WO2001096921A2 - Systeme de protection de fibre et procede dote d'un equipement de blocage - Google Patents

Systeme de protection de fibre et procede dote d'un equipement de blocage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001096921A2
WO2001096921A2 PCT/US2001/019356 US0119356W WO0196921A2 WO 2001096921 A2 WO2001096921 A2 WO 2001096921A2 US 0119356 W US0119356 W US 0119356W WO 0196921 A2 WO0196921 A2 WO 0196921A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tubing
sections
end sections
sidewall
defining
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/019356
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001096921A3 (fr
Inventor
Scott C. Kowalczyk
Patrick J. Thompson
James J. Brandt
William F. Kraft
Original Assignee
Adc Telecommunications, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Adc Telecommunications, Inc. filed Critical Adc Telecommunications, Inc.
Priority to AU2001266976A priority Critical patent/AU2001266976A1/en
Publication of WO2001096921A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001096921A2/fr
Publication of WO2001096921A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001096921A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/4471—Terminating devices ; Cable clamps
    • G02B6/4472—Manifolds
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
    • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4452—Distribution frames

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to telecommunications cable management systems including optical fibers, where the optical fibers extend with a portion as unjacketed fibers, such as between a cable clamp and a splicing location. More particularly, the present invention relates to protecting the unjacketed fibers, including ribbon fiber cables, such as those extending between the clamp holding a jacketed main cable and a splicing cabinet.
  • Telecommunications systems including cable management frames which hold splice cabinets and other telecommunications equipment.
  • Main cables with bundles of optical fibers extend to the frame, and various cables extend from the frame to transmit the telecommunications signals in the system.
  • the frame often includes one or more clamps which secure the main cables.
  • Each main cable has a jacket around one or more bundles of optical fibers, including single fibers or ribbon fibers. Ribbon fibers include more than one fiber held with an adjacent fiber in a linear array. In many telecommunications systems, only the individual fibers or ribbon fibers extend from the clamps to the splice area.
  • This section of unjacketed fiber is often prone to damage, such as from bends going below the minimum bend radius, or from the fibers catching on equipment or operators working on the equipment.
  • Protective systems or "blocking kits" are known which include protective tubings placed around the unjacketed fibers. Round tubing is known for receiving a single ribbon fiber cable. The array of fibers in the ribbon fiber cable in some instances is split so as to fit into a smaller tube having an inside diameter less than the major dimension of the ribbon fiber cable.
  • One problem with this system is that in some splices, it is desirable to have the linear array of fibers remain intact for the splicing operation. Breaking the joined array of fibers in the ribbon fiber cable to fit into a round tube disrupts the integrity of the linear array of fibers.
  • a further known protective tube construction has generally an eye-shaped cross-section with rather sharp corners. This tubing is sized to only hold one ribbon fiber cable.
  • FIG 16 shows a representative prior art eye-shaped tubing.
  • an optical fiber protection system including a fiber protection device which protects unjacketed ribbon fiber cables, and in particular a plurality of ribbon fiber cables.
  • a frame extends vertically, and a splice device mounted to the frame includes an opening for receipt of optical fibers to be spliced.
  • a cable clamp mounted to the frame includes first and second access passages, the first access passage for receipt of a jacketed main optical fiber cable, the second access passage for receipt of unjacketed ribbon fiber cables.
  • a plurality of obround tubings extend from the second access passage to a location adjacent to the opening of the splice device, wherein each tubing holds a plurality of ribbon fiber cables.
  • a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of protecting ribbon fiber cables including the steps of: providing a jacketed main cable including a plurality of unjacketed ribbon fiber cables extending from an end of the jacket of the main cable; and positioning a plurality of the ribbon fiber cables in an obround tubing.
  • the tubing extends from a clamp, with the clamp mounted to the main cable.
  • the tubing is positioned wherein the ribbon fiber cables are directed to a location remote from the clamp, such as a splice area.
