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
  • 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
  • G02B6/44—Mechanical structures for providing tensile strength and external protection for fibres, e.g. optical transmission cables
  • G02B6/4439—Auxiliary devices
  • G02B6/4471—Terminating devices ; Cable clamps
  • G02B6/4476—Terminating devices ; Cable clamps with heat-shrinkable elements

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to spliced cable and/or spliced optical fiber protectors.
• Optical fibers of fiber optic cables are often spliced together to enable the transmission of signals between two cables.
• Fusion splicing is the process of fusing or welding two fibers together, usually by an electric arc. Fusion splicing is the most widely used method of splicing of optical fibers and fiber optic cables, as it typically provides for the lowest loss and least reflectance, as well as providing the strongest and most reliable joint between two fibers.
• embodiments of the invention are directed to an assembly comprising: first and second fiber optic cables, each of the first and second fiber optic cables including an exposed portion of an optical fiber and an overlying jacket, wherein the optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable is fusion spliced to the optical fiber of the second fiber optic cable to form a splice area; a splice protector that surrounds the splice area of the first and second fiber optic cables; a flexible tube that encircles the splice protector, the exposed portions of the first and second fiber optic cables, and end portions of the jackets of the first and second fiber optic cables, wherein the splice protector, the exposed portions of optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic cables reside in a lumen of the flexible tube; first and second adhesive barriers positioned between an inner surface of the flexible tube and the end portions of the first and second fiber optic cables, respectively; and an outer sleeve that circumferentially overlies the flexible tube and portions of the jackets of the first and
• embodiments of the invention are directed to an assembly comprising: first and second fiber optic cables, each of the first and second fiber optic cables including an exposed portion of an optical fiber and an overlying jacket, wherein the optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable is fusion spliced to the optical fiber of the second fiber optic cable to form a splice area; a splice protector that surrounds the splice area of the first and second fiber optic cables; a flexible corrugated tube that encircles the splice protector, the exposed portions of the first and second fiber optic cables, and end portions of the jackets of the first and second fiber optic cables, wherein the splice protector, the exposed portions of optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic cables reside in a lumen of the flexible tube; first and second adhesive barriers positioned between an inner surface of the flexible tube and the end portions of the first and second fiber optic cables, respectively; and an outer sleeve formed of a heat- shrinkable material that circumferentially overlies the
• embodiments of the invention are directed to an assembly comprising: first and second fiber optic cables, each of the first and second fiber optic cables including an exposed portion of an optical fiber and an overlying jacket, wherein the optical fiber of the first fiber optic cable is fusion spliced to the optical fiber of the second fiber optic cable to form a splice area; a splice protector that surrounds the splice area of the first and second fiber optic cables; a flexible tube that encircles the splice protector, the exposed portions of the first and second fiber optic cables, and end portions of the jackets of the first and second fiber optic cables, wherein the splice protector, the exposed portions of optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic cables reside in a lumen of the flexible tube; first and second adhesive barriers positioned between an inner surface of the flexible tube and the end portions of the first and second fiber optic cables, respectively; first and second dams attached to, respectively, the end portions of the jackets of the first and second fiber optic cables; and an
• FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a spliced fiber optic assembly according to embodiments of the invention, wherein the outer sleeve is omitted.
• FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1, wherein a portion of the tube has been cut away to illustrate the splice protector and the exposed fiber portions of the cables.
• FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 4 is a partial top section view of an assembly according to alternative embodiments of the invention.
• phrases such as "between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y.
• phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.”
• phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.”
• FIGS. 1-3 an assembly, designated broadly at 100, is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.
• the assembly 100 comprises two fiber optic cables 110, 112 that are fusion spliced, as evidenced by a splice protector 114 (see FIG. 2 - although in some embodiments multiple splice protectors may be present). Exposed (and in some cases buffered) portions 116 of the fibers are present on either side of the splice protector 114.
• Each of the cables 110, 112 also includes a jacket 118.
• the assembly 100 includes a hollow, flexible tube 120.
• the flexible tube 120 which is typically formed of a flexible polymeric material such as nylon or PTFE, circumferentially surrounds the splice protector 114, the exposed portions 116, and the end portions of the jackets 118 of the fiber optics cables 110, 112.
• the tube 120 includes corrugations 122, which can contribute to the flexibility (in both the axial and transverse directions) of the assembly 100.
• the tube 120 may be smooth, or may include a textured surface (e.g., an abraded surface).
• the positioning of the exposed portions 116 of the fiber optic cables 110, 112 and the splice protector 114 within the lumen of the tube 120 can allow the exposed portions 116 and the splice protector 114 to “float” within the tube 120, and further allows for some bending of the fibers to occur in routing.
• the permitted float and bending can be beneficial due to the potential length and narrowness of the assembly 100.
• a flexible tube may be advantageous compared to a solid tube in that breakage is less of a concern (due to narrowness and length) and a flexible tube is easier to route inside enclosures.
• the assembly 100 also includes adhesive barriers 124 that underlie the ends of the tube 120.
• the adhesive barriers 124 (which are typically formed of a “non-sag” adhesive, i.e., one that tends to remain in place, rather than flowing, prior to curing) attach the tube 120 to the jacket 118, and also to any strength members (such as aramid yams) that are present in the cables 110, 112.
• the adhesive barriers 124 lock the cables 110, 112 in place to prevent any fiber movement on either side of the assembly 110.
• the bond to the cable jacket 118 can prevent cable-to-tube rotation.
• the bonding onto the strength member(s) can provide the assembly 100 with pull strength.
• the corrugations 122 can enhance the pull strength compared to a smooth wall tube, as the adhesive of the adhesive barrier 124 fills the interior ridges between corrugations 122.
• the adhesive barriers 124 do not extend to the exposed portions 116 of the fibers, in which case the fibers are able to “float” relative to the jacket 118.
• the adhesive may be dispensed via one or more fill holes in the tube 120; in a typical embodiment, the fill holes are typically positioned near the ends of the tube 120 (e.g., within 0.5 to 1 inch of the ends of the tube 120).
• Adhesive is injected through the fill holes such that the adhesive is forced to fill the space between the inner surface of the tube 120 and portions of the jacket 118 of the cables 110, 112. The adhesive is then permitted to cure in these locations to form the adhesive barriers 124. In some embodiments, any strength member that is present is exposed so that the adhesive can be directed into contact with it, thereby marrying the adhesive barrier 124 with the strength member.
• the adhesive may be injected directly into the lumen of the tube 120 through the open ends of the tube 120.
• the assembly 100 further comprises an outer sleeve 130 that circumferentially overlies the tube 120 and portions of the cables 110, 112 adjacent the ends of the tube 120.
• the outer sleeve 130 may be formed of a heat- shrinkable material, a cold- shrinkable material, or some other suitable material.
• the sleeve 130 can provide pull strength, and can limit the bending of the assembly 100 (as it may provide greater rigidity than the tube 120).
• the outer sleeve 130 can act as a limiter to prevent highly flexible tubes 120 from bending too much and causing fiber kinks, particularly at the interface of the splice protector 114.
• the combination of tube 120 and outer sleeve 130 can provide a desirable balance of flexibility/rigidity for routing and protection, depending on the size and proposed location and use of the assembly 100.
• the outer sleeve 130 may be adhesive-backed (i.e., it may have adhesive on its inner surface.
• Many flexible tubes, such as the tube 120 can stretch considerably under load, particularly when corrugated.
• An adhesive-backed outer sleeve 130 can limit the allowable movement and elongation. (Although in some embodiments in which the tube 120 has corrugations, shrinking of the outer sleeve tube 130 into the corrugations may preclude the need for an adhesive-backed outer sleeve 130).
• the outer sleeve 130 may further be circumferentially surrounded by a second outer sleeve 135.
• the combination of two outer sleeves 130, 135 may provide a different balance of flexibility/rigidity, and may also provide additional strain relief.
• both outer sleeves 130, 135 are heat-shrink sleeves.
• the assembly 100’ is similar to the assembly 100, but includes dams 140 that encircle the jackets 118 of the cables 110, 112 at their ends (one dam 140 is shown in FIG. 4).
• the dam 140 may comprise an O-ring attached to the end of the jacket 118.
• the dam 140 can block adhesive flow with no concern about overflow onto the fiber, as the dam 140 can block the flow and cause the adhesive instead to flow back out of the initial opening. In such instances, the fibers may be free to “float” relative to the jacket 118.
• the assembly 100’ includes the tube 120 (shown in FIG. 4 as being smooth rather than corrugated), the outer sleeve 130, and the second outer sleeve 135 discussed above.
• the fusion-spliced assemblies 100, 100’ can be relatively compact (compared, for example, with typical splice trays), such that much shorter lengths of fibers (e.g., a total spliced length between the two fibers of 3 to 6 inches) may be spliced.
• the adhesive barriers may be omitted, such that the outer sleeves(s) 130, 135 are sufficient to fix the assembly relative to the splice area.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• Cable Accessories (AREA)
• Optical Fibers, Optical Fiber Cores, And Optical Fiber Bundles (AREA)
• Mechanical Coupling Of Light Guides (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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Family Applications (1)

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Citations (5)

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• 2020
  • 2020-11-04 US US17/089,385 patent/US11327231B2/en active Active
  • 2020-11-05 JP JP2022533562A patent/JP2023504724A/ja not_active Withdrawn
  • 2020-11-05 EP EP20895610.2A patent/EP4070143A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2020-11-05 WO PCT/US2020/059084 patent/WO2021113008A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2020-11-05 CN CN202080083947.7A patent/CN114787676A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (5)

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