GB2564840A - Cable enclosure - Google Patents

Cable enclosure Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2564840A
GB2564840A GB1709998.7A GB201709998A GB2564840A GB 2564840 A GB2564840 A GB 2564840A GB 201709998 A GB201709998 A GB 201709998A GB 2564840 A GB2564840 A GB 2564840A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
enclosure
splice protector
fibre
cable
fibre optic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB1709998.7A
Other versions
GB2564840B (en
GB201709998D0 (en
Inventor
Alan Kershaw Richard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ALKER OPTICAL EQUIPMENT Ltd
Original Assignee
ALKER OPTICAL EQUIPMENT Ltd
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 ALKER OPTICAL EQUIPMENT Ltd filed Critical ALKER OPTICAL EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority to GB1709998.7A priority Critical patent/GB2564840B/en
Publication of GB201709998D0 publication Critical patent/GB201709998D0/en
Priority to GB2000861.1A priority patent/GB2579458B/en
Priority to PCT/GB2018/051747 priority patent/WO2018234822A1/en
Publication of GB2564840A publication Critical patent/GB2564840A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2564840B publication Critical patent/GB2564840B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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
    • G02B6/444—Systems or boxes with surplus lengths
    • G02B6/4453—Cassettes
    • G02B6/4454—Cassettes with splices
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • G02B6/2558—Reinforcement of splice joint
    • 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
    • G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
    • G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
    • 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
    • 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
    • G02B6/4441—Boxes

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
  • Details Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a fibre optic cable enclosure 400 comprising: a first fibre port; a second fibre port; a splice protector holder section 420 on an exterior of the enclosure, wherein the splice protector holder section comprises a plurality of splice protector holders disposed around the exterior of the enclosure. The enclosure also includes a first aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the first aperture is situated between the first end and the splice protector holder section; and a second aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the second aperture is situated between the second end and the splice protector holder section. Also disclosed is a method for securing a fibre optic cable in an enclosure. The splice protector holder may comprise a grove for receiving a splice protector 444 in a push fit or snap fit relationship.

