Loopback device utilizing bend insensitive optical fiber

• US 7,330,624 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Issued: 02/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tran, Hieu V., Luther, James P., Theuerkorn, Thomas, Lewallen, Christopher P., Isenhour, Micah C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Doan; Jennifer
• Application Number:
  US11/406,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20070274658A1
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 385134-137
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4475 with provision for lateral branching G02B6/4431 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/545 Pulling eyes G02B6/475 takes precedence

Abstract

A loopback device utilizing bend insensitive optical fiber to facilitate deployment of a connectorized fiber optic distribution cable through small-diameter conduit. A loopback device utilizing bend insensitive optical fiber for use within an optical network to route optical signals transmitted downstream along one or more optical fibers back upstream along the same or other optical fibers for the purpose of the determining the integrity of the downstream and upstream optical paths from a single upstream location. A loopback device including one or more bend insensitive optical fibers, a multi-fiber loopback ferrule and a dust cap for sealing engaging a connector plug attached to a distribution cable or a tether of a pre-engineered distribution cable assembly prior to installation of the distribution cable.

Claims

1. A loopback device utilizing bend insensitive optical fiber, comprising:

one or more bend insensitive optical fibers;

a loopback multi-fiber ferrule for receiving end portions of the one or more bend insensitive optical fibers;

an alignment sleeve insert positioned about the loopback multi-fiber ferrule operable for loopback alignment;

a loopback inner assembly for receiving the loopback multi-fiber ferrule;

a dust cap for sealingly engaging with a connector plug having a corresponding multi-fiber ferrule;

wherein the loopback device is operable to transmit an optical signal from an upstream location along at least one optical fiber through the loopback device and back to the upstream location along at least one optical fiber.

2. The loopback device according to claim 1, wherein the loopback is sized for installation with a distribution cable assembly through a conduit having an inner diameter of less than about 1.25 inches.

3. The loopback device according to claim 1, wherein the inner assembly includes a spool defining a radius for routing the one or more bend insensitive optical fibers from the loopback multi-fiber ferrule.

4. The loopback device according to claim 1, further comprising an outer sleeve partially encapsulating the inner assembly.

5. The loopback device according to claim 1, wherein the one or more bend insensitive optical fibers are capable of maintaining bend related losses below about 0.5 dB at about 1300 nm for about a 12.0 mm bend through about 180 degrees.

6. The loopback device according to claim 1, wherein the loopback device is optically connected to a connectorized fiber optic distribution cable assembly.

7. The loopback device according to claim 1, further comprising a spring for exerting a spring force on the loopback multi-fiber ferrule in the direction of the corresponding multi-fiber ferrule.

8. The loopback device according to claim 7, wherein the spring force exerted on the loopback multi-fiber ferrule is less than a spring force exerted on the corresponding multi-fiber ferrule.