US20150234139A1 - Round and small diameter optical cables with a ribbon-like optical fiber structure - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side, and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of the fibers.

Description

BACKGROUND
• 1. Field
• The invention is related to an optical fiber cable that incorporates a ribbon-like structure in place of individual loose optical fibers.
• 2. Related Art
• Two different types of optical fiber cables are ribbon cables and cables with individual optical fibers, either loose-tube, or tightly buffered. When designing and building networks, the advantages and disadvantages of these cables are weighed. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of these cables are listed below.
• Advantages of ribbon cables include: (1) they allow for easy MPO connectorization; (2) they are relatively easy to mass splice; and (3) they provide for lower skew than cables with individual fibers. However, the design and manufacturing of ribbon cables can be more difficult.
• Advantages of cables with individual fibers: (1) Lower PMD than ribbon cable; and (2) the design and manufacturing of the cables is easier relative to ribbon cables.
• FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventionalflat ribbon cable4. This type of ribbon cable can be used by a user that requires low skew considering high speed transmission (e.g. 40 G or 100 G of parallel transmission). In addition, users that like the easy operation of MPO connectorization may use this type of cable. Two 12fiber ribbons5,6 are stacked on top of each other in thecable4. Thecable4 has anouter jacket7. Aramid8 is inside of the jacket and the inner shape is rectangular to keep the ribbon shape flat. This type of cable requires careful handling during the installation, because bending in incorrect directions may damage the fibers.
• Conventional single-fibers cable are sometimes used by the users who prefer round and small cables.FIG. 3 shows an example of a single-fiber cable13. Twenty-four fibers can be divided into two 12fiber bundle units11 by the binders. An appropriate amount ofaramid yarn12 is inserted between an inner pipe (e.g., a pipe9) and anouter pipe10 to protect the optical fibers from tension during installation and use. This type of cable allows a multiple installation into limited space because of its small diameter, light weight and flexibility.
• It is an object of the invention to produce cable structure that has the advantages of both ribbon cables and single-fibers cables.
SUMMARY
• Exemplary implementations of the present invention address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary implementation of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems listed above.
• A first embodiment of the invention is an optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe; wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of the fibers.
• Other features of the first embodiment may include some of the following: the fibers being multi-mode fibers, the ribbon being twisted helically, the ribbon being S-Z twisted, the ribbon being tightly buffered, the ribbon being loosely buffered with a gel is in the pipe, the ribbon being loosely buffered with an aramid yarn in the pipe, the ribbon being loosely buffered with a water blocking yarn in the pipe, the outer diameter of the jacket pipe being equal to or less than 3.0 mm and the ribbon having twelve fibers, the outer diameter of the pipe beings equal or less than 3.8 mm the cable including a second optical fiber ribbon in the pipe wherein the two optical fiber ribbons each have twelve fibers, the diameter of the pipe being equal or less than 4.8 mm and the cable including second, third and fourth optical fiber ribbons in the pipe wherein the four optical fiber ribbons each have twelve fibers, the pipe including stainless steel, the pipe including PBT, the pipe including a PBT alloy, the pipe including PE, the pipe including FRPE, and the pipe including PVC.
• A third embodiment of the invention is a cable including a strength member and an optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side, and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.
• Other features of the third embodiment may include some of the following: the optical fiber cable being surrounded by the strength member and an outer pipe and wherein the strength member comprises aramid yarn, a central member and at least two additional optical fiber cables wherein the central member is surrounded by the at least three fiber optical cables, an outer pipe, an inner pipe and an aramid yarn layer between the inner and outer pipe, an inner pipe and an armor layer between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, the strength member including wires that surround the fiber optical cables, an aramid yarn between the fiber optical cable and an outer pipe, an aluminum pipe surrounding the fiber optical cables and wire strength elements surrounding the aluminum pipe, an aluminum pipe surrounding the fiber optical cable and wire strength elements surrounding the aluminum pipe, the fiber optical cable and strength member being arranged in parallel and a pipe surrounding the fiber optical cable and strength member, the strength member including an FRP rod, the strength member including metallic wires, the strength member including a stainless steel pipe with optical fibers in the pipe.
• A fourth embodiment of the invention is a cable including an optical fiber cable including an optical fiber ribbon in a stainless steel pipe, and an outer pipe, wherein the ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side, and wherein at least two of the optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.
