Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of optical fibers and, in particular, relates to an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with different bonded and un-bonded lengths.

PRIORITY DETAILS

The present application is based on, and claims priority from an Indian Application Number 202011008310 filed on 27th February 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
With evolution of 5G and increase of data consumption in recent years, application of data centers and telecom has increased drastically. In addition, large scale data centers and telecom sectors require ultra-high fiber density cables that offers high data rate with low latency. The high fiber density cables have a large number of optical fibers inside cable. The optical fibers may be in the form of optical fiber ribbons or loose fibers. Traditionally, the structure of the optical fiber cables has a buffer tube, buffer tube sheath, and optical fiber ribbons or loose fibers. The buffer tube and sheath protect the optical fibers from physical damage. Conventionally, poor packing efficiency of the optical fiber ribbons leads to the increase of cable diameter in the high fiber count cables. In addition, a higher diameter cables lead to difficulty in handling, transport, installation and increase in cost. Further, conventional high fiber count cables are inefficient at junction points and manhole installation. Furthermore, the optical fiber ribbons of the conventional high fiber count cables collapse when load or force is applied at the optical fiber ribbons. Moreover, linear scaling to achieve high fiber count in conventional high fiber count cables manufacturing is impractical.
The reference JP2017032932A discloses optical fiber ribbon, optical fiber cable, and installation method of optical fiber ribbon. The reference US8787718B2 discloses optical fiber ribbon, method of manufacturing optical fiber ribbon, and optical cable. The prior art references do not indicate efficient arrangement of the optical fiber ribbons that improves handling of the optical fiber cables. Furthermore, larger bonded lengths and small unbonded lengths would make the optical fiber ribbon robust but less rollable. On the other hand, smaller bonded lengths and larger unbonded lengths would make the optical fiber ribbon rollable but robustness would be then reduced. Therefore, an optimization of bonded/unbonded lengths is required to provide rollability and robustness to the optical fiber ribbon.
In light of the above, there is a need for an efficient and effective optical fiber ribbon and optical cable that overcomes the above stated disadvantages.
OBJECTIVE OF THE DISCLOSURE
As mentioned, there is a need for a technical solution that overcomes the aforementioned problems of conventional optical fiber ribbons. Thus, an objective of the present disclosure is to provide an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with different bonded and/or un-bonded lengths. Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide, an optical fiber cable having an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon such that the optical fiber cable has a filling coefficient which is greater than 0.35.
SUMMARY
In an aspect of the present disclosure an optical fiber cable having an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon is disclosed. The intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon has a plurality of optical fibers such that each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are intermittently bonded along a plurality of bonded portions spaced apart by a plurality of unbonded portions. For a plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers, at least one of, one or more bonded portions of the plurality of bonded portions and one or more un-bonded portions of the plurality of un-bonded portions has bonded and un-bonded lengths, respectively such that the bonded and un-bonded lengths are variable. The filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable is greater than 0.35.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with a bonded length that is variable.
FIG. 2 illustrates an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with an un-bonded length that is variable.
FIG. 3 illustrates an intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbon with bonded and un-bonded lengths that are variable.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable.
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another optical fiber cable.
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another optical fiber cable.
It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
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.
Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present technology. Similarly, although many of the features of the present technology are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present technology is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present technology.
FIG. 1 illustrates an intermittently bonded ribbon 100 with a bonded length that is variable. The Intermittently Bonded Ribbon 100 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the IBR 100”) may be placed in an optical fiber cable. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the IBR 100 may be placed in a sheath of an optical fiber cable. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the IBR 100 may be placed inside a buffer tube of the optical fiber cable. The optical fiber cable may have higher value of filling coefficient. Specifically, the filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable may be greater than 0.35. The term “filling coefficient” as used herein refers to a ratio of a total cross-sectional area of all optical fibers inside a core of the optical fiber cable to a cross-sectional area of an inner surface of a sheath of the optical fiber cable. The higher value of the filling coefficient may facilitate to provide low diameter of the optical fiber cable.
