Optical fiber cable having spliced fiber branch and method of making the same
AssigneeAlcatel NA Cable Systems, Inc.
InventorsRichard C. Nilsson, Gary W. Edmundson, John C. Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A branch point for an optical fiber stub or drop cable from a main distribution cable has an optical fiber cable splice module for protecting the optical fibers and splices from moisture and mechanical damage, providing a strong anchoring point for the optical fiber drop cable, and insuring that the minimum fiber bend radius is not violated. The splice module forms an enclosure for the splices which are held in place mechanically by rows of pins. The stub cable may also be preconnectorized.
Claims25
An optical fiber cable assembly, comprising:
- a distribution cable having a predetermined length and having first and second ends, said distribution cable further having a branch point being positioned along the length thereof, said distribution cable including at least one optical fiber and an optical fiber retaining means for at least partially retaining said at least one optical fiber;
- a branch cable having a first portion being coincident with said distribution cable at said branch point and a second portion being spaced from said branch point and being continuous with said first portion, said first portion having a branching optical fiber, said branching optical fiber being optically connected to a selected one of said at least one optical fiber through a splice connection;
- and
- means secured to said distribution cable and to said branch cable for encompassing said branch point, branch point encompassing means includes a branch module having a branch module body defining an enclosure means for receiving and retaining said splice connection.
A method of making an optical cable assembly comprising the steps of:
- providing a distribution cable having a predetermined length and having first and second ends, said distribution cable further having a branch point positioned along the length of said distribution cable, said distribution cable including at least one optical fiber and an optical fiber retaining means for at least partially retaining said at least one optical fiber;
- providing a branch cable having a first portion being coincident with said distribution cable at said branch point and having a second portion being spaced from said branch point and being continuous with said first portion, said first portion having a branching optical fiber;
- optically connecting said branching optical fiber to a selected one of said at least one optical fiber through a splice connection;
- and
- securing a branch module to said distribution cable and said branch cable for encompassing said branch point, said branch module having a branch module body defining an enclosure means for receiving and retaining said splice connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.