency inside the optical fiber cable 300. Further, the different numerical count of optical fibers in the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 may facilitate in efficient arrangement of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 inside the optical fiber cable 300. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 300 may have a filling coefficient that may be greater than 0.4. Specifically, when the filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable 300 is greater than 0.4, the packaging efficiency of the optical fiber cable 300 is better, that enables the optical fiber cable 300 to have a smaller diameter and a lower weight.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 304 (i.e., the first through nineth plurality of optical fibers 304a-304i) may be, but not limited to, single mode optical fibers, multimode optical fibers, single core optical fibers, multicore optical fibers, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the plurality of optical fibers 304, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 304 may be in the range of 24 to 1152. Specifically, the numerical count of the first through nineth plurality of optical fibers 304a-304i may be in the range of 24 to 1152. The numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers 304 in the range of 24 to 1152 may facilitate to achieve an efficient bundle size in the optical fiber cable 300 such that the optical fiber cable 300 has a smaller number of components to be handled during manufacturing process, lower handling stress, and lower optical attenuation issues.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 304 may be bound by one or more binders 308 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the binders 308”). In other words, each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302 that has the plurality of optical fibers 304 may be bound by the binders 308. Specifically, the first optical fiber bundle 302a that has the first plurality of optical fibers 304a may be bound by the binders 308 (i.e., a first binder 308a of the binders 308). Similarly, the second through ninth optical fiber bundles 302b-302i that have the second through nineth plurality of optical fibers 304b-304i, respectively, may be bound by the binders 308 (i.e., second through nineth binders 308b-308i, respectively, of the binders 308). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the binders 308 may be, but not limited to, a yarn-based binder (e.g., polyester, aramid, and the like), a tape-based binder (e.g., a Polypropylene tape), and the like. Further, the binders 308 may be, but not limited to, a Single-end binder, a Dual-end binder, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the binders 308, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 304 may be in the form of at least one of, but not limited to, loose fibers, optical fiber ribbon, intermittently bonded fibers (IBRs), and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover the plurality of optical fibers 304 in any form, known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 300 may further have the sheath 108 that surrounds the plurality of optical fiber bundles 302. The optical fiber cable 300 may further have the one or more water blocking layers 210 that may be wrapped around one or more layers 306. As illustrated, the one or more layers 306 may have the first layer 306a and the second layer 306b. Specifically, the one or more water blocking layers 210 may provide water resistance to the optical fiber cable 300. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more water blocking layers 210 may be selected from one of, WBT, aramid yarns, glass roving yarns, mica tape, and water swellable yarns.
As discussed earlier, there is a need for an optical fiber cable with high packing efficiency that results in reduction of the overall size of the optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable 100, 200, 300 of the present disclosure may have the plurality of optical fiber bundles 102, 202, 302 having different number of the plurality of optical fibers 104, 204, 304. The plurality of optical fiber bundles 102, 202, 302 having different sizes can be arranged more efficiently inside the optical fiber cable 100, 200, 300, and thus may result in an enhanced packing efficiency and reduced size.
While various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these aspects only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as described in the claims. Further, unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.
, Claims:I/We Claim:
1. An optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) comprising:
a plurality of optical fiber bundles (102, 202, 302), where each optical fiber bundle of the plurality of optical fiber bundles (102, 202, 302) comprising a plurality of optical fibers (104, 204, 304) such that a number of the plurality of optical fibers (104, 204, 304) in at least two or more optical fiber bundles of the plurality of optical fiber bundles (102, 202, 302) is different; and
a sheath (108) that surrounds the plurality of optical fiber bundles (102, 202, 302).

2. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, where the plurality of optical fibers (104, 204, 304) are bound by one or more binders (106, 208, 308).

3. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 2, where the one or more binders (106, 208, 308) are selected from one of, a yarn-based binder and a tape-based binder.

4. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, where the plurality of optical fibers (104, 204, 304) are in the form of at least one of, loose fibers, optical fiber ribbon, IBRs.

5. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, where the plurality of optical fiber bundles (102, 202, 302) comprising a central optical fiber bundle (202a, 302a) and a set of surrounding optical fiber bundles (202b-202w, 302b-302i) such that the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles (202b-202w, 302b-302i) are arranged around the central optical fiber bundle (202a, 302a) to define one or more layers (206, 306).

6. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 5, where the one or more layers (206, 306) are surrounded by one or more layers (210), and are disposed between the plurality of optical fiber bundles (202, 302) and the sheath (108).

7. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 5, wherein the central optical fiber bundle (202a, 302a) has a plurality of optical fibers (204a, 304a) and each bundle of the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles (202b-202w, 302b-302i) has a plurality of optical fibers (204b-204w, 304a-304i) such that a numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers (204a, 304a) disposed in the central optical fiber bundle (202a, 302a) is greater than a numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers (204b-204w, 304a-304i) disposed in each bundle of the set of surrounding optical fiber bundles (202b-202w, 302b-302i).

8. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 6, where the one or more layers (210) are selected from one of, a water blocking tape, aramid yarns, glass roving yarns, mica tape, and water swellable yarns.

9. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, further comprising one or more strength members (110) embedded in the sheath (108), where the one or more strength members (110) are selected from one of, one of ARP, FRPs, steel rods.

10. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, where a filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) is greater than 0.4.

11. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, where the numerical count of the plurality of optical fibers (104, 204, 304) is in a range of 24 to 1152.

12. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, where the one or more optical fiber bundles (102, 202, 302) have one of, a substantial circular shape, an arc shape, and an oval shape.