MULTI-LAYER MODULE

• US 20110268414A1
• Filed: 11/30/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Diana, Giraud, William J., Rasmussen, Michael H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4441 Boxes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4454 with splices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps

Abstract

A multi-layer module that includes a multi-fiber cable storage layer having a cable entry opening and a cable winding structure is disclosed. Also included is a splice storage layer that is discrete from the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer having a splice layer receiving opening in communication with the multi-fiber cable storage layer and a slack storage area. The multi-layer module includes a pigtail storage layer that is discrete from both the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer, the pigtail storage layer having a pigtail connector area and a pigtail storage area, the pigtail storage area comprising a pigtail storage layer receiving opening in communication with the splice storage layer.

Claims

1. A multi-layer module comprising:

a multi-fiber cable storage layer having a cable entry opening and a cable winding structure;

a splice storage layer that is discrete from the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer having a splice layer receiving opening in communication with the multi-fiber cable storage layer and a slack storage area; and

a pigtail storage layer that is discrete from both the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer, the pigtail storage layer having a pigtail connector area and a pigtail storage area, the pigtail storage area comprising a pigtail storage layer receiving opening in communication with the splice storage layer.

2. The multi-layer module of claim 1, wherein the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer, and the pigtail storage layer are layered in an offset manner such that a portion of the pigtail storage area is disposed in an intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer, while a portion of the pigtail connector area is disposed outside of the intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer.

3. The multi-layer module of claim 2, wherein the pigtail storage layer is tapered to achieve a reduced layer thickness in the intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer.

4. The multi-layer module, of claim 1, further comprising a hinged cover having a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the hinged cover covers at least a portion of the splice storage layer, and in the open position the hinged cover provides access to at least a portion of the splice storage layer.

5. The multi-layer module of claim 4, further comprising a hinged separator having a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the hinged separator separates the splice storage layer from the pigtail storage layer and in the open position the hinged separator provides access to the pigtail storage layer.

6. The multi-layer module of claim 5, wherein the hinged cover and the hinged separator define opposing hinges and overlapping access fields in the multi-layer module.

7. The multi-layer module of claim 5, wherein the hinged cover and the hinged separator are configured relative to each other such that the hinged cover is transitioned from the closed position to the open position to permit the hinged separator to be transitioned from the closed position to the open position.

8. The multi-layer module of claim 4, wherein the hinged cover is substantially transparent.

9. The multi-layer module of claim 4, wherein the hinged cover defines a pivoting edge and an opening edge and is oriented such that the an adapter side of the multi-layer module is positioned closer to the pivoting edge of the hinged cover than the opening edge of the hinged cover.

10. The multi-layer module of claim 1, wherein the multi-fiber cable storage layer comprises a plurality of cable re-routing walls for providing a re-routing passage that is arranged to facilitate a change in direction of multi-fiber cable received by the multi-layer module.

11. The multi-layer module of claim 1, wherein the splice storage layer includes a splice holder seat having a raised portion and a footprint area, the raised portion being disposed along a perimeter of the footprint area.

12. The multi-layer module of claim 11, further comprising a splice holder that is positioned in the splice holder seat, the splice holder including an array of splice holding partitions that secure an fiber splice component in a first direction and a mass fusion splice component in a second direction.

13. The multi-layer module of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of mounting tracks for mounting the multi-layer module in a module receiving device;

a plurality of respective latches for releasably securing the multi-layer module; and

a plurality of respective pull tabs for releasing the multi-layer module from the module receiving device.

14. The multi-layer module of claim 1, wherein the pigtail storage layer further includes a radius limiting hub.

15. The multi-layer module of claim 1, further comprising a module housing that includes a front cable entry opening is configured to pass multi-fiber cable to a cable storage area of the module housing.

16. A multi-layer module comprising:

a multi-fiber cable storage layer having a cable winding structure;

a splice storage layer that is discrete from the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer having a splice layer receiving opening in communication with the multi-fiber cable storage layer, and a slack storage area having a splice holder seat with a footprint area for removably securing a splice holder; and

a pigtail storage layer that is discrete from both the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer having a pigtail connector area and a pigtail storage area, the pigtail storage layer comprising a pigtail storage layer receiving opening in communication with the splice storage layer,

wherein the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer, and the pigtail storage layer are layered such that a portion of the pigtail storage area of the pigtail storage layer is disposed in an intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer, while a portion of the pigtail connector area of the pigtail storage layer is disposed outside of the intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer.

17. The multi-layer module of claim 16, further comprising an adapter plate positioned in an adapter opening and removably connected to the multi-layer module.

18. The multi-layer module, of claim 16, further comprising a hinged cover having a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the hinged cover covers at least a portion of the splice storage layer, and in the open position the hinged cover provides access to at least a portion of the splice storage layer.

19. The multi-layer module of claim 18, further comprising a hinged separator having a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the hinged separator separates the splice storage layer from the pigtail storage layer and in the open position the hinged separator provides access to the pigtail storage layer.

20. The multi-layer module of claim 19, wherein the hinged cover and the hinged separator define opposing hinges and overlapping access fields in the multi-layer module.

21. The multi-layer module of claim 19, wherein the hinged cover and the hinged separator are configured relative to each other such that the hinged cover is transitioned from the closed position to the open position to permit the hinged separator to be transitioned from the closed position to the open position.

22. A multi-layer module comprising:

a multi-fiber cable storage layer having a cable entry opening and a cable winding structure;

a splice storage layer that is discrete from the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer comprising a slack storage area and a splice holder, the slack storage area having a splice holder seat with a footprint area for removably securing the splice holder; and

a pigtail storage layer that is discrete from both the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer, the pigtail storage layer comprising a pigtail storage area and pigtail connector area, the pigtail storage area in communication with the splice storage layer,

wherein the multi-fiber cable storage layer, the splice storage layer, and the pigtail storage layer are layered such that a portion of the pigtail storage area of the pigtail storage layer is disposed in an intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer, while a portion of the pigtail connector area of the pigtail storage layer is disposed outside of the intervening space between the multi-fiber cable storage layer and the splice storage layer.