In at least one general aspect, a cable assembly adapted to be installed into a duct by a combination of blowing and mechanical feeding. The cable assembly can include at least one flexible signal transmitting member for transmitting optical signals, a first layer surrounding the at least one flexible signal transmitting member such that at least one signal transmitting member is in touching contact with the first layer, and a second layer arranged outwardly of the first layer. The second layer is a non-thermoplastic layer made of a composition comprising a base material of polyethylene adapted to be cross-linked, whereby the second layer comprises crosslinked polyethylene.

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 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.

A pulling terminal structure includes: a braided tube that includes a pulling part; a housing tube disposed inside the braided tube and that houses an optical connector; and a reinforcement member disposed inside the braided tube and that reinforces an end part of the housing tube.

A fiber optic cable includes a jacket having an outside diameter and an inside diameter, the inside diameter defining a central bore having a centerline, a pair of tightly buffered optical fibers extending longitudinally through the central bore, and a pair of strength members extending longitudinally through the central bore, wherein the optical fibers and the strength members are un-stranded and arranged such that each one of the optical fibers is diametrically opposed from the other optical fiber and abutting the pair of strength members.

A cable distribution assembly is operable to reel in and pay out a cable through a bore. The alignment of the cable in relation to the cable distribution assembly adjusts to restrict contact between the cable and the bole edge. In this manner, friction between the cable and the bore edge, which may damage the cable, is restricted. A base positions adjacent to the bore, aligning the cable in relation to the bore edge. The base includes a concave contour that enables the cable to pass next to the base from a roller that carries the cable through the bore. A shaft drives the roller. Shaft regulators adjustably move horizontally and vertically along a shaft slot in a sidewall to dictate the position of the shaft and the roller that carries the cable. Fasteners secure the shaft regulator into place. A monitoring device provides information on the use of the assembly.

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.

Tools and associated methods for facilitating feeding of optical fibers into a tube. In particular, the tools and associated methods are adapted to remove overlaps and tangles in the fibers as they are being fed into the tube. In this way, the number of fibers that can be fed into a tube of given transverse cross-sectional area can be maximized.

Tools and associated methods for facilitating feeding of optical fibers into a tube. In particular, the tools and associated methods are adapted to remove overlaps and tangles in the fibers as they are being fed into the tube. In this way, the number of fibers that can be fed into a tube of given transverse cross-sectional area can be maximized.