Optical fiber management system and method
First Claim
1. A device for storing optical fiber such as optical fiber extending from a component between a plurality of optical components, said optical fiber having a minimum bend radius, said device comprising:
- a tray having a storage area for accommodating an unconstrained loop of the optical fiber, the tray configured to accommodate any length of a portion of optical fiber;
an optical fiber inlet and outlet through which the optical fiber loop can pass into and out of said tray; and
an optical fiber guide for preventing an optical fiber loop stored in the tray from having a radius of curvature less than the minimum bend radius and permitting storage in the tray of an unconstrained fiber loop.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical fiber ramp management system provides a system, device and method for organizing, managing and storing optical fiber during and after the production of an opto-electronic assembly. Opto-electronic components are arranged on a substrate located at a first level so as to define a space between the components. The space defines an optical fiber pathway along the surface of the substrate through which optical fibers formed as fiber bundle travel. A ramp supports the fiber bundle as it extends from the substrate to a storage tray located at a second level. The optical fibers are retained on the storage tray as a plurality of unconstrained loops. The pathway, ramp and tray are formed to maintain the radius of curvature of the optical fiber at or above the minimum bend radius of the fiber.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A device for storing optical fiber such as optical fiber extending from a component between a plurality of optical components, said optical fiber having a minimum bend radius, said device comprising:
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a tray having a storage area for accommodating an unconstrained loop of the optical fiber, the tray configured to accommodate any length of a portion of optical fiber;
an optical fiber inlet and outlet through which the optical fiber loop can pass into and out of said tray; and
an optical fiber guide for preventing an optical fiber loop stored in the tray from having a radius of curvature less than the minimum bend radius and permitting storage in the tray of an unconstrained fiber loop. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A device for storing optical fiber in proximity to and for dissipating heat from an assembly having optical fiber and a plurality of electronic and opto-electronic components located thereon, at least some said components radiating heal when said assembly is operated, the device comprising:
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an optical fiber storage tray having a base adapted to support an unconstrained loop of optical fiber, said base having at least one base perforation through which heal can freely pass, the tray configured to accommodate any length of a portion of optical fiber; and
an optical fiber inlet and outlet through which a loop of optical fiber passes into and out of said tray respectively such that heat dissipating from at least one of said components passes through the perforation. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A device for storing optical fiber in proximity to and for dissipating heat from an assembly having optical fiber and a plurality of electronic and optoelectronic components located thereon, at least some said components radiating heat when said assembly is operated, the device comprising:
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a tray adapted to accommodate an unconstrained loop of optical fiber, the tray having a base, said base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a base fin extending along a portion of the bottom surface of the base such that the fin dissipates heat away from at least some of said components; and
an optical fiber inlet through which a loop of optical fiber passes into said tray. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method of storing excess length of optical fibers extending between a plurality of optical components located on a substrate, said optical fibers having a minimum bend radius, the method comprising:
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providing a tray having an optical fiber inlet and a storage area for accommodating unconstrained loops of optical fibers, the tray configured to accommodate any length of a portion of optical fiber;
passing the optical fibers through said optical fiber inlet and into said storage area; and
forming an unconstrained loop from each of said optical fibers on said tray to store excess fiber length on the tray. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification