Patent ID: 6496629
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An undersea telecommunications cable having a plurality of optical fibers comprising:a buffer tube defining an interior bore dimensioned and arranged to receive and protect said plurality of optical fibers from externally applied forces, said buffer tube further containing a thixotropic, water blocking gel having, at 25Â° C., a critical yield shear stress of from 0.003 to 0.010 psi and a cone/plate viscosity of between 20,000 and 40,000 centipoise; a series of strength members arranged in at least one layer around the buffer tube to withstand hydrostatic forces and traction on said cable during deployment and recovery; and a plastic jacket surrounding said buffer tube and strength members, wherein said gel is adapted to loosely couple a tensile load applied to the buffer tube to said optical fibers while allowing said fibers to return to a substantially unstrained condition upon the removal of such tensile load.