Fiber optic drop cables and preconnectorized assemblies having toning portions

• US 7,113,679 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Issued: 09/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gimblet, Michael J., Tran, Hieu V., Melton, Stuart R., Liu, Xin, Thompson, David A., Wagman, Richard S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Font, Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ERIC K
• Application Number:
  US10/963,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20050053342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 385/103, 385/113
• US Class Current: 385/113
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3816 for use under water, high pressure connectors provisionally see G02B6/4428
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3821 with axial spring biasing or loading means G02B6/3847 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3849 using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3869 Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/387 Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3873 Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3879 Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3885 Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/38875 Protection from bending or twisting
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3889 using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3894 Screw-lock type
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4405 with longitudinally spaced waveguide clamping G02B6/4429, G02B6/4439, G02B6/4479 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4429 Means specially adapted for strengthening or protecting the cables
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4433 Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4471 Terminating devices demountable connectors G02B6/3807; Cable clamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means

Abstract

A preconnectorized outdoor cable streamlines the deployment of optical waveguides into the last mile of an optical network. The preconnectorized outdoor cable includes a cable and at least one plug connector. The plug connector is attached to a first end of the cable, thereby connectorizing at least one optical waveguide. The cable has at least one optical waveguide, at least one tensile element, and a cable jacket. Various cable designs such as figure-eight or flat cables may be used with the plug connector. In preferred embodiments, the plug connector includes a crimp assembly having a crimp housing and a crimp band. The crimp housing has two half-shells being held together by the crimp band for securing the at least one tensile element. When fully assembled, the crimp housing fits into a shroud of the preconnectorized cable. The shroud aides in mating the preconnectorized cable with a complimentary receptacle.

Claims

1. A preconnectorized outdoor cable comprising:

a cable having at least two strength components, an optical transmission component, a toning portion including a conductive wire and a cable jacket, wherein the cable jacket generally surrounds the at least two strength components, the optical transmission component, and the toning portion; and

at least one plug connector, the at least one plug connector being attached to an end of the cable, thereby connectorizing an optical waveguide, the optical waveguide being a portion of the optical transmission component, the at least one plug connector having a shroud with a first end and a second end, the shroud includes a first finger and a second finger for mating with a complementary receptacle, wherein the first finger and the second finger are disposed about 180 degrees apart and have different cross-sectional shapes for keying the plug connector with the complementary receptacle.

2. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the at least one plug connector further comprises a crimp assembly and a connector assembly, wherein the crimp assembly includes a crimp housing and a crimp band and the connector assembly includes a connector housing and a ferrule.

3. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 2, wherein the crimp housing comprises two half-shells, the two half-shells having a longitudinal passageway therethrough and at least one cable clamping portion, the at least one cable clamping portion securing at least one strength component of the cable, and the two half-shells being held together by the crimp band.

4. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 2, wherein the crimp housing comprises two half-shells, the two half-shells having a longitudinal passageway therethrough, at least one cable clamping portion, and a connector assembly clamping portion, the at least one cable clamping portion securing at least one strength component of the cable and the connector assembly clamping portion securing a portion of the connector assembly, the two half-shells being held together by the crimp band.

5. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the cable further comprising at least one tensile strength member.

6. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 5, the at least one tensile strength member including a water-swellable material.

7. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 5, the at least one tensile strength member being a plurality fiberglass strands.

8. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the two strength components being a dielectric material.

9. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the toning portion being a toning lobe connected by a web, wherein the web can be torn to separate the toning lobe.

10. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the at least two strength components having respective tensile strength ratings and the at least one tensile strength member having a tensile strength rating, the at least one tensile strength member and one of the two strength components defining a tensile strength ratio of about 0.1 to about 0.3.

11. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the cable further comprising a plurality of tensile strength members quadrilaterally disposed about the optical transmission component.

12. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the at least two strength components being disposed on opposite side of the optical transmission component.

13. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, one of the at least two strength components being multifunctional so as to provide tensile strength and waterblocking.

14. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, further comprising a heat shrink tube for weatherproofing the preconnectorized outdoor cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed about the second end of the shroud and a portion of the cable jacket.

15. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring disposed on the shroud for weatherproofing the at least one plug connector.

16. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the shroud having at least one alignment indicia for indicating a mating orientation.

17. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the at least one plug connector having a protective cap and a retention wire, wherein the protective cap is attached to the at least one plug connector by a retention wire.

18. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, a plurality of the components of the at least one plug connector being formed from a UV stabilized material.

19. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 1, the cable having two plug connectors.

20. A preconnectorized outdor cable, comprising:

a cable comprising;

an optical transmission component, the optical transmission component having an optical waveguide;

at least two strength components, the at least two strength components disposed on opposite sides of the optical transmission component;

a toning portion, the toning portion including a conductive wire; and

a cable jacket, the cable jacket contacting at least a portion of the optical transmission component; and

at least one plug connector, the at least one plug connector being attached to an end of the cable, thereby connectorizing the optical waveguide, the at least one plug connector comprising;

a crimp assembly, wherein the crimp assembly includes a crimp housing, wherein the crimp housing comprises two half-shells, the two half-shells having a longitudinal passageway for passing the at least one optical fiber therethrough, at least one cable clamping portion, and a connector assembly clamping portion, wherein the at least one cable clamping portion secures the at least one strength component; and

a connector assembly, the connector assembly includes a connector body and a ferrule, wherein a portion of the connector assembly is secured in the connector assembly clamping portion of the two half-shells of the crimp housing.

21. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, a plurality of tensile strength members the plurality of tensile strength members being generally arranged about the optical transmission component and generally contacting the optical transmission component, the plurality of tensile strength members being fibrous tensile strength members that essentially lack anti-buckling strength.

22. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 21, one of the plurality of tensile strength members being a plurality fiberglass strands.

23. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the two strength components being a dielectric material.

24. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the toning portion being a toning lobe connected by a web, wherein the web can be torn to separate the toning lobe.

25. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 21, the at least two strength components having respective tensile strength ratings and the plurality of tensile strength members having a tensile strength rating, one of the plurality of tensile strength members and one of the two strength components defining a tensile strength ratio of about 0.1 to about 0.3.

26. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 21, the plurality of tensile strength members being quadrilaterally disposed about the optical transmission component.

27. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, one of the at least two strength components being multifunctional so as to provide tensile strength and waterblocking functions.

28. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, further comprising a shroud, wherein a portion of the crimp assembly is disposed within the shroud and the shroud has a keyed passageway for inhibiting rotation between the shroud and the crimp assembly.

29. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the crimp assembly further includes a crimp band for holding the two half-shells together.

30. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the at least one plug connector further comprising a shroud having a first end and a second end, and a coupling nut.

31. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 30, the shroud defining a pair of openings on opposite sides of the first end, the opening extending lengthwise from a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the shroud, wherein the ferrule is accessible within the first end of the shroud.

32. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 30, further comprising a heat shrink tube for weatherproofing the preconnectorized outdoor cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed about the second end of the shroud and a portion of the cable jacket.

33. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 30, further comprising an O-ring disposed on the shroud for weatherproofing the at least one plug connector.

34. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the at least one plug connector further comprising a shroud having a first end and a second end, wherein the shroud has at least one alignment indicia for indicating a mating orientation.

35. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the at least one plug connector further comprising a shroud having a first end and a second end, the shroud has a plurality of fingers for mating with a complementary receptacle, wherein at least two of the fingers have different cross-sectional shapes for keying the plug connector with the complementary receptacle.

36. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, further comprising a heat shrink tube for weatherproofing the preconnectorized outdoor cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed over a portion of the at least one plug connector and a portion of the cable jacket.

37. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the at least one plug connector having a protective cap and a retention wire, wherein the protective cap is attached to the at least one plug connector by a retention wire.

38. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, a plurality of the components of the at least one plug connector being formed from a UV stabilized material.

39. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, further comprising two plug connectors.

40. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 20, the optical transmission component further comprising a dry insert.

41. A preconnectorized outdoor cable, comprising:

a cable including;

an optical waveguide;

at least one tensile element; and

a cable jacket; and

at least one plug connector, the at least one plug connector being attached to an end of the cable, thereby connectorizing an optical waveguide, the at least one plug connector having a shroud with a first end and a second end, the shroud including a first finger and a second finger for mating with a complementary receptacle, wherein the first finger and the second finger are disposed about 180 degrees apart and have different profiles for keying the plug connector with the complementary receptacle.

42. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 41, the at least one plug connector further comprising a crimp assembly and a connector assembly, wherein the crimp assembly includes a crimp housing and a crimp band wherein the crimp housing comprises two half-shells, the two half-shells having a longitudinal passageway therethrough, at least one cable clamping portion, and a connector assembly clamping portion, the at least one cable clamping portion securing at least one strength member of the cable and the connector assembly clamping portion securing a portion of the connector assembly, and the two half-shells being held together by the crimp band.

43. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 41, the shroud having a first end and a second end, and a coupling nut.

44. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 43, the shroud defining a pair of openings on opposite sides of the first end, the opening extending lengthwise from a medial portion of the shroud to the first end of the shroud, wherein the ferrule is accessible within the first end of the shroud.

45. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 43, further comprising a heat shrink tube for weatherproofing the preconnectorized outdoor cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed about the second end of the shroud and a portion of the cable jacket.

46. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 43, further comprising an O-ring disposed on the shroud for weatherproofing the at least one plug connector.

47. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 41, further comprising a heat shrink tube for weatherproofing the preconnectorized outdoor cable, the heat shrink tube being disposed over a portion of the at least one plug connector and a portion of the cable jacket.

48. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 41, the at least one plug connector having a protective cap and a retention wire, wherein the protective cap is attached to the at least one plug connector by a retention wire.

49. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 41, a plurality of the components of the at least one plug connector being formed from a UV stabilized material.

50. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 41, further comprising two plug connectors.

51. A fiber optic cable comprising:

an optical transmission component;

at least two strength components, the at least two strength components disposed on opposite sides of the optical transmission component;

a plurality of tensile strength members, the plurality of tensile strength members being generally arranged about the optical transmission component and generally contacting the optical transmission component, the plurality of tensile strength members being fibrous tensile strength members that essentially lack anti-buckling strength;

a toning portion, the toning portion being a toning lobe that separable and includes a conductive wire; and

a cable jacket, the cable jacket contacting at least a portion of the optical transmission component.

52. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 51, one of the plurality of tensile strength members including a water-swellable material.

53. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 51, one of the plurality of tensile strength members being a plurality fiberglass strands.

54. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 51, the two strength components being a dielectric material.

55. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 51, the at least two strength components having respective tensile strength ratings and the at least one tensile strength member having a tensile strength rating, one of the at least one tensile strength members and one of the two strength components defining a tensile strength ratio of about 0.1 to about 0.3.

56. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 51, the plurality of tensile strength members being quadrilaterally disposed about the optical transmission component.

57. The preconnectorized outdoor cable of claim 51, one of the at least two strength components being multifunctional so as to provide tensile strength and waterblocking.