Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-07
2001-07-17
Sanghavi, Hemang (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C385S134000, C242S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263142
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging optical fibers. In particular, the present invention relates to handling and storing optical fibers in a way that is intended to preserve their physical and optical characteristics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical fibers are stored in various ways for a variety of uses. For example, within a fiber-optic system element such as a repeater or branching unit, a typical circuit pack contains a fiber tray in which lengths of fiber are stored for use with certain electronic components. The fiber trays typically contain spools, some round, some not, around which some portion of the optical fibers are wrapped. Each fiber tray is capable of storing several different fibers on a spool. Multiple storage, however, creates the potential for several problems.
One such problem is fiber cross over. If different fibers are wound over each other, the outer fibers may bend in a way and to a degree that may damage the fiber or adversely affect the propagation characteristics of the fiber by mechanically stressing the fibers at the bend. This problem is exacerbated when the different fibers have different diameters.
To alleviate these problems, the inventors experimented with various techniques and materials. For example, rigid plastic was used to separate different fibers. The inventors found, however, that rigid plastic did not adequately alleviate the mechanical stresses associated with cross over. Another problem associated with the rigid plastic separators is that they are thick enough so as to occupy an unnecessarily large amount of space on the spool. Additionally, plastic can collect static electricity, detrimentally impacting on the fiber's performance.
The inventors also experimented with paper separators. Paper separators have the advantage of being thin and soft, but do not possess the strength necessary to withstand deformation or tearing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the problems posed by separating optical fibers, a separator is introduced that is sufficiently thin and strong, and that does not collect too much static electricity. The separator is designed to prevent a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber wound on the same spool from interfering with one another.
The separator comprises an annulus with an inner and outer diameter, and an annular width that is the difference between the inner and outer diameter, measured radially from some fixed point inside the inner diameter. The inner diameter is sized to fit snugly around the spool, and the annular width is large enough to separate the first and second optical fibers on the spool.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5323479 (1994-06-01), Allen
patent: 5710855 (1998-01-01), Konwitz
patent: 5761368 (1998-06-01), Arnett et al.
patent: 5841932 (1998-11-01), Page et al.
Brockman Robert C.
Mardirossian Hovhannes Habib
Sanghavi Hemang
Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd.
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