  • the method may further include splicing the ends of the ribbon fiber cables to other cables.
  • FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a telecommunications frame, including a representative splice cabinet;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame and splice cabinet of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view ofa segment of one of the protective tubings of the present invention, shown receiving four ribbon cables;
  • FIG. 4 is an end view of the tubing and ribbon cables of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to the view of FIG. 3, showing in hidden lines the orderly extension of ribbon cables through the tubing;
  • FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of a clamping unit including two of the main cable clamps, shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 7 is a further exploded view of one of the main cable clamps, shown from an opposite end to the end shown in FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 8 is a top view of the cable clamp of FIG. 7, shown without the cover plate;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tube holder and tubings, during assembly, for a four tube embodiment
  • FIG. 10 is an end view of the tubing
  • FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the tube holder for use with six tubings
  • FIG. 12 is an end view of the tube holder
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of one of the openings through the tube holder for holding one of the tubings;
  • FIG. 14 is an end view of an alternative tube holder for holding two tubings;
  • FIG. 15 is an end view of an alternative tube holder for holding four tubings;
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional end view of a prior art eye-shaped tubing.
  • a telecommunications frame 10 holds and manages telecommunications equipment and cables.
  • additional frames 10, or other rack or support structures are mounted next to frame 10.
  • Vertical supports 12 extend between horizontal supports 13, and support various cable management devices 14, 15 for managing cables extending to and from equipment, such as a splice cabinet 16.
  • Splice cabinet 16 supports splices of individual fibers to other fibers, within cabinet 16.
  • Vertical supports 12 are configured to support additional splice cabinets 16 above and below splice cabinet 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • Frame 10 defines a vertical cable channel 18 for main cables 19 entering frame 10 for distribution throughout frame 10.
  • Cables 19 with outer jackets 21 contain bundles of optical fibers, are clamped at cable clamps 22.
  • Extending from cable clamps 22 to splice cabinet 16 are unjacketed optical fibers.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates protective tubings 40 protecting the optical fibers inside tubings 40 from cable clamps 22 to splice cabinet 16.
  • Tubings 40 are typically several feet in length.
  • Main cables 19 may be sub-units of a larger cable, such as an outside plant type cable.
  • a cable protection device 30 includes one or more cable clamps 22 for clamping to main cables 19 entering frame 10.
  • Each cable clamp 22 includes a clamp block 32 for clamping to one or more main cables 19.
  • One or more tubings 40 extend from an opposite side of clamping block 32 so as to provide a protective cable pathway for the individual optical fibers 53a extending from main cable 19 to an area adjacent to splice cabinet 16.
  • Each clamping block 32 includes a base 34 and a cover 36 held by fasteners 38.
  • Tubing 40 is held by tube holder 42 which is held by fasteners 44 to base 34 of clamp block 32.
  • One or more clamp blocks 32 are mounted to frame 10 by bracket assembly 48.
  • Bracket assembly 48 includes any suitable structure for mounting to frame 10.
  • bracket assembly 48 spans between two adjacent frames 10.
  • bracket assembly 48 includes a yoke 48a, a mounting plate 48b, a washer plate 48c, and two nuts 48d.
  • Other mounting structures can be used for mounting clamp blocks 32, as desired.
  • Clamp block 32 defines an access passage 50 for each main cable 19, and an inner chamber 52 which allows for the individual ribbon fiber cables 53 to be segregated and aligned with the individual tubings 40 at second access passage 54 for clamp block 32.
  • Tube holder 42 with tubings 40 is positioned at access passage 54.
  • Cover 36 closes off inner chamber 52.
  • Tube holder 42 is configured as a plate 46 with openings 48.
  • tubings 40 are inserted into openings 48, which resiliently grip an exterior of each tubing 40.
  • tubing 40 is cut with a beveled end, and pulled through opening 48 with a tool, such as pliers. Once inserted, tubing 40 is trimmed to have a square end inside chamber 52.
  • Tube holder 42 has six openings 48. Different numbers can be provided as desired, such as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 for tube holders 42', 42".
