Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Patent
1993-12-20
1995-07-18
Bovernick, Rodney B.
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
385134, 385136, G02B 636
Patent
active
054349443
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to optical fiber connection equipment, and in particular to termination or connection modules for in-building use.
2. Related Art
Optical fibers are known for use in telecommunications systems, for instance for carrying voice or data. Currently, however, there are many situations in telecommunications networks where optical fibers are connected to other forms of carrier such as copper wires. This can occur, for instance, in an office environment, optical fibers being used in the external telephone network and being brought into a building as far as a riser, the connection to desk equipment however being by copper wires.
The conversion of signals from optical signals to another form, such as electrical signals which might be carried by copper wires, has more than one disadvantage associated with it. Thus, the equipment required to carry out the conversion itself means added expense in a communication network. Moreover, the advantages of an optical fiber communications network, such as high data levels, can be lost if the signals then have to be transferred to another form of carrier. There can also be power or signal losses created in the network by the conversion stage, which losses then have to be compensated or allowed for.
Although single solutions for particular situations have been found, these tend to be dedicated solutions. There are many design constraints associated with optical fibers, such as minimum bend radius, which cannot necessarily be met in all situations by the solution to one particular set of circumstances. The number of factors which can be involved in designing termination equipment for optical fibers is large, including the following features: termination equipment via a riser. different situations, such as front access for rack termination use and top access for floor boxes. termination module. primary coated and secondary coated fiber. already be in situ. beam signals. and cable, determined primarily by mounting position and environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has now been found possible to provide optical fiber connection equipment which meets at least some of the above requirements and constraints, and additionally can have the advantages of simplicity in use, suitability for single or multi-mode fiber connection, allowance for field termination or field splicing of factory made tails, and great versatility with respect to applications. For instance, connection equipment according to embodiments of the present invention can be used with blown fiber, as a modular build concept which makes the equipment easy to deal with, and can be us ed in floor boxes, wall boxes, trunking, patch panel and rack options. An embodiment can suit any of all or substantially all common connector types including multi-fiber connectors, can be used with single or multi-mode fiber, and can still meet the commonly applied criterion of maximum optical termination loss of 0.5 dB at 1300 nm and 850 nm.
The present invention provides optical fiber connection equipment comprising a modular unit into which a protected optical fiber carrier can be brought, so that optical fibers carried thereby can be terminated for subsequent connection to optical equipment, the unit comprising first, second and third separable modules, the second module being adjacent to the first module, and the third module being adjacent to the second module, the third module housing at least one optical connector at which a respective optical fiber of the carrier can be terminated, storage means for storing a length of optical fiber, and anchoring means for anchoring the optical fiber at first and second anchorage points which lie in different modules, the storage means being such that the length of optical fiber stored enables the modules to be separated without disconnection of the optical fiber at either of the anchorage points.
The stored length of fiber might most importantly be for remaking splices or connections to the fiber, but may also be to al
REFERENCES:
patent: 4712106 (1979-10-01), Lewis
patent: 4900123 (1990-02-01), Barlow et al.
patent: 4911662 (1990-03-01), Debortoli et al.
patent: 4986762 (1991-01-01), Keith
patent: 5067784 (1991-11-01), Debortoli et al.
patent: 5071220 (1991-12-01), Ruello et al.
patent: 5109467 (1992-04-01), Hogan et al.
patent: 5138684 (1992-08-01), Bullock et al.
patent: 5341451 (1994-08-01), Latte et al.
Jenkins Peter D.
Kerry John
Medlen Nicholas J.
Wettengel Paul F.
Bovernick Rodney B.
British Telecommunications public limited company
Sanghavi Hemang
LandOfFree
Optical fibre connection equipment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Optical fibre connection equipment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical fibre connection equipment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2421730