Patent ID: 6304701
Filing Date: 2001-10-16
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A fiber optic cable, comprising:at least one optical fiber; and a fiber optic cable component including at least one water receptive agent, said water receptive agent including a mixture of at least two distinct superabsorbent substances, at least one of said superabsorbent substances characterized by a cross linked polymeric structure causing a very fast swelling rate whereby it is operative to swell at a rapid rate to quickly block the flow of water in said cable, and the other of said superabsorbent substances characterized by a cross linked polymeric structure causing a high gel strength whereby it is operative to inhibit wicking, the cross linking structure of the fast swelling rate substance being lighter than the cross linking structure of the high gel strength substance:a. the fast swell rate superabsorbent substance, when encountering a relatively low swell resistance, reaching a higher displacement sooner than said high gel strength substance under a similar low swell resistance; andb. said high gel strength superabsorbent substance, when encountering a relatively higher swell resistance, generally reaching a higher displacement sooner than the fast swell rate substance under a similar higher swell resistance.