Patent
1981-04-30
1983-11-22
Lee, John D.
G02B 726
Patent
active
044165072
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for in situ splicing two optical fiber transmission cables each comprising a plurality of cable elements beneath a set of protective jackets.
Different types of optical fiber cable structures are known. One of them consists of a dielectric cylindrical support reinforced along its axis and having grooves regularly distributed over its periphery, each of said grooves containing an optical fiber. Such a cable structure is more particularly described in U.S. patent Application, Ser. No. 877,872, filed by the Assignee on Feb. 15, 1978 (now abandoned) and entitled "Cable incorporating optical fibers".
The problem of splicing two multifiber cables of the grooved cylindrical type has already formed the subject of a number of publications. By way of example, mention can be made to French Pat. No. 2,360,896 filed on Aug. 3, 1976 by the Assignee, and French Patent No. 2,420,777 filed on Mar. 24, 1978 by the Assignee, describing solutions which are particularly suitable for the cable structure described hereinbefore.
The methods of cable splicing described up to the present time are distinguished by the fact that accuracy of centering of the two cables is dependent both on an element placed along the axis of the cables and on the external mechanical structure for protection of the splice. An arrangement of this type entails the need for centering by means of two successive and relatively independent devices, with the result that harmful mechanical stresses are liable to arise at the level of the connection. The maximum accuracy of a centering operation of this type is obtained along the axis whereas the optical fibers are disposed in a circle which is concentric with this axis and the radius of said circle is a factor by which the error of alignment of the fibers is multiplied. Furthermore, the known methods produce a fixed connector so designed that disassembly of this latter involves destruction of important elements which prevent any possibility of reassembly.
The aim of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a method of splicing and apparatus for the application of this method which make it possible both to minimize the degree of skill which an operator must have in order to perform the splicing operation and the time required for this operation irrespective of the number of fibers carried by the cable.
To this end, the invention relates to a method of in situ splicing two optical fiber transmission cables, each comprising a dielectric support in which are housed optical fibers and involving the following operating steps performed on each cable end:
the cable ends are stripped over a predetermined length;
the fibers thus freed are opened-out;
the support which has been freed from its fibers is cut at right angles to its axis and a member forming an extension or terminal connector and provided with grooves is fixed on the end of said support;
the fibers are turned down into the grooves of said terminal connector and are rigidly fixed therein;
said terminal connector as well as the fibers carried by this latter are cut at right angles to the axis of said connector;
each support-connector assembly is fixed in position by rigidification means; and
the two cables are aligned by alignment means.
The method is characterized in that the step involving alignment of the two cables consists in introducing within the terminal connector of the first cable at least one centering pin into a longitudinal opening formed in each terminal connector, said pin projecting from the cutting face of the terminal connector and engaging in a corresponding opening of the terminal connector of the second cable.
According to another feature of the invention, each support is cylindrical and each terminal connector comprises a member forming an annular flange in which are made the longitudinal openings, the distance from each opening to the axis of the terminal connector being greater than the radius of the support.
Accuracy of alignment of the two cables to be conne
REFERENCES:
patent: 4103987 (1978-08-01), Kersten
patent: 4108534 (1978-08-01), Le Noane et al.
patent: 4110000 (1978-08-01), Bogar et al.
patent: 4172746 (1979-10-01), Le Noane et al.
patent: 4174882 (1979-11-01), McCartney
Bouvard Andre
Hulin Jean P.
Le Maitre Patrick
Lee John D.
Lignes Telegraphiques et Telephoniques
Plottel Roland
LandOfFree
Method for in situ splicing optical fiber cables does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for in situ splicing optical fiber cables, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for in situ splicing optical fiber cables will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1811779