OPTICAL FIBER CABLE INLET DEVICE

• US 20090060421A1
• Filed: 02/22/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Research & Development Corporation (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Parikh, Rutesh D., Allen, William G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,738,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/71
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3636 the mechanical coupling means being grooves G02B6/3652 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4442 Cap coupling boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4444 Seals
• 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 6/4477 with means for strain-relieving to interior strengths element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44775 Cable seals e.g. feed-through cable seals integrated to the box seals G02B6/4444; pulling eyes G02B6/44465

Abstract

An inlet device is described for inserting a cable containing optical fibers into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing with a strength member securing section configured to fasten at least one strength member to the housing. The inlet device further includes a fiber guide device. The inlet device may be used in a single fiber optical cable assembly or multi-fiber optical cable assembly. A method for preparing a cable assembly is described. A telecommunications enclosure including an inlet device is also described.

Claims

1. An inlet device, comprising:

a housing comprising a first end and a second end;

the housing including a strength member securing section formed in an interior portion thereof and configured to secure at least one strength member of an optical fiber cable to the housing, wherein the strength member securing section comprises at least one securing well for retaining the at least one strength member disposed between the housing and an optical fiber passageway formed in the housing; and

a removable fiber guide device disposed in the second end of the housing.

2. The inlet device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a unibody structure that includes the strength member securing section, an orientation control section formed on an outer surface of the housing, an annular channel to receive a sealing member formed in the outer surface of the housing, a lock engagement feature formed in the outer surface of the housing, and a fiber guide receptacle formed in the second end of the housing.

3. The inlet device of claim 1, further comprising a cover axially positioned over the fiber guide device.

4. The inlet device of claim 1, further comprising a fiber strain relief member mountable on one of the fiber guide device and a cover axially positioned over the fiber guide device.

5. The inlet device of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to secure the inlet device into a port of a telecommunications enclosure.

6. The inlet device of claim 1, further comprising a fiber retainer positioned inside of the housing and proximate to the second end of the housing and between the securing section and the fiber guide device in an internal passageway to center at least one optical fiber of the optical fiber cable in the housing.

7. The inlet device of claim 1, wherein the fiber guide device comprises one of a single fiber orifice plate, a multi-fiber orifice plate and a multi-fiber fanout device.

8. The inlet device of claim 7, wherein the multi-fiber fanout device comprises:

a base; and

a guide support having a front side and a back side extending from the base;

wherein the guide support comprises a plurality of fiber guiding channels wherein a first set of the fiber guiding channels is disposed on the front side of the guide support; and

wherein each of the first set of fiber guiding channels includes a funnel shaped entrance channel portion and an open channel portion.

9. The inlet device of claim 1 mounted on at least one end of the optical fiber cable, wherein the optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber and the at least one strength member.

10. The inlet device of claim 1 mounted on at least one end of the optical fiber cable, wherein the optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber and the at least one strength member and wherein an optical connector is connected to a terminal end of the at least one optical fiber.

11. The inlet device of claim 1 mounted on at least one end of the optical fiber cable, wherein the optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber and the at least one strength member and wherein a pulling sock positioned over a substantial portion of the inlet device.

12. The inlet device of claim 1 mounted on both ends of the optical fiber cable to yield an optical fiber cable assembly, wherein the optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber and the at least one strength member.

13. The inlet device of claim 1 mounted on at least one end of the optical fiber cable wherein the optical fiber cable includes at least one optical fiber and the at least one strength member and wherein the inlet device is secured in a port of a telecommunication enclosure.

14. A kit of parts, comprising:

a housing including an strength member securing section formed in an interior portion thereof and configured to fasten at least one strength member of an optical fiber cable to the housing;

at least one fiber guide device;

a cover disposable over a fiber guide device;

a locking mechanism;

a fiber strain relief member disposable over at least one of the fiber guide device and the cover; and

a cable sealing and strain relief member.

15. The kit of parts of claim 14, further comprising a fiber retainer and a fiber alignment member.

16. The kit of parts of claim 14, further comprising at least one optical connector.

17. A method of preparing a cable assembly including an inlet device, comprising

preparing an optical fiber cable to expose at least one optical fiber and at least one strength member of the cable;

trimming the at least one strength member;

inserting the cable into a first end of a housing;

securing the at least one strength member within an internal strength member securing section formed in the housing;

securing a cable sealing and strain relief member over the cable inserted into the housing to the first end of the housing;

installing the at least one optical fiber in an optical fiber guide device; and

attaching the fiber guide device to a second end of the housing.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching at least one protective tube to the fiber guide device.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching a cover over the fiber guide device.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching an optical connector to a terminal end of the at least one optical fiber.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the fiber guide device comprises a for multi-fiber fanout device.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising placing at least one protective tube in a guide channel formed on the fanout device and installing the at least one optical fiber in the fanout device includes threading an individual optical fiber through a protective tube.