Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to optical fibers, and, more particularly, to an optical fiber cable with accessible strength member.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An optical fiber cable has a number of optical fibers surrounded by one or more reinforcement plastic layers, such that each optical fiber has a potential to carry information in the form of modulated light. However, the optical fibers are very delicate and thus opening or peeling the optical fiber cable is very tricky without affecting any optical fiber inside the cable. To provide the necessary strength to the optical fiber cable, the optical fiber cable is provided with one or more strength members. Strength members provide the majority of the structural strength to the cable and play critical role in increasing tensile strength, which is critical during the installation process of the cable.
[0003] The strength members are embedded in the sheath of the cable to provide necessary strength and such strength members are required to be accessed during the installation of the cable. Conventionally, ripcords are used to tear off the sheath material. Optical fiber cables are provided with a single rip cord positioned near the strength members, such that the ripcord can tear the sheath material from one side of the embedded strength member, which is not sufficient to completely access the strength member.
[0004] The prior art reference US7197215B2 discloses a tubeless optical fiber having a number of optical fibers, two strength members and one rip cord embedded between the two strength members of the optical fiber cable. The prior art reference EP1591814B1 discloses an optical fiber cable having a number of optical fiber bundles, one or more strength members, and one rip cord embedded near the one or more strength members. The prior art reference US10921541B2 discloses an optical fiber having optical fibers surrounded by a sheath, a strength member embedded in the sheath, and a rip cord, such that the rip cord is placed below a sheath with the strength member.
[0005] The optical fibers are generally facilitated by a single rip cord that makes it difficult and tricky to open up the optical fiber cable. It requires a certain degree of additional efforts on the field to access the embedded strength members. The placement of the rip cord in relation to the strength members location causes additional time and effort to open up the cable. Further, while opening up the optical fiber cable with a single ripcord, there is a possibility of breaking the strength members.
[0006] Thus, there is a need for a technical solution that overcomes the aforementioned problems of pealing or opening up the optical fiber cables to access the strength members without causing any major damage.
SUMMARY
[0007] In an aspect of the present disclosure, an optical fiber cable with accessible strength member is disclosed. The optical fiber cable has a core having one or more optical fibers, one or more layers substantially surrounding the core, a sheath substantially surrounding the one or more layers, one or more strength members and a plurality of ripcords. The one or more strength members are at least partially embedded in the sheath. The plurality of ripcords such that a pair of ripcords of the plurality of ripcords are positioned on both sides of a strength member of the one or more strength members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] The following detailed description of the preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements.
[0009] FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable with accessible strength member(s);
[0010] FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber cable with accessible strength member(s);
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable with accessible strength member(s); and
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable with accessible strength member(s).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] 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.
[0014] As mentioned, there is a need for a technical solution that overcomes the aforementioned problems of pealing and/or opening up the optical fiber cables to access the strength members without causing any major damage to the layers beneath. The objective of the present disclosure is to therefore provide an optical fiber having a plurality of ripcords that facilitates a user to efficiently rip off, tear and/or open up of the optical fiber cable for easy accessibility of strength members disposed therein.
[0015] FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 100 with accessible strength members 110, in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 100 may be configured to transmit information in form of one or more modulated optical signals. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the optical fiber cable 100 can have a sheath 108 having one or more strength members 110 of which first and second strength members 110a and 110b are shown. The optical fiber cable 100 may further have a plurality of ripcords 112 of which first through fourth ripcords 112a-112d are shown. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more strength members 110 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the strength members 110”) may be completely embedded in the sheath 108. The sheath 108 may be an outermost layer of the optical fiber cable 100 that may provide support, strength, and insulation to the optical fiber cable 100. The strength members 110 may increase tensile strength of the optical fiber cable 100 that plays a vital role during an installation process of the optical fiber cable 100. The first and second strength members 110a and 110b may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), Aramid Reinforcement Plastic (ARP), steel rods, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the first and second strength members 110a and 110b, including known, related, and later developed materials. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the one or more strength members 110 is shown to have two strength members (i.e., the first and second strength members 110a and 110b) to make the illustration concise and clear, and should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure. In various other aspects, the one or more strength members 110 may have any number of strength members, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each strength member of the one or more strength members 110 is adapted to perform one or more functionalities in a manner similar to the functionalities of the first and second strength members 110a and 110b as described above.
[0016] The plurality of ripcords 112 may facilitate a user to rip off, tear and/or open up of the optical fiber cable 100 in a set of directions 122 to access the one or more strength members 110 from the sheath 108. First through fourth direction of the set of directions 122 corresponding to first through fourth ripcord 112a-112d of the plurality of ripcords 112, respectively, are shown as 122a-122d. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the set of directions 122 may be laterally outwards from a center 124 of the optical fiber cable 100. It must be apparent to a person skilled in the art that “the center 124” refers to an imaginary line at a mid-point of the optical fiber cable 100, extending tangentially throughout a length of the optical fiber cable 100. Each strength member of the one or more strength members 110 may have a pair of ripcords positioned on both sides such that the strength member may be accessed by pulling the corresponding pair of ripcords. Specifically, the first strength member 110a may have the first and second ripcords 112a and 112b positioned on both sides of the first strength member 110a. Specifically, the second strength member 110b may have the third and fourth ripcords 112c and 112d positioned on both sides of the second strength member 110b.
