Round and small diameter optical cables with a ribbon-like optical fiber structure

Abstract

An optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side, and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of the fibers.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An optical fiber cable comprising:
 an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe;   wherein said ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and   wherein at least two of said optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.   
     
     
         2 . The optical fiber cable according to  claim 1 , wherein said fibers are multi-mode fibers. 
     
     
         3 . The optical fiber cable according to  claim 1 , wherein said ribbon is twisted helically. 
     
     
         4 . The optical fiber cable according to  claim 1 , wherein said ribbon is S-Z twisted. 
     
     
         5 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon is tightly buffered. 
     
     
         6 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon is loosely buffered and wherein a gel is in said pipe. 
     
     
         7 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon is loosely buffered and wherein an aramid yarn is in said pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the ribbon is loosely buffered and wherein a water blocking yarn is in said pipe. 
     
     
         9 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the pipe is equal to or less than 3.0 mm; and
 said ribbon has twelve fibers.   
     
     
         10 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the outer diameter of the pipe is equal or less than 3.8 mm; and
 said cable comprises a second optical fiber ribbon in said pipe, wherein said two optical fiber ribbons each have twelve fibers.   
     
     
         11 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the pipe is equal or less than 4.8 mm; and
 said cable comprises second, third and fourth optical fiber ribbons in said pipe, wherein said four optical fiber ribbons each have twelve fibers.   
     
     
         12 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe comprises stainless steel. 
     
     
         13 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe comprises PBT. 
     
     
         14 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe comprises a PBT alloy. 
     
     
         15 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe comprises PE. 
     
     
         16 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe comprises FRPE. 
     
     
         17 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 1 , wherein said pipe comprises PVC. 
     
     
         18 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 10 , wherein each said optical fiber ribbon is wound by a different colored thread. 
     
     
         19 . A cable comprising:
 a strength member and   an optical fiber cable comprising:
 an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe; 
 wherein said ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and 
 wherein at least two of said optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers. 
   
     
     
         20 . The cable of  claim 19 , said optical fiber cable is surrounded by said strength member and an outer pipe and
 wherein said strength member comprises aramid yarn.   
     
     
         21 . The cable of  claim 19 , further comprising a central member and at least two additional optical fiber cables;
 wherein said central member is surrounded by said at least three fiber optical cables.   
     
     
         22 . The cable of  claim 21 , further comprising an outer pipe. 
     
     
         23 . The cable of  claim 22 , further comprising an inner pipe and an aramid yarn layer between said inner and outer pipes. 
     
     
         24 . The cable of  claim 22 , further comprising an inner pipe and an armor layer between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. 
     
     
         25 . The cable of  claim 21 , wherein said strength member comprises wires that surround said fiber optical cables. 
     
     
         26 . The cable of  claim 21 , further comprising an aramid yarn between said fiber optical cable and an outer pipe. 
     
     
         27 . The cable of  claim 21 , further comprising an aluminum pipe surrounding said fiber optical cables and wire strength elements surrounding said aluminum pipe. 
     
     
         28 . The cable of  claim 19 , further comprising an aluminum pipe surrounding said fiber optical cable and wire strength elements surrounding said aluminum pipe. 
     
     
         29 . The cable of  claim 19 , wherein the fiber optical cable and strength member is arranged in parallel and a pipe surrounds said fiber optical cable and strength member. 
     
     
         30 . The cable of  claim 29 , where said strength member comprises an FRP rod. 
     
     
         31 . The cable of  claim 29 , where said strength member comprises metallic wires. 
     
     
         32 . The cable of  claim 29 , where said strength member comprises a stainless steel tube with optical fibers in the pipe. 
     
     
         33 . A cable comprising:
 an optical fiber cable comprising:
 an optical fiber ribbon in a stainless steel pipe; and 
 an outer pipe; 
 wherein said ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and 
 wherein at least two of said optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers. 
   
     
     
         34 . The cable of  claim 33 , further comprising a second optical fiber ribbon in said stainless steel pipe. 
     
     
         35 . The optical fiber cable of  claim 34 , wherein each said optical fiber ribbon is wound by a different colored thread.