Preconnectorized fiber optic local convergence points

• US 8,050,529 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2009
• Issued: 11/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Staber, Harley J., Wilken, Josh M.
• Primary Examiner(s): STAHL, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US12/401,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20090169166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00

Abstract

There is provided fiber optic local convergence points that provide preconnectorized functionality to eliminate all or most of the splicing associated with local convergence points in fiber optic distribution networks. The local convergence points provide a plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports adapted to receive a preconnectorized end of a distribution cable within the enclosure of the local convergence point, on the enclosure itself, or outside the enclosure. For example, the local convergence point may provide preconnectorized multi-fiber ports outside the enclosure with an accumulator optically connected to the interior of the local convergence with an accumulator cable, wherein the accumulator comprises the plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports.

Claims

1. An outside plant local convergence point in a fiber optic distribution network comprising at least one feeder cable and at least one distribution cable, wherein the local convergence point is adapted to provide optical connectivity between the feeder cable and the distribution cable, the local convergence point comprising:

an enclosure comprising an exterior wall and an interior cavity therein, wherein access to the interior cavity is provided through at least one door;

a splitter mounted within the interior cavity and in optical communication with at least one optical fiber of the feeder cable and adapted to provide optical connectivity between the optical fiber of the feeder cable and a plurality of pigtails;

a subscriber termination field mounted within the interior cavity and comprising a plurality of adapters for selective optical connection between a pigtail of the plurality of pigtails and a subscriber fiber;

an accumulator outside of the exterior wall, wherein the accumulator has a plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports, and wherein the plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports are adapted to receive a preconnectorized end of the distribution cable;

an accumulator cable extending from the accumulator and wherein the accumulator is adapted to provide optical connectivity between the distribution cable and the plurality of pigtails; and

a connector, wherein subscriber fibers are connected to the accumulator cable through the connector.

2. The outside plant local convergence point of claim 1, wherein the accumulator comprises a multi-port optical connection terminal.

3. An outside plant local convergence point in a fiber optic distribution network comprising at least one feeder cable and at least one distribution cable wherein the local convergence point is adapted to provide optical connectivity between the feeder cable and the distribution cable, the local convergence point comprising:

an enclosure comprising an exterior wall and an interior cavity therein, wherein access to the interior cavity is provided through at least one door;

a splitter mounted within the interior cavity and in optical communication with at least one optical fiber of the feeder cable and adapted to provide optical connectivity between the optical fiber of the feeder cable and a plurality of pigtails;

a subscriber termination field mounted within the interior cavity and comprising a plurality of adapters for selective optical connection between a pigtail of the plurality of pigtails and a subscriber fiber;

an accumulator outside of the exterior wall, wherein the accumulator has a plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports, and wherein the plurality of preconnectorized multi-fiber ports are adapted to receive a preconnectorized end of the distribution cable;

an accumulator cable extending from the accumulator and adapted to provide optical connectivity between the distribution cable and the plurality of pigtails, and

a splice, wherein the subscriber fibers are spliced to fibers of the accumulator cable.

4. The outside plant local convergence point of claim 3, wherein the subscriber fibers are in optical communication with the multi-fiber ports of the accumulator via a single splice.