• Other features of the fourth embodiment may a second optical fiber ribbon in the stainless steel pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIGS. 1A to 1C show an exemplary embodiment of a fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 2 is cross-sectional view of a conventional ribbon cable.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional cable with individual fibers.
• FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a 24 fiber cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a 24fiber trunk cable16 using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a 24fiber cable19 for interconnect use using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a 144 fiber trunk cable for vertical and horizontal use using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a 288fiber trunk cable26 for vertical and horizontal use using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an Alma core type OPGW cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a Centra core type OPGW cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a Hexa core type OPGW cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of a loose tube cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of an ADSS cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of an ADSS cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a center loose tube cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of a center loose tube cable using the new fiber ribbon.
• FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a logging cable using the new fiber ribbon.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses and/or systems described herein. Various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art. Descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted to enhance clarity and conciseness.
• Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.
• The new concept ribbon shown inFIGS. 1A-1C allows for the design of round and small cables, like single-fibers cables. The new cable, using the new ribbons can satisfy requirement for premise cables, such as low skew, quick connectorization and multiple installations into limited spaces.
• The features of the new cable design ribbon are described below using the example of 12fiber ribbon1 shown inFIGS. 1A-1C.FIG. 1A shows the 12fiber ribbon1 in a Z-direction view. InFIG. 1A, twelvefibers1athrough1lare arranged onto X-axis. The fibers can have an appropriate color arrangement, but that is not required. For example, ablue fiber1acould be bonded intermittently with anorange fiber1bwhich is next to blue one. In a similar way, allfibers1a-1l, which are arranged side by side, are bonded partially. Also, while this embodiment shows each fiber intermittently bonded to at least one other fiber, the intermittent bonding does not have to occur between each fiber. There may be some fibers that bonded to another fiber along the entire length of the fibers.
• The fibers can be bonded by any know conventional methods. One such known method of bonding is described in U.S. Application Publication No. 2010/0296781, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thebonding elements2 are shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B. Note that only onebonding element2 betweenfibers1aand1bis shown inFIG. 1B. There would also be bonding elements between the other fibers. There could also be bonding elements between the fibers inFIG. 1C.
• FIG. 1A shows thebonding elements2 arranged in a diagonal pattern across the ribbon. However, they do not have to be diagonal. Other patterns could also be used.
• The length of the bonding element can be very small relative to the length of the fibers that are not attached to the bonding element (gap3). For example, the length of thebonding element2 could be between approximately 2 and 20 mm, with a preferable length of 10 mm. The gap between bonding elements could be between approximately 20 and 500 mm, with a preferable length of 50 mm. Preferable ratios of bonding length to gap length could be between approximately 1/5 to 1/20. This intermittent bonding structure enables the ribbon to be more flexible like single fibers.
• FIG. 1B shows the y-direction view of the 12fiber ribbon1 that has not been inserted into a cable.FIG. 1C shows the y-direction view of the 12fiber ribbon1 that has been inserted into a cable (cable is not shown).
• Alternatively, mass splicing could be performed in the same way as for a conventional ribbon.
• Four fiber ribbon, eight fiber ribbon and other fiber arrangement can be used depending on the specific needs of the user. Also, multi-mode (MM) fibers and single mode (SM) fibers can be used depending on the specific needs of the user.
• FIG. 4 shows an example of a 24fiber cable15 using the new fiber ribbon. The structure consists of two 12fiber ribbons1 and apipe14. In this embodiment, the pipe could be a single layer jacket. However, in the context of this invention, a pipe could refer to a “jacket” or a “tube.” In this embodiment, the cable does not include aramid yarn inside thepipe14. Each ribbon can be identified by marking on the ribbon or by using a different color of thread wound around the ribbon. In this embodiment, thepipe14 material is PVC. Other pipe materials such as PE, FRPE, PP, PBT or other thermoplastics could also be used. The cable shape is round and the cable diameter is small, like conventional single-fiber cables. This cable may also be used as a unit in a larger cable. The ribbon type in the cable is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers and the total fiber counts in the cable may also vary. Theribbon1 can be twisted helically, or S-Z twisted.
• Also, the inner diameter of the pipe could be adjusted so that the cable is considered to be either “tightly buffered,” or “loosely buffered.” One example of a tightly buffered cable would be one in which the ratio of the cross sectional area of the inner diameter of the pipe to the cross-sectional area of the ribbon would be less than approximately 1.34. Cables that are not “tightly buffered” may be considered to be “loosely buffered.”
• FIG. 5 shows an example of a 24fiber trunk cable16.Aramid yarns18 are embedded between the 24fiber cable15 shown inFIG. 4 and anouter pipe17. The amount ofaramid yarns18 will depend on the tensile performance requirements (e.g. GR409 vertical or GR409 horizontal). In this example,outer pipe material17 is PVC. Other pipe materials such as PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics could also be used. The cable shape is round and the cable diameter is small as in the conventional cable shown inFIG. 3. The ribbon type in the cable is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers and the total fiber counts in the cable may also vary.
• FIG. 6 shows an example of a 24fiber cable19 for interconnect use. This cable consists of two 12fiber ribbons1 andAramid yarns21 surrounded by asingle layer pipe20. An appropriate amount ofyarn21 is embedded in order to meet tensile specification (e.g. GR409 interconnect). Thepipe20 material could be PVC PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The cable shape is round and one example of the cable diameter is equal or less than 3.8 mm, which is same as that of the conventional single-fibers cable. However, other diameters may be used. The ribbon type in the cable is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers and the total fiber counts in the cable may also vary. For example, if one 12 fiber ribbon is in the cable the cable diameter could be equal or less than 3.0 mm. Also, if four 12 fiber ribbons are in the cable the cable diameter could be equal or less than 4.8 mm.
• FIG. 7 shows an example of a 144 fiber trunk cable for vertical and horizontal use. Twelve 12fiber cables23 with 3.0 mm outer diameters surrounded acentral strength member24. Thecable23 is similar to thecable19 inFIG. 6, except that it has different fiber counts and outer diameter. An appropriate size of FRP is chosen as thecentral member24 in order to meet tensile and temperature specifications (e.g. GR409 vertical or GR409 horizontal). Theouter pipe material25 can be PVC PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. Although thecable22 shows that there are twelve 12fiber cables23, some of thecables23 can be replaced with fillers which are made of PVC PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics.
• FIG. 8 shows an example of a 288fiber trunk cable26 for vertical and horizontal use. Twelve 24fiber cables27, with 3.8 mm outer diameters surrounded acentral strength member29. Thecable27 is same ascable19 inFIG. 6. An appropriate size of FRP is chosen as thecentral member29 in order to meet tensile specification (e.g. GR409 vertical or GR409 horizontal). Theouter pipe material28 can be PVC PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. Although thecable26 shows that there are twelve 24fiber cables27, some of thecables27 can be replaced with fillers which are made of PVC PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics.
• The invention can also be used in optical ground wire (OPGW) cable. It enables mass splicing, which dramatically reduce the operation time of termination at difficult locations, such as pylons.FIG. 9 shows an example of a conventional Alma coretype OPGW cable30. It has threeoptical units33 surrounded by anpipe34. In this embodiment, thepipe34 is made of aluminum. Thepipe34 is surrounded by severalaluminum alloy wires35 and several aluminum cladsteel wires36. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW application by replacing theoptical units33 withbuffer pipes32 containing a 12fiber ribbon1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe32 can be made of PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT, or other thermoplastics. The 12fiber ribbon1 can be tightly buffered by the pipe or loosely buffered by gel, silicon or air.
• FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional Centra coretype OPGW cable37. The cable core consists of a hermetically sealedstainless steel pipe39 with a plurality ofoptical fibers38. Thestainless steel pipe39 is covered by analuminum pipe40 and thepipe40 is surrounded by severalaluminum alloy wires41 and several aluminum cladsteel wires42. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW application by replacing the cable core with astainless steel tube43 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Gel, silicon or air can be filled into thestainless steel pipe43.
• FIG. 11 shows an example of conventional Hexa coretype OPGW cable44. The core consists of three hermetically sealedstainless steel pipes45, which include a plurality of fibers, and three aluminum cladsteel wires46 surrounding an aluminum cladsteel wire46. The core can be surrounded by an aluminum pipe (note shown) and then aluminum cladsteel wires46 andaluminum alloy wires47. The present invention can be incorporated into this OPGW application by replacing the hermetically sealedstainless steel pipes45 with astainless steel pipe48 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. As a result, up to 432 fibers can be in one cable.
• Loose tube cables, sometimes called black jacket cables, with single fibers are often used as a feeder cable, a distribution cable and a drop cable. Generally, a cable with relatively higher fiber counts is used as a feeder cable. Ribbon splicing between a feeder cable and another cable (which is a feeder cable or a distribution cable) would improve efficiency and reduce cable installation time and installation cost. However, low PMD for WDM is usually required for feeder cable. A feeder cable with the ribbons of this invention can satisfy both of these requirements (Ribbon splicing and low PMD).