The IBR 100 may have a plurality of optical fibers 102a-102n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the optical fibers 102”), where “n” here is a natural number. The optical fibers 102 may be secured parallel to one another utilizing a matrix material. Each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may be intermittently bonded along a plurality of bonded portions 104a-104n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the bonded portions 104”). Specifically, each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may be intermittently bonded along the bonded portions 104 that are spaced apart by a plurality of un-bonded portions 106a-106n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the un-bonded portions 106”). Each bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portions 104 may extend along a bonded length. Each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106 may extend along an un-bonded length.
For a plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 may have a bonded length that is variable. In other words, for different pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, the one or more bonded portions of the plurality of bonded portions 104 may have the bonded length that is variable. For example, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c. Similarly, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d. Similarly, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of fourth and fifth optical fibers 102d and 102e. For each pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 may have a same bonded length. Specifically, the bonded length of each bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portions 104 associated with a pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102 is equal. For example, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be same. Similarly, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c may be same. Similarly, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be same.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may be coated with an outermost coating. The outermost coating, upon curing may have a shrinkage that may be less than 8 %. The shrinkage of the outermost coating above than 8 % may lead to degradation in an optical performance of each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each bonded portion of the bonded portions 104 may have the bonded length that may be greater than 5 mm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may be, but not limited to, a single mode fiber, a multi-mode fiber, a single core fiber, a multi-core fiber, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of optical fiber, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the IBR 100 may have a pitch that may be greater than a diameter of each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102. In other aspects, the pitch of the IBR 100 may be equal to the diameter of each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers in the IBR 100. The term “pitch” as used herein refers to a distance between a central axis of two adjacent optical fibers of a plurality of optical fibers of an optical fiber cable.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may have the diameter that may be less than 220 micrometers (µm). In some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may have the diameter that may be greater than 220 µm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each bonded portion of the bonded portions 104 may be made up of matrix material. The matrix is a monolithic material in which a reinforcement is embedded that is uniformly distributed throughout the matrix. The matrix material may include materials such as but not limited to, aluminium, magnesium, nickel, titanium, cobalt, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of known and later developed materials for the bonded portions 104.
Furthermore, each bonded portion of the bonded portions 104 may have one of, a rectangular shape, a convex shape, a concave shape, an oval shape, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of shape for the bonded portions.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fibers 102 may be divided into a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups may have a repeatable bonding pattern between each adjacent group of optical fibers of the optical fibers 102. The repeatable bonding pattern may be repeated between each adjacent pair of optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 in each group of the plurality of groups. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of groups may be 3. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of groups. In some examples, the bonded portions 104 may be disposed in the repeatable bonding pattern of each group of the plurality of groups of the optical fibers 102. In some examples, each group of the plurality of groups may have 4 optical fibers with the repeatable bonding pattern. For instance, the optical fibers 102 may be divided into 3 groups i.e., a first group, a second group, and a third group. The first group may have the first through fourth optical fibers 102a-102d, the second group may have the fifth through eighth optical fibers 102e-102h, and the third group may have the ninth through twelfth optical fibers 102i-102l.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the repeatable bonding pattern in the IBR 100 may be periodic in nature. In some aspects of the present disclosure, repeatable bonding pattern may be different between each group of the plurality of groups.
