Claims:1. An optical fibre cable comprising:
one or more micromodules, each micromodule enclosing a plurality of optical fibers; and
a jacket enclosing the one or more micromodules;
wherein the optical fiber cable has a breaking load in a range of 1500N to 2500N.
2. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable is having fiber density equal to or more than 2.1 fibers/unit cross sectional area in mm2.
3. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more micromodules include a micromodule layer having a thickness of 0.10 to 0.30 mm.
4. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more micromodules are gel filled micromodules.
5. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jacket has a thickness of 0.8 to 3.0 mm.
6. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein the jacket includes at least one embedded strength member.
7. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 6, wherein the embedded strength member is one of the FRP, ARP, aramid yarn, Metallic wires, synthetic fiber cords or rods, natural fiber rods or cords.
8. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein total number of optical fibers in the optical fibre cable is in the range of 24 to 288, and diameter of the optical fibre cable is in the range of 3.5 to 13.2 mm.
9. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein total number of optical fibers in the optical fibres is 96 and corresponding nominal cable weight of the optical fibre cable is 35.0 Kg/km.
10. The optical fibre cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein total number of optical fibers in the optical fibre cable is 96 and corresponding diameter of the optical fibre cable is 7.0 ± 0.2mm.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of optical fiber cables for communication. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a high-density micro module cable that is suitable for aerial application.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] On account of rapid spread of internet services resulting in increased volume of data transmission, and higher bandwidth of optical fibre cables, networks of copper wires are being replaced by optical fiber cables. Further, to connect homes and businesses quickly and cost-effectively, it is common to lay these cables in aerially. However, aerially laid cables are susceptible to external hazards, such as being hit by a vehicle and being entangled with falling tree. Such situations demand that damaged caused by external impact is minimum, without any loss of life and damage to infrastructure.
[0004] In these cases, high tensile strength and crush resistance of the cable can prevent breakage of the cable, resulting in collapse of the corresponding pole structures and potential damage to life and property. Because of potential damage to life and property, tensile strength is a very critical mechanical feature of any aerial cable. Any compromise on the tensile strength of the cable is likely to result in increased repair needs and bills along with the long network outage in the affected area.
[0005] There is therefore a need in the art to provide an optical fiber cable that has optimized tensile strength to result in optimum predictable point of breakage. It would be further advantageous if the fibre optical cable possesses high fiber density.
[0006] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0007] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0008] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0009] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0010] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0011] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber cable that reduces repair needs and minimizes network outage with corresponding cost benefits.
[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber cable that, in events of being hit by a vehicle or a falling tree, does not cause damage to life and property.
[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber cable that has optimized tensile strength sufficient to support short span installations.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber cable that, in events of being hit by a vehicle or a falling tree, breaks first thereby preventing any harm to the supporting pole structure, and hence to the surrounding properties and working personnel.
[0015] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical fiber cable that has a high optical fibre density.

SUMMARY
[0016] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved optical fiber cable that, in event of being hit by a vehicle or a falling tree, prevents damage to surrounding properties and working personnel. In an aspect, the damage to surrounding properties and working personnel is prevented by ensuring that the cable breaks before the resultant impact force can cause any harm to the supporting infrastructure, such as supporting poles. Thus, any damage to surrounding properties and working personnel due to falling supporting structure is prevented. In another aspect, breakage of the cable before any harm to the supporting infrastructure is ensured by optimizing tensile strength of the optical fiber cable at a value that is just sufficient to support short span installations.
[0017] In an aspect, the disclosed optical fibre cable includes one or more micromodules and a jacket enclosing the one or more micromodules. Each micromodule encloses a plurality of optical fibers. In an aspect, the optical fiber cable has a breaking load in a range of 1500N to 2500N.
[0018] The cable can have a fiber density equal to or more than 2.1 fibers/unit cross sectional area in mm2.
[0019] The one or more micromodules can be gel filled or completely dry micromodules, and can include a micromodule layer having a thickness of 0.10 to 0.30 mm.
[0020] The jacket can have a thickness of 0.8 to 3.0 mm.
[0021] The jacket can include at least one embedded strength member. The embedded strength member can be one of the FRP, ARP, aramid yarn, Metallic wires, synthetic fiber cords or rods, natural fiber rods or cords.
[0022] In an embodiment of implementation, total number of optical fibers in the optical fibre cable can be in the range of 24 to 288, and diameter of the optical fibre cable is in the range of 3.5 to 13.2 mm.
[0023] In another embodiment of implementation, total number of optical fibers in the optical fibres can be 96 and corresponding nominal cable weight of the optical fibre cable is 35.0 Kg/km.
[0024] In yet another embodiment of implementation, total number of optical fibers in the optical fibre cable can be 96 and corresponding diameter of the optical fibre cable is 7.0 ± 0.2mm.
[0025] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the disclosed optical fiber cable, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0029] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0030] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0031] Embodiments explained herein relate to an improved optical fiber cable, also referred to as micromodule cable, for aerial application, having an optimum tensile strength that is just sufficient to support short span installations. Therefore, in event of the cable being hit by a vehicle or a falling tree, the cable breaks before any harm to the support structure. Thus, any damage to surrounding properties and working personnel on account of falling support infrastructure, such as support poles, is prevented.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, where a cross sectional view of the improved cable is disclosed, the optical fibre cable 100 (Also referred to as optical cable or fiber cable or simply as cable, and all the terms used interchangeably hereinafter), which has a circular cross section, can include one or more micromodules 102 and a jacket 108. The micromodules 102 can be enclosed within the jacket 108. The micromodules 102 can include a plurality of optical fibers 104 enclosed within a micromodule layer 106. Thickness of the micromodule layer 106 can be in a range of 0.10 to 0.30 mm. Further, the micromodules 102 can be gel filled micromodules.
[0033] In an embodiment, the micromodules 102 can be made of a flexible thermoplastic material. The micromodules 102, along with an optimal number of one or more water swellable yarns 112, can be enclosed by a water swellable tape 116 located between the micromodules 102 and the jacket 108.
[0034] In an embodiment, the micromodule layer 106 of the micromodules 102 can be a hand peel-able tube having thickness of 0.15mm and an outer jacket have 1.3mm nominal thickness of HDPE material.
[0035] In an embodiment, thickness of the jacket 108 can be in a range of 0.8 to 3.0 mm, and can include one or more yellow strips 114, as shown in FIG. 1. There can be at least one peripheral strength member 110 (also referred to as embedded strength member or simply as strength member and all the terms used interchangeably hereinafter) embedded in the jacket 108. The peripheral strength member 110 can be one of the FRP, ARP, aramid yarn, Metallic wires, synthetic fiber cords or rods, natural fiber rods or cords. The material and configuration of the peripheral strength members 110, including their number, embedded in the outer jacket 108 can be selected based on breaking load requirement of the cable 100.
[0036] In an aspect, the jacket 108, specifically the embedded peripheral strength members 110, can be configured to provide a breaking load in a range of 1500N to 2500N for the optical fiber cable 100.
[0037] In an exemplary implementation, the cable 100 can have diameter of 7.0 mm and include 96 optical fibers 104. Its weight can be 35kgs/km. It can be configured with 4 nos of 0.5mm diameter strength members 110 embedded in the Jacket 108. The 96 optical fibers 104 can be distributed in four micromodules 102, each having 24 fibers 104. The micromodule layer 106 can have a thickness of 0.15mm and outer jacket of HDPE material of 1.3mm nominal thickness. The cable in accordance with above configuration can have fiber density of 2.5 fiber/mm2 and can break at 2250N of load. Thus, on experiencing a load greater than 2250N, the cable shall break and get sacrificed to save the corresponding pole structure to avoid any major damage to the network as well its nearby property or living beings.
[0038] However, it is to be understood that the configuration of the cable 100 in accordance with the present disclosure is not limited to above, and any other configuration having different diameters, number of optical fibers 104, number of micromodules 102 and weight is possible. Specifically, the cable 100 can have a fiber density equal to or more than 2.1 fibers/unit cross sectional area in mm2, and total number of optical fibers 104 in the optical fibre cable 100 can be in the range of 24 to 288, and diameter of the optical fibre cable 100 can be in the range of 3.5 to 13.2 mm.
[0039] Thus, the present disclosure provides an improved optical fiber cable with optimized breaking strength that can prevent damage to pole structure to avoid any major damage to the network as well its nearby property or living beings.
[0040] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The present disclosure provides an improved optical fiber cable that reduces repair needs and minimizes network outage with corresponding cost benefits.
[0042] The present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable that, in events of being hit by a vehicle or a falling tree, does not cause damage to life and property.
[0043] The present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable that has minimum tensile strength sufficient to support short span installations.
[0044] The present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable that, in events of being hit by a vehicle or a falling tree, breaks first thereby preventing any harm to the supporting pole structure, and hence to the surrounding properties and working personnel.
[0045] The present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable that has a high optical fibre density.