Method and apparatus for a cable location and protection system

• US 6,453,106 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 09/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ABB Power Electronics Inc. (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: Ge-Act Communications Inc. (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Minchey, Justin, Glaser, Ronald William, Whitehead, Benny John
• Primary Examiner(s): Sircus, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zarroli, Michael C.
• Application Number:
  US09/609,186
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 385/100, 385/101, 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137, 361/119, 361/136, 174/5.R, 174/55.G
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for protecting fiber-optic cable bundle closures includes a quick disconnect that allows for cabling to the closure to be separated upon the presence of a sudden jerk or pulling force. Additionally, a plurality of quick disconnects are used to effective create modular components out of a fiber-optic cable bundle that, heretofore, has be permanently attached to each other. The quick disconnects are rendered water resistant with the use of rubber boots that cover the quick disconnects to keep moisture out.

Claims

1. A fiber-optic closure for connecting a plurality of fiber-optic cables, at least one of which includes one of a metallic sheath or tracer wire, the closure comprising:

connectors for connecting fiber-optic strands; and

an output port for connecting an external device or circuit component to an internal circuit element within the closure whereby signals from said internal circuit element may be monitored without opening the closure to gain access to the internal circuit element; and

a quick connect interposed between said output port and said external device or circuit.

2. The fiber-optic closure of claim 1 wherein the output port is connected to the one of the sheath or tracer wire whereby electrical access to the sheath or tracer wire may be had without opening the closure.

3. The fiber-optic closure of claim 1 wherein the output port is connected to a sensing device whereby conditions internal to the closure may be monitored without requiring the opening of the closure.

4. The fiber-optic closure of claim 1 wherein the output port is connected to a monitoring device whereby the monitoring device is internal to the closure and whereby the monitoring device outputs signals through the output port.

5. A method for retrofitting a fiber-optic grounding network to include at least one quick disconnect, the method comprising:

cutting a cable between a first device and a second device to create a first and a second cable wherein the first cable is connected to the first device and the second cable is connected to a second device, wherein at least one of the devices is within an optical fiber splice enclosure; and

disconnect a quick connect between the first and second cable.

6. A method for retrofitting a fiber-optic grounding network to include at least one quick disconnect, the method comprising:

cutting a cable between a first device and a second device in two locations to create a first, a middle and a second piece of cable, wherein the first cable is connected to the first device and the second cable is connected to a second device, wherein at least one of the devices is within an optical fiber splice enclosure; and

disconnecting the middle piece of cable; and

connecting a quick connect between the first and the second pieces of cable, wherein the first and second cables are respectively connected to the first and second devices.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first device is a surge protector and the second device is a ground rod.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the first device is a surge protector and the second device is a pull block.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the first device is a surge protector and the second device is a closure.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the first device is a surge protector and the second device is a waterproof connector.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein the first device is a pull block and the second device is a waterproof connector.

12. A fiber-optic closure for connecting a plurality of fiber-optic cables, at least one of which includes one of a sheath or tracer wire, the closure comprising:

connectors for connecting fiber-optic strands;

an output port for connecting an external device or circuit component to an internal circuit element within the closure whereby signals from said internal circuit element may be monitored without opening the closure to gain access to the internal circuit element; and

an output port for connecting an external device or circuit component to an internal circuit element wherein signals within the closure may be monitored without opening the closure to gain access to the internal circuit element;

at least one of a filter or surge protector, having an input and an output;

a circuit node forming an electrical connection between the input of the at least one of a filter or surge protector and the at least one of a sheath or tracer wire; and

a quick disconnect having a first and a second end, the first end connected to the output of the at least one of a filter or a surge protector, and the second end connected to ground.