Method and apparatus for removing an isolation closure from a fiber optic cable
AssigneeAT&T Corp.
InventorsHossein Eslambolchi, John Sinclair Huffman, David W Roberts
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for repairing an isolation gap in a fiber cable after removing an isolation closure from the cable. A flexible, curable polymeric material is first applied in the gap over the fiber buffer tube. A flexible wire mesh strengthening member is then placed over the gap and over the exposed metallic elements of the fiber cable on both sides of the gap. The strengthening member is closed around the fiber cable and is woven with the metallic elements of the cable. A heat shrink material is then applied over the strengthening member and is sealed by heating. The heat shrink material may be sealed with a polymer sealant.
Claims22
A method for repairing an isolation gap after removing an isolation closure from an optical fiber cable, the isolation gap including a central gap in a metallic portion of the cable and two edge regions wherein the metallic portion is exposed;
- the method comprising the steps of:
- applying a polymer compound in the central gap;
- attaching a metallic strengthening member to the metallic portion exposed in both edge regions whereby the strengthening member bridges the central gap;
- and
- applying a sealing material over the metallic strengthening member.
A strengthening component for use in repairing an isolation gap when removing an isolation closure from an optical fiber cable, the component comprising:
- a first curved wire mesh member forming a half-cylindrical surface having a straight hinge edge, a straight joining edge and two semi-circular edges;
- a second curved wire mesh member forming a half-cylindrical surface having a straight hinge edge, a straight joining edge and two semi-circular edges;
- at least one hinge component joining the hinge edge of the first member with the hinge edge of the second member;
- and
- at least one locking member for locking the joining edge of the first member with the joining edge of the second member.
An isolation gap repair kit having component parts capable of being assembled in the field to repair an isolation gap in an optical fiber cable, the isolation gap having metallic components of the cable removed to expose a poly sheath surrounding a fiber bundle, the cable having metallic components exposed on either side of the isolation gap, the repair kit comprising:
- a quantity of polymer compound sufficient to fill a vacant space within the isolation gap, the compound formulated to cure after being applied in the vacant space, whereby fibers in the fiber bundle are protected from microbending;
- a metallic strengthening member adapted to be affixed to the exposed metallic components on either side of the isolation gap;
- the strengthening member having attachment features that lock to the exposed metallic component, the strengthening member further adapted to at least partially surround the polymer compound in the isolation gap;
- and
- a sheet of sealing material having a length sufficient to extend beyond ends of the strengthening member and a width sufficient to wrap around the strengthening member as installed on the cable, thereby protecting the isolation gap from moisture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.