[0017] The pair of ripcords may enable the user to easily tear, rip off or open up the sheath 108 of the optical fiber cable 100 for easy accessibility of the one or more strength members 110. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of ripcords 112 may be disposed between the sheath 108 and one or more layers 106. In some other aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of ripcords 112 may be disposed inside a plurality of cavities 114 of the sheath 108 near the one or more strength members 110 (as shown later in FIG. 2).
[0018] The plurality of ripcords 112 may be made of a material such as polyester, aramid, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the plurality of ripcords 112, including known, related, and later developed materials.
[0019] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the plurality of ripcords 112 is shown to have four ripcords (i.e., the first through fourth ripcords 112a-112d) to make the illustration concise and clear, and should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure. In various other aspects, the plurality of ripcords 112 may have any number of ripcords, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each ripcord of the plurality of ripcords 112 is adapted to perform one or more functionalities in a manner similar to the functionalities of the first through fourth ripcords 112a-112d as described above.
[0020] FIG. 1B illustrates another cross-sectional view of the optical fiber cable 100 with the accessible strength members 110, in accordance with exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 100 may have a core 104, one or more layers 106 and the sheath 108.
[0021] The core 104 may have one or more optical fiber units 102 of which first through fourth optical fiber units 102a-102d are shown. Each optical fiber unit of the one or more optical fiber units 102 (i.e., the first through fourth optical fiber units 102a-102d) may have one or more optical fibers. The one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber units 102 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, glass, plastic, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber units 102, including known, related and later developed materials.
[0022] The one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber units 102 may be, but not limited to, loose fibers, flat ribbon, Intelligently Bonded Ribbon (IBR), fibers in micromodules, fibers in loose tubes, ribbon in loose tubes, and the like. Specifically, the IBR are configured to roll and take the shape of a bundle to make optical fiber units 102, thus improves the form factor of the cable. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the optical fiber units 102, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0023] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the core 104 is shown to have four optical fiber units (i.e., the first through fourth optical fiber units 102a-102d) to make the illustration concise and clear, and should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure. In various other aspects, the plurality of core 104 may have any number of optical fiber units, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each optical fiber unit of the one or more optical fiber unit 102 is adapted to perform one or more functionalities in a manner similar to the functionalities of the first through fourth optical fiber units 102a-102d as described above.
[0024] The one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber units 102 may facilitate total internal reflection of optical signals inside the one or more optical fibers. The core 104 may be substantially surrounded by one or more layers 106 of which the first and the second layers 106a and 106b are shown. The one or more layers 106 may be substantially surrounded by the sheath 108.
[0025] Each layer of the one or more layers 106 may be made up of materials such as but not limited to water blocking tape (WBT), water swellable yarns (WSY), strength yarns, dielectric armouring, metal armouring, tape, and the like. In some aspects, each layer of the one or more layers may be made up of soft dielectric material. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of material for the one or more layers 106, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0026] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the one or more layers 106 is shown to have two layers (i.e., the first layer 106a and second layer 106b) to make the illustration concise and clear, and should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure. In various other aspects, the one or more layers 106 may have any number of layers, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each layer of the one or more layers 106 is adapted to perform one or more functionalities in a manner similar to the functionalities of the first layer 106a and the second layer 106b as described above.
[0027] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 may further have a plurality of deformations 126 of which the first through fourth deformations 126a-126d are shown. The plurality of deformations 126 may be formed in the one or more layers 106 by virtue of the presence of the plurality of ripcords 112. The plurality of ripcords 112 may facilitate the user to rip off, tear, and/or open up of the optical fiber cable 100 in the set of directions 122 to access the one or more strength members 110 from the sheath 108. The first through fourth directions of the set of directions 122 corresponding to first through fourth ripcords 112a-112d of the plurality of ripcords 112, respectively, are shown as 122a-122d. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the plurality of ripcords 112 may be positioned in between a distal layer (not shown) of the one or more layers 106 and the sheath 108. The term “distal layer” as used herein refers to a layer adjacent to the sheath 108 and at a largest radial distance from the center 124 of the optical fiber cable 100.
[0028] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the plurality of ripcords 112 may be positioned between the one or more layers 106.
[0029] In some aspects of the present disclosure, when the one or more layers 106 are soft dielectric layers, the plurality of ripcords 112 may deform an outer surface of the one or more layers 106. The one or more layers 106 of the optical fiber cable 200 may provide an enclosure to the core 104 and further facilitate an insulation to the one or more optical fibers of optical fiber units 102.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an optical fiber cable 200 with accessible strength members 110, in accordance with another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 200 may be substantially similar to the optical fiber cable 100 with like elements referenced with like reference numerals. However, the optical fiber cable 200 has a different arrangement of the strength members 110 and the plurality of ripcords 112 when compared with the arrangement of the strength members 110 and the plurality of ripcords 112 in the optical fiber cable 100.
