Transition box for multiple dwelling unit fiber optic distribution network

• US 9,720,197 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2011
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dagley, Mark Robert, Cox, Terry Dean, Nored, Lee Wayne, Semmler, Susan Elizabeth, Works, Antwan Joco'ques
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, ELLEN E
• Application Number:
  US13/275,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20120093473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,114 Days
• Field of Search: 385135, 385147
• 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 6/475 Mechanical aspects of installing cables in ducts or the like for buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A transition box for a fiber optic network for a multiple distribution unit (MDU) is disclosed. The transition box comprises an enclosure a fiber optic adapter removably mounted in the enclosure. The fiber optic adapter is configured to receive one or more optical fibers of a riser cable to provide optical communication service from a service provider to a subscriber premises. A payout reel removably mounted in the enclosure stores slack of the riser cable paid out to at least one of one or more distribution levels in the MDU.

Claims

1. A transition box for a fiber optic network for a multiple distribution unit (MDU), comprising:

an enclosure comprising an interior area;

at least one fiber optic adapter removably mounted in the interior area of the enclosure, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is configured to receive one or more optical fibers of a riser cable to provide optical communication service from a service provider to a subscriber premises; and

at least one payout reel removably mounted in the interior area of the enclosure, wherein the at least one payout reel stores slack of the riser cable paid out to at least one of one or more distribution levels in the MDU.

2. The transition box of claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is comprised of at least one multi-fiber adapter configured to receive at least one first multi-fiber connector connected to a first end of the riser cable.

3. The transition box of claim 1, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter is comprised of at least one multi-fiber adapter configured to receive at least one second multi-fiber connector connected to a second end of the riser cable.

4. The transition box of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises at least one patch panel enclosure located at a lower level of the MDU.

5. The transition box of claim 4, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter provides optical connection between one or more optical fibers of the riser cable and one or more optical fibers of a distribution cable, and wherein the distribution cable extends to a local convergence point (LCP), and wherein optical connection between the one or more optical fibers of the distribution cable and one or more optical fibers of a feeder cable is established at the LCP.

6. The transition box of claim 5, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter provides optical connection between at least one first multi-fiber connector at a first end of the riser cable and at least one multi-fiber connector at an end of the distribution cable.

7. The transition box of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a fiber distribution terminal (FDT) located at one of the one or more distribution levels.

8. The transition box of claim 7, wherein the FDT is a pipe-in-box mounted on and supported by a conduit carrying the riser cable.

9. The transition box of claim 7, wherein the FDT is a closet box separately mountable on a surface at the distribution level.

10. The transition box of claim 7, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter provides optical connection between one or more optical fibers of the riser cable and one or more optical fibers of a drop cable, and wherein the drop cable extends to a subscriber premises.

11. The transition box of claim 10, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter provides optical connection between at least one second multi-fiber connector at a second end of the riser cable and at least one multi-fiber connector at an end of the drop cable.

12. The transition box of claim 10, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter provides optical connection between at least one second multi-fiber connector at a second end of the riser cable and at least one multi-fiber connector at an end of a cable harness.

13. The transition box of claim 12, wherein the cable harness extends and connects to one or more single fiber adapters.

14. The transition box of claim 13, wherein at least one of the one or more single fiber adapters provides an optical connection between an optical fiber of the cable harness and an optical fiber of a drop cable.

15. The transition box of claim 14, wherein the drop cable extends to a subscriber premises.

26. The transition box of claim 1, wherein the at least one payout reel is configured to be collapsed from a first form factor to a second form factor smaller than the first form factor in the interior area of the enclosure.

16. A transition box for a fiber optic network for a multiple distribution unit (MDU), comprising:

an enclosure comprising an interior area;

a module removably mounted in the interior area of the enclosure;

at least one fiber optic adapter assembly pivotably mounted in the module, wherein the at least one fiber optic adapter assembly comprises at least one multi-fiber adapter and at least one single fiber adapter, and wherein a riser cable optically connects at the fiber optic adapter assembly to provide optical communication service to a subscriber premises; and

at least one payout reel removably mounted in the interior area of the enclosure, wherein the at least one payout reel stores slack of the riser cable paid out to extend to at least one of one or more distribution levels in the MDU.

17. The transition box of claim 16, wherein the at least one multi-fiber adapter at a first end receives at least one multi-fiber connector connected to an end of the riser cable and at a second end receives at least one multi-fiber connector connected to an end of a drop cable.

18. The transition box of claim 17, wherein the drop cable is a multi-fiber bundled drop cable.

19. The transition box of claim 18, wherein the drop cable is a multi-fiber bundled drop cable.

20. The transition box of claim 19, wherein the drop cable extends to a drop box located at a subscriber premises.

21. The transition box of claim 20, wherein at least one optical fiber of the drop cable separates from the drop cable and extends to the subscriber premises.

22. The transition box of claim 16, wherein the at least one multi-fiber adapter at a first end receives at least one multi-fiber connector connected to an end of the riser cable and at a second end receives at least one multi-fiber connector connected to a cable harness.

23. The transition box of claim 22, wherein the optical fibers of the cable harness furcate, and wherein an end of at least one of the optical fibers has at least one single fiber connector.

24. The transition box of claim 23, wherein one of the at least one single fiber adapter at a first end receives the at least one single fiber connector of the optical fiber of the cable harness, and at a second end receives at least one single fiber connector at the end of a drop cable.

25. The transition box of claim 24, wherein the drop cable extends to a subscriber premises.

27. The transition box of claim 16, further comprising a cradle disposed in the interior area of the enclosure, the cradle removably holding the module in the interior area of the enclosure to mount the module in the interior area of the enclosure.

28. The transition box of claim 27, wherein the at least one payout reel is configured to be collapsed from a first form factor to a second form factor smaller than the first form factor in the interior area of the enclosure.