Claims:STATEMENT OF CLAIMS

We claim:

1. An optical fiber cable (100) comprising:
a central strength member (106);
a plurality of loose tubes (108), wherein each loose tube of the plurality of loose tubes (108) is one of one or more solid loose tubes and one or more hollow loose tubes, wherein each hollow loose tube of the one or more hollow loose tubes comprises a plurality of optical fibers;
a water blocking layer (110) enclosing the plurality of loose tubes (108);

2. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more hollow loose tubes are filled with gel.

3. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more solid loose tube are made of polyethylene, and wherein the one or more solid loose tubes are filler tubes which do not comprises any optical fiber.

4. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more solid loose tube comprises a diameter of 1.8 millimeter.

5. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
an armored layer (112), made of up of electrolytic chrome-coated steel (ECCS) tape, enclosing the water blocking layer (110); and
a jacket layer (114) enclosing the ECCS tape armored layer (112).

6. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ECCS tape armored layer (112) is corrugated.

7. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the ECCS tape armored layer (112) comprises a thickness in a range of 0.125 to 0.145 millimeter.

8. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 5, comprises two stripe marking on the jacket layer (114), positioned diagonally opposite to each other.

9. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 5, comprises one or more ripcords between the water blocking layer (110) and the armored layer (112), wherein the one or more ripcords are made of polyester yarn.

10. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a total number of optical fibers in the optical fiber cable (100) is one of 48 and 96.

11. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of loose tubes (108) is made of polybutylene terephthalate material.

12. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises one or more water swellable yarns stranded around the central strength member (106).

13. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water blocking layer (110) includes one or more binders and a water blocking tape.

14. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the jacket layer (114) is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, and wherein the thermoplastic polyurethane material facilitates reduction of bend diameter of the optical fiber cable (100).

15. The optical fiber cable (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a layer of glass roving yarns enclosing the water blocking layer (110).

Dated: 4th Oct 2019
Signature:
Name: Arun Kishore Narasani
Patent Agent: IN/PA 1049
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of optical fiber cable. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to high coiling armored optical fiber cable for duct applications. The present application is patent of addition based on, and claims priority from an Indian Application Number 201821046210 filed on 6th December 2018.

BACKGROUND
[0002] In the present scenario, optical fiber cables have secured an important position in building network of modern communication systems across the world. The optical fiber cables are sensitive to conditions like crushes, kinks, bends and presence of water and/or moisture. One such type of optical fiber cables is armored optical fiber cables. The armored optical fiber cables include an armoring layer along with other layers including an outer jacket. Typically, the outer jacket is made of high density polyethylene or medium density polyethylene. However, the use of such materials lead to high bend diameter of the armored optical fiber cable and increase in stiffness of the armored optical fiber cables. In addition, the stiffness of the armored optical fiber cables makes it difficult to coil the cable in a confined space. Moreover, these armored optical fiber cables are less flexible. Further, the optical fiber cable with high bend diameter and less flexibility requires more time for installation.

[0003] In light of the above stated discussion, there is a need for a robust, efficient and durable armored optical fiber cable that overcomes the above stated disadvantages.

OBJECT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0004] A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber cable with high flexibility.

[0005] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fiber cable with reduced installation time.

[0006] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fiber cable which is easy to coil and easy to deploy.

[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fiber cable which has less bend diameter.

[0008] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fiber cable for duct applications.

[0009] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide the optical fiber cable with durability and rodent protection.

SUMMARY
[0010] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a core comprising a plurality of optical fibers and an armored layer. In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a jacket layer. The jacket layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. The thermoplastic polyurethane material facilitates reduction of bend diameter of the optical fiber cable.

[0011] The bend diameter of the optical fiber cable is about 150 millimeters corresponding to 48 optical fibers. The bend diameter of the optical fiber cable is about 180 millimeters corresponding to 96 optical fibers.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the armored layer is made of a corrugated electrolytic chrome-coated steel tape (ECCS tape). The armored layer has a thickness in a range of about 0.125 to 0.145 millimeter.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the jacket layer matches mechanical properties required by the optical fiber cable. The jacket layer of the optical fiber cable reduces time for installation of the optical fiber cable, enables increase in coiling of the optical fiber cable and provides flexibility to the optical fiber cable.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the jacket layer has a thickness in a range of about 1.5 millimeter to 1.6 millimeter corresponding to 48 optical fibers. The jacket layer has the thickness of about 1.5 millimeter to 1.6 millimeter corresponding to 96 optical fibers.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable includes a plurality of loose tubes. Each of the plurality of loose tubes encloses the plurality of optical fibers. In addition, each of the plurality of loose tubes is filled with water blocking gel. Each of the plurality of loose tubes has a first diameter of about 1.3 millimeter and a second diameter of 1.8 millimeter.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable includes a central strength member. The central strength member has a diameter of about 2 millimeter. Further, the optical fiber cable includes a water blocking layer. The water blocking layer is made of a water blocking tape and one or more binder yarns. The water blocking tape has a thickness of about 0.15 millimeter. Furthermore, the optical fiber cable includes one or more water swellable yarns. The one or more water swellable yarns are stranded around the central strength member.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable has an outer diameter of about 10 millimeter.

[0018] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a core comprising a plurality of optical fibers and an armored layer. In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a jacket layer. The jacket layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. The thermoplastic polyurethane material facilitates reduction of bend diameter of the optical fiber cable. In addition, the jacket layer matches mechanical properties required by the optical fiber cable. The jacket layer reduces time for installation of the optical fiber cable, enables increase in coiling of the optical fiber cable and provides flexibility to the optical fiber cable. Further, the optical fiber cable has a bend diameter of about 150 millimeters corresponding to 48 optical fibers. The optical fiber cable (100) has the bend diameter of about 180 millimeters corresponding to 96 optical fibers.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the jacket layer has a thickness in a range of about 1.5 millimeter to 1.6 millimeter corresponding to 48 optical fibers. The jacket layer has the thickness in the range of about 1.5 millimeter to 1.6 millimeter corresponding to 96 optical fibers.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable includes a plurality of loose tubes. Each of the plurality of loose tubes encloses the plurality of optical fibers. In addition, each of the plurality of loose tubes is filled with water blocking gel. Each of the plurality of loose tubes has a first diameter of about 1.3 millimeter and a second diameter of about 1.8 millimeter.

[0021] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable includes a central strength member. The central strength member has a diameter of about 2 millimeter. Further, the optical fiber cable includes a water blocking layer. The water blocking layer is made of a water blocking tape and one or more binder yarns. The water blocking tape has a thickness of about 0.15 millimeter. Furthermore, the optical fiber cable includes one or more water swellable yarns. The one or more water swellable yarns are stranded around the central strength member.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable has an outer diameter of about 10 millimeter.

[0023] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a core comprising a plurality of optical fibers and an armored layer. The armored layer is made of a corrugated electrolytic chrome-coated steel tape (ECCS tape). In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a jacket layer. The jacket layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. The thermoplastic polyurethane material facilitates reduction of bend diameter of the optical fiber cable. In addition, the jacket layer matches mechanical properties required by the optical fiber cable. The jacket layer reduces time for installation of the optical fiber cable, enables increase in coiling of the optical fiber cable and provides flexibility to the optical fiber cable. Further, the optical fiber cable has a bend diameter of about 150 millimeters corresponding to 48 optical fibers. The optical fiber cable (100) has the bend diameter of about 180 millimeters corresponding to 96 optical fibers.

STATEMENT OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0024] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable includes a core comprising a plurality of optical fibers and an armored layer. The armored layer is made of a corrugated electrolytic chrome-coated steel tape (ECCS tape). In addition, the optical fiber cable includes a jacket layer. The jacket layer is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. The thermoplastic polyurethane material facilitates reduction of bend diameter of the optical fiber cable. In addition, the jacket layer matches mechanical properties required by the optical fiber cable. The jacket layer reduces time for installation of the optical fiber cable, enables increase in coiling of the optical fiber cable and provides flexibility to the optical fiber cable. Further, the optical fiber cable has a bend diameter of about 150 millimeters corresponding to 48 optical fibers. The optical fiber cable (100) has the bend diameter of about 180 millimeters corresponding to 96 optical fibers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0025] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of an optical fiber cable, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] It should be noted that the accompanying figure is intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. This figure is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figure is not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to selected embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with accompanying figures. The embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described. This disclosure may be embodied in different forms without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying figures are intended and provided to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure described below and are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for providing better clarity and ease of understanding.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and the like, herein do not denote any order, ranking, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Further, the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 100 is an armored optical fiber cable. In general, the armored optical fiber cable is used in outdoor applications. The armored optical fiber cable provides protection to optical fibers. In addition, the armored optical fiber cable is flexible and easy to install. Further, the armored optical fiber cable is suitable for lashed aerial installations, duct installations, underground conduit environments and the like.

[0031] The optical fiber cable 100 includes a core, a central strength member 106, a plurality of loose tubes 108, a water blocking layer 110, an armored layer 112 and a jacket layer 114. In addition, the optical fiber cable 100 includes a plurality of optical fibers 116 and a plurality of ripcords 118, 120.

[0032] The optical fiber cable 100 is defined along a longitudinal axis 104 passing through a geometrical center 102 of the optical fiber cable 100. In general, the longitudinal axis 104 of the optical fiber cable 100 is an axis along lengthwise direction of the optical fiber cable 100. The longitudinal axis 104 passes through the geometrical center 102. In general, geometrical center 102 of the optical fiber cable 100 is a central point of the optical fiber cable 100.

[0033] The optical fiber cable 100 includes the core. The core includes the plurality of optical fibers 116 and the armored layer 112. In general, the optical fiber refers to medium associated with transmission of information over long distances in the form of light pulses. In addition, the optical fiber is a type of cabling technology that uses light to transmit voice and data communications over long distances.

[0034] The optical fiber cable 100 includes the central strength member 106. The central strength member 106 lies substantially along the longitudinal axis 104 of the optical fiber cable 100. The central strength member 106 is made of dielectric material. In general, the dielectric material is an electrical insulator. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central strength member is made of any other suitable material. In general, the central strength member 106 is used to protect the optical fiber cable 100 from loads during installation of the optical fiber cable 100. In addition, the central strength member 106 provides tensile strength and stiffness to the optical fiber cable 100. The tensile strength corresponds to a resistance shown by the optical fiber cable 100 against breaking when pressure is applied. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the tensile strength of the optical fiber cable 100 is about X. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the central strength member 106 has a diameter of about 2 millimeter. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the diameter of the central strength member 106 may vary.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable includes one or more water swellable yarns. The one or more water swellable yarns are stranded around the central strength member 106. The one or more water swellable yarns facilitate absorption of water and moisture. In addition, the one or more water swellable yarns prevent ingression of water inside the optical fiber cable 100.

[0036] The optical fiber cable 100 includes the plurality of loose tubes 108. The plurality of loose tubes 108 surrounds the central strength member 106. In addition, each of the plurality of loose tubes 108 is characterized by a first diameter and a second diameter. The first diameter represents the inner diameter and the second diameter represents the outer diameter of the plurality of loose tubes 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first diameter is about 1.3 millimeters (mm) and the second diameter is about 1.8 mm. Further, each of the plurality of loose tubes 108 is made of polybutylene terephthalate material. In general, a loose tube is used to encapsulate the optical fibers for the purpose of providing such functions as mechanical isolation, protection from physical damage and fiber identification.

[0037] Each of the plurality of loose tubes 108 encapsulates the plurality of optical fibers 116. In general, the optical fiber refers to medium associated with transmission of information over long distances in the form of light pulses. In addition, the optical fiber is a type of cabling technology that uses light to transmit voice and data communications over long distances. The plurality of loose tubes 108 provides support and protection to each of the plurality of optical fibers 116 against crush, bend and stretch. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of loose tubes 108 include 12 optical fibers. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 has the total of 48 optical fibers with a bend diameter of about 150 millimeters. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 has a total of 96 optical fibers with a bend diameter of about 180 millimeters. In general, the bend diameter can be defined as the minimum diameter to bend a pipe, tube, sheet, cable or hose without kinking or damaging. In addition, the optical fiber cable 100 has greater flexibility due to lesser bend diameter. Further, the small bend diameter provides high coiling of the optical fiber cable 100.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of loose tubes 108 is filled with a water blocking gel. The water blocking gel prevents the ingression of water and flow of water inside each of the plurality of loose tubes 108. The water blocking gel is a thixotropic gel.