• A distribution cable is usually laid between a feeder cable and some drop cables. It is terminated with feeder cable at one of the cable end. For the termination at this access point, ribbon splicing is efficient. Also, it is terminated with another cable (which is a feeder cable or a drop cables) at another side of cable end or at the mid pint of the cable. For the termination at this access point, single-fiber splicing can be required. A distribution cable that uses the ribbon of this invention can make both ribbon splicing and single-fiber splicing easier.
• FIG. 12 shows an example of a conventionalloose tube cable49. The cable core consists of five gel-filledbuffer pipes56. Thebuffer pipes56 are S-Z twisted around acentral strength member53, such as FRP. Thebuffer pipes56 are surrounded by awater blocking system55 and apolyester tape51. There may also be arip cord54. Above the tape is apolyethylene pipe50. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present invention can be incorporated into this loose tube application by replacing thebuffer pipes56 with abuffer pipe57 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe57 can be PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn or air.
• FIG. 13 shows an example of aconventional ADSS cable58 for use in short spans. The cable core consists of fourbuffer pipes64. The tubes are S-Z twisted around acentral strength member63, such as FRP. Thebuffer pipes64 are surrounded by awater blocking system65, such as water blocking yarn binder. Surrounding the water blocking system is torquebalance aramid yarns61. Thearamid yarns61 help protect the cable from the high tension needed for aerial installation. There may also be arip cord62. Apolyester tape60 surrounds thearamid yarns61. Above thetape60 is a polyethyleneouter pipe59. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present invention can be incorporated into this ADSS application by replacing thebuffer pipes64 with abuffer pipe66 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe66 can be PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn or air.
• FIG. 14 shows an example of aconventional ADSS cable67 for use in long spans. The cable core consists of 24buffer pipes75. Nine of thepipes75 are arranged over acentral strength member68, such as FRP, to form a first layer and fifteen of thepipes75 are arranged over the first layer to form a second layer. Awater blocking binder76 is in between the first and second layers. Surrounding the second layer is anon-hygroscopic core wrap73 and then a polyethyleneinner pipe70. Surrounding theinner pipe70 is torquebalance aramid yarns72. Thearamid yarns72 provide supporting during the aerial installation. There may also be a ripcord74. Surrounding thearamid yarns72 is anon-hygroscopic core wrap71 and then a polyethylene or track resistantouter pipe69. The inner and/or outer pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present invention can be incorporated into this ADSS application by replacing thebuffer pipes75 with abuffer pipe77 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe77 can be PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn or air. In addition, while this embodiment shows two pipe layers, there may only be one pipe layer.
• FIG. 15 shows an example of a conventional centerloose tube cable78. The cable core consists of onebuffer pipe80 arranged at the center of the cable. Surrounding the core is astrength element82, such as aramid yarn. Awater blocking system83 surrounds thestrength member82. Surrounding the water-blockingsystem83 is a polyethyleneouter pipe79. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present invention can be incorporated into this center loose tube application by replacing thebuffer pipe80 with abuffer pipe84 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe84 can be ferrous or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn or air.
• FIG. 16 shows an example of another conventional centerloose tube cable85. Twostrength members86 are arranged on opposite sides of abuffer pipe89 arranged at the center of the cable. The strength member can be any kind of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, any kind of FRP or metallic pipe with optical fibers. Awater blocking system87 is next to thestrength members86 andbuffer pipe89. Anouter pipe88 surrounds the interior elements. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. There may also be a ripcord90. The present invention can be incorporated into this center loose tube application by replacing thebuffer pipe89 with abuffer pipe91 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe91 can be ferrous or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn or air.
• FIG. 17 shows an example of aconventional logging cable92. The cable core consists of onestainless steel pipe94 arranged at the center of the cable. Surrounding thestainless steel pipe94 is a polyethyleneouter pipe93. The pipe material can be PVC, PE, FRPE, Polyurethane, Polyamide or other thermoplastics. The present invention can be incorporated into this center loose tube application by replacing thestainless steel pipe94 with abuffer pipe95 containing one or more 12fiber ribbons1. The ribbon type is variable. For example, the size of the ribbons may vary, for example, from 2 fibers to 24 fibers. Thebuffer pipe95 can be ferrous or non-ferrous metal, PE, PP, PBT, alloy of PBT and Polyether, or other thermoplastics. The buffer pipe can filled with gel, silicon, yarn or air.
• As mentioned above, although the exemplary embodiments described above are various types of cables, they are merely exemplary and the general inventive concept should not be limited thereto, and it could also apply to the stranding of other cables.

