APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FURCATING FIBER OPTIC CABLES

• US 20170336568A1
• Filed: 10/27/2015
• Published: 11/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Afl IG LLC
• Original Assignee: Afl IG LLC
• Inventors: Kleeberger, Terry, Bureacov, Artur
• Granted Patent: US 10,185,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/29317 Light guides of the optical fibre type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3616 Holders, macro size fixtures for mechanically holding or positioning fibres, e.g. on an optical bench supporting carriers of a microbench type G02B6/3648; micromanipulators B25J7/00; cassettes, bobbins G02B6/4439
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3874 using tubes, sleeves to align ferrules
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4248 Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall see provisionally also G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/50 Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for furcating fiber optic cables are provided. In some embodiments, a molded furcation tube array is generated by compressing rearward end portions of a plurality of furcation tubes together, and heating at least a portion of the rearward end portions to form a molded portion of the furcation tube array. Reinforcing filaments can be bonded into and/or throughout the molded portion. The molded portion can have internal chambers in communication with separate furcation tubes of the furcation tube array, in which optic fibers can be slidably retained, and the molded portion can be fixedly coupled to a housing, which in turn, can be coupled to a cable trunkline. Optic fibers can piston or slide longitudinally within the trunkline housing and molded portion.

Claims

1. A cable furcation assembly, comprising:

a trunkline;

a housing; and

a plurality of optic fibers extending from the trunkline, through the housing, and into a molded array of furcation tubes, wherein reinforcing filaments in at least a portion of the molded array are bonded into tubes jackets, and wherein the trunkline and molded array are each fixedly coupled to the housing, and wherein the plurality of optic fibers are slidably retained within the trunkline, housing, and molded array.

2. The cable furcation assembly of claim 1 wherein the molded array includes a molded portion and an unmolded portion, and wherein the molded portion is coupled to the housing and the unmolded portion extends forward from the housing as separate unmolded furcation tubes.

3. The cable furcation assembly of claim 2 wherein the molded portion is at least partially disposed within a chamber of the housing.

4. The cable furcation assembly of claim 3 wherein the molded portion is coupled to an internal sidewall of the housing by an adhesive

5. The cable furcation assembly of claim 3, wherein the trunkline is coupled to the housing by a crimp ring that crimps at least a plurality of reinforcing filaments of the trunkline against a portion of the housing.

6. A molded furcation tube assembly comprising:

a plurality of furcation tubes molded together at rearward portions thereof to form a molded portion, the molded portion having an entrance opening and internal chamber corresponding to each of the plurality of furcation tubes; and

a rigid housing fixedly connected to an exterior surface of the molded portion.

7. The molded furcation tube assembly of claim 6 further comprising reinforcing filaments molded into the molded portion.

8. The molded furcation tube assembly of claim 7 further comprising an unmolded portion of the plurality of furcation tubes, the unmolded portion being integral with the molded portion and forward from the molded portion, and the reinforcing filaments also extending from the molded portion into the unmolded portion.

9. A method of constructing a fiber optic cable assembly comprising:

bonding reinforcing fibers in a furcation tube to a tube jacket of the furcation tube by deforming the tube jacket;

pulling an optic fiber from a bundled cable through an opening in a rigid housing;

threading the optic fiber through the deformed tube jacket; and

fixedly coupling the deformed tube jacket to the rigid housing.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein deforming the tube jacket comprises heating the tube jacket.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising inserting a pin into the tube jacket before heating the tube jacket.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising compressing the tube jacket against a plurality of other furcation tube jackets while heating the tube jacket.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the tube jacket is bonded to the plurality of other furcation tube jackets during heating.

14. A method of constructing a cable assembly comprising:

arranging a plurality of furcation tubes in an array and compressing the furcation tubes together at a heating portion; and

heating the heating portion to deform the furcation tubes, and wherein reinforcing filaments disposed within the furcation tubes are bonded into tube jackets of the furcation tubes in the heating portion, and wherein the plurality of furcation tubes in the array bond together in the heating portion to form a molded portion of the array.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising inserting pins into the furcation tubes in the heating portion prior to heating, and removing the pins after heating.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising threading optic fibers through chambers in the molded portion of the array, and pushing them through to an unmolded portion of the array.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising inserting the molded portion of the array into a housing, and fixedly coupling the molded portion of the array to the housing using an adhesive.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein compressing the furcation tubes together comprises binding the furcation tubes under pressure using a tape.