BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to optical communication cables and more particularly to optical communication cables including core elements that are coupled together by a thin film prior jacket extrusion. Optical communication cables have seen increased use in a wide variety of electronics and telecommunications fields. Optical communication cables contain or surround one or more optical communication fibers. The cable provides structure and protection for the optical fibers within the cable.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to an optical communication cable. The optical communication cable includes a cable body, a first core element located in the cable body and a second core element located in the cable body. The first core element includes a first tube having an inner surface defining a bore and an outer surface and a first optical transmission element located within the bore of the first tube. The second core element includes a second tube having an inner surface defining a bore and an outer surface and a second optical transmission element located within the bore of the second tube. The optical communication cable includes a strength member located in the cable body. The first core element and the second core element are wound around the strength member. The optical communication cable includes an elastic sleeve formed from an extruded first material, and the elastic sleeve surrounds the first core element, the second core element and the strength member. The elastic sleeve includes an inner surface facing the outer surface of the first core element and the outer surface of the second core element. The cable body is formed from an extruded second material. The cable body surrounds the elastic sleeve, and the cable body has an inner surface that faces an outer surface of the elastic sleeve.

An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to an optical communication cable. The optical communication cable includes a cable body having a passage within the cable body. The optical communication cable includes a first core element located in the passage of the cable body, and the first core element includes an outer surface and a first optical transmission element. The optical communication cable includes a second core element located in the passage of the cable body, and the second core element includes an outer surface and a second optical transmission element. The optical communication cable includes a strength member located in the passage of the cable body, and the first core element and the second core element are wound around the strength member. The optical communication cable includes a film formed from an extruded first material located within the passage of the cable body. The film surrounds the first core element, the second core element and the strength member. The film applies a radial inwardly directed force to the outer surface of the first core element and the outer surface of the second core element. The cable body is formed from a second material different from the first material. The cable body surrounds the film, and the cable body has an inner surface that faces the outer surface of the film.

An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to an optical communication cable. The optical communication cable includes a cable body having a bore within the cable body. The optical communication cable includes an elongate central strength member located in a central area of the bore. The optical communication cable includes a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements wrapped around the elongate central strength member such that a portion of a length of the plurality of wrapped elongate optical transmission elements forms a spiral portion around the elongate central strength member. The optical communication cable includes an extruded membrane surrounding the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements. The extruded membrane is formed from a first material, and the extruded membrane is contiguous in a circumferential direction around the elongate optical transmission elements and is contiguous in an axial direction for at least one revolution of the elongate optical transmission elements around the elongate central strength member within the spiral portion. The membrane contacts an outer surface of each of the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements within the spiral portion. The cable body is formed from an extruded second material. The cable body surrounds the film, and the cable body has an inner surface that faces the outer surface of the film.

An additional embodiment of the disclosure relates to an optical communication bundle. The optical communication bundle includes an elongate central strength member and a plurality of elongate optical transmission elements wrapped around the elongate central strength member such that a portion of the length of the plurality of wrapped elongate optical transmission elements form a spiral portion around the elongate central strength member. The optical communication bundle includes an extruded membrane surrounding the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements. The extruded membrane is contiguous in the circumferential direction around the elongate optical transmission elements and is contiguous in an axial direction for at least five revolutions of the elongate optical transmission elements around the central strength member. The extruded membrane applies a radial inwardly directed force to the outer surfaces of the plurality of elongate optical transmission elements such that the film acts to maintain the spiral arrangement of the spiral portion of the wrapped elongate optical transmission elements

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and operation of the various embodiments.