Description

Fibre optic cable enclosures are used to house junctions between fibre optic cables. Typically, a fibre optic enclosure may include anchoring points for holding splice protectors that splice together separate fibre optic cables.
In-line fibre optic enclosures are generally arranged so that a fibre optic cable enters the enclosure through one end and is spliced, using a splice protector, to a second cable that is fed into the enclosure from an opposing second end. The splice protector may be held securely within the enclosure. A splice protector may also be referred to as a splint.
A difficulty encountered in conventional fibre optic enclosures is that slack must be provided in the fibre optic cables to allow the splice protector to be affixed to the cables before the splice protector is secured in the enclosure. However, once the cable is secured to the enclosure by the splice protector, the excess slack in the cables must be lost, or else the cable slack can make management of the splice protectors and cables, and the insertion of further splice protectors, difficult for the operator of the enclosure. Typically, such slack cable is looped around the splice protector within a fibre tray of the enclosure.
According to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a fibre optic cable enclosure comprising:
a first fibre port;
a second fibre port;
a splice protector holder section on an exterior of the enclosure, wherein the splice protector holder section comprises a plurality of splice protector holders disposed around the exterior of the enclosure;
a first aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the first aperture is situated between the first end and the splice protector holder section; and a second aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the second aperture is situated between the second end and the splice protector holder section.
The enclosure may be an inline fibre optic enclosure. The enclosure may be generally tubular.
The enclosure may comprise a first chamber between the first fibre port and the splice protector holder section. The enclosure may comprise a second chamber between the second fibre port and the splice protector holder section. The first aperture may provide an opening in the first chamber. The second aperture may provide an opening in the second chamber.
The first and second chambers comprising a base tray portion or a base portion for holding a fibre tray.
Each splice protector holder may comprise a groove or hole for receiving a splice protector in a push fit or snap fit relationship.
The splice protector holders may be circumferentially spaced around the splice protector holders section.
The fibre optic cable enclosure may have a first end and an opposing second end. The first fibre port may be provided at the first end. The second fibre port may be provided at the second end.
The splice protector holders may be aligned with the first and second ends of the enclosure. The enclosure has a cross sectional dimension of less than 90 mm, less than 60 mm or less than 45 mm.
Each chamber or tray may comprise a retaining mechanism for holding optical fibre.
The enclosure may comprise a removable outer covering provided over the splice protector holder section or over at least a portion of the enclosure.
The fibre optic cable enclosure may comprise a stand.
According to a further aspect there is provided a method of securing a fibre optic cable in an enclosure, comprising:
passing a first cable through a first fibre port in the enclosure;
passing the first cable through a first aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;
passing a second cable through a second fibre port in an enclosure;
passing the second cable through a second aperture in an exterior of the enclosure; affixing the first cable to a second cable using a splice protector to form a merged cable;
passing the merged cable around the exterior of the enclosure in order to take up slack cable;
engaging the splice protector with a splice protector holder on the exterior of the enclosure in order to hold the splice protector in position.
One or more embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates various views of an in-line fibre optic enclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates zoomed in portions of the in-line fibre optic enclosure of figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates further zoomed in portions of the in-line fibre optic enclosure of figure 1;
Figures 4a to 4d illustrate stages in the method of securing a fibre optic cable using the in-line fibre optic enclosure of figure 1.
Figure 1 illustrates a number of views of an in-line fibre optic enclosure, or splice pipe. In summary, these views include a sealed enclosure 10, an open enclosure 20, an open enclosure 30 mounted on a stand 40 for use during cable splicing, and a zoomed in portion of a splice protector holder 50 of the enclosure.
The sealed enclosure 10 has a removable outer covering provided over at least a portion of the open enclosure 20.
The structure of the in-line fibre optic enclosure is discussed further below with reference to Figures 2 and 3.
The in-line fibre optic enclosure has a tubular construction, and in this example is generally cylindrical. The enclosure has an axial direction 202, a radial direction 204 and a circumferential direction 206. A first fibre port 208 is provided at a first end 210 of the enclosure 200 in the axial direction 202. A second fibre port 212 is provided at a second end of the enclosure 214 in the axial direction 202. The first end 210 opposes the second end 214. The fibre ports 208, 212 may be provided centrally or off centre (radially displaced from the centre). The fibre ports 208, 212 may each comprise a single entry point or a plurality of spaced apart entry points.
A tubular portion that extends between the first end 210 and the second end 214 comprises a first set of apertures 216, a second set of apertures 218 and a splice protector holder section 220. The first set of apertures 216 expose a first chamber of the enclosure. The first chamber is situated between the first end 210 and the splice protector holder section
220. The second set of apertures 218 expose a second chamber of the enclosure 200. The second chamber is situated between the second end 214 and the splice protector holder section 220. The first and second fibre ports 208, 212 provide passage ways for fibre optic cable to pass into the respective first and second chambers of the enclosure 200. The first and second set of apertures 216, 218 provide passageways for fibre optic cable to pass from the respective first and second fibre ports 208, 212 out of the enclosure 200 in the radial direction 204. The first and second sets of apertures 216, 218 in this example each comprise slits on opposing sides of the enclosure that extend along the axial direction 202.
The splice protector holder section 220 comprises a plurality of splice protector holders 222 disposed around the exterior of the enclosure. The splice protector holders 222 may be provided by respective grooves or holes for engaging with a splice protector and holding the splice protector in a push-fit or a snap-fit relationship. The splice protector holders 222 are aligned and extend in the axial direction 202. The splice protector holders 222 are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction 206. In this example, the splice protector holder section 220 is provided by a circular based cylindrical collar on an exterior of the enclosure 200. In other examples, the splice protector holder section 220 may be non-circular based. For example, a cross section of the splice protector holder section 220 may be elliptical. As will become apparent with the description of the enclosure 200 in use, further illustrated in figures 4a to 4d below, it is preferable for the exterior of the enclosure 200 to have a smooth surface that is devoid of sharp or severe edges to avoid damaging the fibre optic cables.
The first and second chambers have a base section defined by an exterior wall of the enclosure 200. The base section may be a fibre tray. Alternatively, the base section may hold a fibre tray. Providing a removable tray may ease manufacture and assembly of the enclosure. In particular, the tray may be formed of a different material (e.g. durable plastic) to the exterior of the enclosure. The first chamber in this example is shown with retaining members 226, or securing members, that extend from the exterior wall of the enclosure 200 above the base section of the chamber. The retaining members 226 can be used to hold fibre optic cable in position by threading the fibre optic cable underneath the retaining members 226. The retaining members 226 may be curved to avoid sharp edges which could damage the fibre optic cables.
A method of operating securing a fibre optic cable in an enclosure such as that illustrated and described previously with references to Figures 1 to 3, comprises the steps of:
• passing a first cable through a first fibre port in the enclosure;
• passing the first cable through a first aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;
• passing a second cable through a second fibre port in an enclosure;
• passing the second cable through a second aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;
• affixing, or splicing, the first cable to a second cable using a splice protector to form and protect a merged, or spliced, cable;
• passing the merged cable around the exterior of the enclosure in order to take up slack cable; and • engaging the splice protector with a splice protector holder on the exterior of the enclosure in order to hold the splice protector in position.
The order of various steps in the sequence may be varied.
Figures 4a to 4d illustrate various stages in a method of securing fibre optic cables in an enclosure such as that illustrated and described previously with references to Figures 1 to
3.
Figure 4a illustrates an arrangement after a first cable 440 has passed through a first fibre port 408 into a first chamber of the enclosure 400. A second cable 442 has been passed through a second fibre port 412 into a second chamber of the enclosure 400.
Figure 4b illustrates an arrangement after the first and second cables 440, 442 have been further drawn through the respective first and second fibre ports 408, 412.
The first cable 440 has been threaded under a securing member 426 in the first chamber and drawn out of the enclosure 400 through a first aperture 416 in an exterior of the enclosure 400. The second cable 442 has been passed through a second aperture 418 in the exterior of the enclosure. Figure 4c illustrates an arrangement after the first and second cables 440, 442 have been joined and protected by a splice protector 444. The joining of the cables 440, 442 is performed outside of the enclosure and may be achieved by conventional splicing techniques.
In order to lose the excess cable that was required in order to allow the first and second cables 440, 442 to be joined and protected by the splice protector 444, the joined cable may be wrapped around, or at least partially around, the exterior of the enclosure. This may be achieved by passing the spliced cable around the exterior of the enclosure in a circumferential direction 406 in order to take up the slack cable.
Figure 4d illustrates an arrangement in which the splice protector 444 of the splice cable is engaged with a splice protector holder 420 on the exterior of the enclosure 400 in order to hold the splice protector 444 in position with the slack of the spliced cable neatly wrapped around the exterior of the enclosure 400.
As described previously with reference to Figure 2, the splice protector holder section comprises a plurality of spaced splice protector holders which allow the splice protector to be engaged at a position where the slack of the cable has been taken up, irrespective of the actual amount of slack present in the cable. In this way, a number of merged cables may be secured by the enclosure 400.
Specific features of the geometry of some examples of the enclosure are provided below:
• A slim inline fibre optic enclosure with a 7 to 9 cm diameter.
• Length same as existing solutions at approximately 45 cm long.
• Two separate fibre holding trays may be provided in the respective chambers to reduce tangling of fibres.
• Both 250um, 900um fibres can be used, including mixing sizes.
• Range could include up to 48 splice (dependant on diameter).
• Single and multimode compatible.
• Very strong, durable and light weight if a suitable metal or plastics material is used to form the enclosure.
• For external, external ducting or internal use.
• A total of 8-10 seals to aid with waterproofing.
• Cable reliefs and additional sealing gland may be provided at each end of assembly.
• Simple, quick to assemble and use with easy to follow instructions.
• Forgiving in the event of a breakage through operator error.
• Adjustable positions for splice protector location.
• Fibre may be protected within each of the internal trays.
• Access to fibre management trays when required.
• Fibre management to ensure fibres are neat, safely positioned and at the correct radius.
• Fibre cable clamping system with multiple fixings, easy access for cable adjustments.
• Secure stand to aid installer while splicing is in operation.
• The tails can be designed so fibres can be extracted, replaced and then re-spliced 5 if required.
• The product may be directly terminated to a table tail with a connector at one end.