  • each tubing 40 is a flexible polymeric material having an obround or oval shape.
  • the non-round shape has a major dimension and a minor dimension in the preferred embodiment which extend in the same directions as the major and minor dimensions of the ribbon fiber cables.
  • tubing 40 is at least partially transparent to visible light, to assist the installer or maintenance worker during use.
  • the obround or oval shape includes rounded ends 60 which cooperate with main sections or segments 62 to define an interior 64 sized for holding at least one ribbon fiber cable 53.
  • interior is sized for holding more than one ribbon fiber cable 53.
  • Each ribbon fiber cable 53 is made of individual fibers 53a, bound together with a matrix or coating in a linear array by conventional techniques.
  • each ribbon fiber cable 53 can by manipulated so that the individual fibers 53a are separated from each other such as by bending or pulling on the fibers in the transverse direction.
  • Cable 53 is a 12 fiber cable. Less fibers/more fibers per cable are possible, such as 4, 6, 8, and 24 fiber cables.
  • Rounded ends 60 of tubing 40 are preferably formed as radiussed ends. Segments 62 are preferably generally linear. In the preferred embodiment, at least two ribbon fiber cables 53 can be stacked within interior 64. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, four ribbon fiber cables 53 are stacked within interior 64. Rounded ends 60 in the preferred embodiment are radiussed, and do not define sharp or bend or kink-promoting structures. In the preferred embodiment, the thickness of tubing 40 at rounded ends 60 is greater than in main segments 62. In one preferred embodiment, the following dimensions are provided (see FIG. 10):
  • tubing 40 is polyethylene, low density, Dow 6401 or equivalent.
  • Tubing 40 preferably has a minimum bend diameter of 1.5 inches (before the ribbon fiber cables are inserted) before kinking begins to occur.
  • Tubing 40 can be sized as desired to hold more or less ribbon fiber cables 53.
  • Interior 64 of tubing 40 is sized so that the ribbon fiber cables slide into interior 64 as a stack or in succession to form the stack. Further, interior 64 does not allow any twisting of the stack or the individual ribbon fiber cables 53.
  • the rounded ends 60 are provided instead of the sharper corners 101 of prior art tubing 100 shown in FIG 16.
  • segments 102 are rounded and prevent or do not easily permit stacking of ribbon fiber cable in the organized manner of the present invention.
  • Tubing 100 includes a uniform wall thickness.
  • an increased wall thickness in ends 60 helps provide kink resistance, and cable protection. Without limiting the scope of the invention, it is believed that an increased thickness of about 10% in ends 60 is advantageous in resisting kinks in the obround shape of the present invention so as to permit stacked and organized multiple ribbon fiber cables 53 in each tubing 40.
  • prior art tubing 100 has the follow dimensions:
  • tubing 40 allows for stacks of ribbon fiber cables 53 to be received without twisting of the cables, or without pinching the end fibers or edges of the cables.
  • Such a shape, including the generally linear segments 62, is advantageous over round, or eye-shaped as in FIG 16.
  • a main cable 19 is clamped to base 34 of clamp block 32.
  • Clamp ties (not shown) are threaded through holes 35 to clamp jacket 21 of cable 19 to base 34.
  • the individual ribbon fiber cables 53 are positioned in inner chamber 52, and aligned with second access passage 54.
  • Tube holder 42 with attached tubings 40 is held by the installer, and the individual ribbon fiber cables 53 are fed by sliding them one by one or as a group into the interiors 64 of tubings 40 toward the free ends 41.
  • tubings 40 link clamp blocks 32 to a rear opening 16a of splice cabinet 16.
  • the tubings 40 are positioned within cable guide 15 to facilitate cable management.
  • the preferred embodiment includes multiple ribbon fiber cables 53 per tubing 40.
  • An advantage for this feature is that less tubings 40 are required, thereby taking up less space on frame 10, and requiring less assembly time and materials. This allows for more efficient cable management and cost savings.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de protection de fibre optique comportant un cadre orienté verticalement, un appareil de division monté audit cadre et une attache par serrage de câble également monté audit cadre. Plusieurs tubes présentant des extrémités sphériques partent de l'attache par serrage vers une position adjacente à l'appareil de division, chaque tube tenant plusieurs câbles de fibre à ruban nu.
PCT/US2001/019356 2000-06-15 2001-06-14 Systeme de protection de fibre et procede dote d'un equipement de blocage WO2001096921A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001266976A AU2001266976A1 (en) 2000-06-15 2001-06-14 Fiber protection system and method including blocking kit

