A fibre optic cable (500, 700) comprises retractable fibre units (502) extending in parallel with one another within an extruded polymer tube (504). The fibre units are free to slide in the tube such that a selected fibre unit (702a) can be accessed and re-directed by forming an opening in a wall of the tube (504) and withdrawing the selected fibre unit through the opening (710). Each fibre unit comprises two or more optical fibres (506) embedded in a solid resin material (520) to form a coated fibre bundle and an extruded polymer sheath (524). The fibre optic cable is manufactured by feeding the fibre units through an extrusion head (602) by which the extruded tube (504) is formed. The sheath (524) of each fibre unit is primarily polyethylene. A lining (510) of the extruded polymer tube is formed by polymer other than polyethylene, for example polypropylene.

Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.

Embodiments of a furcated optical fiber cable are provided. A main distribution cable has optical fibers surrounded by a cable jacket. The optical fibers are divided into at least two furcation legs. A furcation plug is located at a transition point between the main distribution cable and the at least two furcation legs. The furcation plug surrounds at least a portion of the main distribution cable and each of the at least two furcation legs. Optical connectors are provided for each of the at least two furcation legs, and each connector includes optical fibers that are spliced at a splice location to the optical fibers of the connector's respective furcation leg. The splice location is closer to the connector than to the furcation plug. A method of furcating an optical fiber cable and a pulling configuration for the furcated optical fiber cable are also provided.

A multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector configured to be field assembled after being pushed through a duct may include a ferrule portion configured to terminate fibers of a multi-fiber cable and a sub-assembly portion. The sub-assembly portion may be configured to include an adapter portion that may be configured to be coupled with the ferrule portion, a retaining portion that may be configured to be coupled with the multi-fiber cable, and a biasing portion that may be configured to extend on one or more sides of the fibers of the multi-fiber cable and to couple the adapter portion with the retaining portion. The biasing portion may be configured to apply one or more biasing forces to the adapter portion on one or more sides of the fibers to urge the ferrule portion in a forward direction such that the one or more biasing forces are balanced on such one or more sides of the fibers.

A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; distinct groups of optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the distinct groups of optical fibers have respective fiber end sections extending beyond the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly protecting the fiber end sections. The pulling grip assembly includes a pulling band releasably secured to the cable jacket by a clamp, and is configured to withstand significant tensile loads despite being easily removable.

Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to install an optical fiber cable into a well at a well site. In a from-bottom-to-top embodiment, an anchor deployed at a selected location in a hole of the well can be used and the optical fiber cable can be pulled up to a surface of the well from the selected location. In a from-top-to-bottom embodiment, an optical fiber cable can be moved down from the surface until an end of the optical fiber cable is locked at a selected location by a catcher disposed at the selected location. With the optical fiber cable in the well, a portion of the optical fiber cable can be coupled to surface instrumentation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

A pre-terminated end of a fiber optic cable has a protective cap that protects the optical fiber and the ferrule assembly at the terminal end. The protective cap has an attachment feature enabling a pull cord to attach to the protective cap. The protective cap has a body including an exterior surface and a receptacle formed in the body and configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic cable, and the attachment feature. The attachment feature includes a cavity formed in a tip of the body and at least two openings formed in the exterior surface of the body and connected to the cavity.

A cable assembly is provided, adapted to be installed into a duct by means of a combination of blowing and mechanical feeding. The cable assembly comprises: at least one flexible signal transmitting member for transmitting optical signals, a first layer surrounding said at least one signal transmitting member such that at least one signal transmitting member is in touching contact with said first layer, and a second layer arranged outwardly of said first layer, said second layer being a non-thermoplastic layer comprising a non-thermoplastic, crosslinked polyethylene material. A method of producing the cable assembly is also disclosed.

A pushing tool for propelling cable into a duct. The pushing tool includes a drive wheel that is coupled with a base and a rotatable handle. A first cable guide and a second cable guide are configured to hold the cable. A duct guide is configured to hold the duct. Furthermore, a tension wheel is configured to interact with the drive wheel such that an orifice is formed between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the orifice being configured to receive the cable. Upon rotation of the rotatable handle, the drive wheel interacts with the tension wheel to propel the cable into the duct.

A pushing tool for propelling cable into a duct. The pushing tool includes a drive wheel that is coupled with a base and a rotatable handle. A first cable guide and a second cable guide are configured to hold the cable. A duct guide is configured to hold the duct. Furthermore, a tension wheel is configured to interact with the drive wheel such that an orifice is formed between the tension wheel and the drive wheel, the orifice being configured to receive the cable. Upon rotation of the rotatable handle, the drive wheel interacts with the tension wheel to propel the cable into the duct.