Fiber optic cable assemblies with pull handle assemblies and related methods

Abstract

An optical fiber cable assembly comprising: a cable jacket; different optical fiber groups carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the different optical fiber groups extend beyond the furcation body; and a pull handle assembly having a proximal end selectively secured to the furcation body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior containing optical fiber end portions between the proximal and distal ends; the interior of the pull handle assembly being hermetically sealed from an exterior of the optical fiber cable assembly so as to provide sealed protection for the optical fiber end portions over at least an environmental temperature range of -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the pull handle assembly.

Description

[0001] Priority application

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 092,854, filed October 16, 2020, the contents of which are the basis of this application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Background Technology

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to optical connections, and more specifically to fiber optic cable assemblies including a handle assembly that provides sealed protection for the ends of the optical fibers, and related methods for such fiber optic cable assemblies.

[0004] The massive amounts of data and other information transmitted over the Internet have driven businesses and other organizations to develop large-scale data centers for organizing, processing, storing, and / or disseminating such data. Data centers contain a wide range of communication equipment, including, for example, servers, network switches, routers, and storage subsystems. They also include extensive cabling and equipment racks to organize and interconnect the communication equipment within the data center. For example, fiber optic cables and rack-mount hardware supporting optical connections are widely used in data centers. Compared to traditional data transmission media (e.g., copper wires), fiber optics support very high bandwidth and lower signal loss.

[0005] The connections between communication devices in large-scale data centers are typically not limited to a single building. Modern data centers can comprise multi-building campuses with, for example, a main building or master building and multiple auxiliary buildings located near the master building. All buildings within the campus are interconnected via a local fiber optic network. More specifically, each of the auxiliary buildings is typically connected to the master building via one or more high-fiber-count fiber optic cables called “trunk cables” or “interconnect cables.” Each trunk cable can contain thousands of optical fibers. In fact, 3,456 or higher fiber counts are now common.

[0006] To provide optical connectivity within a building, the optical fibers of the interconnecting cables are typically spliced ​​with the optical fibers of the indoor power distribution cables. The splices are stored and organized in splice cabinets from which the indoor power distribution cables extend. More specifically, the splice cabinets house multiple splice trays, each receiving a set of optical fibers from the interconnecting cables that have already been spliced ​​with a set of optical fibers associated with the indoor power distribution cables. Fusion splicing is commonly used as the primary technique for joining the two sets of optical fibers together before storing and organizing the splices in the splice trays. The indoor power distribution cables exit from the splice cabinets and extend to the desired locations within the building, such as designated rows of equipment racks. Connections to communication equipment in the equipment racks are ultimately completed by other cables within the indoor power distribution cables, which are part of the building's structured cabling system.

[0007] Connecting trunk cables to IT equipment in the main building within the data center campus requires significant manpower and time. In a typical installation, it may take two technicians approximately two weeks to splice the fiber optic cables from the interconnect cables to the corresponding fibers in the indoor cables within the main building. Furthermore, splicing is a labor-intensive method for connecting fiber optic cables, typically performed under field conditions rather than in highly controlled factory settings. Therefore, the quality of the splices and the attenuation of the optical signal through the splices can vary considerably depending on the skill and experience of the field technicians.

[0008] Addressing these challenges may involve pre-terminating interconnect cables with optical connector components that have defined connection interfaces, eliminating the need for on-site splicing. The connection interfaces can alternatively (e.g., using adapters) be matched to corresponding connection interfaces on indoor cables. However, pre-terminated cables present their own challenges. Specifically, termination involves fitting a large number of terminated fibers into components within confined spaces, which can be difficult. This is particularly important for data center campuses, where interconnect cables typically must be pulled through one or more conduits during installation. The number and size (i.e., diameter) of conduits are limited. Additionally, the intended path of the interconnect cables may present cabling challenges, requiring significant force to route the cables to their intended destination. During cabling, the pre-terminated ends of the fibers in the interconnect cables must also be protected from environmental conditions.

[0009] While various designs of known handles (also known as "handles") have been helpful in routing fiber optic cables during installation, there remains a need to better address the diverse challenges driven by high fiber count cables and modern data center environments. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This disclosure provides embodiments of fiber optic cable assemblies. The fiber optic cable assemblies may be pre-terminated or unterminated and include a handle assembly. The handle assembly design according to this disclosure is particularly advantageous for pre-terminated fiber optic cable assemblies because the handle assembly design can provide a high level of protection in a smaller footprint.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly includes: a cable sheath; different fiber optic groups carried within the cable sheath and extending beyond a first end of the cable sheath; a branch body positioned at the first end of the cable sheath such that the different fiber optic groups extend beyond the branch body; a plurality of connection interfaces, each connection interface terminating one or more corresponding groups of the different fiber optic groups extending beyond the branch body to define pre-terminated fiber ends of the different fiber optic groups; and a handle assembly having selectively secured to a proximal end of the branch body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior containing the pre-terminated fiber ends between the proximal and distal ends. The interior of the handle assembly is hermetically separated from the exterior of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the pre-terminated fiber ends. Additionally, the handle assembly is configured to maintain the sealed protection within an ambient temperature range of at least -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the handle assembly.

[0012] A method for installing a pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed. According to one embodiment, this method relates to a pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly as described in the preceding paragraph. The cable sheath, the plurality of sub-units, and the branch are part of a pre-terminated cable, and the handle assembly is initially mounted on the pre-terminated cable. The method includes: pulling the pre-terminated cable through at least one conduit by applying a tensile load to the distal end of the handle assembly; guiding the end of the pre-terminated cable into a distribution cabinet, wherein the handle assembly remains mounted on the pre-terminated cable; and removing the handle assembly from the pre-terminated cable after the guiding. The removal includes releasing the connection between the proximal end of the handle assembly and the branch, and wherein the handle assembly remains assembled during the removal.

[0013] According to another embodiment, an optical fiber cable assembly includes: a cable sheath; different groups of optical fibers carried within the cable sheath and extending beyond a first end of the cable sheath; a branch body positioned on the first end of the cable sheath such that the different groups of optical fibers have corresponding optical fiber ends extending beyond the branch body; and a handle assembly having a proximal end selectively secured to the branch body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior containing the optical fiber ends between the proximal and distal ends. The interior of the handle assembly is hermetically separated from the exterior of the optical fiber cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the optical fiber ends. Furthermore, the handle assembly is configured to maintain the sealed protection within an ambient temperature range of at least -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the handle assembly.

[0014] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and will be apparent in part to those skilled in the art of optical connection technology. It should be understood that the foregoing general description, the subsequent detailed description, and the accompanying drawings are merely exemplary and intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with this specification, serve to explain the principles and operation of various embodiments. Features and attributes associated with any embodiment shown or described may be applied to other embodiments shown, described, or understood based on this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 1 This is an illustrative example of a data center campus interconnected according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary interconnect cable for buildings within an interconnected data center campus.

[0018] Figure 3 Is Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an example of indoor cabling used in a building within a data center campus, as shown.

[0019] Figure 4 This is according to an exemplary implementation. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the end of an interconnecting cable, the end having a sub-unit pre-terminated with a sleeve to form a pre-terminated cable.

[0020] Figure 5 Is with Figure 4 A close-up schematic diagram of the sleeves associated with the two sub-units in the diagram.

[0021] Figure 6 It is stored on the cable reel. Figure 2 Interconnecting cables and coverings Figure 4 A perspective view of the handle assembly (“handle”) at the end of the interconnecting cable.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 A perspective view of the housing of the pre-terminated cable branch.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of the handle assembly.

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A perspective view of the connector of the handle assembly.

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the corrugated inner tube of the handle assembly.

[0026] Figure 11 It has the ability to install Figure 8 The handle assembly was previously organized into sub-units. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the ends of the interconnecting cable.

[0027] Figure 12 and Figure 13 It is shown Figure 9 The connector is selectively connected to Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the casing.

[0028] Figure 14 Is Figure 1 A perspective view of an example power distribution cabinet used in a data center campus. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Various implementations will be illustrated by examples in the following description. Generally, this description relates to fiber optic cable assemblies, which include cables and pull assemblies (also simply referred to as "pull assemblies" or "pull sleeves") for pulling the cables through conduits, etc. The pull assemblies are designed to protect the fiber ends extending from the fiber optic cable from both forces and environmental conditions (e.g., moisture) that the fiber optic cable assembly may experience during handling, storage, installation, and use. Doing so can be particularly challenging for high fiber count cables, such as those comprising 3,456 or more fibers that have been pre-terminated with optical connector components (e.g., sleeves) or fully optical connectors.

[0030] To facilitate discussion and provide context, exemplary environments and uses for high fiber count cables will first be described. Examples of high fiber count, pre-terminated cables will then be described, followed by a final focus on the details of the handle assembly for said cables. However, the handle assembly can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of cable designs. Cable designs do not necessarily need to include a high fiber count, although aspects of this disclosure may be particularly advantageous for high fiber counts. Therefore, details in this disclosure that are not relevant to the handle assembly should not be considered as limiting the scope of the claims in this disclosure, unless specifically stated in those claims.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, a modern data center 10 may include a collection of buildings (referred to as a data center campus) having, for example, a main building 12 and one or more auxiliary buildings 14 adjacent to the main building 12. Although three auxiliary buildings are shown, more or fewer buildings may exist depending on the size of the campus. The data center 10 provides a local fiber optic network 16 interconnecting the auxiliary buildings 14 with the main building 12. The local fiber optic network 16 allows communication devices 18 in the main building 12 to communicate with various communication devices (not shown) in the auxiliary buildings 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the local fiber optic network 16 includes interconnecting cables 20 (also referred to as "external device cables 20" or "trunk cables 20") extending between each of the main building 12 and the auxiliary buildings 14.

[0032] Interconnecting cable 20 may be similar to any cable described in International Patent Application Publication No. WO 2019 / 010291 A1 (“'291 Publication”), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Thus, although a brief description of one aspect of interconnecting cable 20 is provided below to introduce aspects relevant to this disclosure, reference may be made to '291 Publication for understanding other aspects and variations.

[0033] like Figure 2As shown, an example of one of the interconnecting cables 20 typically includes a high fiber count arrangement of optical fibers 24 (e.g., 2,880 or 3,456 or more fibers) to transmit data and other information over a local fiber optic network 16. The interconnecting cable 20 includes multiple sub-units 22, and each sub-unit 22 is configured to carry a preselected number of optical fibers 24. Although the interconnecting cable 20 is shown as including twelve sub-units 22, in alternative embodiments, the number of sub-units 22 may be more or less. The sub-units 22 may be arranged within an outer protective sheath 26 (also referred to as “outer cable sheath 26” or simply “cable sheath 26” or “outer jacket 26”), as is known in the art. As described above, each of the sub-units 22 is configured to carry a preselected number of optical fibers 24. By way of example and without limitation, each sub-unit 22 may be configured to carry 144 or 288 optical fibers 24. However, it should be appreciated that each of each sub-unit 22 may carry more or fewer optical fibers 24.

[0034] The optical fibers 24 in subunit 22 may be arranged in different groups (i.e., distinct groups, although these groups may have the same number of optical fibers 24). For example, the optical fibers 24 may be configured as multiple fiber strips 28 (“strips 28”). Each strip 28 includes multiple optical fibers 24 arranged in a generally side-by-side manner (e.g., a linear array as shown, or a wound / folded array). Such strips are generally known and therefore will not be described further in this disclosure. Each strip 28 may include, for example, eight, twelve, sixteen, or any other number of optical fibers 24. The strips 28 of subunit 22 may be arranged within a subunit sheath 30 (“subunit sheath 30”), which may be a thin layer of material extruded onto the strips 28.

[0035] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the interconnecting cable 20 from the auxiliary building 14 is routed to a distribution cabinet 32 ​​(also referred to as "distribution box 32") housed in the main building 12. In an alternative embodiment, multiple distribution cabinets 32 may be present in the main building to receive the interconnecting cable 20. Thus, one or more distribution cabinets 32 may be present.

[0036] Within the main building 12, multiple indoor fiber optic cables 34 (“indoor cables 34”) are routed between the communication equipment 18 and one or more distribution cabinets 32. In one exemplary embodiment, as... Figure 3 As shown, each of the indoor cables 34 can be configured to be similar to subunit 22 at least in terms of the number of optical fibers and fiber grouping, and is therefore configured to carry a preselected number of optical fibers 36. By way of example and without limitation, each indoor cable 34 can be configured to carry 144 or 288 optical fibers 36. However, it should be appreciated that each of the indoor cables 34 can carry more or fewer optical fibers 36.

[0037] Similar to the fiber 24 of subunit 22, the fiber 36 in the indoor cable 34 can be configured as a plurality of fiber ribbons 38 (“ribbons 38”). Thus, each ribbon 38 may include a plurality of fibers 36 arranged in a generally side-by-side manner (e.g., in a linear array or in a coiled / folded array). Again, such ribbons 38 are generally known and therefore will not be further described in this disclosure. Each ribbon 38 may include, for example, eight, twelve, sixteen, or any other number of fibers 36. The ribbons 38 of the indoor cable 34 may be arranged within an outer protective sheath 40 (also referred to as the “cable outer sheath 40” or simply the “cable sheath 40”), as is well known in the art.

[0038] Despite Figure 4 The interior of the main building 12 is shown only schematically and discussed above, but each of the auxiliary buildings 14 may house similar equipment for similar purposes. Therefore, although not shown, each of the interconnecting cables 20 may be wired to one or more distribution cabinets 32 in one of the auxiliary buildings 14 in a manner similar to that described above. Furthermore, each of the auxiliary buildings 14 may include an indoor cable 34 extending between the communication equipment 18 and one or more distribution cabinets 32 in the auxiliary building 14.

[0039] According to aspects of this disclosure, at least one of the interconnecting cables 20 extending between buildings 12 and 14, and at least some of the indoor cables 34 within buildings 12 and 14, are pre-terminated. That is, at least one of the interconnecting cables 20 has at least one end where the optical fiber 24 of the interconnecting cable 20 is terminated by a connector before being delivered to the field for installation in the local fiber optic network 16, such that the optical fiber 24 has a pre-terminated fiber end. Similarly, at least some of the indoor cables 34 (e.g., those indoor cables intended to connect to sub-units 22 of the pre-terminated interconnecting cables 20) have at least one end where the optical fiber 36 is terminated by a connector before being delivered to the field for installation in the local fiber optic network 16, such that the optical fiber 36 has a pre-terminated fiber end. The termination of the interconnecting cables 20 and the indoor cables 34 occurs instead during their respective manufacturing processes (i.e., as part of the cable assembly manufacturing process). Therefore, the term "pre-terminated" as used in this disclosure refers to fiber termination performed by the manufacturer of the finished cable assembly before deployment to the "field" (customer, customer site, etc.).

[0040] As used in this disclosure, "connection interface" refers to an optical connector, optical connector subassembly, or one or more optical connector components such as sleeves that facilitate the connection of the optical fibers on which they are mounted to other optical fibers terminated with the same or different connector interfaces. In one embodiment, for example, the interconnect cable 20 may be pre-terminated with multiple sleeves. Each band 28 may be terminated with a corresponding sleeve, such as 12-core bands each being terminated with a corresponding 12-core MT sleeve. Alternatively, groups of two or more bands 28 may be terminated with the same sleeve, such as groups of two 12-core bands each being terminated with a corresponding 24-core MT sleeve. A connector housing (also simply "housing," "connector body," or simply "body") receiving the sleeves is not required. It may simply be a sleeve terminating the fiber group, or just sleeves and components outside the connector housing, such that the connection interface itself contains less than that of an optical connector. As is known in the art, optical connectors are designed to provide two main functions: alignment of the optical fibers for optical connection, and mechanical retention for maintaining said alignment. The sleeve is typically the primary component for optical alignment purposes, while the connector housing is typically the primary component for retention purposes, as it usually includes a coupling mechanism (e.g., a locking feature for cooperating with a complementary locking feature of the adapter). The connector housing defines at least one mechanical reference plane or datum for retention. A connection interface without such a connector housing is considered an incomplete optical connector in this disclosure.

[0041] Figure 4 The diagram schematically illustrates the end 44 of one of the interconnecting cables 20 pre-terminated with multiple sleeves 42 to form a pre-terminated cable 46 (for convenience, "end 44" will also be used in this disclosure to refer to the end of the pre-terminated cable 46). Termination involves not only the installation of the sleeves 42 but also the preparation of the end 44 of the interconnecting cable 20 for such installation. For this purpose, the pre-terminated cable 46 includes a branch 48 associated with a first end 50 of the cable sheath 26. For example, the branch 48 may be installed on the first end 50 such that the cable sheath 26 terminates within the branch 48. The branch 48 represents a "split," "branch," or "fan-out" point on the interconnecting cable 20 because the end 52 of the sub-unit 22 extends from the branch 48 and beyond the first end 50 of the cable sheath 26, giving the sub-unit 22 greater freedom of expansion. Various types of branch assemblies are known. In the illustrated embodiment, as will be described in further detail below, the branch 48 includes a housing 54 positioned on a first end 50 of the cable sheath 26 and a polymeric material filling the housing 54 (around the subunit 22). The polymeric material may be a cured adhesive, such as epoxy resin, such that the housing 54 is secured to the cable sheath 26 and at least some of the subunit sheaths 30.

[0042] exist Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the end 52 of each subunit 22 includes an associated subunit sheath 30 extending a certain length from the housing 54 of the bifurcation body 48. The associated fiber optic bundle 24 then extends (i.e., beyond) a certain length from the associated subunit sheath 30. The fiber optic bundle 24 is pre-terminated with a connection interface (sleeve 42) to form a pre-terminated fiber end, and in this embodiment, the fiber optic bundle 24 is in a ribbon form prior to such termination. For convenience, Figure 4 Each subunit 22 in the diagram only schematically shows a representative strip 28 and a representative sleeve 42. Figure 5 The diagram schematically shows close-ups of representative strips 28 and representative sleeves 42 of two subunits 22. As mentioned above, each subunit 22 may actually include multiple strips 28, such as twelve strips 28 each having twelve optical fibers 24 (each subunit 22 has 144 optical fibers), twenty-four strips 28 each having twelve optical fibers 24 (each subunit 22 has 288 optical fibers), and so on.

[0043] See again Figure 4 The ends 52 of subunit 22 are grouped in pairs, wherein the ends 52 of a given pair have substantially the same length. For example, Figure 4 The lowest pair includes a subunit sheath 30 extending L1 from the housing 54 of the branch body 48, and an optical fiber 24 extending L2 from the subunit sheath 30. The total length of the ends 52 (i.e., L1 + L2) may be referred to as the “leg length”. Different pairs of ends 52 have different leg lengths to provide a staggered arrangement of the sleeves 42. This staggering allows the pre-terminated cable 46 to be placed within a smaller handle assembly (compared to the absence of staggering), and thus adapts to smaller conduits, etc.

[0044] exist Figure 4In this configuration, the end 52 of each successive group has a leg length D that is longer than the leg length of the preceding group. Therefore, each group's end 52 is D longer than the preceding group, causing the sleeves 42 of different groups to be substantially uniform (i.e., uniform or intended to be uniform) staggered. In an alternative embodiment, the staggering can be non-uniform. Different leg lengths may be due to the sub-unit sheath 30 extending further from the housing 54 of the branch body 48. Therefore, the length L2 by which the optical fiber 24 extends beyond the corresponding sub-unit sheath 30 can remain substantially the same (i.e., identical or intended to be identical). When terminating the optical fiber 24, a consistent length of exposed strip 28 allows for consistent processing by the manufacturer of the pre-terminated cable 46. In other words, the termination process can be based on a certain exposed length for each strip 28 (e.g., for a clamp, stripping device, etc.). When said length is provided, the termination process can be performed in a repeatable manner. However, alternative embodiments with inconsistent lengths of exposed strip 28 are also within the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, in some implementations involving different cable designs, the optical fiber (in ribbon or non-ribbon form) may not have exposed / uncovered ends.

[0045] Figure 6 The pre-terminated cable 46 on the reel 56 and the end of the pre-terminated cable 46 (e.g., Figure 4 An example of a handle assembly 60 (also referred to as "handle 60" or "pull sleeve 60") above the end 44 (represented in the image) is used to form a pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly 62 ("cable assembly 62"). The handle assembly 60 covers all the sleeves 42 associated with the end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46. It has already been mentioned how the staggering of the sleeves 42 can help minimize the footprint of the handle assembly 60. For a given handle design, the maximum width / diameter can be less than the width / diameter required to accommodate the interconnecting cable 20 pre-terminated with what is considered a complete optical connector. While the design of the pre-terminated cable 46 may help reduce the overall footprint of a large number of pre-terminated fibers, the handle assembly 60 complements this design by providing protection for high-density pre-terminated fibers with a similarly small footprint. Despite the small footprint, the protection may be more than typically required for conventional fiber optic cable assemblies due to the larger number of fibers 24, the incomplete optical connectors terminating the fibers 24, exposed fiber ribbons 28, use in outdoor environments, and / or other considerations. Both the fork body 48 and the handle assembly 60 according to this disclosure have designs that help achieve these advantages.

[0046] Specifically, Figure 7The housing 54 of the bifurcation 48 is shown in more detail. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 54 is a short cylindrical tube received at the first end 50 of the cable sheath 26. The housing 54 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cable sheath 26. Threads 68 may be provided on some or all of the inner walls of the housing 54 to aid in securing the housing 54 to the cable sheath 26. For example, rotating the housing 54 when it is placed on the first end 50 of the cable sheath 26 can help advance the housing 54 relative to the cable sheath 26, especially when the housing 54 has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the cable sheath 26. The housing 54 may also be formed of a material harder than that of the cable sheath 26, such that the threads 68 deform or otherwise “clamp” onto the cable sheath 26 during installation. In some embodiments, the housing 54 may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel), and the cable sheath 26 may be made of a polymeric material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride).

[0047] The housing 54 has a first end 70 that initially receives the cable sheath 26 when the housing 54 is mounted onto it. The first end 70 is part of a first portion 72 of the housing 54, which also includes a second portion 74 defining a second end 76 opposite the first end 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the second portion 74 has a reduced outer diameter compared to the first portion 72 and includes features (e.g., a boss 78) for engaging with the handle assembly 60. See also... Figure 4 and Figure 7 Both housing 54 also include in the second part 74 a groove 80 for receiving the first seal 82 (e.g., an O-ring).

[0048] Figure 8 One embodiment of the handle assembly 60 is shown separately. It should be understood that the drawings in this disclosure are not drawn to scale, and... Figure 8 Specifically Figure 6 This is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the same handle assembly 60 shown. Generally, the handle assembly 60 includes a proximal end 86 configured to be selectively secured to a bifurcation body 48, a distal end 88 opposite the proximal end 86, and an interior configured to include a pre-terminated fiber end of a termination cable 46. In the specific embodiment shown, the proximal end 86 is defined by a connector 90. A tube 92 extends from the connector 90 to define a large portion of the interior of the handle assembly 60, and an end cap 94 is secured to the tube 92 to form a closed end of the handle assembly 60. The connector 90 and the tube 92 will be discussed in further detail below. The end cap 94 includes a pull hole 96 defining the distal end 88 of the handle assembly 60, which will be understood in the context of the discussion of these other components.