The repeatable bonding pattern between the optical fibers 102 may be repeated in each group of 4 optical fibers along a length and a width of the IBR 100. In some examples, the repeatable bonding pattern between the optical fibers 102 as shown in FIG. 1 may be repeated in each group of the plurality of groups along the length and also along the width of the IBR 100. The repeatable bonding pattern in different groups of the plurality of groups may be off-set with respect to an adjacent group with a specific distance in longitudinal direction of the IBR 100. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the repeatable bonding pattern in different groups of the plurality of groups may not be off-set with respect to an adjacent group.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, the first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be bonded with a first set of bonded portions of the bonded portions 104. The first set of bonded portions may have a bonded portion (e.g., the first bonded portion 104a) that is between the first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b such that the bonded length of the bonded portion (e.g., the first bonded portion 104a) of the bonded portions 104 between the first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be 12 mm.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, the second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c may be bonded with a second set of bonded portions of the bonded portions 104. The second set of bonded portions may have a bonded portion (e.g., the third bonded portion 104c) that is between the second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c. Further, a distance between the first set of bonded portions and the second set of bonded portions may be equal. Furthermore, the distance between the first set of bonded portions and the second set of bonded portions may be 9 mm. Furthermore, the distance between the first set of bonded portions and the second set of bonded portions may vary. Also, the bonded length of each bonded portion of the second set of bonded portions may be about 6 mm. Also, each bonded portion of the second set of bonded portions may has shortest distance of about 6 mm. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any numerical value for the bonded length of each bonded portion of the second set of bonded portions, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, the third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be bonded with a third set of bonded portions of the bonded portions 104. The third set of bonded portions may have a bonded portion (e.g., the fourth bonded portion 104d) that is between the third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d. Further, the bonded length of the third set of bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 between the third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be about 10 mm. Further, a distance between the second set of bonded portions and the third set of bonded portions may be 9 mm. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any numerical value for the distance between the second set of bonded portions and the third set of bonded portions, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, “n” is 12 such that the optical fibers 102 may have 12 optical fibers i.e., first through twelfth optical fibers 102a-102l. The first through twelfth optical fibers 102a-102l may be intermittently bonded by the bonded portions 104 of which first through fifteenth bonded portions 104a-104o are shown. Specifically, the first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be bonded by the first and second bonded portions 104a and 104b. The second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c may be bonded by the third bonded portion 104c. The third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be bonded by the fourth bonded portion 104d. The fourth and fifth optical fibers 102d and 102e may be bonded by the fifth and sixth bonded portions 104e and 104f. The fifth and sixth optical fibers 102e and 102f may be bonded by the seventh bonded portion 104g. The sixth and seventh optical fibers 102f and 102g may be bonded by the eighth bonded portion 104h. The seventh and eighth optical fibers 102g and 102h may be bonded by the ninth and tenth bonded portions 104i and 104j. The eighth and ninth optical fibers 102h and 102i may be bonded by the eleventh bonded portion 104k. The ninth and tenth optical fibers 102i and 102j may be bonded by the twelfth bonded portion 104l. The tenth and eleventh optical fibers 102j and 102k may be bonded by the thirteenth and fourteenth bonded portions 104m and 104n. The eleventh and twelfth optical fibers 102k and 102l may be bonded by the fifteenth bonded portion 104o. The bonded length of the first and second bonded portions 104a and 104b may be bl1. The bonded length of the third bonded portion 104c may be bl2. The bonded length of the fourth bonded portion 104d may be bl3. The bl1 may be different from the bl2. The bl1 may be different from the bl3. The bl2 may be different from the bl3. Specifically, all the bonded lengths i.e., bl1, bl2, and bl3 may be different from each other.
FIG 2 illustrates an intermittently bonded ribbon 200 (hereinafter referred to and designated as “the IBR 200”) with an un-bonded length that is variable. The IBR 200 may have a plurality of groups 202a-202k, where k is natural number. Each group of the plurality of groups 202a-202k may have a plurality of optical fibers 204a-204n, where “n” here is a natural number. Each group of the plurality of groups 202a-202n may be arranged offset by a specific distance in the longitudinal direction with respect to each other. Each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 204a-204n may be intermittently bonded along the bonded portions 104. Specifically, each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 204a-204n may be intermittently bonded along the bonded portions 104 that are spaced apart by the un-bonded portions 106. Each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106 may extend along an un-bonded length. Each bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portions 104 may extend along a bonded length. In some aspects of the present disclosure, a bonded length of one bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portion 104 may be equal to a bonded length of other bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portions 104. In other words, the bonded lengths may be equal/uniform in the IBR 200. The un-bonded length of one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 of one or more adjacent pair of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 204a-204n may be different. For example, the un-bonded length of the first un-bonded portion 106a that may be between the first and second bonded portions 104a and 104b may be ubl1, the un-bonded length of the second un-bonded portion 106b that may be between the third and fourth bonded portions 104c and 104d may be ubl2, and the un-bonded length of the third un-bonded portion 106c that may be between the fifth and sixth bonded portions 104e and 104f may be ubl3. The ubl1 may be different from the ubl2. The ubl1 may be different from the ubl3. Specifically, all the un-bonded lengths (ubl1, ubl2, and ubl3) may be different from each other.
