Drop cable with fiber optic connector and methods for fabricating same

• US 20070110384A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hall, Radawan, Cody, Joseph, Luther, James, Lewallen, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,463,803 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/134
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4475 with provision for lateral branching G02B6/4431 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/745 Protection devices or circuits for voltages surges on the line

Abstract

A substantially flat fiber optic drop cable assembly comprises: a fiber optic connector comprising a fiber optic ferrule and a housing; a crimp body coupled to the housing of the fiber optic connector; a fiber optic cable comprising a pair of strength members disposed partially within the fiber optic cable; a first sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the first sheath coupled to the crimp body; a second sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the second sheath coupled to the fiber optic cable; and a demarcation element joining the first sheath and the second sheath, wherein the demarcation element comprises a substantially tubular element; wherein the pair of strength members are configured to engage the crimp body about the first sheath, the second sheath, and the demarcation element.

Claims

1. A fiber optic drop cable assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic cable comprising at least one strength member;

a fiber optic connector mounted upon an end of the fiber optic cable; and

a demarcation element positioned behind the fiber optic connector operable for providing a separation of the fiber optic connector and the at least one strength member of the fiber optic cable.

2. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first strain relief member coupled to the fiber optic connector;

a second strain relief member coupled to the fiber optic cable;

a first pair of strength members associated with the demarcation element; and

a second pair of strength members associated with the fiber optic cable.

3. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the demarcation element is a furcation section comprising telescoping tubing.

4. A fiber optic drop cable assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic connector comprising a fiber optic ferrule and a housing;

a first strain relief member coupled to the housing of the fiber optic connector;

a fiber optic cable;

a second strain relief member coupled to the fiber optic cable;

an overmolded furcation section comprising telescoping tubing joining the first strain relief member coupled to the housing of the fiber optic connector and the second strain relief member coupled to the fiber optic cable;

a first pair of strength members associated with the furcation section; and

a second pair of strength members associated with the fiber optic cable.

5. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one optical fiber disposed partially within the fiber optic cable is optically coupled to the fiber optic connector through the furcation section.

6. A fiber optic drop cable assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic connector comprising a fiber optic ferrule and a housing;

a crimp body coupled to the housing of the fiber optic connector;

a fiber optic cable comprising a pair of strength members disposed partially within the fiber optic cable;

a buffer tube disposed partially within the fiber optic cable; and

a flexible transition tube coupled to the crimp body and configured to telescope over the buffer tube;

wherein the pair of strength members are configured to engage the crimp body about the buffer tube and flexible transition tube.

7. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 6, wherein one or more optical fibers disposed partially within the fiber optic cable are optically coupled to the fiber optic connector through the buffer tube and flexible transition tube.

8. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the flexible transition tube is coupled to the crimp body via a lip structure manufactured into an end of the crimp body.

9. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 6, wherein the pair of strength members are configured to engage a pair of channels manufactured into sides of the crimp body.

10. The drop cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the pair of channels manufactured into the sides of the crimp body comprise a plurality of raised ridges configured to retain the pair if strength members.

11. A fiber optic drop cable assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic connector comprising a fiber optic ferrule and a housing;

a crimp body coupled to the housing of the fiber optic connector;

a fiber optic cable comprising a pair of strength members disposed partially within the fiber optic cable;

a first sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the first sheath coupled to the crimp body;

a second sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the second sheath coupled to the fiber optic cable; and

a demarcation element joining the first sheath and the second sheath, wherein the demarcation element comprises a substantially tubular element;

wherein the pair of strength members are configured to engage the crimp body about the first sheath, the second sheath, and the demarcation element.

12. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the fiber optic cable comprises one or more optical fibers disposed partially within the fiber optic cable.

13. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 12, wherein the one or more optical fibers disposed partially within the fiber optic cable are optically coupled to the fiber optic connector through the first sheath, the second sheath, and the demarcation element.

14. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the first sheath is coupled to the crimp body via a lip structure manufactured into an end of the crimp body.

15. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the pair of strength members are configured to engage a pair of channels manufactured into sides of the crimp body.

16. The drop cable assembly of claim 15, wherein the pair of channels manufactured into the sides of the crimp body comprise a plurality of raised ridges configured to retain the pair if strength members.

17. A fiber optic drop cable assembly, comprising:

a fiber optic connector comprising a fiber optic ferrule and a housing;

a fiber optic cable comprising a pair of strength members disposed partially within the fiber optic cable;

a first sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the first sheath coupled to the fiber optic connector;

a second sheath disposed between the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable, the second sheath coupled to the fiber optic cable; and

a demarcation element joining the first sheath and the second sheath, wherein the demarcation element comprises a substantially tubular element.

18. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 17, wherein one or more optical fibers disposed partially within the fiber optic cable are optically coupled to the fiber optic connector through the first sheath, the second sheath, and the demarcation element.

19. The fiber optic drop cable assembly of claim 17, further comprising a boot selectively disposed about the fiber optic connector.