Fiber optic cable transition joints

Abstract

A transition joint (10, 10') for at least one optical fiber cable passing through a partition (2). The transition joint (10, 10') includes a sleeve (30), a compressible seal (50, 50'), and an electromagnetic shielding tube (70, 70'). The sleeve (30) has a first end (31), a second end (32), and an opening (33), the opening (33) extending axially from the first end (31) to receive the compressible seal (50, 50'), which provides a shield around the optical fiber cable. The shielding tube (70, 70') has a first end (71), a second end (72), and at least one through opening (73), the at least one through opening (73) being disposed between the first end (71) and the second end (72) for receiving and shielding at least one optical fiber cable. The second end (32) of the sleeve (30) is connected to the first end (71) of the shielding tube (70, 70'), and the at least one through opening (73) of the shielding tube (70, 70') is connected to the opening (33) of the sleeve (30) of the transition joint for the at least one optical fiber cable.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to transition joints for fiber optic cables, and more particularly to electromagnetic shielding of fiber optic cables passing through certain partitions. [Background technology]

[0002] With the increasing use of fiber optic cables, in installations where one or more fiber optic cables pass through a partition, it is important to reduce electromagnetic disturbances in order to protect the various electrical and electronic equipment inside and outside the partition.

[0003] Electrical and electronic devices, equipment and installations are more or less susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic interference is electromagnetic radiation emitted by electrical circuits carrying rapidly changing signals, often as a by-product of their normal operation, causing unwanted signals (interference or noise) to be induced in other electrical circuits, thereby interrupting, hindering, degrading or limiting the effective performance of the other circuits. Electromagnetic interference can be caused intentionally, as a form of electronic warfare, or unintentionally, as a result of spurious emissions, intermodulation products, etc.

[0004] Many fiber optic cables do not have conductive parts that can be used to protect them from interference and reduce the transmission of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Fiber optic cables are typically protected by waveguides. Essentially, a waveguide is a pipe of conductive material.

[0005] Prior art SE543123 describes a transition joint for optical fibre cables in which a shielding pipe and an optical fibre cable are received within a shield retaining means such as a compressible module or a compressible cylindrical seal.

[0006] However, the installation of such prior art fiber optic transition couplings can be difficult in some cases, and thus prior art transition couplings suffer from the problem that their use can be relatively complicated, particularly in some applications.

[0007] In light of the above observations, there is room for further development and improvement in providing transition joints for optical fiber cables passing through partitions. Summary of the Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to solve or at least alleviate the problems associated with the prior art. This object is achieved by the means set out in the accompanying independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the associated dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, there is provided a transition fitting for at least one optical fiber cable passing through a partition. The transition fitting includes a sleeve, a compressible seal, and an electromagnetic shielding tube. The sleeve has a first end, a second end, and an opening, the opening extending axially from the first end for receiving the compressible seal, which seals around the optical fiber cable. The shielding tube has a first end, a second end, and at least one through opening, the at least one through opening disposed between the first end and the second end for receiving and shielding the at least one optical fiber cable. The second end of the sleeve is connected to the first end of the shielding tube, and the at least one through opening of the shielding tube is connected to the opening of the sleeve of the transition fitting for the at least one optical fiber cable.

[0010] An advantage of the present invention is that the shielded tube forming the waveguide for the optical fiber is connected to the second end of the sleeve, so that the transition joint comprises the sleeve and the shielded tube without further assembly of the shielded tube, since the shielded tube extends from the sleeve.

[0011] This improves the shielding performance. In addition, the transition joint is easy to assemble and disassemble, and can be easily attached to the opening of the partition wall.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second end of the sleeve is integral with the first end of the shield tube, e.g., the sleeve and the shield tube are formed as one piece, thereby achieving effective shielding and assembly.

[0013] At the same time, high cost efficiency can be achieved in the manufacture and installation of the sleeve and shield tube.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sleeve and the electromagnetic shielding tube include or are formed of a conductive material, such as a metal (including alloys), which apart from providing effective shielding allows for effective attachment to the metal partition, for example by welding, for example the sleeve and the electromagnetic shielding tube are formed as one piece of the same material.

