Systems and methods for optical fiber distribution and management

• US 20050129379A1
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fiber Optic Network Solutions Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Reagan, Randy, Noonan, Michael, Gniadek, Jeff, Parsons, Tom
• Granted Patent: US 7,200,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/46 Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/14 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/804 in optical transmission systems

Abstract

The preferred embodiments of the present invention include an optical splitter module having connectorized pigtails that are stored on the bulkhead faceplate of the module. The module includes an optical splitter output harness, for example, a ribbon cable assembly attached to the bulkhead with rugged strain relief mechanism. The ribbon harness is converted to individual pigtails with connectors which are stored on adapter receptacles on the faceplate. Adapter receptacles used may optionally be half receptacles when storage is the only desired function or may be full receptacles when access to the pigtail ferrule tip is required. Access to the ferrule tip may be required for attaching fiber optic terminators to eliminate undesirable reflections caused by unterminated connectors. The module provides an administrative location for splitter outputs prior to being connected individually into service. The module also provides an administrative storage location for splitter outputs taken out of service as a temporary staging area before being reassigned and connected individually into service again.

Claims

1. A fiber distribution hub for use in an optical communications network, said hub comprising:

an enclosure;

a subscriber termination field having a plurality of subscriber terminations;

an optical splitter shelf;

an optical splitter module mounted on said splitter shelf comprising;

a splitter bulkhead;

a plurality of receptacles; and

a plurality of pigtails each having a proximate end and a distal end; and

a routing channel for routing said pigtails circumferentially around at least a portion of said subscriber termination field.

2. The distribution hub of claim 1 wherein said plurality of pigtails are fixed length pigtails.

3. The distribution hub of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of pigtails has a connector communicatively coupled to said respective distal end.

4. The distribution hub of claim 3 wherein said plurality of connectors is adaptively mateable with a like number of said plurality of subscriber terminations.

5. The distribution hub of claim 3 wherein said proximate ends of said plurality of pigtails are coupled to a first end of a transition member and a distal end of a ribbon cable is coupled to a second end of said transition member and a proximate end of said ribbon cable is coupled to said splitter bulkhead, said ribbon cable further having a plurality of optical fibers therein for conveying optical signals to the like plurality of pigtails through said transition member.

6. The distribution hub of claim 5 wherein said transition member is releasably retained in a transition member storage area.

7. The distribution hub of claim 5 wherein said routing channel and said transition member storage area operate to manage slack associated with respective members of said plurality of pigtails.

8. The distribution hub of claim 7 wherein said managed slack allows said plurality of connectors to be communicatively coupled to a like plurality of subscriber terminations in a manner preventing said plurality of pigtails from being crossed.

9. The distribution hub of claim 6 wherein said subscriber termination field and said optical splitter shelf are mounted on a hinged chassis, said hinged chassis pivotally mounted by said hinge so as to allow access to a rear portion of said subscriber termination field and said optical splitter module.

10. The distribution hub of claim 9 wherein said hinged chassis further includes said routing channel and said transition member storage area.

11. The distribution hub of claim 10 wherein said hinged chassis is retained in a closed position substantially within said enclosure using a latch.

12. The distribution hub of claim 10 wherein said hinged chassis is retained in an open position using a locking device.

13. The distribution hub of claim 10 wherein said hinged chassis can pivot at least 90 degrees from said closed position.

14. The distribution hub of claim 9 wherein said hinged chassis further includes a storage shelf.

15. The distribution hub of claim 10 wherein a plurality of input cables carrying optical signals to said optical splitter module is installed in said enclosure proximate to said hinge at a manufacturing facility.

16. The distribution hub of claim 8 wherein said enclosure comprises:

a rear portion attached to a mounting structure; and

a front portion pivotally mounted to said rear portion using an enclosure hinge.

17. The distribution hub of claim 16 wherein said subscriber termination field and said splitter shelf are attached to said front portion.

18. The distribution hub of claim 17 wherein said front portion mates with said rear portion using a gasket when said front portion is in a closed position.

19. The distribution hub of claim 18 wherein said gasket forms a weathertight compression seal when said front portion is in said closed position.

20. The distribution hub of claim 19 wherein an enclosure latch facilitates said compression seal.

21. The distribution hub of claim 20 further comprising a rain shield for preventing precipitation from contacting a portion of said gasket when said front portion is in said closed position.

22. The distribution hub of claim 8 wherein said enclosure is mounted proximate to a top portion of a utility pole using a mounting bracket.

23. The distribution hub of claim 22 wherein said mounting bracket comprises a structural member.

24. The distribution hub of claim 23 wherein said structural member is associated with a latching point and a handle.

25. The distribution hub of claim 24 wherein said latching point is configured to accept a safety hook having an inside dimension associated therewith, said safety hook further attached to a safety line.

26. The distribution hub of claim 25 wherein said handle has a diameter larger than said inside dimension, said diameter for preventing said safety hook from being attached to said handle.

27. The distribution hub of claim 26 wherein said enclosure is associated with a balcony.

28. The distribution hub of claim 27 wherein said handle is located to facilitate a transition from a ladder to said balcony while said safety hook is coupled to said latching point.

29. The distribution hub of claim 28 wherein said latching point is a D-ring rated for restraining a fall.

30. The distribution hub of claim 29 wherein a load associated with said fall is transferred from said D-ring to said utility pole through said mounting bracket.

31. The distribution hub of claim 26 wherein said enclosure further comprises a hinged chassis.

32. The distribution hub of claim 26 wherein said enclosure is comprised of a front portion and a rear portion pivotally coupled using an enclosure hinge.

33. A method for accessing a fiber distribution hub comprising the steps of:

opening an access door, said opening providing access to at least a bulkhead associated with a termination field;

releasing a chassis latch;

pivoting said chassis about a hinge to provide access to a rear portion of said bulkhead, said chassis further having a routing channel for routing a plurality of pigtails around said termination field.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein said chassis further includes a transition storage area.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein said chassis further includes an optical splitter module associated with said plurality of pigtails, said optical splitter module further having a like plurality of receptacles for respectively receiving a connector associated with each of said plurality of pigtails.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein said termination field includes a plurality of subscriber terminations, said subscriber terminations communicatively coupled to a plurality of subscribers.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein said fiber distribution hub is part of a passive optical network.

38. A method for accessing a fiber distribution hub comprising the steps of:

opening an access door, said opening providing access to a release associated with a seal in an enclosure, said opening further providing access to the front of a bulkhead;

disengaging said release for allowing said enclosure to pivot on a hinge, said hinge coupled to a rear enclosure portion and a front enclosure portion;

pivoting said front portion away from said rear portion; and

accessing the rear of said bulkhead.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein said bulkhead is comprised of a subscriber termination field and an optical splitter module having a plurality of pigtails associated therewith, said plurality of pigtails for conveying electromagnetic communication signals from an input cable to a plurality of subscriber terminations located in said subscriber termination field.

40. A method for accessing an elevated enclosure used in a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

ascending a ladder;

attaching a safety line to a latching point associated with said enclosure;

grasping a handle proximate to said enclosure; and

moving from said ladder to a platform proximate to said enclosure.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said elevated platform is mounted on a utility pole.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said latching point is coupled to a structural member associated with a mounting bracket retaining said enclosure to said pole.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein said safety line is attached to said latching point using a latching device having an inside dimension.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein said latching device is sized so as to attach to said latching point.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein said handle has a diameter exceeding said inside dimension so as to prevent said latching device from being coupled to said latching point.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein said enclosure includes a swinging chassis having a termination field and an optical splitter module associated therewith.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein said swinging chassis is pivotally attached to said enclosure using a hinge.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein said swinging chassis further includes a routing channel and a transition member storage area.

49. The method of claim 45 wherein said enclosure includes a front portion having a chassis holding a termination field and an optical splitter, said enclosure further having a rear portion pivotally attached to said front portion using a hinge, said rear portion further coupled to said mounting bracket.

50. The method of claim 49 further comprising the steps of:

releasing a latch, said latch allowing said front portion to pivot when released;

pivoting said front portion about said hinge; and

accessing a rear portion of said chassis.

51. A chassis for supporting optical splitter modules in a determined configuration within an enclosure used for providing optical communication signals to a user in conjunction with a subscriber termination field, said chassis comprising:

an upper rail having a first hole pattern; and

a lower rail having a second hole pattern cooperatively operating with said upper hole pattern to receive a plurality of optical splitter modules according to said determined configuration, said determined configuration for causing fiber optic pigtails associated with said plurality of splitter modules to be arranged in a manner that does not interfere with access to said subscriber termination field.

52. The chassis of claim 51 wherein said plurality of splitter modules comprises:

a 16 fiber splitter module; and

a 32 fiber splitter module.

53. The chassis of claim 52 wherein said 16 fiber splitter module has an upper hole and a lower hole shaped to facilitate alignment according to said determined pattern and wherein said 32 fiber splitter module has an upper hole pair and a lower hole pair arranged to further facilitate alignment according to said determined pattern.

54. A fiber distribution hub enclosure comprising:

a chassis having a splitter module mounting area and a subscriber termination field;

a chassis guide for managing optical fibers associated with said splitter module mounting area; and

a panel for supporting a plurality of fiber storage receptacles, said storage receptacles for coupling to a connector associated with said optical fibers when said fibers are not deployed, said panel further pivotally mounted to said chassis for allowing said storage receptacles to be accessed when said panel is in an open position.

55. The fiber distribution hub of claim 54 wherein said panel is removable from said chassis when no longer needed.

56. The fiber distribution hub of claim 55 wherein said panel can be removed without the use of tools.

57. The fiber distribution hub of claim 55 wherein said plurality of storage receptacles are arranged in modules having 16 receptacles each.

58. The fiber distribution hub of claim 55 wherein said splitter module mounting area supports a splitter module for providing an optical communication signal to a subscriber using a subscriber termination connector associated with said subscriber termination field.