JP2002500778A - Submarine cable joint with branch joint assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The passive branch joint assembly includes a housing (20) for a fiber storage device (30). The housing (20) is attached at one end to an end plate (80, 120) containing at least one terminal socket (100) and at the other end to at least two terminal sockets. It is attached to the end plates (80, 120) that house (100). A fiber optic cable (20) is attached to each terminal socket (100) such that the load applied to the terminal sockets (100) is transmitted by the end plate and housing (20) rather than the fiber storage device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Submarine cable joint with branch joint assembly Technical field   The present invention relates to the field of submarine optical fiber communication systems, and in particular, Passive branch joint assembly for connecting optical fiber cables together You. Background art   In our global society, more and more people are using telecommunications systems. Therefore, they are interconnected with each other. Submarine optical fiber cable communication Although the system is the only form of telecommunications system, submarine fiber optics Cables are better than traditional submarine cable systems or modern satellite communication systems. More data and voice transmissions can be transmitted.   Submarine fiber optic cables span thousands of miles across the ocean, Located thousands of feet below the ocean floor. One of the thousands of miles in length Since cables cannot be made, submarine fiber optic cable communication systems Includes a series of submarine fiber optic cables connected together by cable joints I mean. In this way, a number of individual cables are connected and of the desired length. A single cable can be formed.   If you cut out standard "non-armored" fiber optic cables, Comprising a series of optical fibers densely packed around a "king" steel wire. You will understand. Together these wires form the optical fiber "core" of the cable. ing. Optical fiber core The body is surrounded by strength members made of steel, and two waterproof insulation jackets (inside) A side copper jacket and an outer polyethylene jacket) surround the entire assembly. light The function of the fiber is to transmit the data and voice transmitted over the optical fiber cable. Is to transmit. A steel wire with an insulation jacket wrapped over the cable Adds rigidity to cables by supporting any applied loads.   Cable joints are used to connect two or more cables together. Traditionally, two-cable joints "terminate" two cables with separate termination sockets. Connecting the end-loadable fiber-bearing dish or tube to the two terminal sockets Was formed by Next, the individual optical fibers of the cable are tied together. And the entire assembly is covered with a steel jacket to keep it waterproof. Insulated to have.   Cable termination techniques are well known in the art. Behind the cable termination The idea is that fiber optic cables containing both steel strength members and steel king wires The load-bearing steel member of the The purpose is to transfer the load to the terminal socket. However, cave The brittle optical fiber passes completely through the termination socket.   One way to terminate a cable is to strip the protective insulation of the cable. The strength member is separated from the optical fiber core, and the steel strength member and the light By passing through the fiber core, the steel strength member is terminated. Next, the copper jacket and steel plug are placed on the fiber optic core and the steel plug is terminated. The wedge is securely pushed into the end jacket. In this way, the steel strength member is finished. The fiber optic core holds the socket while being clamped against the inner surface of the end socket. Pass through freely. Terminate steel king wire The individual optical fibers are separated from the steel king wire to Is attached to the king wire clamp. King wire clamp further terminated Load-bearing fiber connected to the socket or attached to the terminal socket The end result of these two processes is a fiber optic cable The entire load-bearing steel member of the screw will be retained in the terminal socket.   However, sometimes three or more cables use a branch joint assembly. It is desired that they be interconnected. Such a device shall have at least one mains cable. Cable and at least two branch cables. Typically, a branch cable Assembled using the branch repeater body whose point has been modified. Branch repeater The body is designed to be used in power systems, but the associated electronic Equipment is unnecessary in non-powered systems. Therefore, the branch repeater body Typically used in non-powered systems by eliminating internal electronics Modified for This implementation is expensive and time consuming. did Therefore, specially designed for use with branch fiber optic cable joints There is a need for a metered branch assembly. Disclosure of the invention   The present invention provides a passive jog comprising a cylindrical housing mounted at each end to an end plate. It is an int assembly. Each endplate has at least one to accommodate one or more termination sockets. Both have one opening. Attached to or within housing May be either "floating" (i.e., non-load bearing). A fiber storage device is disposed within the housing. Fiber optic cable pair Extending through the corresponding termination socket and attached to the termination socket I have. The fiber optic cable terminates at each termination socket. That is, each light The fiber cable passes through the end plate, enters the termination socket, and The cable's steel strength wire is fastened to the same terminating socket. Each optical fiber cable A single king wire is attached to each termination socket or fiber enclosure. Attached to the corresponding king wire. Next, for each fiber optic cable The individual optical fibers are wired together and fastened in an optical fiber housing. did As a result, all loads applied to individual fiber optic cables are fiber Supported by end plates and tubular housings rather than devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES   FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a passive joint assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.   FIG. 2 is another cross-sectional view of the passive joint assembly shown in FIG.   FIG. 3 is a radial cross-sectional view of the passive joint assembly of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION   The present invention relates to a passive joint assembly for use with fiber optic cables. It is. The invention can be used with both armored and non-armored cables. However, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is compatible with non-sheathed submarine fiber optic cable. For things to use.   As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the passive joint assembly 10 comprises a cylindrical housing. The housing 20 accommodates the fiber accommodation device 30 therein. ing. The housing 20 has a branch line end 40. And a main line end 50. Main line end 50 of housing 20 is radially inward It has an extending flange 60. The housing 20 includes the passive joint assembly 10 Designed to withstand external hydrostatic pressure when placed on the ocean floor. In addition, Howe The jing 20 is used for tensile load and torsion when the optical fiber cable is deployed. Designed to withstand loads.   The fiber storage device 30 can be cylindrical or dish-shaped and has a corresponding end socket. With at least three king wire clamps 70 attached to the socket 100 You. Branch end with two openings 90 to accommodate two terminal sockets 100 As shown in FIG. 3, the side end plate 80 is connected to the branch end 4 of the housing by a pin 137. It can be securely attached to 0. The branch line end side end plate 80 is a branch line end of the housing. It has a shoulder 110 that sits on 40. Single to accommodate termination socket 100 A main-line end plate 120 having an opening 90 is attached to the main-line end 50 of the housing. Be killed. The main line end side end plate 120 is threaded on its outer edge 125, and It has a shoulder 130 that sits on the inner surface of the flange 60 at the main end of the jing. Screw The engraved ring 135 is screwed to the main line end side end plate 120, and is tightened. The main line end side end plate 120 is fixed to the flange 60 of the jing 20.   The fiber storage device 30 is slidable in the axial direction with a set screw (not shown). Therefore, it is attached to the end plates 80 and 120. O-ring 127 is the main line end side end plate 1 20 and the fiber storage device 30, Limits and dampens movement and compensates for accumulation of axial tolerances. Each end plate 80, 120 Covered by a cover plate 140, the cover plate 140 is a joint set The application of an insulating jacket 150 serves to create a more uniform surface for the volume 10. To facilitate. Make the joint assembly waterproof and An insulating jacket 150 is suitable for electrically insulating the joint assembly from water. Used.   Each termination socket 100 has a radial outward flange 160, one of which At the end, the flange 160 allows the terminal socket 100 to pass through the end plates 80,120. It is prevented from slipping out of the housing 20. Terminal socket 100 Extends longitudinally through the termination socket 100 to the outwardly extending region 180. It has a cylindrical passage 170 that extends. The optical fiber cable 190 is connected to the terminal socket 10. 0 and inserted around the optical fiber cable core (not shown). The steel wire 200 is spread out to form a tapered copper jacket 220 and a steel plug By inserting 230 into the fiber cable core, It is attached. Next, the copper jacket 220 and the steel plug 230 are The optical fiber cable is pushed into the area 180 extending outside the Region 180 extending outside the termination socket 100 Between the surface of the jacket / plug 220/230 and the surface of the jacket / plug 220/230. You. Next, the king wire of the optical fiber cable 240 is And a corresponding kingwas attached to the Connected to ear clamp 70. Next, the individual optical fibers of each cable (not shown) Are connected in a desired manner. Next, the connected optical fiber is Housed in the storage device 30.   As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the passive joint assembly 10 is assembled once. Preformed heat shrink made from a material such as polyolefin It is put in the rim jacket 150. The insulation jacket is the same as the branch line end 252. And a wire end side portion 254. Each part 252, 254 is a passive joint assembly Correspondence of body 10 The outer shape of the cable and a portion of the attached cable 190 are substantially complementary. It is preformed as follows. Each part 252, 254 located in passive joint assembly 10 Then, each portion 252, 254 forms an overlapped area 255, Area 255 is glued and joined together. In addition, the length of the cable 190 The inner surface of each portion of the jacket portions 252, 254 extending above the minute Layer (not shown) and insulated jacket portions 252, 25 around the cable 190. 