In-line fiber optic cable splice and method of using the same

Details In-line fiber optic cable splice and method of using the same In-line fiber optic cable splice and method of using the same

1999-12-07

2001-08-14

Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)

Optical waveguides

With splice

C385S097000, C385S098000, C385S099000, C385S135000, C385S136000, C385S058000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06273621

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an in-line fiber optic cable splice and method and, more particularly, to a splice arrangement that is relatively compact and may be used to join together short lengths of cable and allow them to be stored on a conventional cable reel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fiber optic cable is usually supplied by vendors in standardized lengths of three kilometers or five kilometers, the cable itself being wound on a reel. In practice, fiber optic cables are ordered from a manufacturer in one of these standard lengths and installed in the ground with splice points at the ends of the cables. In some circumstances, it becomes necessary to cut the fiber cable at different lengths due to, for example, hazards along the installation path, short haul communication paths, or various other physical path impediments. Once the cable is cut, the fiber cable left on the reel may range in length from 1000 to 3000 feet. The majority of the time, this “left over” fiber optic cable is stored at various locations for future use—but due to its short length is infrequently used and is usually forgotten. With the known improvements in optical fiber splicing, particularly fusion splicing, there is extremely low optical signal loss in the splice region and it is possible to splice together various pieces of this “left over” fiber optic cable. However, the splice enclosures well known and used in the art, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,725, issued to W. H. Bensel, III et al. on Feb. 23, 1993, significantly increase the bulk of the cable and, as a result, prevent the spliced cable from being wound on a conventional fiber optic cable reel.
A need remains, therefore, for an arrangement suitable for splicing together short lengths of fiber optic cable where the arrangement allows for the spliced cable to be stored on a conventional cable reel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The need remaining in the art is addressed by the present invention, which relates to an in-line fiber optic cable splice and method and, more particularly, to a splice arrangement that is relatively compact and may be used to join together short lengths of cable and allow them to be stored on a conventional cable reel.
In accordance with the present invention, an in-line cable splice comprises a pair of relatively small grip blocks, each grip block used for supporting a separate one of short length cables being spliced together. A metal sleeve is associated with each grip block and is disposed to cover an end section of the associated fiber cable to receive the metallic strength members of the cable when pulled backward to cover the metallic sleeve. A section of buffer tube is inserted over one end of the exposed bundle of optical fibers. Once the proper fibers from each cable are spliced together (using fusion splicing, for example), the buffer tube is re-positioned to cover the splice region. After the buffer tube is in place, a layer of heat shrink material is disposed to cover the entire assembly and heated to a temperature sufficient to provide a protective seal. The overall dimensions for the in-line splice of the present invention may be, for example, one to two inches in diameter and 6″-12″ in length. In comparison, a conventional prior art splice enclosure may have the dimensions of a rectangular prism on the order of 6″×24″.
In a preferred embodiment, each grip block comprises a pair of housings, locked together with metal screws. At least one flexible metal wire may be used to join the bottom halves of the pair of grip blocks, where the flexible metal wire (which is also covered with the heat shrink material) functions as an additional strength member for the in-line splice.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4822131 (1989-04-01), Anderton
patent: 5189725 (1993-02-01), Bensel, III et al.

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