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59543000A 2000-06-15 2000-06-15
US09/595,430 2000-06-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001096921A2 true WO2001096921A2 (fr) 2001-12-20
WO2001096921A3 WO2001096921A3 (fr) 2003-08-14

Family

ID=24383195

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/019356 WO2001096921A2 (fr) 2000-06-15 2001-06-14 Systeme de protection de fibre et procede dote d'un equipement de blocage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001266976A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001096921A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7062143B1 (en) 2005-04-28 2006-06-13 International Business Machines Corporation Modular mechanism for protecting fiber optic cables
US7330626B2 (en) 2005-08-31 2008-02-12 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Cabinet including optical bulkhead plate for blown fiber system
WO2015003989A1 (fr) * 2013-07-12 2015-01-15 Tyco Electronics Raychem Bvba Dispositif d'agrafe et de fixation destiné à un élément de câble
EP2871505A1 (fr) * 2013-11-08 2015-05-13 CCS Technology, Inc. Appareil pour guider verticalement des câbles de guide d'ondes optiques et servant à stocker les longueurs excessives dudit câble

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0582744A1 (fr) * 1992-08-09 1994-02-16 SUHNER ELEKTRONIK GmbH Ligne de transmission pour des arrangements équipés de guides d'ondes lumineuses
US5323480A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-21 Raychem Corporation Fiber optic splice closure
WO1996024081A1 (fr) * 1995-01-30 1996-08-08 The Whitaker Corporation Pied et supports pour cable a fibres optiques

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0582744A1 (fr) * 1992-08-09 1994-02-16 SUHNER ELEKTRONIK GmbH Ligne de transmission pour des arrangements équipés de guides d'ondes lumineuses
US5323480A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-21 Raychem Corporation Fiber optic splice closure
WO1996024081A1 (fr) * 1995-01-30 1996-08-08 The Whitaker Corporation Pied et supports pour cable a fibres optiques

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7062143B1 (en) 2005-04-28 2006-06-13 International Business Machines Corporation Modular mechanism for protecting fiber optic cables
US7330626B2 (en) 2005-08-31 2008-02-12 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Cabinet including optical bulkhead plate for blown fiber system
US7657148B2 (en) 2005-08-31 2010-02-02 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Cabinet including optical bulkhead plate for blown fiber system
US7869684B2 (en) 2005-08-31 2011-01-11 Adc Telecommunications, Inc. Cabinet including optical bulkhead plate for blown fiber system
WO2015003989A1 (fr) * 2013-07-12 2015-01-15 Tyco Electronics Raychem Bvba Dispositif d'agrafe et de fixation destiné à un élément de câble
US10268010B2 (en) 2013-07-12 2019-04-23 CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA Clamping and attachment device for cable element
EP2871505A1 (fr) * 2013-11-08 2015-05-13 CCS Technology, Inc. Appareil pour guider verticalement des câbles de guide d'ondes optiques et servant à stocker les longueurs excessives dudit câble

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001096921A3 (fr) 2003-08-14
AU2001266976A1 (en) 2001-12-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US11543613B2 (en) Fiber optic cable with flexible conduit
US8472772B2 (en) Cable loop device for optical systems
US6507691B1 (en) Fiber optic splice organizer with splicing tray and associated method
US7203404B2 (en) Loose tube fiber optic cables having at least one access location
EP0817985B1 (fr) Platines d'assemblage de fibre optique
US7480436B2 (en) Systems and methods for securing a tether to a distribution cable
US5625737A (en) Optical fiber holder and method using same
US8582938B2 (en) Fiber optic distribution cables and structures therefore
US8059929B2 (en) Tools and methods for manufacturing fiber optic distribution cables
US8620128B2 (en) System and method for anchoring fiber optic cables to provide strain relief
US7346243B2 (en) Methods for manufacturing fiber optic distribution cables
US7190866B2 (en) Distribution fiber optic cables having at least one access location and methods of making the same
US20060193573A1 (en) Cross-connect fiber optic cables and associated cross-connect sections
JPH09178994A (ja) コネクタ化ルース形チューブ状ケーブル、その製造方法、及びその成端配置
US20060193594A1 (en) Distribution fiber optic cables having at least one access optical fiber
US20050238311A1 (en) Support fixture and method for supporting subscriber specific fiber optic drop wire
EP3067726B1 (fr) Câbles de distribution à fibres optiques et structures associées
WO2001096921A2 (fr) Systeme de protection de fibre et procede dote d'un equipement de blocage
US20230261452A1 (en) Management device for hybrid cable
US9715073B1 (en) Optical trunk cable having web-connected sub-unitized configuration
CA1175271A (fr) Dispositif de faconnage en faisceau et d'epissure pour fibres optiques
WO1997038338A1 (fr) Dispositif pour organiser des fibres optiques
JPH10148722A (ja) 光ファイバ分散構造
WO2006093836A1 (fr) Cables de fibres optiques de distribution ayant au moins un emplacement d'acces et leurs procedes de fabrication

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EC EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP