IMPROVED OPTICAL FIBER CABLE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an improved optical fiber cable, in which the cable cross section is a round type and having a plurality of bundled optical fibers. SOLUTION: The bundle may comprise randomly spaced fibers or fibers aligned in a ribbon configuration. The bundle is encased in a polymer encasement that mechanically couples to each optical fiber. Preferably, the fibers are spaced from the nearest neighbor to improve coupling. In some embodiments, the encasement is relatively hard and is made deliberately to adhere to the optical fiber bundle. Consequently, the encasement medium functions as an effective stress translating medium that deliberately translates stresses on the cable to the optical fibers. The cable construction of the invention is essentially free of voids and provides a dry cable equipped with water-proofing capability. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI