US20020097965A1 - Cable repeater connecting joint - Google Patents
Cable repeater connecting joint Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020097965A1 US20020097965A1 US09/766,704 US76670401A US2002097965A1 US 20020097965 A1 US20020097965 A1 US 20020097965A1 US 76670401 A US76670401 A US 76670401A US 2002097965 A1 US2002097965 A1 US 2002097965A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- gimbal
- repeater
- connecting link
- longitudinal axis
- joint
- 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.)
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Classifications
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- 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
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3826—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres characterised by form or shape
- G02B6/3829—Bent or angled connectors
-
- 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
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
- G02B6/38875—Protection from bending or twisting
-
- 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
- G02B6/4459—Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
- G02B6/4461—Articulated
Definitions
- the present invention is directed to joints connecting cable repeaters to lengths of fiber optic cable, and, more particularly, to a connecting joint for a cable repeater having improved bending capability.
- Fiber optic cable laid undersea is typically required to traverse great distances.
- Cable repeaters are well known to be placed in-line at desired intervals along the cable to receive, amplify, and retransmit the signal being carried by the cable.
- a bend limiting device having a rubber boot, is typically secured to the end of the cable.
- the repeater is connected to the bend limiting device, with connecting optical fibers extending through the bend limiting device. To deploy the fiber optic cable, it is coiled onto large drums on a ship. Consequently, the repeaters become wrapped about the drums along with the cable.
- a gimbal may be provided at each longitudinal end of the repeater, to which the bend limiting devices are attached.
- a gimbal refers to a device having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A gimbal provides free angular movement in two directions. The bend angle allowed by the gimbal between the repeater and bend limiting device is limited to approximately 50° or less as exceeding this angle at a pivot point can damage the optical fibers.
- FIG. 1 A repeater for attachment to a fiber optic cable and its end connecting structure as known in the prior art are shown in FIG. 1.
- Repeater 2 has a cone 5 enclosing each end thereof (only one end is shown for simplicity), and a gimbal 4 contained within cone 5 .
- Gimbal 4 is formed of a first ring 6 secured to the cone 5 of the repeater 2 .
- a second ring 8 sits within and is pivotally connected to first ring 6 by a pair of coaxial pins 10 , only one of which is visible in the drawing.
- the axes of pins 10 are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L of repeater 2 .
- a connecting link 12 is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the second ring 8 by a pair of coaxial pins 14 , only one of which is visible.
- the common axis of pins 14 extend perpendicular to the common axis of pins 10 , and pins 14 move in a plane which is perpendicular to the common axis of pins 10 as ring 8 pivots about pins 10 .
- Connecting link 12 is connected at its second end to a bend limiting device 16 .
- a bend limiting device 16 is located at the end of a boot 19 proximate the repeater 2 .
- the end of a segment of a fiber optic cable 17 excluding the optical fibers thereof, is attached to and housed within the boot 19 , as seen in FIG. 3.
- Optical fibers 46 extend through the connecting link 12 to carry signals to the repeater 2 .
- the bend limiting device 16 prevents the relative rotation between the repeater 2 and the boot 19 from exceeding a predetermined maximum bend angle a by abutting with the first ring 6 or another part of the gimbal 4 when the predetermined maximum bend angle a is reached. This in turn prevents the fibers 46 from becoming damaged.
- a commonly used maximum bend angle a between the longitudinal axis L of repeater 2 and the longitudinal axis B of bend limiting device 16 allowed by gimbal 4 is approximately 50°, thereby limiting the ability to wrap repeater 2 , and fiber optic cable 17 to which it is attached, around a drum for effective deployment.
- the principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a cable repeater connecting joint having improved bending capability for fiber optic cable systems.
- a repeater is connected by a pair of joints and a coupling to a bend limiting boot assembly.
- each of the joints have two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation.
- the bend limiting boot assembly encloses an end of a length of cable.
- a connector for connecting a cable repeater to a length of cable includes a cable repeater having a joint.
- the cable repeater joint has two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation.
- a coupling has a joint having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation.
- a first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the cable repeater joint and secured at a second end thereof to the coupling.
- a second connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the coupling joint and secured at a second end thereof to a length of cable.
- a connector for connecting a cable repeater to a length of cable includes a cable repeater having a first gimbal.
- a coupling has a second gimbal.
- a first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the first gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to the coupling.
- a second connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the second gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to a length of cable.
- a cable system includes a plurality of repeaters. Each repeater has a repeater gimbal at each end thereof. Each of a plurality of couplings has a coupling gimbal therein.
- the cable system also includes a plurality of first connecting links. Each first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a repeater gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to a coupling.
- a plurality of bend limiting devices is also provided. Each bend limiting device encloses an end of a length of cable.
- Each of a plurality of second connecting links is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a coupling gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to a bend limiting device.
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cable repeater of the prior art connected to a bend limiting device with a gimbal;
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connecting joint of the present invention shown connecting a cable repeater to a bend limiting device;
- FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation view of the connecting joint of FIG. 2, showing the cable repeater, connecting joint and length of cable wrapped around a drum;
- a connecting joint 3 in accordance with the invention comprises a repeater 2 having a longitudinal axis L.
- a cone 5 encompasses each end of repeater 2 , only one end of repeater 2 being shown here.
- connecting joint 3 includes a gimbal 4 .
- a gimbal refers to a device having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A gimbal provides free angular movement within limits in two directions.
- Gimbal 4 is of conventional construction and is secured within cone 5 of repeater 2 . It is to be appreciated that another gimbal 4 (not shown here) is located within the cone 5 at the other end of repeater 2 .
- Gimbal 4 includes a first ring 6 secured within cone 5 .
- a second ring 8 is pivotally connected to first ring 6 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair of pins 10 , only one of which is visible in the drawing.
- Pins 10 are axially aligned with one another, each pin 10 extending through first and second rings 6 , 8 on opposite sides of first and second rings 6 , 8 .
- a first connecting link 12 is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to second ring 8 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair of pins 14 coaxially positioned on opposite sides of second ring 8 and extending into first connecting link 12 .
- the common axes of pins 14 extend perpendicular to the common axes of pins 10 , and pins 14 move in a plane perpendicular to the axes of pins 10 as second ring 8 rotates about pins 10 .
- the second end of first connecting link 12 is secured to a coupling 18 having a longitudinal axis C.
- Coupling 18 includes a substantially cylindrical housing 20 having a longitudinal axis C and a gimbal 22 secured therein. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, longitudinal axis C of coupling 18 is also the longitudinal axis C of first connecting link 12 .
- Gimbal 22 includes a ring 24 pivotally connected to housing 20 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair of coaxial pins 26 , only one of which is visible, positioned on opposite sides of housing 20 and ring 24 .
- the common axes of pins 26 extend perpendicular longitudinal axis C.
- a second connecting link 28 is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to ring 24 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair of coaxial pins 30 , only one of which is visible.
- Each pin 30 extends through ring 24 into second connecting link 28 , the two pins 30 being on opposite sides of ring 24 .
- the common axes of pins 30 extend perpendicular to the common axes of pins 26 , and pins 30 move in a plane perpendicular to the axes of pins 30 as ring 24 rotates about pins 26 .
- Second connecting link 28 is secured at a second end thereof to bend limiting device 16 .
- Bend limiting device 16 encloses an end of a length of cable 17 , with the optical fibers 46 of the cable 17 extending therefrom and to the repeater 2 .
- the bend limiting device 16 , the housing 20 of the gimbal 22 , and an external load bearing surface on the repeater 2 , such as on ring 6 are designed to effectively absorb and transfer tensile forces and to limit the bending of the optical fibers 46 .
- a boot 19 preferably formed of rubber and seen more clearly in FIG. 3, extends from bend limiting device 16 partially along the length of cable 17 .
- a bend limiting boot assembly refers to the boot 19 and any bend limiting devices 16 or surfaces associated with the boot.
- FIG. 3 The improved bending capability of connecting joint 3 is seen more clearly in FIG. 3, where repeater 2 , connecting joint 3 , bend limiting device 16 and cable 17 are shown wrapped around a drum 21 .
- Gimbal 4 provides a maximum bend angle ⁇ between longitudinal axis L of repeater 2 and longitudinal axis C of coupling 18 of up to approximately 50°.
- Gimbal 22 provides a maximum bend angle ⁇ between longitudinal axis C of coupling 18 and longitudinal axis B of bend limiting device 16 of up to approximately 25°.
- the total maximum bend angle ⁇ for connecting joint 3 that is, the maximum bend angle between the longitudinal axis L of repeater 2 and the longitudinal axis B of bend limiting device 16 is up to approximately 75°. This provides a much greater amount of flexibility for wrapping lengths of cable with in-line repeaters around the drum than prior art devices, reducing stress and possible breakage and degradation of the optical cable.
- connecting links 12 , 28 are preferably formed any suitable corrosion resistant, high-strength material such as coated steel or beryllium-copper to provide protection for the fibers carried therein and to transfer and absorb high tensile forces.
- this connecting joint 3 reduces the concentration of maximum stress as compared to the prior art connection joint of FIG. 1 as the stress forces between the repeater 2 and the boot 19 are distributed over two points as opposed to being concentrated solely at a single point.
- the joint advantageously prevents twisting of joint 3 and connecting fibers 46 while still allowing angular movement in two mutually perpendicular directions.
- the two gimbal joints 4 and 22 need not be used and a single axis pivoting joint may be used instead of either of the gimbals 4 and 22 . Such would still maintain a dual, spaced, pivot axis arrangement.
- the ends of repeater 2 and bend limiting device 16 are provided with grooves 40 , 42 , respectively.
- a flexible bellows (not shown) may be used to cover connecting joint 3 , with grooves 40 , 42 receiving respective flanges or shoulders of the flexible bellows. Suitable fasteners, such as clamps, may then be used to secure the bellows to repeater 2 and bend limiting device 16 .
- the maximum bend angle values of ⁇ , ⁇ , and ⁇ listed above correspond to one preferred embodiment, advantages of the present invention can be achieved with other contemplated bend angle values.
- the total maximum bend angle ⁇ can be any one of numerous angles, including all angles between 50°-100°, such as 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, and 80°, and still obtain significant advantages over the prior art.
- the maximum bend angle ⁇ between the longitudinal axis B of the boot 19 and the longitudinal axis C of the gimbal 22 need not be less than that of the maximum bend angle ⁇ between the longitudinal axis L of the repeater 2 and the longitudinal axis C the gimbal 22 , and the values of each of the maximum bend angle ⁇ and ⁇ may be any positive angle.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Cable Accessories (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
- Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/669,638, filed Sep. 26, 2000, and entitled “Multi-Body Modular Repeater System and Articulated Housing for Use Therein”, and which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
- The present invention is directed to joints connecting cable repeaters to lengths of fiber optic cable, and, more particularly, to a connecting joint for a cable repeater having improved bending capability.
- Fiber optic cable laid undersea is typically required to traverse great distances. Cable repeaters are well known to be placed in-line at desired intervals along the cable to receive, amplify, and retransmit the signal being carried by the cable. A bend limiting device, having a rubber boot, is typically secured to the end of the cable. The repeater is connected to the bend limiting device, with connecting optical fibers extending through the bend limiting device. To deploy the fiber optic cable, it is coiled onto large drums on a ship. Consequently, the repeaters become wrapped about the drums along with the cable. Due to the nature of the signals, and the ever increasing amount of information being transmitted in the optical fibers, repeaters are getting larger, and their increased length creates problems as they are coiled around a drum. Although the drums may be up to 9-12 feet in diameter, current repeaters may approach 5½ feet in length, and, therefore, are not able to lie flat, or even substantially flat, along a drum. Tremendous stresses due to forces on the order of up to 100,000 pounds are encountered at the connection point between the repeater and the fiber optic cable to which it is attached, especially during paying out and reeling in of the cable.
- Consequently, a gimbal may be provided at each longitudinal end of the repeater, to which the bend limiting devices are attached. A gimbal, as used herein, refers to a device having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A gimbal provides free angular movement in two directions. The bend angle allowed by the gimbal between the repeater and bend limiting device is limited to approximately 50° or less as exceeding this angle at a pivot point can damage the optical fibers.
- A repeater for attachment to a fiber optic cable and its end connecting structure as known in the prior art are shown in FIG. 1.
Repeater 2 has acone 5 enclosing each end thereof (only one end is shown for simplicity), and agimbal 4 contained withincone 5. Gimbal 4 is formed of a first ring 6 secured to thecone 5 of therepeater 2. Asecond ring 8 sits within and is pivotally connected to first ring 6 by a pair ofcoaxial pins 10, only one of which is visible in the drawing. The axes ofpins 10 are perpendicular to a longitudinal axis L ofrepeater 2. A connectinglink 12 is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to thesecond ring 8 by a pair ofcoaxial pins 14, only one of which is visible. The common axis ofpins 14 extend perpendicular to the common axis ofpins 10, andpins 14 move in a plane which is perpendicular to the common axis ofpins 10 asring 8 pivots aboutpins 10. Connectinglink 12 is connected at its second end to abend limiting device 16. Abend limiting device 16 is located at the end of aboot 19 proximate therepeater 2. The end of a segment of a fiberoptic cable 17, excluding the optical fibers thereof, is attached to and housed within theboot 19, as seen in FIG. 3. Optical fibers 46, as seen in FIG. 4, extend through the connectinglink 12 to carry signals to therepeater 2. Thebend limiting device 16 prevents the relative rotation between therepeater 2 and theboot 19 from exceeding a predetermined maximum bend angle a by abutting with the first ring 6 or another part of thegimbal 4 when the predetermined maximum bend angle a is reached. This in turn prevents the fibers 46 from becoming damaged. A commonly used maximum bend angle a between the longitudinal axis L ofrepeater 2 and the longitudinal axis B ofbend limiting device 16 allowed bygimbal 4 is approximately 50°, thereby limiting the ability to wraprepeater 2, and fiberoptic cable 17 to which it is attached, around a drum for effective deployment. - It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable repeater connecting joint which reduces or wholly overcomes some or all of the aforesaid difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of preferred embodiments.
- The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide a cable repeater connecting joint having improved bending capability for fiber optic cable systems. A repeater is connected by a pair of joints and a coupling to a bend limiting boot assembly. In a preferred arrangement, each of the joints have two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. The bend limiting boot assembly encloses an end of a length of cable. Such a connecting system increases the ability to wrap the cable with its attached in-line repeater and associated structure around a drum by reducing the critical bend without sacrificing strength or exceeding any predetermined optical fiber bend limits.
- In accordance with a first aspect, a connector for connecting a cable repeater to a length of cable includes a cable repeater having a joint. The cable repeater joint has two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A coupling has a joint having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the cable repeater joint and secured at a second end thereof to the coupling. A second connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the coupling joint and secured at a second end thereof to a length of cable.
- In accordance with another aspect, a connector for connecting a cable repeater to a length of cable includes a cable repeater having a first gimbal. A coupling has a second gimbal. A first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the first gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to the coupling. A second connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to the second gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to a length of cable.
- In accordance with yet another aspect, a cable system includes a plurality of repeaters. Each repeater has a repeater gimbal at each end thereof. Each of a plurality of couplings has a coupling gimbal therein. The cable system also includes a plurality of first connecting links. Each first connecting link is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a repeater gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to a coupling. A plurality of bend limiting devices is also provided. Each bend limiting device encloses an end of a length of cable. Each of a plurality of second connecting links is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a coupling gimbal and secured at a second end thereof to a bend limiting device.
- From the foregoing disclosure, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this area of technology, that the present invention provides a significant advance. Preferred embodiments of the cable repeater connecting joint of the present invention can provide improved bending capability and, consequently, reduce the stress encountered as a repeater and cable to which it is attached are wrapped around a drum. These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of preferred embodiments.
- Preferred embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings wherein:
- FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cable repeater of the prior art connected to a bend limiting device with a gimbal;
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a connecting joint of the present invention shown connecting a cable repeater to a bend limiting device;
- FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic elevation view of the connecting joint of FIG. 2, showing the cable repeater, connecting joint and length of cable wrapped around a drum; and
- The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to present a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the cable repeater connecting joint depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Cable repeater connecting joints as disclosed herein, will have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.
- As shown in FIG. 2, a connecting joint3 in accordance with the invention comprises a
repeater 2 having a longitudinal axis L. Acone 5 encompasses each end ofrepeater 2, only one end ofrepeater 2 being shown here. In a preferred embodiment, connecting joint 3 includes agimbal 4. A gimbal, as used herein, refers to a device having two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation. A gimbal provides free angular movement within limits in two directions.Gimbal 4 is of conventional construction and is secured withincone 5 ofrepeater 2. It is to be appreciated that another gimbal 4 (not shown here) is located within thecone 5 at the other end ofrepeater 2.Gimbal 4 includes a first ring 6 secured withincone 5. Asecond ring 8 is pivotally connected to first ring 6 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair ofpins 10, only one of which is visible in the drawing.Pins 10 are axially aligned with one another, eachpin 10 extending through first andsecond rings 6, 8 on opposite sides of first andsecond rings 6, 8. A first connectinglink 12 is pivotally connected at a first end thereof tosecond ring 8 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair ofpins 14 coaxially positioned on opposite sides ofsecond ring 8 and extending into first connectinglink 12. The common axes ofpins 14 extend perpendicular to the common axes ofpins 10, and pins 14 move in a plane perpendicular to the axes ofpins 10 assecond ring 8 rotates about pins 10. The second end of first connectinglink 12 is secured to acoupling 18 having a longitudinal axis C. -
Coupling 18 includes a substantiallycylindrical housing 20 having a longitudinal axis C and agimbal 22 secured therein. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, longitudinal axis C ofcoupling 18 is also the longitudinal axis C of first connectinglink 12.Gimbal 22 includes aring 24 pivotally connected tohousing 20 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair ofcoaxial pins 26, only one of which is visible, positioned on opposite sides ofhousing 20 andring 24. The common axes ofpins 26 extend perpendicular longitudinal axis C. A second connectinglink 28 is pivotally connected at a first end thereof to ring 24 by a pivot axis structure, preferably a pair ofcoaxial pins 30, only one of which is visible. Eachpin 30 extends throughring 24 into second connectinglink 28, the twopins 30 being on opposite sides ofring 24. The common axes ofpins 30 extend perpendicular to the common axes ofpins 26, and pins 30 move in a plane perpendicular to the axes ofpins 30 asring 24 rotates about pins 26. Second connectinglink 28 is secured at a second end thereof to bend limitingdevice 16. Bend limitingdevice 16 encloses an end of a length ofcable 17, with the optical fibers 46 of thecable 17 extending therefrom and to therepeater 2. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, thebend limiting device 16, thehousing 20 of thegimbal 22, and an external load bearing surface on therepeater 2, such as on ring 6, are designed to effectively absorb and transfer tensile forces and to limit the bending of the optical fibers 46. Aboot 19, preferably formed of rubber and seen more clearly in FIG. 3, extends frombend limiting device 16 partially along the length ofcable 17. A bend limiting boot assembly refers to theboot 19 and anybend limiting devices 16 or surfaces associated with the boot. - The improved bending capability of connecting joint3 is seen more clearly in FIG. 3, where
repeater 2, connecting joint 3,bend limiting device 16 andcable 17 are shown wrapped around adrum 21.Gimbal 4 provides a maximum bend angle β between longitudinal axis L ofrepeater 2 and longitudinal axis C of coupling 18 of up to approximately 50°.Gimbal 22 provides a maximum bend angle Δ between longitudinal axis C ofcoupling 18 and longitudinal axis B ofbend limiting device 16 of up to approximately 25°. Thus, the total maximum bend angle θ for connecting joint 3, that is, the maximum bend angle between the longitudinal axis L ofrepeater 2 and the longitudinal axis B ofbend limiting device 16 is up to approximately 75°. This provides a much greater amount of flexibility for wrapping lengths of cable with in-line repeaters around the drum than prior art devices, reducing stress and possible breakage and degradation of the optical cable. - In a preferred embodiment, connecting
links repeater 2 and theboot 19 are distributed over two points as opposed to being concentrated solely at a single point. Additionally, by providing connecting joint 3 with twogimbals gimbal joints gimbals - In a preferred embodiment, the ends of
repeater 2 and bend limitingdevice 16 are provided withgrooves grooves repeater 2 and bend limitingdevice 16. - While the maximum bend angle values of β, Δ, and θ listed above correspond to one preferred embodiment, advantages of the present invention can be achieved with other contemplated bend angle values. For example, it is contemplated that the total maximum bend angle θ can be any one of numerous angles, including all angles between 50°-100°, such as 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, and 80°, and still obtain significant advantages over the prior art. Further, it is also contemplated that the maximum bend angle Δ between the longitudinal axis B of the
boot 19 and the longitudinal axis C of thegimbal 22 need not be less than that of the maximum bend angle β between the longitudinal axis L of therepeater 2 and the longitudinal axis C thegimbal 22, and the values of each of the maximum bend angle Δ and β may be any positive angle. - In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of the preferred embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (7)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/766,704 US6424761B1 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-01-22 | Cable repeater connecting joint |
JP2002559728A JP4195295B2 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-09-26 | Cable relay connection joint |
PCT/US2001/030034 WO2002059664A2 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-09-26 | Cable repeater connector |
EP01973526A EP1354231B1 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-09-26 | Cable repeater connector |
AU2001293096A AU2001293096A1 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-09-26 | Cable repeater connector |
CA002403747A CA2403747C (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-09-26 | Cable repeater connecting joint |
DE60107296T DE60107296T2 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-09-26 | CABLE CONNECTION AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/766,704 US6424761B1 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-01-22 | Cable repeater connecting joint |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US6424761B1 US6424761B1 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
US20020097965A1 true US20020097965A1 (en) | 2002-07-25 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US09/766,704 Expired - Lifetime US6424761B1 (en) | 2001-01-22 | 2001-01-22 | Cable repeater connecting joint |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US6424761B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1354231B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4195295B2 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2001293096A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2403747C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60107296T2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002059664A2 (en) |
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US10444438B2 (en) * | 2017-02-02 | 2019-10-15 | Ppc Broadband Fiber Ltd. | Optical fiber connector with articulating linkage that does not rotate |
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CN100409508C (en) * | 2002-11-19 | 2008-08-06 | 雷德斯凯萨布斯有限公司 | Optical amplifier module housed in a universal cable joint for an undersea optical transmission system |
US6870993B2 (en) * | 2002-12-13 | 2005-03-22 | Red Sky Systems, Inc. | Interconnect including a repeater for an optical transmission cable |
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US7291017B1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2007-11-06 | Beverly Fain | Power interface device for trailer hitches |
US8565571B2 (en) * | 2009-07-21 | 2013-10-22 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Modular, resealable fiber optic high fiber count packaging |
US9145994B2 (en) | 2011-05-04 | 2015-09-29 | Thomas & Belts International, LLC | Non-metallic expansion/deflection coupling modules |
JP5799739B2 (en) * | 2011-10-14 | 2015-10-28 | 富士通株式会社 | Underwater equipment |
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JPS6035885B2 (en) * | 1977-12-23 | 1985-08-17 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | Submarine optical fiber cable retaining device |
FR2606963B1 (en) | 1986-11-14 | 1989-01-13 | Cit Alcatel | SUBMARINE REPEATER BOX |
US5018980A (en) * | 1989-10-13 | 1991-05-28 | Robb John R | Snap-apart universal jointed electrical device |
GB8925819D0 (en) | 1989-11-15 | 1990-01-04 | Stc Plc | Flexible cable termination |
JPH09258082A (en) | 1996-03-18 | 1997-10-03 | Fujitsu Ltd | Optical submarine cable transmission system |
JPH10260331A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 1998-09-29 | Fujitsu Ltd | Gimbals connection structure between underwater equipment and submarine cable |
-
2001
- 2001-01-22 US US09/766,704 patent/US6424761B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-26 AU AU2001293096A patent/AU2001293096A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-09-26 EP EP01973526A patent/EP1354231B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-26 WO PCT/US2001/030034 patent/WO2002059664A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-09-26 DE DE60107296T patent/DE60107296T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-26 CA CA002403747A patent/CA2403747C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-26 JP JP2002559728A patent/JP4195295B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070258676A1 (en) * | 2003-02-11 | 2007-11-08 | Windover Lisa A | Optical via to pass signals through a printed circuit board |
US7466880B2 (en) | 2003-02-11 | 2008-12-16 | Avago Technologies Fiber Ip (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. | Optical via to pass signals through a printed circuit board |
US10444438B2 (en) * | 2017-02-02 | 2019-10-15 | Ppc Broadband Fiber Ltd. | Optical fiber connector with articulating linkage that does not rotate |
US10830957B2 (en) | 2017-02-02 | 2020-11-10 | Ppc Broadband Fiber Ltd. | Optical fiber connector with gimballed sub-assembly |
US11372167B2 (en) | 2017-02-02 | 2022-06-28 | Ppc Broadband Fiber Ltd. | Optical fiber connector with articulating sleeve-carrier linkage |
US20220326448A1 (en) * | 2017-02-02 | 2022-10-13 | Ppc Broadband Fiber Ltd. | Optical fiber connector |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2002059664A2 (en) | 2002-08-01 |
WO2002059664A3 (en) | 2003-08-28 |
JP2004518172A (en) | 2004-06-17 |
CA2403747C (en) | 2009-11-24 |
AU2001293096A1 (en) | 2002-08-06 |
EP1354231B1 (en) | 2004-11-17 |
CA2403747A1 (en) | 2002-08-01 |
DE60107296T2 (en) | 2005-03-24 |
JP4195295B2 (en) | 2008-12-10 |
EP1354231A2 (en) | 2003-10-22 |
US6424761B1 (en) | 2002-07-23 |
DE60107296D1 (en) | 2004-12-23 |
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