Fiber optic cables are often routed through conduits or other enclosed spaces such as aerial tracks, underground pipes, support structures disposed inside walls, and the like to connect fiber optic equipment in different geographical locations. Generally, a pulling structure having a loop at one end is attached to a lead end of the fiber optic cable, and a rope is then attached to the loop of the pulling structure for pulling a fiber optic cable through a conduit or enclosed space.
In one aspect, a fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a fiber optic cable, including: a first section having a jacket surrounding at least one internal fiber optic cable, the jacket having an end; a second section where the at least one internal fiber optic cable extends past the end of the jacket, and the second section having an end; a strength member having a first portion extending inside the jacket in the first section, the strength member having a second portion forming a loop outside of the second section, and the strength member having a third portion extending outside of the jacket in the first section; and a protective wrap surrounding the third portion of the strength member; and a cable pulling sleeve coupled to the loop, the cable pulling sleeve defining a cavity for enclosing the end of the second section.
In another aspect, a fiber optic cable comprises: a first section having a jacket surrounding at least one internal fiber optic cable, the jacket having an end; a second section where the at least one internal fiber optic cable extends past the end of the jacket, and the second section having an end; a strength member having a first portion extending inside the jacket in the first section, the strength member having a second portion forming a loop outside of the second section, and the strength member having a third portion extending outside of the jacket in the first section; and a protective wrap surrounding the third portion of the strength member.
In another aspect, a method of preparing a fiber optic cable comprises: stripping a jacket to expose at least one internal fiber optic cable and a strength member; looping the strength member to define an anchor point over the exposed at least one internal fiber optic cable, and to have a portion extending outside of the jacket; and applying a protective wrap to surround the portion of the strength member extending outside of the jacket.
The following drawing figures, which form a part of this application, are illustrative of the described technology and are not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure in any manner.
Various examples will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various examples does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible examples for the appended claims.
The fiber optic cable 100 further includes a second section 104 where the internal fiber optic cables 108 break out from the jacket 106. The fiber optic cable 100 does not include a fan out arrangement for the internal fiber optic cables 108. In the fiber optic cable 100, there are at least six internal fiber optic cables. The fiber optic cable 100 can include more than six internal fiber optic cables or fewer than six internal fiber optic cables.
The fiber optic cable 100 includes a strength member 110 that extends inside the jacket 106 in the first section 102. The strength member 110 imparts axial or tensile strength to the fiber optic cable 100 allowing the cable to better withstand pulling forces without breaking. The strength member 110 can be comprised of a plurality of aramid yarns or similar materials.
The strength member 110 is formed into a loop 112 that extends over the second section 104, and then extends back over the first section 102 while remaining outside of the jacket 106. As shown in
The fiber optic cable 100 further includes a protective wrap 114 that surrounds the jacket 106, internal fiber optic cables 108, and strength member 110. As shown in
In some examples, the protective wrap 114 includes heat shrink wrap that shrinks when heat is applied to provide a tight fit around the jacket 106, internal fiber optic cables 108, and strength member 110. Alternatively, the protective wrap 114 can include tape or another type of fastener to provide a tight fit around the jacket 106, internal fiber optic cables 108, and strength member 110 of the fiber optic cable 100.
As further shown in
The fiber optic cable 200 does not include a fan out arrangement for the internal fiber optic cables 208. The fiber optic cable 200 further includes a strength member 210 having a loop 212 that provides an anchor point for attaching the cable pulling sleeve 400 to the fiber optic cable 200, a protective wrap 214, and a rip cord 218.
The fiber optic cable 300 does not include a fan out arrangement for the internal fiber optic cable 308. The fiber optic cable 300 further includes a strength member 310 having a loop 312 that provides an anchor point for attaching the cable pulling sleeve 400 to the fiber optic cable 300. Also, the fiber optic cable 300 has a protective wrap 314 and a rip cord 318.
The cable pulling sleeve 400 includes a mesh material that allows a lead end of a fastener 12 to pass through the cable pulling sleeve 400, thread through the loop 312 of the strength member 310, pass through the cable pulling sleeve 400, and to be fixed at a rear end to couple the cable pulling sleeve 400 to the fiber optic cable 300. In the example shown in the figure, the fastener 12 is a cable tie. In other examples, the fastener 12 can be a staple, ring, or other type of fixture for coupling the cable pulling sleeve 400 to the fiber optic cable 300.
In
In
Next, the method 500 includes an operation 504 of breaking out the internal fiber optic cables 108 from the jacket 106. As described above, the fiber optic cable 100 does not include a fan out arrangement for the internal fiber optic cables 108.
Next, the method 500 includes an operation 506 of looping the strength member 110 to extend outside of the jacket 106. This forms the loop 112, which as described above, is used as an anchor point for coupling the cable pulling sleeve 400 to the fiber optic cable 100.
Thereafter, the method 500 includes an operation 508 of applying the protective wrap 114 to surround the strength member 110 where the strength member extends outside of the jacket 106. As described above, at least a portion of the strength member 110 is sandwiched between the jacket 106 and the protective wrap 114. Operation 508 can include applying heat to shrink the protective wrap 114 over the strength member 110 and the jacket 106.