[0049] For a better understanding of connector 90, please refer to the separate illustration of connector 90. Figure 9Similar to housing 54, the connector 90 in this embodiment is a short cylindrical tube. However, the connector 90 has an inner diameter that is substantially the same (within 5%) as the outer diameter of the second portion 74 of housing 54. The connector 90 is designed to be received tightly on the second portion 74 of housing 54 and includes a groove 102 for receiving a boss 78. The groove 102 is L-shaped to provide a bayonet-type connection with housing 54. To facilitate positioning of the connector 90 on the second portion 74 of housing 54 regardless of a tight fit, and / or to facilitate movement of the connector 90 on the first seal 82, the first end 104 of the connector may include a beveled edge 106 leading to the inner wall 108 of the connector 90.

[0050] See again Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 92 includes a first end 112 received on at least a portion of the connector 90 and a second end 114 received on at least a portion of the end cap 94. The first end 112 of the tube 92 is secured to the connector 90 in such a way that it forms a seal (“second seal”) between the two components. For example, the connector 90 and the tube 92 may each be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel) such that the first end 112 of the tube 92 can be welded to the connector 90 to form an associated seal. A ring 116 may be received on the connector 90 above the connection between the connector 90 and the tube 92 to provide additional reinforcement, sealing, and / or protection. For example, the ring 116 may also be made of metal and include one side welded to the connector 90. Thus, the ring 116 forms a seal (“third seal”) with the connector 90 and extends over the second seal between the connector 90 and the tube 92. In some embodiments, the other side of the ring 116 may be welded to the tube 92 itself. In alternative embodiments, the tube 92 may be fixed to the connector 90 in different ways, permanently or non-permanently (i.e., selectively removable).

[0051] Figure 8The second end 114 of the tube 92 shown is secured to the end cap 94 in a similar manner. In other words, the second end 114 of the tube 92 is secured to the end cap 94 in a way that forms a seal (“fourth seal”) between the two components. For example, both the tube 92 and the end cap 94 may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel), such that the second end 114 of the tube 92 can be welded to the end cap 94 to form the fourth seal. A ring 120 may be received on the end cap 94 above the connection between the tube 92 and the end cap 94 to provide additional reinforcement, sealing, and / or protection. For example, the ring 120 may also be made of metal and include one side welded to the end cap 94. Thus, the ring 120 forms a seal (“fifth seal”) with the end cap 94 and extends over the fourth seal between the tube 92 and the end cap 94. In some embodiments, the other side of the ring 120 may be welded to the tube 92 itself. In alternative embodiments, the tube 92 may be fixed to the end cap 94 in different ways, permanently or non-permanently (i.e., selectively removable), and in the same or different ways as the connection between the first end 112 of the tube 92 and the connector 90.

[0052] Figure 8 The tube 92 is shown to include braided material. The braided material can actually be part of a braided covering 122 received on the inner tube. For example, the tube 92 may include a corrugated metal inner tube 124 (in... Figure 10 (Illustrated schematically) and may also be a braided cover 122 of metal. The braided cover 122 may be secured to the inner tube 124 at the first end 112 and the second end 114 of the tube 92 by welding and / or using suitable fittings (not shown). In this respect, the tube 92 may have a construction similar to that of a metal hose (e.g., a stainless steel hose).

[0053] An example of mounting the handle assembly 60 onto the pre-terminated cable 46 to form the cable assembly 62 will now be described. Figure 11 Initially, end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46 is prepared for installation via end 52 of the organization subunit 22. (As described above...) Figure 4 The subunits 22 can be grouped in pairs, with different pairs having different leg lengths to provide an interlaced arrangement of the sleeves 42. Figure 4 similar, Figure 11This is essentially illustrative, and for convenience, only a representative sleeve 42 of each subunit 22 is shown for the sake of simplicity, as each subunit 22 may actually include multiple straps 28 and sleeves 42. Adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), or other materials may be used as straps 130 at various points along the length of the end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46. For example, subunits 22 of a given pair of subunits 22 may be bundled together, and then this pair of subunits 22 may be bundled to another pair of subunits 22 having a longer leg length. Straps 130 may be applied to the subunit sheath 30. Alternatively or additionally, multiple sets of straps 28 may be bundled together and / or bundled to other sets of straps 28.

[0054] Once the ends 52 have been organized, they can be wrapped with protective material or otherwise covered. For example, a plastic wrap or cover (not shown) can be placed on the end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46 and secured to the fork 48 (e.g., by tape, adhesive, etc.). In some embodiments, the plastic wrap or cover may even include a heat-shrinkable structure to further help hold the ends 52 of the subunit 22 together and provide protection against water or dust / debris.

[0055] Next, the handle assembly 60 ( Figure 8 The handle assembly 60 is installed onto the pre-terminated cable 46. As understood, the handle assembly 60 may be provided as a pre-manufactured (“pre-engineered”) solution. The various components of the handle assembly 60 discussed above can be assembled independently of the pre-terminated cable 46. Installation may simply involve positioning the handle assembly 60 onto the prepared end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46 and securing the handle assembly 60 to the bifurcation body 48. For example, the connector 90 of the handle assembly 60 may be advanced onto the first sleeve 42 of the pre-terminated cable 46. As the connector 90 is advanced further toward the bifurcation body 48 along the length of the end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46, the sleeve 42 is received within the tube 92. Finally, all pre-terminated fiber ends of the pre-terminated fiber cable 46 are contained within the handle assembly 60.

[0056] Figure 12 and Figure 13An example of how the handle assembly 60 can be secured to the fork body 48 is shown. As described above, the connector 90 of the handle assembly 60 can be received on the second portion 74 of the housing 54. A first seal 82 is compressed between the connector 90 and the housing 54, but remains in the groove 80 as the connector 90 advances onto the second portion 74. Additionally, the groove 102 in the connector 90 is initially aligned with the boss 78 on the second portion 74 of the housing 54 to allow the connector 90 to advance onto the second portion 74. Depending on the design of the groove 102, the connector 90 rotates / twirls relative to the housing 54 during and / or after its movement onto the second portion 74. This rotation brings the boss 78 into the end of the groove 102, which extends generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of the connector 90, thereby effectively establishing a bayonet connection. In its fully advanced position on the second portion 74 of the housing 54, the connector 90 can abut against the shoulder 132 defined between the first portion 72 and the second portion 74 of the housing 54. The first portion 72 of the housing 54 may include a threaded hole 136 for receiving a positioning screw (not shown) having a head large enough to extend beyond a portion of the connector 90. This positioning screw can be used to apply a radial force to the connector 90 to help hold the connector 90 in a rotated, fully installed position.