The optical fiber cable having the IBR 200 may have higher value of filling coefficient. Specifically, the optical fiber cable may have the filling coefficient greater than 0.35.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106 may have the un-bonded length that may be greater than 5 mm. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any numerical value for the un-bonded length of each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
The bonded portions 104- may be placed in the repeatable bonding pattern with a specific distance of shift in the longitudinal direction of each group of the plurality of groups 202a-202n. For example, the second group 202b may be shifted from the first group 202a by the specific distance Lsd1. The third group 202c may be shifted from the first group 202A by the specific distance Lsd2.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, the specific distance of shift in longitudinal direction of the second group 202b from the first group 202a may be 3 mm to form the repeatable bonding pattern. In some examples, the specific distance may be in a range of 0 mm and 20 mm. In some other examples, the specific distance may be in a range of 0 mm and 60 mm. Further, in order to form the repeatable bonding pattern, the specific distance may vary. Furthermore, the specific distance of shift in longitudinal direction of the second group 202b from the first group 202a may be 6 mm to form the repeatable bonding pattern.
However, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the shift in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of groups 202a-202n in the IBR 200 may have more/less value of the specific distance. However, those skilled in the art would appreciate that the repeatable bonding pattern in the IBR 200 may vary according to variation in the number of the plurality of optical fibers 204a-204n.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, each bonded portion of the bonded portions 104 may be positioned in such a way as to form four groups of the first through twelfth optical fibers 204a-204l. The bonding pattern may repeat in each of the four groups of the first through fourth groups 202a-202d.
In some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, “k” is 4 and “n” is 12 such that the IBR 100 may have four groups of which first through fourth groups 202a-202d are shown. The first through fourth groups 202a-202d may have first through twelfth optical fibers 204a-204l. Each group of the first through fourth groups 202a-202d may have 3 optical fibers. Specifically, the first group 202a may have first through third optical fibers 204a, 204b, and 204c. The second group 202b may have fourth through sixth optical fibers 204d, 204e, and 204f. The third group 202c may have seventh through ninth optical fibers 204g, 204h, and 204i. The fourth group 202d may have tenth through twelfth optical fibers 204j, 204k, and 204l. The first through twelfth optical fibers 204a-204l may be intermittently bonded along the first through twenty second bonded portions 104a-104v. The first through twenty second bonded portions 104a-104v may be spaced apart by the first through eleventh un-bonded portions 106a-106k. The un-bonded length of each un-bonded portion of the first through eleventh un-bonded portions 106a-106k may be different.
