Systems and methods for optical fiber distribution and management

• US 7,200,317 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2004
• Issued: 04/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fiber Optic Network Solutions Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Reagan, Randy, Noonan, Michael, Gniadek, Jeff, Parsons, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): Font; Frank G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EL SHAMMAA, MARY A
• Application Number:
  US10/991,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20050129379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 385/139
• US Class Current: 385/139
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44524 with frame parts or auxiliary devices mounted on the frame and collectively not covering a whole width of the frame or rack cassettes G02B6/4453
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/46 Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/14 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/10 Housing details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2201/804 in optical transmission systems

Abstract

The preferred embodiments of the present invention include an optical splitter module having connectorized pigtails that are stored on the bulkhead faceplate of the module. The module includes an optical splitter output harness, for example, a ribbon cable assembly attached to the bulkhead with rugged strain relief mechanism. The ribbon harness is converted to individual pigtails with connectors which are stored on adapter receptacles on the faceplate. Adapter receptacles used may optionally be half receptacles when storage is the only desired function or may be full receptacles when access to the pigtail ferrule tip is required. Access to the ferrule tip may be required for attaching fiber optic terminators to eliminate undesirable reflections caused by unterminated connectors. The module provides an administrative location for splitter outputs prior to being connected individually into service. The module also provides an administrative storage location for splitter outputs taken out of service as a temporary staging area before being reassigned and connected individually into service again.

Claims

1. A fiber distribution hub comprising:

an enclosure;

a swing frame pivotably mounted within the enclosure, the swing frame including a bulkhead dividing the enclosure into a front and a back, the swing frame configured to pivot from a first position to a second position;

a subscriber termination field mounted on the bulkhead of the swing frame, the subscriber termination field including a plurality of front termination connections facing the front of the enclosure and a plurality of rear termination connections facing the back of the enclosure, the front termination connections being accessible when the swing frame is in the first position, the rear termination connections being accessible when the swing frame is in the second position; and

at least one optical splitter mounted on the swing frame.

2. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, wherein the subscriber termination field is mounted on an upper portion of the swing frame and the at least one optical splitter is mounted on a lower portion of the swing frame.

3. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, wherein the swing frame includes a hinge about which the swing frame pivots, thereby providing a single point of flex for cable routed to the swing frame.

4. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, wherein the front section of the swing frame further comprises a fiber management section.

5. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, wherein the swing frame is configured to pivot about 90 degrees out of the enclosure.

6. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, wherein the back of the enclosure is accessible when the swing frame is in the second position.

7. The fiber distribution hub of claim 6, wherein the back of the enclosure includes rear feed-throughs configured to enable additional fibers to enter the enclosure.

8. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, further comprising storage receptacles mounted to the swing frame.

9. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the storage receptacles are mounted on a lower portion of the swing frame and the subscriber termination field is mounted on an upper portion of the swing frame.

10. The fiber distribution hub of claim 9, wherein the storage receptacles are located on a bulkhead coupled to the at least one optical splitter.

11. The fiber distribution hub of claim 8, wherein the storage receptacles include half non-functioning adapters.

12. The fiber distribution hub of claim 1, wherein the optical splitter is coupled to a plurality of connectorized pigtails.

13. A fiber distribution hub comprising:

an enclosure;

a swing frame pivotably mounted within the enclosure, the swing frame having a front and a back, the swing frame configured to pivot from a first position to a second position;

a subscriber termination field mounted on the swing frame, the subscriber termination field including a plurality of front termination connections facing the front of the enclosure and a plurality of rear termination connections facing the back of the enclosure, each of the plurality of front termination connections being associated with one of the plurality of rear termination connections, the front termination connections being accessible when the swing frame is in the first position, the rear termination connections being accessible when the swing frame is in the second position;

at least one optical splitter mounted on the swing frame;

a distribution cable extending into the enclosure, the distribution cable having at least one optical fiber routed to the at least one splitter;

a plurality of pigtail fibers routed from the optical splitter, each of the plurality of pigtail fibers configured to carry a signal split from the at least one optical fiber of the distribution cable, each pigtail fiber being terminated at a connector configured to couple to one of the plurality of front termination connections of the subscriber termination field; and

a subscriber cable extending out from the enclosure, the subscriber cable having at least one optical fiber, the at least one optical fiber coupled to one of the rear termination connections of the subscriber termination field.

14. The fiber distribution hub of claim 13, further comprising connector holders mounted on a lower portion of the swing frame, the connector holders configured to temporarily store the connectors of the plurality of pigtail fibers routed from the optical splitter.

15. The fiber distribution hub of claim 13, wherein the swing frame is configured to pivot about 90 degrees out of the enclosure.

16. The fiber distribution hub of claim 13, wherein the optical splitter is accessible when the swing frame is in the first position.

17. A fiber distribution hub comprising:

an enclosure having a front and a back, the front of the enclosure defining an opening covered by an access door;

a swing frame pivotably mounted within the enclosure, the swing frame configured to pivot from a first position to a second position;

at least one optical splitter mounted on the swing frame;

a distribution cable extending into the enclosure, the distribution cable including at least one optical fiber coupled to the at least one optical splitter;

a subscriber termination field mounted on the swing frame, the subscriber termination field including a plurality of front termination connections facing the front of the enclosure and a plurality of rear termination connections facing the back of the enclosure, the front termination connections being accessible when the swing frame is in the first position, the rear termination connections being accessible when the swing frame is in the second position;

a plurality of pigtail fibers routed from the optical splitter, each of the plurality of pigtail fibers configured to transmit an optical signal split from the at least one optical fiber of the distribution cable, each pigtail fiber having a connectorized end, each connectorized end configured to couple to one of the plurality of front termination connections of the subscriber termination field;

a storage position located on the swing frame, wherein at least one of the connectorized ends of the plurality of pigtails fibers is mounted at the storage position prior to coupling the connectorized end to one of the plurality of front termination connections; and

a subscriber cable extending out from the enclosure, the subscriber cable having at least one optical fiber, the at least one optical fiber coupled to one of the rear termination connections of the subscriber termination field.

18. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, wherein the storage position is located on a lower portion of the swing frame and the subscriber termination field is mounted on an upper portion of the swing frame.

19. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, further comprising connector holders mounted at the storage position for temporarily storing the connectorized ends of the pigtail fibers before the connectorized ends are coupled to the front termination connections.

20. The fiber distribution hub of claim 19, wherein the connector holders include half non-functional adapters.

21. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, wherein the at least one optical splitter includes a plurality of optical splitters mounted to the swing frame, each of the optical splitters coupled to a plurality of pigtail fibers having connectorized ends.

22. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, wherein the storage position is located on a bulkhead coupled to the optical splitter.

23. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, wherein the connectorized ends of the plurality of pigtails are accessible when the swing frame is in the first position.

24. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, wherein the optical splitter is accessible when the swing frame is in the first position.

25. The fiber distribution hub of claim 17, wherein the swing frame pivots through the front of the enclosure when the access door is open.

26. The fiber distribution hub of claim 25, wherein the swing frame is configured to pivot about 90 degrees through the front of the enclosure.