[0057] In the field (e.g., within the campus of data center 10), cable assembly 62 can be cabled from one building (main building 12 or auxiliary building 14) to another using pull assembly 60. Pull holes 96 provide attachment points for suitable equipment (not shown) to pull pre-terminated cables 46 through conduits that extend into and out of buildings, and possibly between buildings. The pull assembly 60, as mentioned above, is designed to provide a small footprint while protecting a large number of pre-terminated optical fibers. In some embodiments, for example, pull assembly 60 may have a maximum outer diameter of less than 53 mm measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of pull assembly 60, but still protect at least 2,880 pre-terminated fiber ends (or, as with pre-terminated fiber cable 46, at least 3,456 pre-terminated fiber ends). The maximum outer diameter may be defined by connector 90 or ring 116 and / or ring 120, if present. Pre-terminated fiber cable 46 has a maximum outer diameter not greater than the maximum outer diameter of pull assembly 60. As a result, at least three cable assemblies 62 can be pulled through a conduit with an inner diameter of approximately 4 inches (102 mm), a common size of conduit in many data center campuses.

[0058] Advantageously, in addition to its small outer diameter, the pull handle assembly 60 can have a relatively small length when considering the large number of pre-terminated fiber ends contained within it. For example, in some embodiments, the length between the proximal end 86 and the distal end 88 of the pull handle assembly 60 can be less than 120 inches (3.05 m) as measured along the longitudinal axis of the pull handle assembly 60, although this protects at least 2,880 or at least 3,456 pre-terminated fiber ends (each associated with a 12-core or 24-core MT sleeve 42). The relatively small length of the pull handle assembly 60 facilitates its removal from the cable assembly 62 after the pre-terminated cable 46 has been pulled to its intended position.

[0059] Specifically, the cable assembly 62 can ultimately be pulled into a device designed to facilitate and preserve the connection to the pre-terminated fiber optic end of the pre-terminated cable 46. For this purpose, Figure 14 It shows the superimposed combination. Figure 4 The handle assembly 60 in one possible implementation of the mentioned distribution cabinet 32. The distribution cabinet 32 ​​may be similar to the implementations described in PCT patent applications publication numbers WO 2019 / 079460 A1 (“'460 publication”) and WO 2019 / 079425 A1 (“'425 publication”), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In fact, Figure 14 Roughly corresponds to the announcement on '425' Figure 1 This allows for reference to the '425 publication for a more complete understanding of the aspects not discussed below. Only a brief overview is provided below, followed by a focus on the differences from the '425 publication specific to this disclosure.

[0060] like Figure 14 As shown, the distribution cabinet 32 ​​includes various walls assembled together to define an internal volume 140. Specifically, the distribution cabinet 32 ​​includes a rear wall 142, a first side wall 144 and a second side wall 146 connected to both sides of the rear wall 142, and a lower wall 148 and an upper wall 150 respectively connected to the top and bottom of each of the rear wall 142, the first side wall 144 and the second side wall 146. A front door 152 is pivotally connected to the first side wall 144 (e.g., via a hinge 154) to provide selective access to the internal space 140. The distribution cabinet 32 ​​also includes a tray assembly within the internal volume 140, the tray assembly including a tray housing 156 (or “carriage 156”) pivotally connected to the distribution cabinet 32 ​​and a plurality of trays 158 connected to the tray housing 156. The tray housing 156 is pivotable / rotatable outward from the internal volume 140 to facilitate access to the trays 158. The pallet 158 ​​itself may pivot or otherwise move relative to the pallet housing 156 (including being removable from the pallet housing 156) to provide additional contact with any given pallet 158.

[0061] The '425 disclosure refers to tray 158 as a "splitter tray" because it is designed to hold the fusion splice between the optical fibers of two different cables. Since this disclosure relates to pre-terminated cables rather than cables requiring splicing, the more general term "distribution tray" or simply "tray" is used. Tray 158 is still used to hold the splice between the optical fibers of two different cables, but the splice is in the form of a mating (i.e., connected) interface (e.g., by using a corresponding adapter; not shown). Tray 158 may therefore be referred to as "splitter tray 158" (or "adapter tray 158") and distribution cabinet 32 ​​may be referred to as "plug cabinet 32" or "plug box 32".

[0062] It should be understood that Figure 14 The inclusion of a portion of the pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly 62, including the handle assembly 60, on the distribution cabinet 32 ​​is merely to illustrate the overall principle that the handle assembly 60 can be used to route / pull the end of the pre-terminated cable 46 to its intended destination (distribution cabinet 32). In some embodiments, the handle assembly 60 can be used to route the end 44 all the way into the internal space 140 of the distribution cabinet 32. Various features may be provided in the distribution cabinet 32 ​​to facilitate the reception of the pre-terminated cable 46. Although Figure 14 A transparent rear panel 160 without openings is shown as the rear portion of the upper wall 150; however, this panel may include openings of different set sizes for different types of cables. For example, there may be openings set to receive pre-terminated interconnect cables 20 with a large fiber count, and openings set to receive indoor cables 34 with a relatively small fiber count. The front panel 162 defining the front portion of the upper wall 150 may also be removable to facilitate access to pre-terminated cables 46 and other cables when they are being routed into the distribution cabinet 32 ​​(e.g., through openings in the rear panel 160, if present). Additionally, the distribution cabinet 32 ​​may include a bracket 164 beneath the rear panel 160 as a mounting location for pre-terminated cables 46 and other cables. Openings 166 or other mounting features may be provided on the bracket 164 for cooperation with complementary mounting features of clamps (not shown), which may be integral with the cable (e.g., part of a branch 48) or mounted to the cable.

[0063] Finally, the handle assembly 60 is removed from the pre-terminated cable 46 to expose the end 52 of the subunit 22. Figure 4 This can be done before or after securing the pre-terminated cable 46 to the bracket 164. In any case, by routing the pre-terminated cable 46 into the distribution cabinet 32 ​​before removing the handle assembly 60, the amount of further positioning / wiring of the pre-terminated cable 46 is limited. This is likely desirable because once the handle assembly 60 is removed, the end 52 of the sub-unit 22 (and therefore the associated pre-terminated fiber end) is less protected, especially in embodiments where the exposed length of the strip 28 exists.

[0064] The handle assembly 60 is designed to facilitate removal in the manner described above (i.e., after wiring into the distribution cabinet 32). The relatively short length discussed above is one aspect that allows removal after the pre-terminated cable 46 has been wired into the distribution cabinet 32, without having to later retain a large length of slack cable in the distribution cabinet 32 ​​or pull the length of the pre-terminated cable 46 back from the distribution cabinet 32. It should also be understood that another aspect is the minimal number of steps required to remove the handle assembly 60. First, remove any locating screws present, which help maintain the bayonet connection between the connector 90 of the handle assembly 60 and the housing 54 of the fork body 48. The handle assembly 60 can then be removed from the pre-terminated cable 46 in a single step. In other words, the handle assembly 60 is designed to remain assembled during disassembly; all components can be removed together. Removal is simply a matter of reversing the process. Figure 12 and Figure 13 The steps discussed. Therefore, the connector 90 rotates relative to the housing 54 of the fork 48 such that the boss 78 on the housing 54 aligns with the entrance (starting point) of the slot 102 in the connector 90. The handle assembly 60 can then slide away from the end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46 because the boss 78 is able to exit the slot 102 so as no longer obstructs this relative axial movement. The remaining steps for installing the pre-terminated cable 46 can be few and do not involve the handle assembly 60. For example, after removing protective material (e.g., heat-shrinkable covering or plastic wrapping) and organizing the components as needed (e.g., straps 130), if any such items are initially applied to the end 44 before installing the handle assembly 60, the end 44 can be prepared to establish a connection with the indoor cable 34. The connection between the subunit 22 of the pre-terminated cable 46 and the indoor cable 34 is ultimately held in the tray 158 of the distribution cabinet 32.

[0065] Simultaneously, the handle assembly 60 removed from end 44 of the pre-terminated cable 46 can be retained for use with other pre-terminated cables designed to be the same as or similar to the pre-terminated cable 46. As understood, the handle assembly 60 is a pre-engineered solution that provides quick assembly to and removal from the pre-terminated cable 46. This, in turn, provides a faster overall installation of the pre-terminated cable 46 in the field (compared to the time that installation with a conventional design might otherwise take). The time and skill required for installation are reduced compared to conventional designs, resulting in lower total costs associated with installation. Furthermore, because the handle assembly 60 is reusable, the amount of material associated with multiple installations is reduced compared to conventional designs that cannot be reused like pre-engineered solutions.

[0066] In addition to the size and installation advantages mentioned above, the handle assembly 60 also offers performance advantages. Specifically, when the handle assembly 60 is secured to the pre-terminated cable 46, the interior of the handle assembly 60 containing the pre-terminated fiber end of the pre-terminated cable 46 is sealed and separated from the exterior of the cable assembly 62. In other words, the handle assembly 60 provides sealed protection for the pre-terminated fiber end. Furthermore, the handle assembly 60 is configured to maintain this sealed protection over an ambient temperature range of at least -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the handle assembly 60. This is due to a) the robust sealed connection between the handle assembly 60 and the bifurcation body 48; and b) the inherently robust and sealed / closed design of the handle assembly 60 itself. Feature a) in the exemplary embodiment described above is provided by the tight fit and bayonet connection between the connector 90 of the handle assembly 60 and the housing 54 of the bifurcation body 48, and the first seal 82. Those skilled in the art will understand that alternative connection types (e.g., threaded connections) can achieve similar purposes. Feature b) in the exemplary embodiment described above is provided by seals between the various components forming the handle assembly 60 (i.e., a second seal between the connector 90 and the tube 92, and a fourth seal between the tube 92 and the end cap 94). However, it is emphasized again here that those skilled in the art will understand alternative designs to achieve similar purposes.

[0067] The foregoing mentions how the connector 90, tube 92, and end cap 94 can be formed from metals, such as stainless steel. This material not only offers the advantage of corrosion resistance but also provides the possibility of welding the components together to form the aforementioned seals. The connection between the components and the associated seals (i.e., the second and fourth seals mentioned above) are inherently permanent. Such permanent seals / connections contribute to better sealing protection compared to non-permanent connections. The foregoing also mentions how rings 116 and / or 120 can be used in some embodiments to provide additional reinforcement, sealing, and / or protection. Therefore, there is an opportunity to make the handle assembly 60 even more robust and better able to maintain sealing protection under higher loads, such as when tensile loads exceeding 500 lbs are applied to the distal end 88 of the handle assembly 60.

[0068] Many other alternatives and variations will be understood by those skilled in the art of optical connections without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. For at least this reason, the invention should be construed as including all contents within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly, comprising: Cable sheath; Different optical fiber groups, which are carried within the cable sheath and extend beyond a first end of the cable sheath; A branch body, the branch body being positioned on the first end of the cable sheath such that the different fiber groups extend beyond the branch body; Multiple connection interfaces, each connection interface terminating one or more corresponding groups of different fiber groups extending beyond the bifurcation body to define the pre-terminated fiber ends of the different fiber groups; as well as A handle assembly having selective attachment to a proximal end of the bifurcation, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior containing the pre-terminated fiber end between the proximal end and the distal end; in: The interior of the handle assembly is sealed and separated from the exterior of the fiber optic cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the pre-terminated fiber end; and The handle assembly is configured to maintain the sealed protection within an ambient temperature range of at least -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes: A connector that defines the proximal end of the handle assembly for selective attachment to the fork body, wherein a first seal is maintained between the connector and the fork body when the connector is attached to the fork body; A tube extending from the connector and passing over the pre-terminated fiber ends of the different fiber groups; and An end cap, the end cap being fixed to the tube to form a closed end of the handle assembly, wherein the end cap includes a pull hole defining the distal end of the handle assembly.

2. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: An O-ring is positioned between the bifurcation and the connector to form the first seal.

3. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the connector is selectively fixed to the branch body via a bayonet connection.

4. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein a second seal is formed between the tube and the connector.

5. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 4, wherein the connector and the tube are made of metal, and wherein the tube is welded to the connector to form the second seal.

6. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the tube comprises a corrugated metal inner tube and a braided metal cover received on at least a portion of the inner tube.

7. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein a third seal is formed between the end cap and the tube.

8. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 7, wherein the tube and the end cap are made of metal, and wherein the end cap is welded to the tube to form the third seal.

9. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connection interfaces comprises a plurality of sleeves.

10. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves terminates a single group of the different fiber optic groups.

11. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of sleeves terminates a plurality of the different fiber optic groups.

12. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein the plurality of connection interfaces include incomplete optical connectors.

13. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the different fiber groups comprises a fiber ribbon.

14. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 13, wherein the fiber optic ribbon comprises at least 2,880 optical fibers.

15. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 14, wherein the fiber optic ribbon comprises at least 3456 optical fibers.

16. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 15, wherein the handle assembly has a maximum outer diameter of less than 53 mm measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly.

17. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of sub-units are located within the cable sheath, wherein each sub-unit includes a sub-unit sheath and several groups of different optical fiber groups carried within the sub-unit sheath, each sub-unit including a sub-unit end extending from the bifurcation, and wherein each of the sub-unit ends includes the different optical fiber groups of an associated sub-unit extending from the associated sub-unit sheath.

18. The pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly of claim 17, wherein the sub-unit ends are grouped in pairs, and wherein each pair has a different length, such that the plurality of connection interfaces associated with the pair are staggered.

19. A method for installing a pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein the cable sheath, the plurality of sub-units, and the branch are part of the pre-terminated cable, and the handle assembly is initially installed on the pre-terminated cable, the method comprising: The pre-terminated cable is pulled through at least one conduit by applying a tensile load to the distal end of the handle assembly; The end of the pre-terminated cable is guided into the distribution cabinet, wherein the handle assembly remains mounted on the pre-terminated cable; and After the guidance, the handle assembly is removed from the pre-terminated cable, wherein the removal includes releasing the connection between the proximal end of the handle assembly and the fork, and wherein the handle assembly remains assembled during the removal.

20. A pre-terminated fiber optic cable assembly, comprising: Cable sheath; Multiple sub-units, the multiple sub-units being within the cable sheath, wherein each sub-unit includes a sub-unit sheath and a plurality of optical fiber ribbons carried within the sub-unit sheath; A bifurcation body, the bifurcation body comprising a housing positioned at a first end of the cable sheath and a polymer material securing the housing to at least some of the cable sheath and the sub-unit sheath, wherein each of the plurality of sub-units comprises a sub-unit end extending from the bifurcation body, each of the sub-unit ends comprising a plurality of fiber optic ribbons of the associated sub-unit extending from the associated sub-unit sheath, the plurality of fiber optic ribbons of the plurality of sub-units comprising a total of at least 3456 optical fibers; as well as Multiple multi-fiber sleeves, each multi-fiber sleeve terminating one or more of the plurality of fiber ribbons extending from the associated sub-unit sheath to define a pre-terminated fiber end. as well as A handle assembly having a proximal end, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior portion between the proximal end and the distal end of the forked body; in: The handle assembly has a maximum outer diameter of less than 53 mm measured in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly, and includes within the interior of the handle assembly a pre-terminated fiber portion associated with the at least 3456 optical fibers. The interior of the handle assembly is sealed and separated from the exterior of the fiber optic cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the pre-terminated fiber end; and The handle assembly is configured to maintain the sealed protection within an ambient temperature range of at least -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes: A connector that defines the proximal end of the handle assembly for selective attachment to the fork body, wherein a first seal is maintained between the connector and the fork body when the connector is attached to the fork body; A tube, extending from the connector and passing over the ends of the optical fibers in different fiber optic groups; and An end cap, the end cap being fixed to the tube to form a closed end of the handle assembly, wherein the end cap includes a pull hole defining the distal end of the handle assembly.

21. An optical fiber cable assembly, comprising: Cable sheath; Different optical fiber groups, which are carried within the cable sheath and extend beyond a first end of the cable sheath; A branch body, the branch body being positioned at the first end of the cable sheath, such that the different fiber optic groups have corresponding fiber optic ends extending beyond the branch body; A handle assembly having a proximal end selectively attached to the fork, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior containing the end of the optical fiber between the proximal end and the distal end; in: The interior of the handle assembly is sealed and separated from the exterior of the fiber optic cable assembly to provide sealing protection for the fiber optic end; and The handle assembly is configured to maintain the sealed protection within an ambient temperature range of at least -20 to 50°C when a tensile load of at least 300 lbs is applied to the distal end of the handle assembly. The handle assembly includes: A connector that defines the proximal end of the handle assembly for selective attachment to the fork body, wherein a first seal is maintained between the connector and the fork body when the connector is attached to the fork body; A tube, extending from the connector and passing over the ends of the optical fibers in the different fiber optic groups; and An end cap, the end cap being fixed to the tube to form a closed end of the handle assembly, wherein the end cap includes a pull hole defining the distal end of the handle assembly.

22. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 21, further comprising: An O-ring is positioned between the bifurcation and the connector to form the first seal.

23. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 21, wherein the connector is selectively fixed to the branch body via a bayonet connection.

24. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 21, wherein a second seal is formed between the tube and the connector.

25. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 24, wherein the connector and the tube are made of metal, and wherein the tube is welded to the connector to form the second seal.

26. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 21, wherein the tube comprises a corrugated metal inner tube and a braided metal cover received on at least a portion of the inner tube.

27. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 21, wherein a third seal is formed between the end cap and the tube.

28. The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 27, wherein the tube and the end cap are made of metal, and wherein the end cap is welded to the tube to form the third seal.

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