FIG. 3 illustrates an intermittently bonded ribbon 300a (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the IBR 300a”) with bonded and un-bonded lengths that are variable. The IBR 300a may have the plurality of optical fibers 102a-102n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the optical fibers 102”), where “n” here is a natural number. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of optical fibers 102 may have 12 or more than 12 optical fibers. Each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may be intermittently bonded along the bonded portions 104. Specifically, each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may be intermittently bonded along the bonded portions 104- that are spaced apart by the un-bonded portions 106. Each bonded portion of the bonded portions 104 may extend along the bonded length and each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106 may extend along the un-bonded length. For the plurality of pairs (i.e., different pairs) of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 may have the bonded length that is variable. For example, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c. Similarly, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d. Similarly, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of fourth and fifth optical fibers 102d and 102e. For each pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 may have same bonded length. For example, the bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be same. The bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c may be same. The bonded length of the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 in the pair of third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be same. For the plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 may have the un-bonded length that is variable. In other words, for different pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, the one or more un-bonded portions of the plurality of un-bonded portions 106 may have the un-bonded length that is variable. For example, the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c. Similarly, the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d. Similarly, the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be different from the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of fourth and fifth optical fibers 102d and 102e. For each pair of the plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102, the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 may have same un-bonded length. Specifically, the un-bonded length of each un-bonded portion of the plurality of un-bonded portions 106 associated with a pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102 is equal. For example, the un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be same. The un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c may be same. The un-bonded length of the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 in the pair of third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be same. In other words, the bonded length of one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 of one or more adjacent pair of optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may be different. The un-bonded length of one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 of one or more adjacent pair of optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may be different.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more bonded portions of the bonded portions 104 of the plurality of pairs (i.e., different pairs) of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102 may have at least two or more bonded lengths. In other words, the bonded length may have at least two or more different lengths.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more un-bonded portions of the un-bonded portions 106 of the plurality of pairs (i.e., different pairs) of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102 may have at least two or more un-bonded lengths. In other words, the un-bonded length may have at least two or more different lengths.
The difference in the bonded and un-bonded lengths associated with the bonded and un-bonded portions of each adjacent pair of optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers 102 may improve rollability of the ribbon 300a as well as provide robustness to the IBR 300a. Furthermore, the difference in the bonded and un-bonded lengths associated with the bonded and un-bonded portions of each adjacent pair of optical fibers of the optical fibers 102 may enable high density packaging of a plurality of intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbons in an optical fiber cable. The un-bonded length of each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106 may be in a range of 5 millimeters (mm) and 180 mm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the bonded length associated with each bonded portion of the bonded portions 104 may be greater than 5 mm. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any numerical value for the bonded length of each bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portions 104, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, pitch of the IBR 300a may be greater than the diameter of each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102. In some examples, the pitch of the IBR 300a may be equal to the diameter of each optical fiber of the IBR 300a. The term “pitch” as used in the context of the intermittently bonded ribbon refers to distance between central axis of two adjacent optical fibers of the optical fibers.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, diameter of each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may be less than 220 micrometers (µm). In some examples, the diameter of each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may be greater than 220 µm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the un-bonded length of each un-bonded portion of the un-bonded portions 106 may be greater than 5 mm.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the bonded length and the un-bonded length may vary along a pre-defined length of the adjacent optical fibers of the IBR 300a. The pre-defined length may correspond to the repeatable bonding pattern.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may be one of, a single mode fiber, a multi-mode fiber, a single core fiber, and a multi-core fiber. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of optical fiber, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, “n” is 12 such that the plurality of optical fibers 102a-102n have 12 optical fibers i.e., first through twelfth optical fibers 102a-102l. The first through twelfth optical fibers 102a-102l may be intermittently bonded by the bonded portions 104 of which first through twenty-second bonded portions 104a-104v are shown. The first through twelfth optical fibers 102a-102l may be bonded by the first through twenty-second bonded portions 104a-104v that are spaced apart by the first through eleventh un-bonded portions 106a-106j. Specifically, the first and second optical fibers 102a and 102b may be bonded by the first and second bonded portions 104a and 104b that are spaced apart by the first un-bonded portion 106a. The second and third optical fibers 102b and 102c may be bonded by the third and fourth bonded portion 104c and 104d that are spaced apart by the second un-bonded portion 106b. The third and fourth optical fibers 102c and 102d may be bonded by the fifth and sixth bonded portions 104e and 104f that are spaced apart by the third un-bonded portion 106c. The fourth and fifth optical fibers 102d and 102e may be bonded by the seventh and eighth bonded portions 104g and 104h that are spaced apart by the fourth un-bonded portion 106d. The fifth and sixth optical fibers 102e and 102f may be bonded by the ninth and tenth bonded portions 104i and 104j that are spaced apart by the fifth un-bonded portion 106e. The sixth and seventh optical fibers 102f and 102g may be bonded by the eleventh and twelfth bonded portions 104k and 104l that are spaced apart by the sixth un-bonded portion 106f. The seventh and eighth optical fibers 102g and 102h may be bonded by the thirteenth and fourteenth bonded portions 104m and 104n that are spaced apart by the seventh un-bonded portion 106g. The eighth and ninth optical fibers 102h and 102i may be bonded by the fifteenth and sixteenth bonded portions 104o and 104p that are spaced apart by the eighth un-bonded portion 106h. The ninth and tenth optical fibers 102i and 102j may be bonded by the seventeenth and eighteenth bonded portions 104q and 104r that are spaced apart by the ninth un-bonded portion 106i. The tenth and eleventh optical fibers 102j and 102k may be bonded by the nineteenth and twentieth bonded portions 104s and 104t that are spaced apart by the tenth un-bonded portion 106j. The eleventh and twelfth optical fibers 102k and 102l may be bonded by the twenty-first and twenty-second bonded portions 104u and 104v that are spaced apart by the eleventh un-bonded portion 106k. The bonded length of the first through twenty-second bonded portions 104a-104v may be different from each other. The un-bonded length of the first through eleventh un-bonded portion 106a-106k may be different from each other. For example, the bonded length of the first and second bonded portions 104a and 104b may be bl1. The bonded length of the third and fourth bonded portions 104c and 104d may be bl2. The bonded length of the fifth and sixth bonded portions 104e and 104f may be bl3. The un-bonded length of the first un-bonded portion 106a may be ubl1, the un-bonded length of the second un-bonded portion 106b may be ubl2, and the un-bonded length of the third un-bonded portion 106c may be ubl3. The bl1 may be different from of bl2. The bl1 may be different from the bl3. The bl2 may be different from the bl3. Specifically, all the bonded lengths i.e., bl1, bl2, and bl3 may be different from each other. The ubl1 may be different from the ubl2. The ubl2 may be different from the ubl3. The ubl1 may be different from the ubl3. Specifically, the ubl1, ubl2, and ubl3 may be different from each other.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102 may be coated with an outermost coating. The outermost coating, upon curing may have a shrinkage that may be less than 8 %. The shrinkage of the outermost coating above than 8 % may lead to degradation in an optical performance of each optical fiber of the optical fibers 102.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 400. The optical fiber cable 400 may have a sheath 401, a core 402, one or more intermittently bonded ribbon (IBR) bundles 404a-404f (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the IBR bundles 404”), and one or more strength members 406a-406n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the strength members 406”). The sheath 401 may surround the core 402. The sheath 401 may be an outer most layer of the optical fiber cable 400. The sheath 401 may provide protection to the optical fiber cable 400 from environmental conditions. The environmental conditions may be but not limited to rainfall, snowfall, wind, and sunlight. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the strength members 406 may be disposed within the sheath 401. Specifically, the strength members 406 may provide strength to the optical fiber cable 400. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of strength members, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure The optical fiber cable 400 may have a filling coefficient greater than 0.35. Specifically, the higher value of the filling coefficient may facilitate to provide low diameter of the optical fiber cable 400. Further, the core 402 may have one or more intermittently bonded optical fiber ribbons 300a-300n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the one or more intermittently bonded ribbons 300” or “the one or more IBRs 300” or “the IBRs 300”). As illustrated, each bundle of the IBR bundles 404 may have one or more IBRs of the one or more IBRs 300. Each IBR of the IBRs 300 may have the optical fibers 102. In some examples, each IBR of the IBRs 300 may have 12 optical fibers of the optical fibers 102. In some examples, each IBR of the IBRs 300 may have 24 optical fibers of the optical fibers 102. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of optical fibers (e.g.,6, 12, 24, 36) in each IBR of the IBRs 300, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another optical fiber cable 500. The optical fiber cable 500 may be substantially similar to the optical fiber cable 400 with similar elements referred with similar reference numerals. However, the optical fiber cable 500 has a core 502 and a water blocking tape 508. The core 502 is structurally different from the core 402 of the optical fiber cable 400. Specifically, the core 502 may be a slotted core. The core 502 may have a skeleton structure 504 such that the skeleton structure 504 forms a plurality of slots 506 of which first through fourth slots 506a-506d are shown. Each slot of the first through fourth slots 506a-506d may be adapted to accommodate at least one IBR of the one or more IBRs 300. The water blocking tape 508 may be wrapped around the at least one IBR of the one or more IBRs 300. The water blocking tape 508 may provide water resistance to the at least one IBR over longer period of time. The water blocking tape 508 may facilitate complete insulation and protect the optical fiber cable 500 against water ingression. For example, the water blocking tape 508 may be wrapped around the first through third IBRs 300a-300c of the one or more IBRs 300 in the first slot 506a. The water blocking tape 508 may be wrapped around the fourth through sixth IBRs 300d-300f of the one or more IBRs 300 in the second slot 506b. The water blocking tape 508 may be wrapped around the seventh through ninth IBRs 300g-300i of the one or more IBRs 300 in the third slot 506c. The water blocking tape 508 may be wrapped around the tenth through twelfth IBRs 300j-300l of the one or more IBRs 300 in the fourth slot 506d.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more BRs 300 may be wrapped by a layer that is made up of a material including, but not limited to, a synthetic material, an aramid yarn, a fire-retardant material, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and otherwise cover any type of the material for the tape to wrap the one or more IBRs 300, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 500 may have a filling coefficient greater than 0.35. The higher value of the filling coefficient may facilitate the optical fiber cable 500 to have a low diameter.
FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another optical fiber cable 600. The optical fiber cable 600 may be substantially similar to the optical fiber cable 400 with similar elements referred with similar reference numerals. However, the optical fiber cable 600 may have one or more buffer tubes 602a-602n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the buffer tubes 602”) in place of the core 402 (as shown of the optical fiber cable 400) and a central strength member (CSM) 604. Further, the core 402 of the optical fiber cable 400 is not shown in the optical fiber cable 600. The CSM 604 may be positioned at a center of the optical fiber cable 600 such that the buffer tubes 602 surround the CSM 604. The CSM 604 may be adapted to provide strength to the optical fiber cable 600. Further, the CSM 604 may be adapted to support the buffer tubes 602 to eliminate the dislocation of the buffer tubes 602 within the optical fiber cable 600.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the CSM 604 may be made up of a material including, but not limited to, a glass reinforced polymer and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind of material for the CSM 604, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the CSM 604 may be coated with polyethylene.
Each buffer tube of the buffer tubes 602 may be adapted to accommodate one or more IBR bundles of the IBR bundles 404. Each bundle of the IBR bundles 404 may have the IBRs 300.
For example, the first buffer tube 602a may be adapted to accommodate the first through third IBR bundles 404a-404c. The second buffer tube 602b may be adapted to accommodate the fourth through sixth IBR bundles 404d-404f. The third buffer tube 602c may be adapted to accommodate the seventh through ninth IBR bundles 404g-404i. The fourth buffer tube 602d may be adapted to accommodate the tenth through twelfth IBR bundles 404j-404l. The fifth buffer tube 602e may be adapted to accommodate the thirteenth through fifteenth IBR bundles 404m-404o. The sixth buffer tube 602f may be adapted to accommodate the sixteenth through eighteenth IBR bundles 404p-404r.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the IBRs 300 may be bundled together by way of a plurality of binders (not shown). The plurality of binders may be adapted to bind the IBRs 300 together. Each binder of the plurality of binders may be made up of a material including, but not limited to, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, aramid, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any kind or known and later developed material for each binder of the plurality of binders.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 400, 500, and 600 may have 12 bundles. In some examples, the optical fiber cable 400, 500, 600 may have 24 bundles. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of bundles (e.g.,6, 12, 24, 36) in the optical fiber cable 400, 500, 600, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the IBRs 300 may have 12 IBRs of the IBRs 300. In some examples, the IBRs 300 may have 24 IBRs of the IBRs 300. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any number of IBRs (e.g.,6, 12, 24, 36), without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
Further, the number of the optical fibers 102 inside the optical fiber cable 600 may be 1728 optical fibers. In such a scenario, the IBR bundles 404 may have 12 bundles such that each bundle of the 12 bundles may have 12 IBRs. In some examples, the number of the optical fibers 102 inside the optical fiber cable 600 may be 6912 optical fibers. In such a scenario, the IBR bundles 404 may have 24 bundles such that each bundle of the 24 bundles may have 12 IBRs. Furthermore, the number of the optical fibers 102 inside the optical fiber cable 600 may vary.
In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 600 may have a filling coefficient greater than 0.35. The higher value of the filling coefficient may facilitate to provide low diameter of the optical fiber cable 600.
Thus, the IBR 300a of the present disclosure optimizes the rollability and robustness of the optical fiber ribbon. Further, the IBR 300a of the present disclosure reduces material usage by reducing the usage of resin material while fabrication of the IBR 300a. Furthermore, the IBR 300a of the present disclosure facilitates the optical fiber cable to have high density packaging.
The foregoing descriptions of specific 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.
While several possible embodiments of the invention 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. , Claims:We Claim(s):
1. An optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) comprising:
a sheath (401); and
a core (402, 502) surrounded by the sheath (401), the core (402, 502) comprising one or more Intermittently Bonded Ribbons (IBRs) (300) such that each IBR of the one or more IBRs (300) comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers (102) such that each pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (102) are intermittently bonded along a plurality of bonded portions (104) spaced apart by a plurality of un-bonded portions (106), wherein, for a plurality of pairs of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (102), at least one of (i) one or more bonded portions of the plurality of bonded portions (104) has a bonded length that is variable and (ii) one or more un-bonded portions of the plurality of un-bonded portions (106) has an un-bonded length that is variable;
wherein the plurality of optical fibers (102) comprising greater than or equal to 12 optical fibers;
wherein the bonded length associated with the one or more bonded portions of the plurality of bonded portions (104) is greater than 5 millimeters (mm); and
wherein a filling coefficient of the optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) is greater than 0.35.

2. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bonded length of each bonded portion of the plurality of bonded portions (104) associated with a pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (102) is equal.

3. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the un-bonded length of each un-bonded portion of the plurality of un-bonded portions (106) associated with a pair of adjacent optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers (102) is equal.

4. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, wherein the un-bonded length associated with the one or more un-bonded portions of the plurality of un-bonded portions (106) is greater than 5 mm.

5. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, wherein each IBR of the one or more IBRs (300) has a pitch and each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers (102) has a diameter such that the pitch is greater than the diameter.

6. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 5, wherein the diameter of each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers (102) is less than 220 micrometers (µm).

7. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, wherein the core (502) further comprising a skeleton structure (504) that defines a plurality of slots (506) such that each slot of the plurality of slots (506) is adapted to accommodate at least one IBR of the one or more IBRs (300).

8. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 7, further comprising a water blocking tape (508) wrapped around at least one IBR of the one or more IBRs (300).

9. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, further comprising one or more buffer tubes (602) such that each buffer tube of the one or more buffer tubes (602) comprising one or more bundles (404) of the one or more IBRs (300).

10. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, wherein the bonded length has at least two or more different lengths of bonded portions (104).

11. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, wherein the un-bonded length has at least two or more different lengths of un-bonded portions (106).

12. The optical fiber cable (400, 500, 600) of claim 1, wherein each optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers (102) is coated with an outermost coating such that the outermost coating, upon curing has a shrinkage that is less than 8 %.