Fiber Optic Drop Terminals for Multiple Dwelling Units

• US 20090148119A1
• Filed: 02/09/2009
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Diana Rodriguez, Donnie Ray Jr. Clapp, Guy Castonguay, Karyne Poissant Prevratil, Terry Dean Cox, Thomas Shaw Liggett
• Original Assignee: Diana Rodriguez, Donnie Ray Jr. Clapp, Guy Castonguay, Karyne Poissant Prevratil, Terry Dean Cox, Thomas Shaw Liggett
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Diana, Castonguay, Guy, Cox, Terry Dean, Prevratil, Karyne Poissant, Clapp, Donnie Ray JR., Liggett, Thomas Shaw
• Application Number:
  US12/367,844
• Publication Number:
  US 20090148119A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4442 Cap coupling boxes
• 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: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/023 using sliding mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/028 Subscriber network interface devices

Abstract

There is provided fiber drop terminals (“FDTs”) and related equipment for providing selective connections between optical fibers of distribution cables and optical fibers of drop cables, such as in multiple dwelling units. The FDTs require relatively little area and/or volume while providing convenient connectivity for a relatively large number of optical connections. The FDTs include adapters for optically connecting the connectors, and the adapters of some FDTs are adapted to rotate, move, or otherwise be removed to provide convenient access for technicians. Some FDTs and the related equipment are adapted for use with microstructured optical fiber having preferred bend characteristics.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A strain relief device adapted for use with microstructured optical fiber, the strain relief device comprising:

a body defining an axis generally aligned with the axis of the microstructured optical fibers to be strain relieved;

a plurality of slots adapted to receive the microstructured optical fibers; and

a compression device adapted for positioning around the body and the microstructured optical fibers received within the plurality of slots to apply a force upon the microstructured optical fibers to strain relieve the optical fibers.

18. A strain relief device according to claim 17, wherein the body defines a generally cylindrical shape.

19. A strain relief device according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of slots is defined along the perimeter of the body such that a portion of the microstructured optical fibers is positioned radially outward of the perimeter of the body.

20. A strain relief device according to claim 17, wherein the body defines a circumferential slot adapted to receive the compression device, wherein the slot defines at least one shoulder to prevent axial movement of the compression device.

21. A strain relief device according to claim 17, wherein the compression device comprises a wire tie device.

22. A strain relief device according to claim 17 further comprising a spring clip to selectively mount the strain relief device within a fiber optic enclosure.

23. A strain relief device according to claim 17, wherein the FDT is adapted to receive at least one optical fiber comprising a microstructured optical fiber comprising a core region and a cladding region surrounding the core region, the cladding region comprising an annular hole-containing region comprised of non-periodically disposed holes.

24. A strain relief device according to claim 23, wherein the microstructured fiber has an 8 mm macrobend induced loss at 1550 nm of less than 0.2 dB/turn.

25. A fiber drop terminal (“

FDT”

) adapted for use in a fiber-optic network of a multiple dwelling unit to selectively optically connect at least one connectorized optical fiber of a distribution cable to a connectorized optical fiber of at least one drop cable, the FDT comprising;

a base defining a back wall and at least one sidewall extending outwardly from the back wall, wherein the base defines at least one opening for passage of the distribution cable and the drop cable through at least one of the back wall and sidewall;

a cover adapted to selectively connect to the sidewall generally opposite the back wall;

at least one plurality of adapters joined to at least one of the back wall and the sidewall of the base, wherein the adapters are adapted to receive a connector of the distribution cable and a connector of the drop cable to optically connect the connectorized optical fiber of the distribution cable to the connectorized optical fiber of the drop cable; and

a distribution cover provided between the back wall and the cover, wherein the distribution cover is adapted to provide limited access to the portion of the adapters that are adapted to receive a connector of the distribution cable.

26. An FDT according to claim 25, wherein the cover is rotatably attached to the base and the distribution cover is rotatably attached to the base.

27. An FDT according to claim 25 further comprising a fanout positioned between the distribution cover and the base and optically connecting the optical fiber of the distribution cable with the portion of the adapters that are adapted to receive a connector of the distribution cable.

28. An FDT according to claim 25, wherein the at least one opening of the base comprises an opening adapted to receive a multi-fiber adapter.

29. An FDT according to claim 25, wherein the at least one opening of the base comprises an opening adapted to strain relieve and seal the drop cables passing therethrough.

30. An FDT according to claim 25, wherein the FDT is adapted to receive at least one optical fiber comprising a microstructured optical fiber comprising a core region and a cladding region surrounding the core region, the cladding region comprising an annular hole-containing region comprised of non-periodically disposed holes.

31. An FDT according to claim 30, wherein the microstructured fiber has an 8 mm macrobend induced loss at 1550 nm of less than 0.2 dB/turn.

32-43. -43. (canceled)