Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-29
2002-10-15
Ullah, Akm E. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C385S100000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06466725
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the splitting or other separation of optical fibers and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for splitting or otherwise separating optical fibers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical fibers must frequently be separated, branched, or otherwise redirected since not all optical fibers of a fiber optic cable will terminate at the same location. For example, a fiber optic cable may include optical fibers that must be directed to a plurality of different homes, businesses, offices or the like. Oftentimes, splice closures, patch closures and other types of closures are utilized to facilitate the splitting and redirection of one or more optical fibers from a fiber optic cable, while also serving to protect the optical fibers from environmental degradation and from mechanical stress and strain.
In a typical closure, a number of the optical fibers extend through the closure without being cut and spliced or otherwise connected. These optical fibers are generally termed express fibers. One or more of the optical fibers are separated from the express fibers, however, cut and redirected to a splice tray, a coupler tray, a connector panel or the like. The optical fibers that have been separated from the express fibers can then be spliced, coupled or otherwise connected to other optical fibers to be directed to a different location than the express fibers. In one common example in which a fiber optic feeder cable is received within a closure, a plurality of optical fibers are separated from the express fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable and are spliced to a corresponding plurality of optical fibers of fiber optic drop cables that extend from the closure to a home, a business or the like.
Even within a closure, however, care must be taken to separate the optical fibers from the express fibers without damaging the optical fibers. For example, if the optical fibers that are separated from the express fibers are bent too sharply, the optical fibers can be broken or otherwise physically damaged, such as by creating microfractures, whereby the optical fibers no longer properly transmit optical signals.
Moreover, in the common situation in which a plurality of optical fibers are to be separated from a fiber optic feeder cable in a taut sheath application, a section of the sheath is removed to expose the buffer tube(s) or, in some instances, the optical fibers themselves. In instances in which the optical fibers to be separated are disposed within a buffer tube, the buffer tube is also removed to thereby expose the optical fibers. The optical fibers to be separated are then cut and redirected to a splice tray, a coupler tray, a connector panel or the like. Due to the removal of the sheath and, in some instances the buffer tube(s) of the fiber optic feeder cable, the optical fibers to be separated are exposed for only a relatively limited length, generally about 18 to 24 inches in a typical closure. Thus, the optical fibers to be separated from the express fibers of the fiber optic feeder cable must be routed to the splice tray, coupler tray, connector panel or the like in a relatively direct manner, while still taking care not to excessively bend or otherwise damage the optical fibers.
While bare optical fibers are commonly separated and routed within a closure, spiral wrap tubing can be wrapped about the optical fibers to protect the optical fibers from excessive bending or other physical damage. As will be apparent, however, the wrapping of spiral wrap tubing about the optical fibers requires a field technician to expend additional time during the configuration of the closure. The optical fibers that are separated from the express optical fibers can also be disposed within transport tubes that serve at least partially to protect the optical fibers from being bent excessively or otherwise physically damaged. Unfortunately, neither the spiral wrap tubing nor the transport tubes completely protect the optical fibers from excessive bending or other types of physical damage, especially at the transition point at which the optical fibers are split or otherwise separated.
A funnel kit has been developed by Raychem Corporation for splitting optical fibers and for protecting the optical fibers at the point of separation. The funnel kit defines an input port and an opposed output port. The funnel tapers radially outwardly in a direction from the input port to the output port such that the output port is substantially larger in diameter than the input port. Moreover, the funnel kit includes an insert that is disposed within the output port and that defines a plurality of passageways therethrough. As such, the funnel kit can be mounted upon a plurality of optical fibers, such as the optical fibers of a fiber optic feeder cable, and the optical fibers can be slit or otherwise separated into different groups that extend through respective passageways defined by the insert. For example, express fibers can extend through a passageway that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the funnel, while the optical fibers that are to be separated from the express fibers can be directed to other passageways. Transport tubes can also be inserted into the passageways to protect the optical fibers upon their exit from the funnel kit. While effective for protecting the optical fibers at their point of separation, the funnel kit requires that each of the optical fibers, including the express fibers, be cut before being inserted through the funnel. As will be apparent, the cutting and subsequent splicing of each of the optical fibers will increase the time required for a field technician to properly route the optical fibers and furthermore may somewhat attenuate the optical signals propagating along the optical fibers.
Thus, it would be desirable to develop improved techniques for splitting or otherwise separating and routing optical fibers in a manner that protects the optical fibers from being bent excessively and from other physical damage. In addition, it would be desirable for methods to be developed for splitting or otherwise separating and routing optical fibers that do not require each of the optical fibers, especially the express fibers, to be cut, thereby reducing the time required for a field technician to configure a closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus and method for splitting or otherwise separating and routing optical fibers are therefore provided in which a splitter housing is mounted upon a plurality of optical fibers without having to cut all of the optical fibers, and in particular, without having the cut the express fibers. The splitter housing is adapted to be readily mounted upon the optical fibers such that the time required for a field technician to configure a closure utilizing the apparatus and method of the present invention is advantageously reduced. Moreover, the apparatus and method of the present invention protects the optical fibers at the point of splitting or otherwise separating such that the optical fibers are not bent excessively and are protected from other physical damage.
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for splitting optical fibers is provided that includes splitter housing extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends. The splitter housing defines an input port, proximate the first end, for receiving a plurality of optical fibers. The splitter housing also defines primary and secondary output ports, proximate the opposed second end, through which the plurality of optical fibers exit the splitter housing.
The splitter housing includes first and second halves. Each half of the splitter housing extends lengthwise between the opposed first and second ends. Each half of the splitter housing defines at least a portion of the input port and at least one and, more typically, both of the output ports. The first and second halves of the splitter housing of this embodiment are preferably at least partially separable. As such, the splitter housing can be mounted upon the plurality of optical fiber
Battey Jennifer A.
Canning Michael W.
Carlson James M.
Fontaine Steve A.
Holderness Christopher L.
Corning Cable Systems LLC
Dreman Christopher C.
Rahll Jerry T.
Ullah Akm E.
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