The present disclosure provides an optical fiber cable (100). The optical fiber cable (100) includes a first layer (108) and a second layer (110). The second layer (110) surrounds the first layer (108). The first layer (108) includes a first plurality of buffer tubes (122). The second layer (110) comprises a second plurality of buffer tubes (124). Each buffer tube of the first plurality of buffer tubes (122) and the second plurality of buffer tubes (124) has a thickness of at most 0.15 millimeter. Each buffer tube of the first plurality of buffer tubes (122) and the second plurality of buffer tubes (124) includes a first material layer (126) and a second material layer (128). The second material layer (128) surrounds the first material layer (126). The first material layer (126) is made of polybutylene terephthalate. The second material layer (128) is made of polycarbonate.

A method of installing a cable through a duct by blowing the cable with a stream of compressed air. The method comprises dispersing a nebulized lubricant in the stream of compressed air, causing the stream of compressed air to deposit the nebulized lubricant onto the cable and to blow it into the duct. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for making armored cables. An example method for making an armored cable includes forming a strip stock into an armor tubing; welding a seam of the armor tubing in a welding zone; inserting at least one of a first optical fiber or a first wire into a first end of a first guide tube, wherein: the first guide tube extends through the welding zone; the first guide tube protects the at least one of the first optical fiber or the first wire during the welding of the seam; and the first guide tube is not part of the armored cable after the making of the armored cable; and supporting the first guide tube within the armor tubing by a plurality of support legs such that the first guide tube does not contact the armor tubing.

There are described methods and systems for deploying optical fiber within a conduit. In one aspect, an optical fiber injector comprising a pressure vessel having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid outlet is engaged with an open end of the conduit. A length of optical fiber is provided within the pressure vessel. The optical fiber is then jetted into the conduit by injecting a fluid into the pressure vessel via the fluid inlet. The optical fiber injector is configured such that the fluid is directed from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, and urges the optical fiber to move through the conduit, thereby deploying the optical fiber within the conduit. In a further aspect, there is provided a modular assembly comprising a pipeline and a line of two or more conduits arranged end-to-end. Each pair of opposing ends of adjacent conduits is connected together by a separate splice box. The line is positioned along and adjacent to a length of the pipeline.

The present disclosure provides a coated conductor. The coated conductor includes a conductor and a coating on the conductor. The coating includes (i) an annular wall composed of a polymeric material, the annular wall surrounding at least a portion of the conductor; (ii) a plurality of channels extending along a length of an outer surface of the annular wall; and (iii) a slip material located in the channels, the slip material forming a capillary structure in the channels, and the capillary structures protruding radially outward from the annular wall.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for making armored cables. An example method for making an armored cable includes forming a strip stock into an armor tubing; welding a seam of the armor tubing in a welding zone; inserting at least one of a first optical fiber or a first wire into a first end of a first guide tube, wherein: the first guide tube extends through the welding zone; the first guide tube protects the at least one of the first optical fiber or the first wire during the welding of the seam; and the first guide tube is not part of the armored cable after the making of the armored cable; and supporting the first guide tube within the armor tubing by a plurality of support legs such that the first guide tube does not contact the armor tubing.

The present invention relates to a pre-terminated (pre-terminated) optical fibre cable assembly (10,90), which is configured to be installed through a duct (20). The pre-terminated optical fibre construction (10,90) includes at least one optical fibre (46). A protective sleeve (26) is added to the optical fibre (46) before adding a terminal connector (24) to the leading end of at least one optical fibre (46). The protective sleeve (26) extends from behind the terminal connector (24) along part of the length of the optical fibre (46). When the cable is installed through a duct, the protective sleeve protects the portion of the fibre that protrudes from the end of the duct, for example in a communications cabinet (16). A residual length (28) of the protective sleeve remains within the duct. Terminal connectors and protective sleeves can be applied at both ends of the cable assembly, or only one end.

A fibre optic accessory for attachment to the end of an optical fibre is described, the fibre optic accessory comprising a plurality of grooves extending longitudinally along a portion of its outer surface. Using this accessory, an optical fibre to which this accessory is affixed may be installed in an installation tube with the use of a source of compressed air. A kit of parts for such an installation, an optical fibre and a method of installation are also described.

An optical cable according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an optical cable for installation in a microduct, the optical cable including one or more optical-fiber core wires, and a sheath layer covering an outer peripheral side of the one or more optical-fiber core wires. The sheath layer has a density of 2.0 g/cm.sup.3 or less. The sheath layer contains an olefin-based resin, a silicone, and a non-halogen flame retardant. A mass ratio of the non-halogen flame retardant to the olefin-based resin is 0.90 to 2.00. A mass ratio of the silicone to the olefin-based resin is 0.005 to 0.100. The olefin-based resin contains a polyethylene, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or an ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer. The silicone has a weight-average molecular weight of 50,000 to 1,000,000.

An assembly having a tube and at least one optical cable with the optical cable being placed inside the tube. The tube has an inner diameter D and in that the optical cable has an outer diameter d, the ratio d/D ranging from 0.10 to 0.80.