Patent ID: 7016585

Claim:
A layered fiber optic cable for being placed in a conduit, the fiber optic cable comprising: at least one strand of optical fiber forming an axial core of the fiber optic cable; at least one layer of strengthening material surrounding the at least one strand of optical fiber; a jacket encompassing the at least one strand of optical fiber and the at least one layer of strengthening material; and at least one compressible layer of material encompassing the at least one strand of optical fiber, wherein the compressible layer of material is configured to compress the at least one strand of optical fiber in response to an application of force due to freezing of water surrounding the fiber optic cable, such that, for a maximum amount of freezing water capable of forming between the conduit and the layered fiber optic cable, the thickness and the compressible characteristics of the compressible layer of material being selected to cause the compressible layer of material to minimize displacement of the at least one strand of optical fiber in response to the application of force.