Fiber optic ribbon cable having enhanced ribbon stack coupling and methods thereof

Abstract

A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a jacket of the cable, the jacket having a cavity defined therein, an optical element including an optical fiber and extending within the cavity of the jacket, and a dry water-blocking element extending along the optical element within the cavity. The dry water-blocking element is wrapped around the optical element with at least a portion of the dry water-blocking element disposed between another portion of the dry water-blocking element and the optical element, thereby defining an overlapping portion of the dry water-blocking element. The optical element interfaces with the overlapping portion to provide direct or indirect coupling between the optical element and the jacket.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fiber optic ribbon assembly, comprising:
 a tube;   a plurality of fiber optical waveguides extending longitudinally within the tube; and   a dry insert surrounding the plurality of fiber optic ribbons, wherein the dry insert comprises a compressible layer sandwiched between two water-swellable layers.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is a jacket. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one strength member surrounded by the jacket. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical waveguides includes at least one single-mode optical fiber. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the plurlity of optical waveguides form a ribbon stack.