Dielectric armored fiber optic cable with armor profile

Abstract

An armored fiber optic cable includes fiber optic assembly, including at least one optical fiber, and dielectric armor in the form of an extruded polymeric tube surrounding the fiber optic assembly. The dielectric armor has at least one layer formed from a rigid material having a Shore D hardness of about 65 or greater. Further, the dielectric armor has an armor profile such that the dielectric armor has an undulating surface along its length.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An armored fiber optic cable, comprising:
 fiber optic assembly comprising at least one optical fiber;   dielectric armor in the form of an extruded polymeric tube surrounding the fiber optic assembly, wherein the dielectric armor has at least one layer formed from a rigid material having a Shore D hardness of about 65 or greater,   wherein the dielectric armor has an armor profile such that the dielectric armor has an undulating surface along its length.   
     
     
         2 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the armor profile has a pitch between about 5 millimeters and about 30 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the armor profile has a pitch and a groove length that is between about 20 percent and 80 percent of the pitch. 
     
     
         4 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the armor profile has a band thickness and a web thickness, and wherein the web thickness is less than the band thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 4 , wherein the web thickness is greater than or equal to 0.1 times the band thickness 
     
     
         6 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 5 , wherein the band thickness is between about 0.5 millimeters and about five millimeters. 
     
     
         7 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the armor profile comprises an exterior groove that spirals around the fiber optic assembly and, thereby, extends along the length of the armored fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         8 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 7 , wherein the armor profile further comprises an inner groove that spirals around the fiber optic assembly and, thereby, extends along the length of the armored fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         9 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one layer formed of the dielectric armor has a modulus of elasticity of about 1200 MPa or greater. 
     
     
         10 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one layer of dielectric armor has a continuous annular cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the armored fiber optic cable has a diametral deflection of 3.3 millimeters or less during a crush resistance test, the crush resistance test applies a load of 300 Newtons/centimeter over a 10 centimeter length of the armored fiber optic cable for a period of ten minutes. 
     
     
         12 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical fiber has a delta attenuation of 0.2 dB or less at reference wavelengths of 850 nm during a crush resistance test of the armored fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         13 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one optical fiber has a delta attenuation of 0.2 dB or less at reference wavelengths of 850 nm during an impact test of the armored fiber optic cable using a 2-kilogram mass. 
     
     
         14 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 1 , wherein the armored fiber optic cable is a stranded tube cable such that the fiber optic assembly comprises stranded tubes that support the at least one optical fiber. 
     
     
         15 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 14 , wherein the fiber optic assembly further comprises a central strength member. 
     
     
         16 . An armored fiber optic cable, comprising:
 fiber optic assembly comprising at least one optical fiber;   dielectric armor in the form of an extruded polymeric tube surrounding the fiber optic assembly, wherein the dielectric armor has at least one layer formed from a rigid material having a Shore D hardness of about 65 or greater,   wherein the dielectric armor has an armor profile such that the dielectric armor has an undulating surface along its length, wherein the armor profile comprises an exterior groove that spirals around the fiber optic assembly and, thereby, extends along the length of the armored fiber optic cable, and wherein the armor profile has a groove length that is between about 20 percent and 80 percent of a pitch of the armor profile.   
     
     
         17 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 16 , wherein the pitch of the armor profile is between about 5 millimeters and about 30 millimeters. 
     
     
         18 . An armored fiber optic cable, comprising:
 fiber optic assembly comprising at least one optical fiber;   dielectric armor in the form of an extruded polymeric tube surrounding the fiber optic assembly, wherein the dielectric armor has at least one layer formed from a rigid material having a Shore D hardness of about 65 or greater,   wherein the dielectric armor has an armor profile such that the dielectric armor has an undulating surface along its length, wherein the armor profile has a band thickness and a web thickness,
 wherein the web thickness is less than the band thickness, 
 wherein the web thickness is greater than or equal to 0.1 times the band thickness, and 
 wherein the band thickness is between about 0.5 millimeters and about five millimeters. 
   
     
     
         19 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 18 , wherein the armor profile comprises an exterior groove that spirals around the fiber optic assembly and, thereby, extends along the length of the armored fiber optic cable. 
     
     
         20 . The armored fiber optic cable of  claim 18 , wherein the armored fiber optic cable has a diametral deflection of 3.3 millimeters or less during a crush resistance test, the crush resistance test applies a load of 300 Newtons/centimeter over a 10 centimeter length of the armored fiber optic cable for a period of ten minutes.