Durable optical fiber ribbons and methods of making optical fiber ribbons

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016356977-A1
Application number	US-201615238042-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 16, 2016
Priority date	Oct 7, 2009
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Durable optical fiber ribbons are formed by promoting a strong bond between fiber ink layers and ribbon matrix material. During curing of the ink layer desired oxygen levels are maintained in the curing environment of the manufacturing process.

First claim

We claim:

1 . An optical fiber ribbon, comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers; at least one ink coloring layer applied to one of the optical fibers; and a ribbon matrix surrounding and encasing the optical fibers; wherein the ink coloring layer comprises cure-inhibited sites to continue chain propagation when the ribbon matrix is placed in contact with the ink coloring layer during application of the ribbon matrix.

2 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 1 , wherein the ink coloring layer is cured to have an Oxygen (O2) content in an amount of at least 1,000 parts per million (ppm) to form cured colored optical fibers.

3 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 2 , wherein the ink coloring layer is cured to have an Oxygen (O2) content in an amount of between 10,000-100,000 parts per million (ppm) to form cured colored optical fibers.

4 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 2 , wherein the ink coloring layer is bonded to the ribbon matrix via cross-linking between the ink coloring layer and the ribbon matrix at the cure inhibited sites.

5 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 2 , wherein the ribbon matrix comprises an inner matrix and an outer matrix.

6 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 5 , wherein the inner matrix surrounds and encases all of the optical fibers of the ribbon and the outer matrix surrounds and encases the inner matrix.

7 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 6 , wherein the inner matrix contacts the ink coloring layer and the outer matrix contacts the inner matrix.

8 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 7 , wherein the ribbon has a thickness of 250 to 330 microns at its midpoint, wherein the ink coloring layer has a thickness in the range of 1-10 microns.

9 . An optical fiber ribbon, comprising:
a plurality of optical fibers; at least one ink coloring layer applied to one of the optical fibers; and a ribbon matrix surrounding and encasing the optical fibers; wherein the ribbon matrix is bonded to the ink color layer via cross-linking at cure-inhibited sites within the ink coloring layer.

10 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 9 , wherein the ink coloring layer is cured to have an Oxygen (O2) content in an amount of at least 1,000 parts per million (ppm) to form cured colored optical fibers.

11 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 9 , wherein the ink coloring layer is cured to have an Oxygen (O2) content in an amount of between 10,000-100,000 parts per million (ppm) to form cured colored optical fibers.

12 . The optical fiber ribbon of claim 11 , wherein the ribbon matrix comprises an inner matrix and an outer matrix, wherein the inner matrix surrounds and encases all of the optical fibers of the ribbon and the outer matrix surrounds and encases the inner matrix, wherein the ribbon has a thickness of 250 to 330 microns at its midpoint, wherein the ink coloring layer has a thickness in the range of 1-10 microns.

Assignees

• Corning Optical Communications LLC

Inventors

• Chalk Julie Ann
• Mills Gregory Alan
• Parker Joel Laine

Classifications

• G02B6/448 Primary

  Ribbon cables · CPC title

• G02B6/4482 Primary

  Code or colour marking · CPC title

• B29C2035/0827

  using UV radiation · CPC title

• B29C35/045

  using gas or flames · CPC title

• G02B6/4403

  with ribbon structure (G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence) · CPC title