[0015] In one embodiment, the shielding tube projects axially from the second end of the sleeve such that the shielding tube extends axially from the sleeve, the sleeve being capable of receiving and sealing a compressible seal, and the shielding tube shields the fiber optic cable. The length of the shielding tube is at least four times the inner diameter of at least one through opening in the shielding tube to provide effective shielding properties.

[0016] In one embodiment, the shielded tube has a plurality of openings and the length of the shielded tube is at least four times the inner diameter of each opening, so that multiple fiber optic cables can be disposed within the shielded tube while the length of the shielded tube is at least four times the length of any one of the openings.

[0017] In one embodiment, the outer surface of the shield tube is at least partially threaded, which allows for easy installation of the transition fitting, such as by using a nut that cooperates with the threads of the shield tube to couple the transition fitting to the partition.

[0018] In one embodiment, the compressible seal comprises a front fitting, a rear fitting, and a compressible base, the front fitting and the rear fitting being disposed on opposite ends of the compressible base.

[0019] In one embodiment, the forward fitment extends radially outward such that the forward fitment abuts the first end of the sleeve when the compressible seal is received within the sleeve.

[0020] In one embodiment, the compressible base has an axial through opening extending therethrough configured to receive one or more modules, each module having an axial opening configured to receive one fiber optic cable extending through a transition fitting.

[0021] In one embodiment, the number of modules disposed at the base of the sleeve corresponds to the number of through openings provided in the shield tube, i.e., each fiber optic cable extending through the transition joint is received in a module of the sleeve and a respective through opening in the shield tube.

[0022] In one embodiment, the sleeve is tubular and the shield tube is tubular. The sleeve has a diameter larger than that of the shield tube. The second end of the sleeve is thus formed with an abutment surface or flange extending radially between the shield tube and the outer tubular surface of the sleeve, through which the transition fitting can be effectively secured to the partition by welding or, if the shield tube has an external thread, by tightening with a nut. When the transition fitting is placed in the through opening of the partition, the abutment surface abuts the partition and the shield tube can be positioned to extend through the opening of the partition.

[0023] In one embodiment, the sleeve includes anti-rotation means extending axially from the first end of the sleeve. For example, the front attachment has at least one opening for interacting with the anti-rotation means of the sleeve. The anti-rotation means includes one or more protrusions that mate with one or more corresponding openings in the front attachment. This effectively prevents unintended rotation of the compressible seal within the sleeve, reducing the risk of damage to the fiber optic cable due to rotation during or after installation. In one embodiment, the anti-rotation means includes at least two protrusions. Each protrusion is provided with a radial extension that mounts with a corresponding opening in the front attachment in a bayonet mount. Alternatively, the anti-rotation means may include one or more screws received in corresponding holes in the first end of the sleeve. The one or more screws mate with corresponding openings in the front attachment to prevent unintended rotation of the compressible seal within the sleeve. The advantage of installing the anti-rotation means between the sleeve and the front attachment is that it limits rotational movement of the sleeve relative to the front attachment and the compressible seal. This means that the cable located within the compressible seal of the sleeve or within the shield pipe can be protected. If the cable cannot rotate freely, there is a potential risk that the cable will be damaged during or before installation of the compressible seal which rotates freely within the sleeve. Fiber optic cables are particularly fragile and can easily be cut, broken or damaged by shearing on the inner metal edges of the transition fitting when rotated before, during or after installation. Incorporating such anti-rotation methods into an axial locking mechanism such as a radial extension of the anti-rotation forward fitting lug also solves the common problem of the seal popping out of the sleeve, i.e., seal retention. Nubs or nubs on the sleeve can prevent rotation of the fitting and compressible seal. Adding edges or radial extensions to the nubs creates a so-called "bayonet mount" that prevents the fitting from slipping or over-rotating axially out of the sleeve with only a small amount of rotation of the seal. Similarly, axial locking can be achieved with radially extending screw heads in addition to the rotation locking mechanism. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0024] By way of example, embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a transition joint for a single optical fiber cable passing through a partition in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic side view of a sleeve and an electromagnetic shield tube, which are part of the transition joint according to the embodiment of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a sleeve and an electromagnetic shield tube according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a transition joint for one optical fiber cable passing through a partition according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the transition joint according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a sleeve and an electromagnetic shield tube according to another embodiment. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic side view of the sleeve and the electromagnetic shield tube according to the embodiment of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 13 is a schematic side view of a transition fitting according to another embodiment, positioned to receive a plurality of fiber optic cables; FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a compressible seal according to one embodiment for receiving multiple fiber optic cables; FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of a sleeve and electromagnetic shielding tube for receiving the compressible seal of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a transition joint according to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 to 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements, and in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device according to the present invention;

[0027] 1 is a perspective view of a transition joint 10 for an optical fiber cable passing through a partition according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The transition joint 10 includes a sleeve 30, an electromagnetic shielding tube 70, and a compressible seal 50. The transition joint 10 has an axis and is arranged to receive an optical fiber cable axially through the transition joint 10. As used herein, the terms "axial," "radial," and equivalents refer to the axis of the transition joint 10 and the cable passing through the transition joint 10.

[0028] In accordance with the present invention, the shielding tube 70 of the transition fitting 10 forms at least one waveguide for at least one optical fiber cable. The transition fitting 10 is intended for use when at least one optical fiber cable passes through an opening in a partition, such as a wall, roof, floor or other separating surface or structure of a house, building or similar structure, a bulkhead or deck on a ship, an electrical cabinet, a container or any type of partition or dividing structure. For ease of understanding, the term "partition" is primarily used in this description to refer to the various parts through which the optical fiber cable passes.

[0029] 1, sleeve 30 is tubular and has a generally circular cross section. Sleeve 30 has a first end 31 and a second end 32. Electromagnetic shielding tube 70 is tubular and has a generally circular cross section. Electromagnetic shielding tube 70 has a first end 71 and a second end 72. Sleeve 30 and electromagnetic shielding tube 70 are made of a conductive material such as a metal.

[0030] In a first embodiment, the sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 are integrated, e.g., made as one piece and therefore made of a single material. In other embodiments, the sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 may be two separate parts that are attached or joined to each other, e.g., by welding or screwing the sleeve 30 to the electromagnetic shielding tube 70.

[0031] 2 illustrates a side view of the sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The diameter of the sleeve 30 is larger than that of the shielding tube 70. However, the sleeve 30 and the shielding tube 70 may have the same diameter, or the diameter of the shielding tube 70 may be larger than that of the sleeve 30.

[0032] A first end 71 of the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 is, for example, integrated with the second end 32 of the sleeve 30. Thus, the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 extends, for example, in the axial direction from the sleeve 30. As shown in Fig. 3, a through opening 73 is disposed between the first end 71 and the second end 72 for receiving and shielding at least one optical fiber cable. For example, the length of the shielding tube 70 is at least four times the diameter of the through opening 73.

[0033] The sleeve 30 is configured to receive the compressible seal 50, and therefore the dimensions of the sleeve 30 are selected to provide a tight fit around the compressible seal 50. As seen in Figure 1, the sleeve 30 is a hollow tubular seal. The cavity within the sleeve 30 defines an opening 33 that extends axially from a first end 31 to a second end 32, the first end 31 being an open end.

[0034] The compressible seal 50 is cylindrical and is intended to be inserted into the first end 31 of the sleeve 30 and disposed within the opening 33. The compressible seal 50 comprises a front fitting 51, a rear fitting 52, and a compressible base 53. The front fitting 51 and the rear fitting 52 are disposed at opposite ends of the compressible base 53. The front and rear fittings 51, 52 are connected to each other by a screw 59 received in a through opening in the compressible base 53. By tightening the screw 59, the front and rear fittings 51, 52 are pressed together, i.e. the compressible base 53 made of compressible material is compressed axially, and a radial pressure is applied to the tubular wall of the sleeve 30, thereby forming a snug fit between the sleeve 30 and the compressible seal 50. FIG. 4 illustrates the compressible seal 50 disposed within the sleeve 30.