4 are joined. During the heat shrinking process, the insulating jacket portions 252, 25 4 to retain the inner surfaces of each jacket portion 252, 254, respectively. End plates 80 and corresponding radial grooves 262,2 on the outer surface of threaded ring 135 64 may have a radial lip 260 that fits. In addition, the radial grooves 262 , 264 outside the end plates 80, 120, the housing 20, or the threaded ring 135 Radial grooves 262, 264 and radial lips 26 so as to lie along side surfaces. 0 may be placed.   In actual use, the passive joint assembly 10 is 10 may further include an outer cylinder member 270 surrounding the periphery of the outer cylinder 10. Is provided with a pair of bending limit boots 280 and 282, Articles 280 are formed to accommodate at least two cables 180 .   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the termination socket, pins and case are all high strength Made from steel. However, any suitable high strength material may be used.   Previously, the strength terminals were attached directly to the fiber enclosure, Therefore, the fiber can be easily connected and stored. However, It was also required that the iva storage device be load-bearing. However, the passive In the joint assembly It is not required that the fiber storage device be load-bearing. Therefore, Inexpensive low-strength material such as aluminum or plastic for fiber storage device Can be composed of In addition, when a heat shrink insulating jacket is applied, Fiber containment equipment can withstand processing temperatures for the application of insulating jackets It is important that they are made from materials that can be cut.   The present invention allows for various interconnections between three or more cables. An example For example, mains cables can be joined to branch end cables, or The external cables can be connected to each other. Thus, any two or more Bull connection can be made.   In addition, the configuration of the housing and end plate may be at a particular branch or main end of the joint. Parts, but appropriate changes to the endplates to accommodate the appropriate number of cables. With modifications, these configurations are swapped and used at the opposite end of the joint. You will find that Further, the invention is described with the use of termination sockets. However, compression ferrules, epoxy terminals, or other sockets well known in the art Various other strength terminals, such as a meter, may be used.   Still other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in that only preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description set forth, and as set forth above. The description of the preferred embodiment is merely an illustration of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention. It is as clear. As will be appreciated, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments. And some of its details may be changed in various aspects without departing from the invention. It is possible to Therefore, the drawings and description are illustrative only and Should not be considered as

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (72) Inventors Lee, Tat Chiu             United States, New Jersey             07726, Manara bread, arbor coat             8 (72) Inventor Sorcher, Timothy Alan             United States, New Jersey             07748, Middletown, Twin Brook             Su Avenue 57

Claims (1)

[Claims]   1. A fiber storage device,   A housing having a first end and a second end for housing the fiber housing device And   The second end of the housing has a radially inwardly extending flange;   Being attached to the first end of the housing, A first shoulder seated on the first end, each sized to receive a terminating socket. A first end plate including two through holes,   Each terminal socket is connected to a king wire clamp extending into the housing. And   Through holes sized to receive termination sockets, external threads, and radial outside A second shoulder extending in the direction of the flange, the outer surface of the second shoulder being inside the flange. A second end plate disposed on the flange of the housing so as to be seated on a surface. In addition,   Each of the termination sockets connects to a king wire clamp that extends to the housing. And   An inner thread groove, which is fastened to the second end plate and the second Ends of three or more fiber optic cables, further comprising a ring to secure the end plate Passive branch joint assembly for connection.   2. A second with a first open end and a radially inward flange with an inner surface An open end, an elongated tubular body extending between the first open end and the second open end; A housing having   Circular and small enough to accept the corresponding terminal socket A first end plate having at least one hole,   One end of the first end plate has a lower surface and a first end plate radially outwardly projecting edge. A portion of the first end plate is disposed at the first open end of the housing. When the lower surface is seated on the first open end of the housing, The part of the radially outwardly projecting edge of the first end plate is the long cylindrical book of the housing. Aligned longitudinally with substantial parts of the body,   At least one that is circular and can receive a corresponding termination socket Further comprising a second end plate having a hole of   One end of the second end plate has a second end plate radially outwardly projecting edge with an upper surface A portion of the second end plate is disposed at the second open end of the housing. When the upper surface is seated on the inner surface of the radially inward flange The housing, the first end plate, and the second end plate are in contact with each other to transmit a load. Three or more optical fibers connected to the fiber receiving pan through a termination socket -A passive branch joint assembly for cables.   