Fiber optic interconnection enclosure having a forced air system
First Claim
1. A positively pressurized fiber optic distribution frame comprising:
- a cabinet defining an internal cavity and an air inlet port in communication with the internal cavity, said cabinet further defining first and second openings in communication with the internal cavity and adapted to receive optical fibers, said cabinet comprising at least one door for accessing the internal cavity;
at least one connector panel disposed within the internal cavity of said cabinet and adapted to permit interconnection of respective ones of the optical fibers; and
first means, disposed in fluid communication with the air inlet port and the internal cavity, for drawing air through the air inlet port and into said cabinet, for circulating air through the internal cavity and for maintaining a greater pressure within the internal cavity than outside of the internal cavity so as to limit entry of particles into the internal cavity upon opening said door.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The fiber optic interconnection enclosure, such as a fiber optic distribution frame or the like, effectively limits the entry of particles, such as dust and other contaminants, into the enclosure. For example, the fiber optic interconnection enclosure can maintain a greater pressure, i.e., a positive pressure, within the internal cavity defined by the enclosure than outside of the internal cavity so as to effectively limit the entry of particles into the internal cavity, even as the door of the fiber optic interconnection enclosure is repeatedly opened and closed. The fiber optic interconnection enclosure generally includes at least one fan to draw air into the internal cavity through an air inlet port defined by the cabinet and to circulate the air through the internal cavity in order to reduce the number of particles that settle upon or are transferred to the end faces of the optical fibers or other surfaces within the internal cavity. By filtering the air drawn into the internal cavity, at least some of the particles are removed from the air drawn into the internal cavity. In addition, by expelling at least some of the air that has circulated within the internal cavity through a vent, a number of the particles that may have been otherwise trapped within the internal cavity can also be expelled prior to settling upon the end face of an optical fiber or other surfaces within the internal cavity.
396 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A positively pressurized fiber optic distribution frame comprising:
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a cabinet defining an internal cavity and an air inlet port in communication with the internal cavity, said cabinet further defining first and second openings in communication with the internal cavity and adapted to receive optical fibers, said cabinet comprising at least one door for accessing the internal cavity; at least one connector panel disposed within the internal cavity of said cabinet and adapted to permit interconnection of respective ones of the optical fibers; and first means, disposed in fluid communication with the air inlet port and the internal cavity, for drawing air through the air inlet port and into said cabinet, for circulating air through the internal cavity and for maintaining a greater pressure within the internal cavity than outside of the internal cavity so as to limit entry of particles into the internal cavity upon opening said door. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A fiber optic interconnection enclosure comprising:
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a housing defining an internal cavity and an air inlet port in communication with the internal cavity, said housing further defining first and second openings in communication with the internal cavity and adapted to receive optical fibers such that respective ones of the optical fibers can be interconnected therein; at least one fan, disposed in fluid communication with the air inlet port and the internal cavity, for moving air through the air inlet port and into said housing and for circulating air through the internal cavity; and a filter, disposed in fluid communication with the air inlet port, for removing at least some particles from the air drawn into the internal cavity by said at least one fan to thereby reduce the particles circulating through the internal cavity. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A fiber optic interconnection enclosure comprising:
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a housing defining an internal cavity and first and second openings in communication with the internal cavity that are adapted to receive optical fibers such that respective ones of the optical fibers can be interconnected therein, said housing further defining a door opening through which the interior cavity can be accessed, wherein said housing comprises at least one door that covers the door opening and is movable between a first closed position and a second open position; and means, disposed in fluid communication with the internal cavity, for directing a curtain of air at least partially across the door opening exposed by movement of said door to the second open position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification