Optical waveguides – Accessories – Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2001-06-19
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Accessories
Splice box and surplus fiber storage/trays/organizers/ carriers
C385S134000, C385S136000, C385S137000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249634
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to fiber optic cable handling. More particularly, the invention relates to a fiber optic communication component having a housing frame enclosing either a fiber optic transmitter or receiver which allows for temporary detachment of an associated fiber optic connector. Most particularly, the invention relates to a coiling tray positioned in the housing frame which reduces the likelihood of damage to the fiber optic cable during maintenance of the connector.
Optical communication is attractive for use in numerous applications due to the information carrying potential. The amount of information that can be sent over an electromagnetic wave is proportional to the bandwidth of the wave. For example, 1000 times as much information can be conveyed each second in a 4-MHz bandwidth black-and-white television signal as in a 4-kHz telephone signal. Communication systems employing fiber optics and lasers operate with exceedingly large bandwidths. For example, the bandwidth of a mode-locked neodymium: glass laser that produces 30 picosecond pulses is approximately 30 GHz. With such a large bandwidth, it is possible to transmit five thousand color TV broadcasts over a single laser beam.
While bandwidth is a great advantage of optical communication, the optical radiation is affected by anything that resides in the direct path. Disadvantages such as connecting and splicing fiber optic cables and the fragility of the fiber such as minimum bend radii are still problematic.
Most fiber optic communication devices compare with conventional electromagnetic devices regarding operational life and failure rates. The problem they share is related to the mechanical connections of their communication medium. Just as hard wired devices desire a sound mechanical connection to maintain electrical continuity, similar demands are required by optical fibers to prevent attenuation of the signal. Maintenance for an optical connector is different than its electrical counterpart. Due to the increased fragility of the fiber itself, special considerations are taken into account to obviate potential damage to the fibers. In particular, care must be taken not to bend, crimp, pinch, or tangle the fiber optic cable during manufacture, installation, troubleshooting, repair or maintenance of the fiber optic system.
To facilitate periodic inspection, maintenance and cleaning of fiber optic connectors, enclosures that allow a connector to be removed and reinserted without disassembly or the requirement of tools have been developed. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, an illustrative enclosure
15
is shown. The enclosure
15
includes a housing frame
17
and cover
19
, and internal subcomponents including a signal processing board
21
and a transmitter/receiver module
25
. The housing frame
17
includes a slot
39
configured to receive a desired connection adapter
31
. The slot
39
can be configured to receive numerous adapters
31
which facilitate the interconnection of various fiber optic connectors, including SC, FC and LC connectors. A spring clip
41
affixed to the cover
19
captures the adapter
31
after placement in the slot
39
. A finger tab
43
integrated with the spring clip
41
provides a finger leverage means to retract the spring clip
41
when detaching the connector
29
/adapter
31
assembly from the housing frame
17
. Rapid detachment and withdrawal of the connector
29
/adapter
31
assembly is performed by pulling the spring clip
41
with the finger tab
43
and detaching the connector from the housing frame
17
and cover
19
. Replacement of the connector
29
/adapter
31
is performed with the reverse steps.
While these enclosures
15
have provided easier access to the fiber optic connectors
29
, damage may occur to the fiber optic cable
27
as the connector
29
/adapter
31
assembly is pulled from or reinserted into the enclosure
15
. For example, a technician may not have an indication of the amount of cable slack and therefore may overextend the cable beyond its minimum bend radius or the cable may crimp,“bird nest” or become entangled upon reinsertion.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device which guides the cable and reduces the likelihood of damage thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fiber optic cable tray. The tray comprises a platform substantially encircled by a peripheral wall extending from the platform. An internal wall extends across the platform to define first and second chambers and a passage therebetween. The fiber optic cable is routed such that it passes from the first chamber, through the passage, and through the second chamber. A retainer is positioned in the passage and receives and arrestingly engages the fiber optic cable as it passes from the first chamber to the second chamber. As such, the portion of cable passing through the second chamber has a fixed length. The tray walls are preferably arcuate to prevent bending of the cable past its minimum bend radius.
The tray is preferably utilized with an optical communication component including a housing frame which houses an optical processing module and a removal optical connector. The connector can be removed for cleaning, inspection and the like. The connector is coupled with the fixed length of cable which minimizes the chance of overextending the cable during removal and also facilitates easier reinsertion of the cable and connector into the housing frame.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6091876 (2000-07-01), Hizuka et al.
patent: 6144792 (2000-07-01), Kim et al.
Frederick Steven
Hagen Thomas J.
Niesley Charles F.
Tenney Douglas A.
General Instrument Corporation
Palmer Phan T. H.
Volpe and Koenig P.C.
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