3. The portion of the first end plate radially outwardly projecting edge is outside the housing. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the device is arranged in a device.   4. The upper surface of the second end plate radially outwardly projecting edge portion is formed by the first end plate and the first end plate. And longitudinally aligned with the inner surface of the radially inward flange. 3. The arrangement of claim 2, wherein the end plate is disposed between the one end plate and the inner surface of the radially inward flange. An apparatus according to claim 1.   5. Threaded to secure the second end plate to the second open end of the housing. 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a bent ring.   6. Penetrate the housing to secure the first end plate to the housing 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a fastener engaging the first end plate.   7. The first end plate has a main body and a first end plate flange, and the fastener includes the first end plate. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a pin that engages the first end plate at an end plate flange. .   8. The first end plate flange forms an angle of about 90 degrees with the main body of the first end plate. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said apparatus extends from said main body of said first end plate.   9. The portion of the elongated tubular body adjacent to the first open end of the housing is 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the device extends longitudinally along the first endplate flange.   10. A first end, a second end, and a radially inward flag adjacent the second end; Housing having a flange and a body extending between the first end and the second end. When,   The first end of the housing is fastened to the housing at the first end and a first terminal A first end plate capable of receiving a packet,   A shoulder abutting the radially inward flange to receive a second terminal socket A second end plate that can be   A fiber housing device housed in the housing,   A threaded ring for fastening the second end plate to the housing;   For connecting optical fiber of two or more optical fiber cables Passive branch joint assembly.   11. The shoulder is longitudinally aligned with the first end plate and the radially inward flange. In a line, and disposed between the first end plate and the radially inwardly directed flange. Item 11. The apparatus according to Item 10.   12. The radial inward flange has an angle of about 90 degrees and the The device of claim 11, extending from the body.   13. The first end plate is fastened to the housing by a fastener. The device of claim 10, wherein   14． 14. The fastener of claim 13, wherein the fastener engages the first end plate at a first end plate flange. An apparatus according to claim 1.   15. The fastener extends through the first end of the housing and the first end plate 14. The device of claim 13, comprising a pin that engages with the device.   16. A waterproof cover that covers the housing, the first end plate, and the second end plate The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:   17． The first end plate is capable of accurately receiving two terminal sockets; An apparatus according to claim 16.   18. A first end plate having a shoulder and capable of receiving the first termination socket;   A first end and a second end, the first end abutting the shoulder of the first end plate; Housing,   Fastened to the housing at the second end for receiving a second terminal socket. A second end plate that can be   A fiber storage device housed in the housing,   The second end of the housing penetrating through the housing and engaging with the first end plate; A fastener for attaching one end to the first end plate,   For connecting optical fiber of two or more optical fiber cables Passive branch joint assembly.   19. The first end plate has a flange, and the fastener is the first end plate at the flange. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the device engages an end plate.   20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the flange and the shoulder form an angle of about 90 degrees. The described device.   21. A waterproof cover for covering the housing, the first end plate, and the second end plate is provided. 21. The device of claim 20, further comprising:   22. 22. The device of claim 21, wherein the fastener comprises a pin.   23. The housing has a body and the shoulder is longitudinally aligned with a substantial portion of the body. 23. The device of claim 22, wherein the device is aligned with a.   24. The end plate is capable of accurately receiving two terminal sockets. An apparatus according to claim 23.   25. The second end plate has outer threads for engaging a threaded ring; The threaded ring fastens the second end plate to the second end of the housing 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein: