Method and apparatus for assembling an amplifier assembly

• US 6,381,394 B1
• Filed: 09/03/1999
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SubCom, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tycom Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Talamini, Victor J., Cabrera, Armando
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAHM, SARAH UH YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/389,471
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 385/134-137, 385/88, 385/89, 385/92, 359/341
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4448 Electro-optic
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/06704 Housings; Packages

Abstract

An optical repeater includes an internal structure having defined therein a longitudinal plane. The internal structure includes and a plurality of base modules. The base modules have a front and a back face and a plurality of sides with the faces positioned substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the internal structure. The optical repeater further includes a top module disposed substantially perpendicular to one of the plurality of sides the base modules.

Claims

1. An optical repeater comprising:

an internal structure having defined therein a longitudinal plane;

a plurality of base modules wherein the major planes of said base modules are vertically orientated within said internal structure, said base modules each including a front face and a back face and a plurality of sides;

wherein said faces of said base modules are positioned adjacent each other and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the internal structure; and

a top module positioned substantially parallel to said longitudinal plane, wherein a major plane of said top module is perpendicularly orientated with respect to said major planes of said base modules, and wherein said top module includes a spool structure adapted to house optical fibers from said base modules.

2. The optical repeater according to claim 1, where said base modules are positioned such that the longitudinal plane intersects each of the faces of the base modules.

3. The optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of base modules contains a pump unit assembly tray.

4. The optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of base modules contains an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) assembly tray.

5. The optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein one of said plurality of base modules is a High Loss Loop Back (HLLB) assembly tray.

6. The optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein said spool structure includes a well structure.

7. The optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein said top module further comprises a storage device.

8. The optical repeater according to claim 1, wherein said top module defines a plurality of grooves therein.

9. An optical repeater comprising:

an internal structure having defined therein a longitudinal plane;

at least one module assembly, said module assembly including;

a plurality of base modules wherein the major planes of said base modules are vertically orientated, each base module having a front face and a back face and a plurality of sides wherein said base modules are positioned such that said faces are substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal plane; and

a top module positioned substantially parallel to said longitudinal plane, wherein a major plane of said top module is perpendicularly orientated with respect to said major planes of said base modules, said top module including a spool structure, the spool structure adapted to house optical fibers from said base modules.

10. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein said at least one module assembly is detachably connected to said internal structure.

11. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein said internal structure includes a power supply assembly, a heat transfer plate, a spring plate and a network cover.

12. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein one of said plurality of base modules contains a pump unit assembly tray.

13. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein one of said plurality of base modules contains an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) assembly tray.

14. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein one of said plurality of base modules is a High Loss Loop Back (HLLB) assembly tray.

15. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein said spool structure includes a well structure.

16. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein said top module further comprises a storage device.

17. The optical repeater according to claim 9, wherein said top module defines a plurality of grooves therein.

18. A method for originating modules within an optical repeater comprising:

providing an internal structure;

defining a longitudinal plane in said internal structure;

providing a plurality of base modules each having a front face and a back face and a plurality of sides;

positioning said base modules wherein the major planes of said base modules are vertically orientated within said internal structure such that said faces are adjacent each other and substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal plane; and

providing a top module disposed wherein a major plane of said top module is perpendicularly orientated with respect to said major planes of said base module, said top module including a spool structure, wherein the spool structure houses optical fibers emanating from said base modules.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein one of said plurality of base modules is a pump unit assembly tray.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein one of said plurality of base modules is an Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) assembly tray.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein one of said plurality of base modules is a High Loss Loop Back (HLLB) assembly tray.

22. The method according to claim 18, wherein said top module defines a plurality of grooves therein.

23. The method according to claim 18, wherein said spool structure includes a well structure.

24. The method according to claim 18, wherein said top module further comprises a storage device.