Claims (15)

1. A fibre optic cable enclosure comprising:
a first fibre port;
a second fibre port;
a splice protector holder section on an exterior of the enclosure, wherein the splice protector holder section comprises a plurality of splice protector holders disposed around the exterior of the enclosure;
a first aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the first aperture is situated between the first end and the splice protector holder section; and a second aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the second aperture is situated between the second end and the splice protector holder section.
2. The fibre optic cable enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is an inline fibre optic enclosure.
3. The fibre optic cable enclosure of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the enclosure is generally tubular.
4. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising:
a first chamber between the first fibre port and the splice protector holder section; and a second chamber between the second fibre port and the splice protector holder section.
5. The fibre optic cable enclosure of claim 4, wherein the first aperture provides an opening in the first chamber and the second aperture provides an opening in the second chamber.
6. The fibre optic cable enclosure of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the first and second chambers comprising a base tray portion or a base portion for holding a fibre tray.
7. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein each splice protector holder comprises a groove for receiving a splice protector in a push fit or snap fit relationship.
8. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the splice protector holders are circumferentially spaced around the splice protector holders section.
9. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first fibre port is provided at the first end and the second fibre port is provided at the second end.
10. The fibre optic cable enclosure of claim 9, wherein the splice protector holders are aligned with the first and second ends of the enclosure.
11. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure has a cross sectional dimension of less than 9 cm.
12. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, each chamber comprises a retaining mechanism for holding optical fibre.
13. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a removable outer covering provided over the splice protector holder section.
14. The fibre optic cable enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a stand.
15. A method of securing a fibre optic cable in an enclosure, comprising:
passing a first cable through a first fibre port in the enclosure;
passing the first cable through a first aperture in an exterior of the enclosure; passing a second cable through a second fibre port in an enclosure;
passing the second cable through a second aperture in an exterior of the enclosure; affixing the first cable to the second cable using a splice protector to form a merged cable;
passing the merged cable around the exterior of the enclosure in order to take up slack cable;
engaging the splice protector with a splice protector holder on the exterior of the enclosure in order to hold the splice protector in position.
GB1709998.7A 2017-06-22 2017-06-22 Cable enclosure Active GB2564840B (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1709998.7A GB2564840B (en) 2017-06-22 2017-06-22 Cable enclosure
GB2000861.1A GB2579458B (en) 2017-06-22 2018-06-22 Cable enclosure
PCT/GB2018/051747 WO2018234822A1 (en) 2017-06-22 2018-06-22 Cable enclosure

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1709998.7A GB2564840B (en) 2017-06-22 2017-06-22 Cable enclosure

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201709998D0 GB201709998D0 (en) 2017-08-09
GB2564840A true GB2564840A (en) 2019-01-30
GB2564840B GB2564840B (en) 2022-04-13

Family

ID=59523484

Family Applications (2)

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GB1709998.7A Active GB2564840B (en) 2017-06-22 2017-06-22 Cable enclosure
GB2000861.1A Active GB2579458B (en) 2017-06-22 2018-06-22 Cable enclosure

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB2000861.1A Active GB2579458B (en) 2017-06-22 2018-06-22 Cable enclosure

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (2) GB2564840B (en)
WO (1) WO2018234822A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4516830A (en) * 1981-12-30 1985-05-14 Les Cables De Lyon Junction for joining the ends of two under water optical fiber cables, and method of manufacture
US4664471A (en) * 1983-09-16 1987-05-12 Les Cables De Lyon Junction box for joining the ends of underwater optical fiber cables by welding

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS57154212A (en) * 1981-03-18 1982-09-24 Nippon Telegr & Teleph Corp <Ntt> Supporting method of optical fiber connecting part
EP0393552B1 (en) * 1989-04-21 1994-02-16 Felten &amp; Guilleaume Energietechnik AG Sliding fitting for plastic-insulated medium voltage cable having multiple integrated optical fibre conductors
US5042901A (en) * 1990-07-31 1991-08-27 Siecor Corporation Preconnectorized optical splice closure
DE4240170C2 (en) * 1992-11-30 2001-08-02 Abb Patent Gmbh Splice housing for a power cable with integrated optical fibers

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4516830A (en) * 1981-12-30 1985-05-14 Les Cables De Lyon Junction for joining the ends of two under water optical fiber cables, and method of manufacture
US4664471A (en) * 1983-09-16 1987-05-12 Les Cables De Lyon Junction box for joining the ends of underwater optical fiber cables by welding

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2564840B (en) 2022-04-13
GB2579458A (en) 2020-06-24
WO2018234822A1 (en) 2018-12-27
GB201709998D0 (en) 2017-08-09
GB202000861D0 (en) 2020-03-04
GB2579458B (en) 2022-04-20

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