Patent ID: 7269324

Claim:
A robust helical mode scrambler assembly for improving the light energy transmission characteristic of a fiber optics cable, comprising: a fiber optics conductor having first end and a second end and formed with a fixed three-dimensional spiral curvature predetermined to influence the intermodal dispersion during operation; wherein the fiber optics conductor is wound at least 180° around a longitudinal center line, a resilient, elongated support structure positioned to have substantial contact with said fiber optics conductor; wherein the elongated support structure has at least one bend resiliently connecting two elongated segment portions end-to-end to form an obtuse angle and wherein the shape of the support structure is resilient to deformation in a manner that provides a spring like resistance to lateral compression; and a rigid, hollow, cylindrical sleeve substantially encircling the fiber optics conductor and said elongated support structure; wherein the ends of each of said two elongated segment portions of said elongated support structure exert a radially outwardly directed force on the inner cylindrical surface of the hollow cylindrical sleeve tending to resist movement of said elongated support structure relative to the hollow cylindrical sleeve; and wherein the elongated support structure works in tandem with the rigid, hollow cylindrical sleeve to maintain said desired three-dimensional spiral curvature of said fiber optics conductor.