[0039] The optical fiber cable 100 includes the water blocking layer 110. In addition, the water blocking layer 110 includes one or more binders and a water blocking tape. The one or more binders provide protection to the plurality of loose tubes 108 from mechanical damage. In addition, the water blocking tape is designed to block the migration of water inside the optical fiber cable 100. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water blocking layer 110 prevents ingression of water and moisture inside the plurality of loose tubes 108. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water blocking tape has a thickness of about 0.15 millimeter. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness of the water blocking tape may vary.

[0040] Further, the optical fiber cable 100 includes the armored layer 112. The armored layer 112 surrounds the water blocking layer 110. The armored layer 112 is made of corrugated electrolytic chrome-coated steel tape. In general, the corrugated electrolytic chrome-coated steel tape is used for armoring of the optical fiber cable 100. The armoring of the optical fiber cable 100 provides protection to the optical fiber cable 100. In addition, the corrugated electrolytic chrome-coated steel tape provides resistance to damage during installation of the optical fiber cable 100 at high and low temperatures. The armored layer 112 is characterized by a thickness. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the armored layer 112 has a thickness in a range of about 0.125 millimeter to 0.145 millimeter. In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness of the armored layer 112 may vary.

[0041] The optical fiber cable includes the jacket layer 114. In addition, the jacket layer 114 surrounds the armored layer 112. The jacket layer 114 has inherent ability to resist crushes, kinks and tensile stress. The jacket layer 114 is made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. In general, the thermoplastic polyurethane material provides high abrasion resistance to the optical fiber cable 100. Further, the thermoplastic polyurethane material provides high flexibility to the optical fiber cable 100. Further, the UV resistant thermoplastic polyurethane material provides flame resistance to the optical fiber cable 100. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the jacket layer 114 has a thickness in a range of about 1.5 millimeter to 1.6 millimeter corresponding to 48 fibers. The jacket layer 114 has the thickness in the range of about 1.5 millimeter to 1.6 millimeter corresponding to 96 fibers. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness of the jacket layer 114 may vary.

[0042] The optical fiber cable 100 includes the plurality of ripcords 118, 120. The plurality of ripcords 118, 120 is made of polyester yarn. In addition, the plurality of ripcords 118, 120 includes a first ripcord 118 and a second ripcord 120. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first ripcord 118 of the plurality of ripcords 118, 120 is placed between the water blocking layer 110 and the armored layer 112. In addition, the second ripcord 120 of the plurality of ripcords 118, 120 is placed between the water blocking layer 110 and the armored layer 112. The second ripcord 120 facilitates stripping of the armored layer 112. The first ripcord 118 and the second ripcord 120 lies diametrically opposite to each other. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of ripcords 118, 120 has circular cross-section. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 includes two ripcords. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the number of ripcords inside the optical fiber cable 100 may vary.

[0043] The optical fiber cable 100 has a weight of about 95 kg per kilometer. In addition, the optical fiber cable 100 has a diameter of about 10 millimeter. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 has a crush resistance of about 2000 Newton/ 100 millimeters. In general, the crush resistance determines the ability of the optical fiber cable 100 to withstand and/or recover from the effects of compressive forces. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 has a maximum tensile strength of about 1200 Newton. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 has impact strength of about 20 Newton meter. The impact strength is the ability of the optical fiber cable 100 to absorb shock and impact energy without breaking. Also, optical fiber cable 100 has the small bend diameter. The small bend diameter improves coiling of the optical fiber cable 100. In addition, the small bend diameter of the optical fiber cable 100 provides easy coiling of the optical fiber able 100 inside manholes. In general, smaller is the bend diameter, easier is coiling of optical fiber cable 100 inside manholes. In addition, manhole is top opening to underground utility vault used to house an access point to make connections.

[0044] The optical fiber cable of the present disclosure offers a number of advantages over the conventional cables. The optical fiber cable is highly flexible and easy to install. Therefore, the optical fiber cable requires less time for the installation. In addition, the optical fiber cable is easy to coil inside manholes. Furthermore, the optical fiber cable has the small bend diameter of about 150 millimeters. Moreover, the optical fiber cable is easy to deploy. Also, the optical fiber cable is used for applications where rodent protection and high crush resistance are required.

[0045] The foregoing descriptions of specified embodiments of the present technology have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present technology and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present technology.

[0046] While several possible embodiments of the disclosure have been described above and illustrated in some cases, it should be interpreted and understood as to have been presented only by way of illustration and example, but not by limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.