[0031] The sheath 108 may have the one or more strength members 110 and the plurality of ripcords 112 such that each pair of the plurality of ripcords 112 are positioned on both sides of each strength member of the one or more strength members 110 respectively.
[0032] In an aspect of the present disclosure, the sheath 108 of the optical fiber cable 100 may have the plurality of cavities 114 of which first through fourth cavities 114a-114d are shown. The plurality of cavities 114 may extend in pair along a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber cable 100 and may be positioned on both sides of each strength member of the one or more strength members 110. The plurality of cavities 114 may be adapted to receive, bear and/or contain the plurality of ripcords 112. Specifically, the first through fourth ripcords 112a-112d may be borne by the first through fourth cavities 114a-114d, respectively. In some aspects of the present disclosure, when the first through fourth ripcords 112a-112d may be borne by the first through fourth cavities 114a-114d, respectively, a distance 116 between a ripcord of the plurality of ripcords 112 and a centre of a strength member of the one or more strength members 110 may be less than or equal to a diameter 118 of the strength member.
[0033] In another aspect of the present disclosure, when the plurality of ripcords 112 are positioned loosely beneath the sheath 108, the distance 116 between the ripcord of the plurality of ripcords 112 and the centre of the strength member of the one or more strength members 110 may be greater than or equal to the diameter 118 of the strength member.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the optical fiber cable 300 with accessible strength members 110, in accordance with yet another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. The optical fiber cable 300 may be substantially similar to the optical fiber cable 100 and the optical fiber cable 200 with like elements referenced with like reference numerals. However, the optical fiber cable 300 has a different arrangement of the strength members 110 and the plurality of ripcords 112 when compared with the arrangement of the strength members 110 and the plurality of ripcords 112 in the optical fiber cable 100 and the optical fiber cable 200.
[0035] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more strength members 110 may be partially embedded in the sheath 108, such that the sheath 108 may not bear the one or more strength members 110 completely as shown in FIG. 3. The one or more layers 106 may be positioned beneath the one or more strength members 110, that that may be partially embedded in the sheath 108 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0036] The plurality of ripcords 112 may be positioned outside the sheath 108, in an inwards direction of the optical fiber cable 100, towards the center 124 of the optical fiber cable 100 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0037] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the optical fiber cable 100 may further have the plurality of deformations 126 of which the first through sixth deformations 126a-126f are shown. In some aspects, the first through fourth deformations 126a-126d of the plurality of deformations 126 may be formed in the one or more layers 106 by virtue of the presence of the plurality of ripcords 112. Specifically, the first and second deformations 126a and 126b may be formed by the first and second ripcords 112a and 112b respectively. The third and fourth deformations 126c and 126d may be formed by virtue of the third and fourth ripcords 112c and 112d respectively.
[0038] In some aspects, the fifth and sixth deformations 126e and 126f of the plurality of deformations 126 may be formed in the one or more layers 106 by virtue of the partially embedded first and second strength members 110a and 110b of the one or more strength members 110, respectively.
[0039] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the one or more layers 106 is shown to have six deformations (i.e., first through sixth deformations 126a-126f) to make the illustration concise and clear, and should not be considered as a limitation of the present disclosure. In various other aspects, the one or more layers 106 may have any number of deformations, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each layer of the one or more layers 106 is adapted to perform one or more functionalities in a manner similar to the functionalities of the first through sixth deformations 126a-126f as described above.
[0040] The plurality of deformations 126 may be formed in the one or more layers 106 by virtue of the presence of the plurality of ripcords 112.
[0041] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the sheath 108 may have a thickness in a range of 0.5 millimetres (mm) to 3mm, such that the weight and strength of the sheath 108 may be balanced. If the thickness of the sheath 108 is less than 0.5 mm, the sheath does not provide sufficient strength to the optical fiber cable 100. Thickness of the sheath 108 over 3mm results in excessive weight of the optical fiber cable 100, making the optical fiber cable bulky and difficult to handle. Each strength member of the one or more strength members 110 may have a diameter in a range of 0.5 mm to 2mm, such that the required mechanical strength and sheath thickness may be achieved.
[0042] Each rip cord of the plurality of ripcords 112 may have decitex (dTex) value in a range of 1000 to 3000, such that each ripcord of the plurality of ripcords may possess sufficient strength to tear the sheath without consuming much space, thus providing ease of usage. As used herein, “dTex” is a metric unit, commonly used for continuous filament yarn, defined as the mass (in grams) per 10,000 meters. A distance 120 between a pair of ripcords of the plurality of ripcords 112 positioned on both sides of a strength member of the one or more strength members 110 is in a range of 1 mm to 5mm. The ripcords of the plurality of ripcords 112 may be identical to each other. Further, the strength members of the one or more strength members 110 may be identical to each other.
[0043] Thus, the ripcord pairs that are positioned on both sides of a strength member of the one or more strength members 110 may allow the user to tear off the sheath 108 from both sides of the one or more strength members 110 to access the one or more strength members 110 easily. Comparing with the existing single ripcord per strength member configuration of the contemporary optical fiber cables, an additional ripcord only adds 1% to the total cost of the optical fiber cable, thus is a cost-effective solution to the abovementioned problem. The optical fiber cable 100 is easy to operate and implement, and may not require any specific skills, thus provides ease of usage.
[0044] While various aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the present disclosure is not limited to these aspects only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as described in the claims. Further, unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.
, Claims:I/We claim(s)

