Optical fiber component cassette with pigtail tube assembly

• US 5,438,641 A
• Filed: 02/22/1994
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Malacarne, Fabien
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Application Number:
  US08/199,084
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134-137
• US Class Current: 385/137
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4453 Cassettes

Abstract

Cassette for containing an optical fiber-containing device, having a bundle of optical fibers extending out of the cassette, comprising means (9_i) to attach an end of the bundle onto the cassette and a hardened adhesive product (13) in order to rigidify this end of the bundle of tubes (11_i) following a stable geometrical configuration suitable for withstanding mechanical bending capable of generating curvature losses in optical signals transmitted through the fibers. The cassette has particular applicability to housing integrated optical components comprising optical fibers, for use in telecommunication networks.

Claims

1. A cassette for an optical fiber device equipped with a bundle (6) of flexible tubes (11_i) protecting fibers (3, 4_i) extending out of the cassette (1), and with means to attach an end of this bundle onto the cassette, characterized in that the cassette comprises a means (13) constituted by a hardened adhesive product filling the gaps between the tubes (11_i) to rigidify this end of the bundle of tubes following a stable geometrical configuration suitable for withstanding mechanical bending capable of generating curvature losses for optical signals transmitted through the fibers.

5. A cassette according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that this stable configuration takes the form of a compact arrangement of tubes (11_i) inplanar beds.

6. A cassette according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one planar strap (9_i) rests against a planar surface of the rigidified end of the bundle (6) of tubes, in order to contribute to the attachment of this end to the cassette, without bending this end.

7. A cassette according to claim 6, characterized in that these straps (9_i) rest against walls (10₁, 10₂) of the cassette in order to be flush with the surface of the end of the bundle (6) of tubes.

8. A cassette according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that this stable configuration takes the form of a compact arrangement of tubes (11_i) in superposed planar beds.

2. A cassette for an optical fiber device equipped with a bundle (6) of flexible tubes (11_i) protecting fibers (3, 4_i) extending out of the cassette (1), and with means to attach an end of this bundle onto the cassette, characterized in that a drop (7) of a hardened adhesive product attaches each fiber (3, 4_i) in its protecting tube (11_i), at the end of the bundle (6) of tubes, and in that the cassette comprises a means (13) to rigidify this end of the bundle of tubes following a stable geometrical configuration suitable for withstanding mechanical bending capable of generating curvature losses for optical signals transmitted through the fibers.

3. A cassette for an optical fiber device equipped with a bundle (6) of flexible tubes (11_i) protecting fibers (3, 4_i) extending out of the cassette (1), and with means to attach an end of this bundle onto the cassette, characterized in that the end (5) of the bundle of tubes is inserted into a protective sleeve (8) glued on the inside to the bundle and on the outside to a predetermined surface (12) of the cassette (1), and in that the cassette comprises a means (13) to rigidify this end of the bundle of tubes following a stable geometrical configuration suitable for withstanding mechanical bending capable of generating curvature losses for optical signals transmitted through the fibers.

4. A cassette according to claim 3, characterized in that the surface (12) is approximately planar and does not comprise any indentation.