The method 500 can include an operation of terminating the ends of the internal fiber optic cables 108 with a fiber optic connector, such as with the fiber optic connectors 732 shown in
The method 500 can further include enclosing the ends of the internal fiber optic cables 108 inside the cable pulling sleeve 400, and threading at least one of the fasteners 12 (e.g., cable tie) through the cable pulling sleeve 400 and the loop 112 of the strength member 110 to couple the cable pulling sleeve 400 to the fiber optic cable 100. The method 500 can further include tightening the proximal end 404 of the cable pulling sleeve 400 to enclose the cable pulling sleeve 400 around the ends of the internal fiber optic cables 108. The proximal end 404 of the cable pulling sleeve can be tightened using a cable tie, tape, or other fastener.
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 604 of unwinding the strength members 710 and pulling the strength members 710 back over the cut edge of the jacket 706. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 604 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 606 of bringing all of the strength members 710 together. Operation 606 can also include markings 720, 722 for aligning the protective wrap 714. In the example shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 608 of sliding the protective wrap 714 over the internal fiber optic cables 708, the jacket 706, and the strength members 710. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 608 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 610 of forming a loop 712 of the strength members 710. In the example shown in
Alternatively, or in addition to using the fastener 12 to form and maintain the shape of the loop 712, an adhesive can be applied to the strength members 710 to form the loop 712. In some examples, the adhesive is a glue stick that can be threaded through the strength members 710 to bundle the strength members 710 together to form and maintain the loop 712.
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 612 of aligning the protective wrap 714 with the markings 720, 722 made in operation 606, and using the fastener 12 to move the strength members 710 to shape and size the loop 712. In some examples, the loop 712 is shaped and sized to have a diameter of about 0.75 inches with a tolerance of about 0.25 inches. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 612 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 614 of wrapping the strength members 710 with a removable protective layer 724. In some examples, the removable protective layer 724 is masking tape. The removable protective layer 724 is designed to protect the strength members 710 from heat when the heat is applied to the protective wrap 714 to shrink and tighten the protective wrap around the jacket 706, internal fiber optic cables 708, and strength members 710. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 614 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 616 of tightening the protective wrap 714 around the jacket 706, internal fiber optic cables 708, and strength members 710. In examples where the protective wrap 714 includes a heat shrink wrap, operation 616 includes applying heat to shrink the protective wrap 714 around the jacket, internal fiber optic cables, and strength members. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 616 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 618 of cutting excess of the strength members 710 at the back end 730 of the protective wrap 714, removing the removable protective layer 724, and cleaning up the markings 720, 722 where necessary. After completion of operation 618, the fiber optic cable 700 is prepared and ready for attachment to a cable pulling sleeve. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 618 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 620 of sliding a cable pulling sleeve 800 over the internal fiber optic cables 708, the loop 712 of the strength members 710, and the jacket 706. In some examples, the cable pulling sleeve 800 includes a slide tube portion 802 (shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 622 of threading at least one fastener through the meshed sleeve portion 804 of the cable pulling sleeve 800 and the loop 712 on the fiber optic cable 700. In some examples, operation 622 includes threading at least two fasteners through the cable pulling sleeve 800 and the loop 712 on the fiber optic cable 700. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 622 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 624 of removing the fastener 12 that was previously looped through the loop 712 in operation 610 and shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 626 of pulling the fasteners 12 tight to secure the cable pulling sleeve 800 to the fiber optic cable 700. The fiber optic cable 700 and the cable pulling sleeve 800 after completion of operation 626 are shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 628 of cutting the ends of the fasteners 12. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 628 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 630 of wrapping the jacket 706, cable pulling sleeve 800, and fasteners 12 with tape 726. In some examples, operation 630 can include adding a tab 728 to the tape 726 for ease of removal of the tape 726 once the fiber optic cable 700 is installed. The fiber optic cable 700 after completion of operation 630 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 632 of cutting a distal end 808 of the meshed sleeve portion 804. In some examples, the distal end 808 of the meshed sleeve portion 804 is cut about 12 inches (tolerance of +/−1 inch) from the end of the slide tube portion 802. The cable pulling sleeve 800 after completion of operation 632 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 634 of looping the end of the meshed sleeve portion 804 to shape a loop 806. In some examples, the loop 806 is shaped to have a diameter of about 6 inches, with a tolerance of +/−1 inch. The cable pulling sleeve 800 after completion of operation 634 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 636 of threading one or more fasteners 12 through the meshed sleeve portion 804 to fix the loop 806. In some examples, operation 636 includes threading two or more fasteners 12 to fix the loop 806. In some examples, operation 636 further includes cutting the ends of the fasteners 12 after tightening. The meshed sleeve portion 804 after completion of operation 636 is shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 638 of obtaining a protective wrap 714. The protective wrap 714 is cut to be about 3 inches long with a tolerance of +/−0.5 inches. The protective wrap 714 and meshed sleeve portion 804 are shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 640 of sliding the protective wrap 714 over the meshed sleeve portion 804 and the fasteners 12 that were threaded through the meshed sleeve portion 804 for fixing the loop 806 in operation 636. The protective wrap 714 can be centered over the fasteners 12. The protective wrap 714 and meshed sleeve portion 804 after completion of operation 640 are shown in
Next, the method 600 includes an operation 642 of tightening the protective wrap 714 over the meshed sleeve portion 804 and the fasteners 12. In examples where the protective wrap 714 includes a heat shrink wrap, operation 642 includes applying heat to shrink the protective wrap 714 around the meshed sleeve portion 804 and the fasteners 12. The protective wrap 714 and meshed sleeve portion 804 after completion of operation 642 is shown in
The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to be limiting in any way. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure.
This application is being filed on Sep. 9, 2022 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 63/242,817, filed on Sep. 10, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2022/043114 | 9/9/2022 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63242817 | Sep 2021 | US |