1. An optical fiber cable (100,200,300) comprising:
a core (104) comprising one or more optical fibers units (102);
one or more layers (106) substantially surrounding the core (104);
a sheath (108) substantially surrounding the one or more layers (106);
one or more strength members (110) at least partially embedded in the sheath (108);
a plurality of ripcords (112), wherein a pair of ripcords of the plurality of ripcords (112) are positioned on both sides of a strength member of the one or more strength members (110).

2. The optical fiber cable (100, 200, 300) of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical fibers units (102) is selected from one of, loose fibers, flat ribbon, Intelligently Bonded Ribbon (IBR), fibers in micromodules, fibers in loose tubes, and ribbons in loose tubes.

3. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein each layer of the one or more layers (106) is selected from one of, water blocking tape (WBT), water swellable yarns (WSY), strength yarns, dielectric armouring, metal armouring, and tape.

4. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein each strength member of the one or more strength members (110) is selected from one of, Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP), Aramid Reinforcement Plastic (ARP), and steel rods.

5. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein the sheath (108) has a thickness in a range of 0.5 millimetres (mm) to 3mm.

6. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein each strength member of the one or more strength members (110) has a diameter in a range of 0.5 mm to 2mm.

7. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein each rip cord of the plurality of ripcords (112) has decitex (dTex) value in a range of 1000 to 3000.

8. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein the sheath (108) further comprising a plurality of cavities (114) adapted to receive the plurality of ripcords (112), wherein, when the plurality of ripcords (112) are positioned in the plurality of cavities (112), a distance (116) between a ripcord of the plurality of ripcords (112) and a centre of a strength member of the one or more strength members (110) is less than or equal to a diameter (118) of the strength member.

9. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein, when the plurality of ripcords (112) are positioned loosely beneath the sheath (108), the distance (116) between the ripcord of the plurality of ripcords (112) and the centre of the strength member of the one or more strength members (110) is greater than or equal to the diameter (118) of the strength member.

10. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein a distance (120) between a pair of ripcords of the plurality of ripcords (112) positioned on both sides of a strength member of the one or more strength members (110) is in a range of 1 mm to 5mm.

11. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 3, wherein, when the one or more layers (106) are soft dielectric layers, the plurality of ripcords (112) deforms an outer surface of the one or more layers (106).

12. The optical fiber cable (100,200,300) of claim 1, wherein each ripcord of the plurality of ripcords (112) is made of a material selected from one of polyester, aramid, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer.