WO2018234822A1

WO2018234822A1 - Cable enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO2018234822A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/051747
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Alan KERSHAW
Original assignee: Alker Optical Equipment Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-22
Filing date: 2018-06-22
Publication date: 2018-12-27
Also published as: GB2579458A; GB2579458B; GB2564840B; GB202000861D0; GB201709998D0; GB2564840A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a cable enclosure comprising: a first port; a second port; a cable holder section on an exterior of the enclosure, wherein the cable holder section comprises a plurality of cable 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 cable holder section; and a second aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the second aperture is situated between the second end and the cable holder section.

Description

Cable Enclosure

The disclosure relates to a cable enclosure and associated method of use, and in particular, although not exclusively, to a fibre optic cable enclosure.

Cables enclosures, such as 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. Similar difficulties may be experienced with other cables, such as electrical cables, for example. According to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a cable enclosure comprising: a first port;

a second port;

a cable holder section on an exterior of the enclosure, wherein the cable holder section comprises a plurality of cable 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 cable holder section; and

a second aperture in the exterior of the enclosure, wherein the second aperture is situated between the second end and the cable holder section.

According to one or more examples of the first aspect, there is provided 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 a fibre optic cable enclosure or an electrical cable holder. The first port may be a first fibre port. The second port may be a second fibre port. The cable holder section may be a splice protector holder section. Each cable holder may be a splice protector holder. The enclosure may be an inline fibre optic enclosure, which may also be referred to as an inline fibre optic cable enclosure. The enclosure may be generally tubular. The enclosure may be generally cylindrical. The enclosure may be cylindrical. The tube or cylinder may or may not be circular-based.

The splice protector holder section may be configured to hold electrical connectors.

The enclosure may comprise a first chamber between the first port and the cable holder section. The first chamber may be cylindrical. 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 port and the cable holder section. The second chamber may be cylindrical. 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 chamber may be contiguous with the second chamber. The first chamber may be contiguous with the second chamber. The first chamber may be open to the second chamber.

The first and second chambers comprising a base tray portion or a base portion for holding a fibre tray. Each cable holder may comprise a slit, slot, groove or hole for receiving a splice protector in a push fit or snap fit relationship. Each splice protector holder may comprise a groove or hole for receiving a splice protector in a push fit or snap fit relationship. Each cable holder may comprise a slit, slot, groove or hole that is configured to hold a plurality of cables in a push fit or snap fit relationship.

The cable holders may be circumferentially spaced around the splice protector holders section. 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 port may be provided at the first end of the enclosure. The first port may be provided at the first end of the first chamber. The first fibre port may be provided at the first end. The second port may be provided at the second end of the enclosure. The second port may be provided at the second end of the second chamber. The second fibre port may be provided at the second end. The cable holders may be aligned with the first and second ends of the enclosure. 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, less than 45 mm or less than 25 mm. Each chamber or tray may comprise a retaining mechanism for holding one or more optical fibres.

The enclosure may comprise a removable outer covering provided over the cable holder section or over at least a portion of the enclosure. 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 cable in an enclosure, comprising:

passing one or more first cables through a first port in the enclosure;

passing the one or more first cables through a first aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;

passing one or more second cables through a second port in an enclosure;

passing the one or more second cables through a second aperture in an exterior of the enclosure; affixing the one or more first cables to the one or more second cables to form one or more respective merged cables;

passing the one or more merged cables around the exterior of the enclosure in order to take up slack cable;

engaging the one or more splice protectors with a cable holder on the exterior of the enclosure in order to hold the cable in position.

Affixing the one or more first cables to the respective one or more second cables may use one or more splice protectors to form the one or more respective merged cables. Affixing the one or more first cables to the respective one or more second cables may use one or more electrical connectors to form the one or more respective merged cables.

Also disclosed is 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 5 illustrates splice protector holder for a fibre optic enclosure; and

Figure 6 illustrates a method of securing a fibre optic cable in an enclosure. The embodiments of Figures 1 to 5 are described with reference to a fibre optic enclosure. It will be appreciated that the enclosure may also be applicable to other cable holding applications, such as an enclosure for electrical cable. 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. The first and second fibre ports 208, 212 may be axial ports provided in an end face of the cylinder, as illustrated, or may be provided as radial ports in a side of the enclosure 200 whilst being provided at the respective ends of the enclosure 200. Multiple fibre optic cables may be fed into the first and second fibre ports within a pipe, that is, within a blown fibre optic pipe.

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 one or more fibre optic cables 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 one or more fibre optic cables 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.

A pivot or gimble (not shown) may be provided between two sections of the enclosure 200 between the first end 210 and the second end 214. For example, one or more joints may be provided that allows the first end 210 or second end 212 of the enclosure 200 to be pivotably displaced with respect to the splice protector holder section 220 along one or more axes (preferably two orthogonal axes). In some examples, the enclosure may be made from resiliently deformable material, such as an elastomeric material. Such arrangements may ease insertion of the enclosure into a site, such as a pipe, in which the enclosure is to be positioned during use. 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 holder section 220 may comprise an elastomeric material, such as rubber, which assists in the engagement of the plurality of splice protector holders 222 and has also been found to improve the speed and ease of assembly of the fibre optic enclosure. 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. Such a cylindrical collar may be slid onto the enclosure 200 during construction. Alternatively, the splice protector holder section 220 may be provided by wrapping a preformed sheet of material around the assembly. In some examples, the splice protector holder section 220 may be held in place on the enclosure 200 by a friction fit. In some 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 and 5 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. Turning to Figure 5, a perspective view of an example splice protector holder section 550 for a fibre optic enclosure is illustrated. The splice protector holder section 520 comprises twelve splice protector holders 522 disposed around the exterior of the enclosure. The number of holders is in general a matter of design choice that may be varied depending upon the particular application. In this example, the splice protector holder section 520 is provided by a ring with an axial direction, a circumferential direction and radial directions.

The splice protector holder section 520 is generally similar to the splice protector holder section described previously with respect to Figure 2, other than for the configuration of the splice protector holders 522. In this example, each slit provides a plurality of splice protector holder portions 562, 566.

Each splice protector holder 522 is provided by a slit that extends into the splice protector holder section 520 in a radial direction from an outer surface of the splice protector holder section 520. Each slit extends through the splice protector holder section 520 in the axial direction. Each slit has, going from the interior of the slit outwards, a first splice protector holder portion 562, a separator portion 564, a second splice protector holder portion 566 and, optionally, an opening portion 568 provided in sequentially in series. The first and second splice protector holder portions 562, 566 each have a cross section capable of receiving and retaining a splice protector. A width of the first and second splice protector holder portions 562, 566, in the circumferential direction, is greater than corresponding widths of the separator portion 564 and the opening portion 568. In this way, a splice protector can be pushed through the opening portion 568, the second splice protector holder portion 566 and the separator portion 562 into the first splice protector holder portion 562 to be held in place. Similarly, another splice protector can be pushed through the opening portion 568 into the second splice protector holder portion 566 to be held in place. In such examples, a single splice protector holder 522 is able to securely hold a plurality of splice protectors. For the splice protector holders or enclosures of other geometries than those illustrated, the term 'axial direction' may be replaced by 'longitudinal direction' and the term 'radial direction' may be replaced by 'lateral direction', for example.

In examples of an enclosure for coupling electrical cables, a splice protector holder may be provided by respective grooves or holes for engaging with mated electrical connectors of the first and second cables. The mated electrical connectors may be held by the splice protector in a push-fit or a snap-fit relationship.

Turning to Figure 6, a method 600 of operating securing a fibre optic cable in an enclosure is illustrated, which corresponds to that described previously with references to Figures 1 to 3. The method 600 comprises the steps of:

• passing 602 a first cable through a first fibre port in the enclosure;

• passing 604 the first cable through a first aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;

• passing 606 a second cable through a second fibre port in an enclosure;

• passing 608 the second cable through a second aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;

• affixing 610, or splicing, the first cable to a second cable using a splice protector to form and protect a merged, spliced, or engaged cable;

• passing 612 the merged cable around the exterior of the enclosure in order to take up slack cable; and

• engaging 614 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. It will be appreciated that the steps of the method may be repeated so that a plurality of merged cables are formed from respective pluralities of first and second cables.

A similar method may be applied to electrical cables, instead of fibre optic cables, in which the affixing 610 process is provided by connecting a plurality of cables together electrically. An electrical connector may be used instead of a splice connector in such examples.

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 and 5. 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. The present disclosure is not necessarily directed to any particular method of merging, or splicing, the fibre optic cables themselves. For example, the fibre optic cables could be merged in a conventional manner, or using mechanical techniques. In mechanical splicing, two cables are provided with flat ends and held together by a splice protector to enable optical transmission between the cables. 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, or between 2.5 cm and 20 cm diameter, for example.

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 holders (dependant on diameter), or between 12 and hundreds of splice holders, for example.

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 if required.

The product may be directly terminated to a table tail with a connector at one end.

Claims

1. A cable enclosure comprising:

a first port;

a second port;

2. The cable enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a fibre optic cable enclosure, the cable holder section is a splice protector holder section, each cable holder is a splice protector holder, the first port is a first fibre port and the second port is a second fibre port.

3. The cable enclosure of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the enclosure is an inline fibre optic enclosure.

4. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising:

a first chamber between the first port and the cable holder section; and a second chamber between the second port and the cable holder section.

5. The 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 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 cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein each cable holder comprises a groove for receiving a cable in a push fit or snap fit relationship.

8. The cable enclosure of claim 7, wherein each cable holder comprises a groove configured to hold a plurality of cables in a push fit or snap fit relationship.

9. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the cable holders are circumferentially spaced around the cable holder section.

10. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first port is provided at the first end and the second port is provided at the second end.

1 1. The cable enclosure of claim 10, wherein the cable holders are aligned with the first and second ends of the enclosure.

12 The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure has a cross sectional dimension of less than 9 cm.

13. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, for one or more holding optical fibres.

14. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a removable outer covering provided over the cable holder section.

15. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, comprising a stand.

16. The cable enclosure of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is generally tubular.

17. A method of securing a cable in an enclosure, comprising:

passing one or more first cables through a first port in the enclosure;

passing one or more second cables through a second port in an enclosure;

passing the one or more second cables through a second aperture in an exterior of the enclosure;

affixing the one or more first cables to the one or more second cables to form one or more respective merged cables;

engaging the one or more cables with a cable holder on the exterior of the enclosure in order to hold the cable in position.