USRE48144E1 - Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons - Google Patents
Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE48144E1 USRE48144E1 US15/990,661 US201815990661A USRE48144E US RE48144 E1 USRE48144 E1 US RE48144E1 US 201815990661 A US201815990661 A US 201815990661A US RE48144 E USRE48144 E US RE48144E
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fiber optic
- splice
- axis
- ribbons
- splice protector
- Prior art date
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- 230000001012 protector Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 128
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- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 59
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Images
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
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2555—Alignment or adjustment devices for aligning prior to splicing
- G02B6/2557—Alignment or adjustment devices for aligning prior to splicing using deformable flexure members, flexible hinges or pivotal arms
-
- 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
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/255—Splicing of light guides, e.g. by fusion or bonding
- G02B6/2553—Splicing machines, e.g. optical fibre fusion splicer
-
- 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
- G02B6/2555—Alignment or adjustment devices for aligning prior to splicing
- G02B6/2556—Alignment or adjustment devices for aligning prior to splicing including a fibre supporting member inclined to the bottom surface of the alignment means
-
- 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
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4429—Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
- G02B6/443—Protective covering
- G02B6/4431—Protective covering with provision in the protective covering, e.g. weak line, for gaining access to one or more fibres, e.g. for branching or tapping
-
- G02B6/4495—
-
- 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
- G02B6/4401—Optical cables
- G02B6/4403—Optical cables with ribbon structure
-
- 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
- G02B6/4479—Manufacturing methods of optical cables
- G02B6/448—Ribbon cables
Definitions
- aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to splice protectors for optical fiber splicing such as splicing of fiber optic ribbons, where the splice protector surrounds and supports the splice to provide structural reinforcement to the area of the splice.
- Splice protectors may be bulky and rigid, interfering with the ability to wind a spliced fiber optic ribbon on a reel or spool, or the ability to place the spliced ribbon in a narrow cavity, such as the cavity of a furcation tube or fiber optic distribution cable.
- One embodiment relates to a fiber optic cable assembly, which includes first and second fiber optic ribbons and a splice protector.
- the ribbons are spliced together such that the ribbons at the splice have a common lengthwise axis, widthwise axis orthogonal to the lengthwise axis, and thickness axis orthogonal to the lengthwise and widthwise axes.
- the splice protector supports the ribbons that are spliced to one another at the splice.
- the splice protector may include or even consist essentially of an adhesive that provides a flexible support for the splice.
- the splice protector may be at least half as flexible when cured over the splice as the first and second ribbons in bending about the widthwise axis.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a splice protector according to an exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a digital image of a splice between two fiber optic ribbons.
- FIG. 3 is a digital image of liquid UV-curable adhesive being inserted over the spice of FIG. 2 , surrounded by a translucent mold according to an exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 4 is a digital image of UV-curing of the adhesive of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a digital image of the splice protector of FIGS. 4 , following the curing, flexing about a mandrel according to an exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 6 is a digital image of the splice protector of FIGS. 4 flexing about the mandrel of FIG. 5 with the mold removed according to an exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is another digital image of the splice protector of FIGS. 6 flexing according to an exemplary embodiment.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a splice protector devoid of a substrate according to an exemplary embodiment.
- a fiber optic 110 assembly includes first and second fiber optic ribbons 112 , 114 (side view), each including a plurality of optical fibers (see, e.g., fibers 216 as shown in FIG. 2 ), such as at least 2, at least 6, or at least 12 optical fibers.
- the optical fibers of the ribbons 112 , 114 are coupled to the other optical fibers of the respective ribbons 112 , 114 in a substantially flat arrangement (e.g., planar) where the optical fibers are aligned side-by-side with one another to form the ribbons 112 , 114 .
- the optical fibers of the first ribbon 112 are fusion spliced with the optical fibers of the second ribbon 114 such that the spliced ribbons 112 , 114 at the splice 116 have a common lengthwise axis L, widthwise axis W orthogonal to the lengthwise axis L, and thickness axis T orthogonal to the lengthwise and widthwise axes, L, W.
- a splice protector 118 supports the optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic ribbons 112 , 114 that are spliced to one another at the splice 116 .
- the splice protector 116 118 includes an ultra-violet light (UV-) curable adhesive 120 that provides a flexible support for the splice 116 .
- UV-curable adhesive 120 encapsulates the spliced optical fibers of the first and second ribbons 112 , 114 and also provides tensile strength to the splice 116 .
- the splice protector 118 is at least half as flexible as either of the first and second ribbons 112 , 114 in bending about the widthwise axis W (e.g., at least 60%, at least 75%), where flexibility or stiffness corresponds to the stiffness coefficient (i.e., force applied over resulting displacement) of the respective element.
- flexibility may be observed with the moment required to bend the splice protector 118 about the widthwise axis W and an equal length of one of the ribbons 112 , 114 in a cantilever arrangement by a vertical deflection of the free end that is ten percent of the length.
- the splice protector 116 118 is at least as flexible as the first and second ribbons 112 , 114 in bending about the widthwise axis W.
- Flexibility allows the splice protector 118 and splice 116 to bend and move with the spliced ribbons 112 , 114 around curved surfaces, such as a spool or reel for a corresponding fiber optic cable or assembly that includes the spliced ribbons 112 , 114 .
- the splice protector 118 may pin or otherwise load the optical fibers of the ribbons 112 , 114 , particularly at the lengthwise ends of the spice protector 118 , possibly leading to attenuation and/or damaging the optical fibers. Accordingly, sufficient flexibility of the splice protector 118 may reduce stress concentrations, facilitating improved performance of the optical fibers of the splice 116 .
- UV-curable adhesives for use with splice protectors, some of which have undergone testing by the Applicants.
- Examples of UV-curable adhesives for the splice protector 118 include commercially-available UV-curable adhesives manufactured by PENN COLOR and commercially-available UV-curable adhesives manufactured by LOCTITE. More specifically, the PENN COLOR UV-curable adhesives contemplated for use with splice protectors include material numbers are 706, RP54, 518, and RS81 and the LOCTITE UV-curable adhesives contemplated for use with splice protectors include LOCTITE® 3974TM LIGHT CURE and LOCTITE® 3106TM LIGHT CURE.
- the cured UV-curable adhesive 120 of the splice protector 118 has a low-profile, such as having a thickness in the thickness axis T that is less than 2 mm (e.g., less than 1 mm, less than 0.75 mm, less than 0.5 mm) thicker than either the first or second fiber optic ribbons 112 , 114 in the thickness axis T.
- the cured UV-curable adhesive 120 has a narrow-profile, having a width in the width axis W that is less that 2 mm (e.g., less than 1 mm, less than 0.75 mm, less than 0.5 mm) wider than either the first or second fiber optic ribbons 112 , 114 in the width axis W.
- a twelve-fiber fiber optic ribbon 112 , 114 has a width of about 3.1 mm and thickness of about 0.3 mm.
- a corresponding twelve-fiber UV-curable adhesive splice mold 122 e.g., Teflon
- the splice mold 122 defines the exterior of the splice protector 118 .
- a functional UV-curable adhesive splice protector 118 for the twelve-fiber ribbons 112 , 114 has a length of 27 mm, a width as small as 3.3 mm, and a thickness as thin as 0.6 mm, not including a substrate in addition to the mold 122 .
- a narrow and low-profile UV-curable adhesive splice protector 118 allows the splice 116 to be inserted into a correspondingly narrow structure, such as a furcation tube, back into the jacket of a distribution cable, an overmold, or another narrow supporting structure.
- the narrow structure surrounding the splice 116 then allows for translation of the associated fiber optic assembly within correspondingly narrow ducts or other confined spaces, which may improve installation of the associated fiber optic assembly in a data center or elsewhere.
- the splice protector 118 of the fiber optic assembly includes a substrate 124 to provide extra strength to the splice 116 .
- the substrate 124 may be integrated or integral with the mold 122 , or may be a separate body in addition to the mold 122 . Put another way, the mold 122 may serve as the substrate in addition to being the mold 122 .
- the splice protector 118 includes a translucent, flexible substrate 124 .
- the substrate 124 is a thin polymeric material, such as Teflon, placed interior to the mold 122 , between the mold 122 and the optical fiber.
- the splice protector is a thin, flexible glass sheet (e.g., sheet of WILLOWTM glass manufactured by CORNING INCORPORATED).
- the thin, flexible glass sheet is less than 0.25 mm thick, such as about 0.15 mm thick, and therefore does not greatly increase the profile of the splice protector 118 .
- the sheet may or may not be flat.
- the splice protector 118 does not include a substrate 124 .
- the cured UV-curable adhesive 120 provides sufficient tensile strength for the splice 116 .
- the splice protector 118 is formed entirely from (e.g., consists of) UV-curable adhesive. Omission of the substrate 124 significantly reduces the materials required for protecting the splice 116 , saving costs associated with the substrate 124 as well as manufacturing time to prepare the substrate 124 .
- UV-curable adhesive 120 for the splice protector 118 provides increased reliability for the performance of the splice protector 118 by removing variability associated with interactions between different materials in the splice protector 118 and the specific fracture mechanics of the materials and corresponding interface.
- the splice protector 118 includes a matrix or binding agent other than a UV-curable adhesive, such as an epoxy or other type of adhesive, thermoplastic, tape, or other material that may still provide the flexibility and profile characteristics disclosed herein. However, such materials may not be as quick to cure, as uniform, as efficient to apply, or as flexible as UV-curable adhesive.
- a flexible substrate 124 such as a flexible glass substrate, is used to support a splice 116 and is bound to the splice 116 with a heat shrink, such that UV-curable adhesive is not included.
- the ribbon profile allows for a greater volume of adhesive to be used without greatly increasing the profile of the splice protector about the splice, as disclosed herein.
- Single fibers may require a greater ratio of adhesive to achieve sufficient support for protection of the splice, which may decrease the flexibility of the spliced area and/or increase the profile of the splice protector.
- a UV-curable adhesive or other adhesive may be used to support the splice of single-fibers.
- a method of manufacturing a fiber optic assembly 210 includes a step of splicing first and second fiber optic ribbons 212 , 214 , as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the first and second fiber optic ribbons 212 , 214 each include a plurality of optical fibers 216 coupled in a substantially flat arrangement where the optical fibers 216 are aligned side-by-side with one another.
- the step of splicing includes fusion splicing the optical fibers 216 of the first ribbon 212 with the optical fibers 216 of the second ribbon 214 such that the spliced ribbons 212 , 214 at the splice 218 (e.g., multi-fiber fusion splice) have common lengthwise, widthwise, and thickness axes (see FIG. 1 ).
- the ribbon fibers 212 , 214 may be placed into a fixture that holds the fibers straight, as shown in FIG. 2 .
- the method of manufacturing a fiber optic assembly 210 includes a step of coupling (e.g., contacting) a substrate 220 (e.g., Teflon mold) with the first and second fiber optic ribbons 212 , 214 , where the substrate 220 is translucent and able to communicate ultra-violet light.
- the substrate 220 includes a flattened sleeve that slides over one the first and second ribbons 212 , 214 prior to the splicing step, and then slides over the splice 218 following the splicing step.
- an substrate such as a sheet is used with or in place of the substrate 220 .
- the method further includes applying a liquid, UV-curable adhesive around the splice 218 and supported by the substrate 220 .
- the method includes inserting a needle 222 coupled to a syringe 224 or other pump that supplies the liquid UV-curable adhesive to the splice 218 .
- the liquid UV-curable adhesive then fills space around the splice 218 .
- a Teflon mold cavity is centered over the splice 218 and injected with UV adhesive material.
- a heat shrinkable tube surrounds the splice 218 .
- the method of manufacturing a fiber optic assembly 210 includes directing light from an ultra-violet light source 230 at the UV-curable adhesive 232 through the substrate 220 to cure the UV-curable adhesive 232 .
- the ultra-violet light may reach the UV-curable adhesive prior to and/or following transmission through the substrate 220 .
- a mirror or other reflector may be positioned below the splice 218 to reflect the ultra-violet light back toward the underside of the splice 218 .
- the splice 218 may also be flipped during curing.
- the UV material may be cured for approximately 30 sec on each side of the splice.
- the UV-curable adhesive 232 encapsulates the splice 218 and, at least in part, forms a splice protector 226 .
- the splice protector formed with the mold 220 and UV-curable adhesive 232 is flexible and may readily bend over a 1.25-inch mandrel 228 without damaging the splice 218 or splice protector 226 .
- the method may further include a step of peeling the substrate 220 off of the cured UV-curable adhesive 232 , such that the splice protector 226 then does not include the substrate 220 .
- the splice protector 226 as shown in FIGS. 6-7 , consists of UV-curable adhesive 232 encapsulating the spliced optical fibers 216 . Removing the substrate may improve the flexibility of the splice protector 226 .
- the splice protector 226 without the substrate or mold after UV adhesive curing readily bends over the 1.25-inch mandrel 228 .
- the bend radius is not limited to 1.25 inches, as shown in FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 8 shows a fiber optic assembly 310 including a splice protector 318 substantially identical to the splice protector 118 shown in FIG. 1, except the splice protector 318 is devoid of a substrate.
- the fiber optic assembly 310 includes first and second fiber optic ribbons 312, 314 each including a plurality of optical fibers.
- the optical fibers of the first ribbon 312 are fusion spliced with the optical fibers of the second ribbon 314 at a splice 316, such that the spliced ribbons 312, 314 at the splice 316 have a common lengthwise axis L, a widthwise axis W orthogonal to the lengthwise axis L, and a thickness axis T orthogonal to both the lengthwise axis L and the widthwise axis L.
- a splice protector 318 supports the optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic ribbons 312, 314.
- the splice protector 318 includes an adhesive (e.g., UV-curable adhesive) 320 that encapsulates the spliced optical fibers of the first and second ribbons 312, 314 and also provides tensile strength to the splice 316.
- an adhesive e.g., UV-curable adhesive
- the flexible splice protectors disclosed herein may be used with different fiber optic assemblies, including FlexNAPTM manufactured by CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC, or more-generally in assemblies that operate in tight areas where bending is expected or uncontrolled.
- FlexNAPTM manufactured by CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC
- the low-profile and flexible design of the splice protectors allow an operator to insert a protected splice back inside a distribution cable, as if it were part of the internal structure of the cable.
- embodiments disclosed herein allow for placement of the protected splice within the cavity of an RPX® distribution cable manufactured by CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC.
- the protected splice is also able to flex within the RPX distribution cable when operators install the cable around sheave wheels and the like. For example, sheave wheel testing at 600-lbs load with temperatures of ⁇ 30° C. and 40° C., as per GR-3122 testing standards, have shown the protected splice to survive at these extremes.
- embodiments disclosed herein enable a low-profile FlexNAP design using an RPX distribution cable, allowing FlexNAP to fit in smaller ducts, and thereby reducing costs to the customer.
- dimensions and structural details of fiber optic cables and tether assemblies similar to FlexNAP and RPX ribbon cable are disclosed in International Application PCT/US06/29716 filed Jul. 27, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- UV adhesive could be substituted with other materials that are flexible, as well as the Teflon substrate/mold.
- Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.
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- Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
- Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (44)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/990,661 USRE48144E1 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2018-05-27 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201261614839P | 2012-03-23 | 2012-03-23 | |
US13/491,086 US8702326B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2012-06-07 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
PCT/US2013/033477 WO2013142779A1 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2013-03-22 | Protected splice |
US14/206,392 US9360624B2 (en) | 2013-03-22 | 2014-03-12 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
US15/990,661 USRE48144E1 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2018-05-27 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US14/206,392 Reissue US9360624B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2014-03-12 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
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USRE48144E1 true USRE48144E1 (en) | 2020-08-04 |
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US15/990,661 Active 2033-06-20 USRE48144E1 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2018-05-27 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
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US13/491,086 Active 2032-10-27 US8702326B2 (en) | 2012-03-23 | 2012-06-07 | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
Country Status (6)
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US (2) | US8702326B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2828695B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2013235011B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2868218C (en) |
MX (1) | MX344002B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013142779A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
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US11347014B2 (en) | 2018-09-07 | 2022-05-31 | Corning Incorporated | Optical fiber fan-out assembly with ribbonized interface for mass fusion splicing, and fabrication method |
US11561344B2 (en) | 2017-03-21 | 2023-01-24 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Fiber optic cable assembly with thermoplastically overcoated fusion splice, and related method and apparatus |
US11681102B2 (en) | 2018-09-20 | 2023-06-20 | Commscope Technologies Llc | Laminate splice protector |
US11774677B2 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2023-10-03 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Fiber optic cable assembly with overlapping bundled strength members, and fabrication method and apparatus |
US11867947B2 (en) | 2021-04-30 | 2024-01-09 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Cable assembly having routable splice protectors |
US11886009B2 (en) | 2020-10-01 | 2024-01-30 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Coating fusion spliced optical fibers and subsequent processing methods thereof |
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US9360624B2 (en) * | 2013-03-22 | 2016-06-07 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
US8702326B2 (en) * | 2012-03-23 | 2014-04-22 | Corning Cable Systems Llc | Splice protector for fiber optic ribbons |
WO2015134891A1 (en) * | 2014-03-06 | 2015-09-11 | Afl Telecommunications Llc | Fiber fusion splice strength enhancement |
WO2017223461A1 (en) * | 2016-06-24 | 2017-12-28 | Commscope, Inc. Of North Carolina | Elastomeric optical fiber alignment and coupling device |
EP3504572B1 (en) * | 2016-08-26 | 2023-12-20 | CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA | System comprising a light weight fiber optic splice |
US10823531B2 (en) * | 2017-02-09 | 2020-11-03 | Lightforce Usa, Inc. | Reticle disc with fiber illuminated aiming dot |
US20180275356A1 (en) * | 2017-03-22 | 2018-09-27 | Corning Optical Communications LLC | Optical shuffle cable, cable assembly, and methods of making the same |
US10976492B2 (en) | 2018-09-07 | 2021-04-13 | Corning Incorporated | Cable with overcoated non-coplanar groups of fusion spliced optical fibers, and fabrication method |
US11353658B2 (en) | 2020-03-31 | 2022-06-07 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Multi-fiber splice protector, fiber optic cable assembly incorporating same, and fabrication method |
US11754786B2 (en) | 2020-10-29 | 2023-09-12 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Multi-fiber splice protector and cable assembly with intra-connector splices, and fabrication method |
US11808983B2 (en) | 2020-11-24 | 2023-11-07 | Corning Research & Development Corporation | Multi-fiber splice protector with compact splice-on furcation housing |
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US11347014B2 (en) | 2018-09-07 | 2022-05-31 | Corning Incorporated | Optical fiber fan-out assembly with ribbonized interface for mass fusion splicing, and fabrication method |
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CA2868218A1 (en) | 2013-09-26 |
EP2828695B1 (en) | 2020-05-13 |
MX2014011323A (en) | 2015-06-02 |
AU2013235011A1 (en) | 2014-10-30 |
AU2013235011B2 (en) | 2016-09-29 |
CA2868218C (en) | 2019-08-27 |
MX344002B (en) | 2016-12-02 |
US8702326B2 (en) | 2014-04-22 |
EP2828695A1 (en) | 2015-01-28 |
US20130251317A1 (en) | 2013-09-26 |
WO2013142779A1 (en) | 2013-09-26 |
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