Fiber optic distribution network for multiple dwelling units

• US 9,547,144 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2012
• Issued: 01/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cassell, Daniel Andrew, Dagley, Mark Robert, Harvey, Gerry Jay, Rodriguez, Diana, Works, Antwan Joco'ques
• Primary Examiner(s): Rojas, Omar R
• Application Number:
  US13/613,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20130034336A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,587 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4447 with divided shells G02B6/4448 takes precedence
• 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 6/4455 characterised by the way of extraction or insertion of the cassette in the distribution frame, e.g. pivoting, sliding, rotating or gliding
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/475 Mechanical aspects of installing cables in ducts or the like for buildings

Abstract

A fiber optic network for a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) is disclosed. The fiber optic network comprises a riser cable preconnectorized with a first riser optical connector. The riser cable is optically connected to a feeder cable providing optical communication service to the MDU. The riser cable has one or more preset mid-span access points along the length of the riser cable. One or more optical fibers of the riser cable extend from the riser cable at the one or more preset mid-span access points and are preconnectorized with a second riser optical connector. A payout reel is adapted to pay out the riser cable such that the riser cable extends between the lower level and at least one of the one or more distribution levels. The payout reel is adapted to store a length of the riser.

Claims

1. A fiber optic network for a multiple dwelling unit (MDU) having a plurality of distribution levels, comprising:

a riser cable preconnectorized with a first riser optical connector, wherein the riser cable is optically connected to a feeder cable providing optical communication service to the MDU, and wherein the riser cable has a plurality of preset distribution level access points along the length of the riser cable, and wherein one or more optical fibers of the riser cable extend from the riser cable at each of the plurality of preset distribution level access points and are preconnectorized with at least one second riser optical connector;

a first adapter located at a lower level of the MDU, the first adapter having a first end and a second end, wherein the first adapter is configured to receive the first riser optical connector at the first end of the first adapter;

a plurality of second adapters, each located at one of the plurality of distribution levels, each second adapter having a first end and a second end; and

a payout reel adapted to pay out the riser cable such that the riser cable extends between the lower level and at least one of the plurality of distribution levels, and wherein each second adapter is configured to receive one of the at least one second riser optical connector at the first end of the second adapter and to optically connect a drop cable via the second end of the second adapter to establish optical connection between the feeder cable, the riser cable and the drop cable, and wherein the payout reel is adapted to store a length of the riser cable when the first riser optical connector is received by the first adapter and each second riser optical connector is received by one of the plurality of second adapters.

2. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the payout reel is located at the lower level.

3. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the payout reel is located at one of the plurality of distribution levels.

4. The fiber optic network of claim 1, further comprising a slack housing, wherein the payout reel is located in the slack housing.

5. The fiber optic network of claim 4, wherein the first adapter is located in the slack housing.

6. The fiber optic network of claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of second adapters is located in the slack housing.

7. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the first adapter is a multi-fiber adapter.

8. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second adapters is a multi-fiber adapter.

9. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second adapters is removably mounted in a fiber distribution terminal (FDT) located at one of the plurality of distribution levels.

10. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second adapters is removably mounted in a module.

11. The fiber optic network of claim 10, wherein the module is removably mounted in a fiber distribution terminal located at one of the plurality of distribution levels.

12. The fiber optic network of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of second adapters is a multi-fiber adapter is mounted inside the module.

13. The fiber optic network of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of second adapters is a multi-fiber adapter is mounted through a wall of the module.

14. The fiber optic network of claim 1, wherein the drop cable extends to a subscriber premises at one of the plurality of distribution levels to provide optical communication service to the subscriber.