End connector for a fibre optic micro duct
AssigneeReliance Worldwide Corporation (UK) Limited
InventorsJoshua Smith, Jack Braisher
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An end connector for a fibre optic micro duct. The end connector includes a hollow housing open at a first end which comprises a connector to connect to the end of the micro duct. A flow path extends through the end connector. A gas pressure sensitive valve is provided in a second end of the housing opposite to the first end. The pressure sensitive valve is biased closed to block the flow path through the end connector when the pressure at the first end is below a threshold value and to open to allow gas to flow through the end connector when the pressure at the first end exceeds a threshold value.
Claims20
An end connector for a fibre optic micro duct, the end connector comprising a hollow housing open at a first end which comprises a connector to connect to the end of the micro duct;
- a gas flow path through the end connector;
- and
- a gas pressure sensitive valve in a second end of the housing opposite to the first end, the gas pressure sensitive valve being biased closed to block the gas flow path through the end connector when the pressure at the first end is below a threshold value and to open to allow gas to flow through the end connector when the pressure at the first end exceeds the threshold value.
A method of installing an optical fibre within a building, the method comprising:
- running a micro duct from a duct, at one end of the micro duct, to a building at the opposite end of the micro duct, such that the opposite end of the micro duct terminates within the building;
- fitting an end connector according to any one of the preceding claims at the opposite end of the micro duct within the building;
- blowing an optical fibre or optical fibre bundle from the one end of the micro duct to the opposite end using a blowing pressure which is sufficient to open the pressure sensitive valve within the end connector.
An end connector for a fibre optic micro duct, the end connector comprising
- a hollow housing open at a first end which comprises a connector to connect to the end of the micro duct, the housing comprising an intermediate wall with a grille having a plurality of openings to create a gas flow path through the housing;
- and
- a gas pressure sensitive valve in a second end of the housing opposite to the first end, the gas pressure sensitive valve being biased closed to block the gas flow path through the end connector when the pressure at the first end is below a threshold value and to open to allow gas to flow through the end connector when the pressure at the first end exceeds the threshold value;
- wherein an annular wall protrudes axially from the intermediate wall towards the first end and is spaced from a side wall creating an annular air gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.