Claims (35)

What is claimed:

1. An optical fiber cable comprising:

an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe;

wherein said ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and

wherein at least two of said optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.

2. The optical fiber cable according toclaim 1, wherein said fibers are multi-mode fibers.

3. The optical fiber cable according toclaim 1, wherein said ribbon is twisted helically.

4. The optical fiber cable according toclaim 1, wherein said ribbon is S-Z twisted.

5. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the ribbon is tightly buffered.

6. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the ribbon is loosely buffered and wherein a gel is in said pipe.

7. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the ribbon is loosely buffered and wherein an aramid yarn is in said pipe.

8. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the ribbon is loosely buffered and wherein a water blocking yarn is in said pipe.

9. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the pipe is equal to or less than 3.0 mm; and

said ribbon has twelve fibers.

10. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the pipe is equal or less than 3.8 mm; and

said cable comprises a second optical fiber ribbon in said pipe, wherein said two optical fiber ribbons each have twelve fibers.

11. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein the diameter of the pipe is equal or less than 4.8 mm; and

said cable comprises second, third and fourth optical fiber ribbons in said pipe, wherein said four optical fiber ribbons each have twelve fibers.

12. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein said pipe comprises stainless steel.

13. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein said pipe comprises PBT.

14. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein said pipe comprises a PBT alloy.

15. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein said pipe comprises PE.

16. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein said pipe comprises FRPE.

17. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 1, wherein said pipe comprises PVC.

18. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 10, wherein each said optical fiber ribbon is wound by a different colored thread.

19. A cable comprising:

a strength member and

an optical fiber cable comprising:

an optical fiber ribbon in a pipe;

wherein said ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and

wherein at least two of said optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.

20. The cable ofclaim 19, said optical fiber cable is surrounded by said strength member and an outer pipe and

wherein said strength member comprises aramid yarn.

21. The cable ofclaim 19, further comprising a central member and at least two additional optical fiber cables;

wherein said central member is surrounded by said at least three fiber optical cables.

22. The cable ofclaim 21, further comprising an outer pipe.

23. The cable ofclaim 22, further comprising an inner pipe and an aramid yarn layer between said inner and outer pipes.

24. The cable ofclaim 22, further comprising an inner pipe and an armor layer between the inner pipe and the outer pipe.

25. The cable ofclaim 21, wherein said strength member comprises wires that surround said fiber optical cables.

26. The cable ofclaim 21, further comprising an aramid yarn between said fiber optical cable and an outer pipe.

27. The cable ofclaim 21, further comprising an aluminum pipe surrounding said fiber optical cables and wire strength elements surrounding said aluminum pipe.

28. The cable ofclaim 19, further comprising an aluminum pipe surrounding said fiber optical cable and wire strength elements surrounding said aluminum pipe.

29. The cable ofclaim 19, wherein the fiber optical cable and strength member is arranged in parallel and a pipe surrounds said fiber optical cable and strength member.

30. The cable ofclaim 29, where said strength member comprises an FRP rod.

31. The cable ofclaim 29, where said strength member comprises metallic wires.

32. The cable ofclaim 29, where said strength member comprises a stainless steel tube with optical fibers in the pipe.

33. A cable comprising:

an optical fiber cable comprising:

an optical fiber ribbon in a stainless steel pipe; and

an outer pipe;

wherein said ribbon includes at least two optical fibers arranged side by side; and

wherein at least two of said optical fibers are bonded intermittently along a length of said fibers.

34. The cable ofclaim 33, further comprising a second optical fiber ribbon in said stainless steel pipe.

35. The optical fiber cable ofclaim 34, wherein each said optical fiber ribbon is wound by a different colored thread.

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