[0035] The front fitting 51 is the fitting on the compressible base 53 where the screw 59 is normally operated. The rear fitting 52 is located opposite the front fitting 51. The outer diameter of the front fitting 51 is larger than the inner diameter of the tubular sleeve 30. This is to more accurately position the compressible seal 50 so that the front fitting 51 abuts the first end 31 of the sleeve 30.

[0036] The compressible base 53 has an axial opening 56 formed in the center of the base 53. The axial opening 56 is configured to receive a fiber optic cable extending through the transition fitting 10. A number of peelable layers 58 are located inside the axial through opening 56 of the base 53. The layers 58 are peeled away so that the inner diameter of the through opening 56 of the compressible base 53 matches the outer diameter of the fiber optic cable received within the base 53.

[0037] 3 and 4 illustrate the sleeve 30 having an abutment surface 35 extending radially between an outer tubular surface 36 of the sleeve 30 and a first end 71 of a shield tube 70. For example, the abutment surface 35 is formed by a second end of the sleeve 30 having a diameter greater than the diameter of the shield tube 70. When the transition fitting 10 is positioned through the opening of the partition 2, the abutment surface 35 abuts the partition 2 and the shield tube 70 is positioned to extend through the opening of the partition 2.

[0038] The transition fitting 10 is secured to the partition by welding or a fastening means. If welding is used to secure the partition, the second end 32 of the sleeve 30 and / or the first end 71 and / or the abutment surface 35 of the shield tube 70 are welded to the partition. The tubular shield tube 70 has an outer surface 74 that extends axially from the first end 71 of the shield tube 70 to the second end 72 of the shield tube 70. The outer surface 74 is at least partially threaded and configured to receive a fastening means, such as a nut 91 and optional washer 92, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0039] Next, another aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 7. The sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 shown in the perspective view of Fig. 6 have all the technical features of the sleeve 30 and the shielding tube 70 described above, except that the outer surface of the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 is not threaded. For this reason, in the embodiment of Figs. 6 and 7, the sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 may be fixed to the partition by welding. Furthermore, the sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70 are provided with at least one anti-rotation means in the form of one or more protrusions 61 extending axially from the first end 31 of the sleeve 30. In Figs. 6 and 7, the sleeve 30 has two protrusions 61, each of which is illustrated as a hump. The protrusions 61 may be screws or screw heads. For example, the protrusions are part of the sleeve 30 and protrude axially from the first end 31 of the sleeve 30. If the protrusions 61 are screws or screw heads, the first end 31 of the sleeve 30 has one or more openings for fixing the shank of the screw in the opening.

[0040] For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the forward fitting 51 is provided in two parts with two openings 62 formed by a space provided between the two parts. Each opening 62 fits over one of the protrusions 61 on the sleeve 30. The placement of the protrusions 61 in each opening 62 limits rotational movement of the sleeve 30 relative to the forward fitting 51 and the compressible seal 50. FIG. 8 illustrates a transition fitting 10 having a protrusion 61 extending axially from the first end 31 of the sleeve 30. Thus, in one embodiment, the sleeve 30 has one or more protrusions 61 that mate with corresponding openings 62 on the forward fitting 51 to prevent unintended rotation of the compressible seal 50, 50' within the sleeve 30.

[0041] Although not shown in the drawings, the projection 61 may have a radial extension, for example extending from the top of the projection 61 and at an angle, such as perpendicular, to the projection 61. The radial extension is arranged to prevent unintended outward axial movement of the compressible seal 50, 50'. To this end, the radial extension of the projection 61 provides a stop to the axial movement of the compressible seal 50, 50' at the first end 31 of the sleeve 30. For example, when the compressible seal 50, 50' is inserted into the sleeve 30, the radial extension extends essentially parallel to the front face of the forward fitting 51. For example, the projection 61 with the radial extension cooperates with the opening 62 of the forward fitting 51 to prevent both unintended rotation and unintended axial movement of the compressible seal 50, 50' within the sleeve 30. For example, a radially extending protrusion 61 cooperates with an opening 62 in the front mount 51 to provide a bayonet mount, thereby limiting both rotational and axial movement of the compressible seals 50, 50' of the front mount 51 relative to the sleeve 30.

[0042] 8 to 11, an embodiment of the present invention for passing multiple optical fiber cables through a partition is illustrated. FIG. 8 is a side view of a transition fitting 10' configured to pass multiple optical fiber cables through a partition. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the compressible seal 50' of FIG. 8, which includes a front attachment 51, a rear attachment 52, a screw 59, and an opening 62 with the technical features and functions as described above. Therefore, detailed descriptions of these features are omitted. The features that are different from those of the transition fitting 10 for a single optical fiber cable are described below. Other features of the transition fitting 10 for a single optical fiber correspond to similar features of the transition fitting 10' for a multiple optical fiber cable or will be understood by those skilled in the art from the disclosure of the present invention.

[0043] As described above for the compressible base 53, the compressible base 53' has a front mount 51 and a rear mount 52 disposed on either side of the compressible base 53, 53'. The compressible base 53' has an axial opening extending through the base 53'. The axial opening is configured to receive a module 54. In Figs. 9-11, the base 53' is configured to receive four modules 54. However, another number of modules 54 may be provided within the base 53'. The shape and size of the axial opening in the base 53' is adapted to the number of modules 54 provided within the base 53'. Each axial opening 56' is configured to receive one optical fiber cable. Each cable located within the transition fitting 10' passes through an axial through opening 56' of a module 54 located within the compressible seal 50'. The cable passing through the module 54 is optional.

[0044] Each module 54 has a first module half 55, a second module half 55, and an axial opening 56' formed in the center of the module 54. The axial opening 56' is configured to receive a fiber optic cable extending through the transition fitting 10'. The opening 56' is formed by a semi-cylindrical recess in each module half 55. That is, the two module halves 55 are placed against each other with the semi-cylindrical recesses facing each other to form the opening 56'. A number of peelable layers 58' are located inside the axial through opening 56' of the module 54. The layers 58' of the module 54 are peeled off so that the inner diameter of the through opening 56' of the module 54 matches the outer diameter of the fiber optic cable received within the module 54. Each of the module halves may be identical, and the peelable layers are optional.

[0045] FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of the sleeve 30 and the electromagnetic shielding tube 70' for receiving multiple optical fiber cables according to the embodiment of FIG. 9. In this embodiment, multiple through openings 75, 76, 77, 78 are provided in the shielding tube 70' since multiple cables pass through the shielding tube 70' and the sleeve 30. Each through opening 75, 76, 77, 78 is disposed between the first end 71 and the second end 72 to receive and shield one optical fiber cable. That is, each optical fiber cable is provided with an individual shield integrated with the transition joint 10'. Furthermore, the first through opening 75, the second through opening 76, the third through opening 77, and the fourth through opening 78 of the shielding tube 70 are all connected to the opening 33 of the sleeve 30 of the transition joint for the four optical fiber cables. The number of modules 54 provided in the sleeve 30 corresponds to the number of through openings 75, 76, 77, 78 of the electromagnetic shielding tube 70'.

[0046] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to various embodiments, it is readily understood that the technical features of these embodiments can be combined, i.e., the transition fitting 10, 10' can be configured to receive a single fiber optic cable or multiple fiber optic cables.

[0047] When transition fitting 10 is configured to hold a single fiber optic cable, compressible seal 50 includes a compressible base 53 having an axial opening 56 configured to receive the fiber optic cable. As the fiber optic cable passes from compressible seal 50 into electromagnetic shielding tube 70, i.e., where first end 71 of electromagnetic shielding tube 70 and second end 32 of sleeve 30 are coupled together, the fiber optic cable is disposed within through opening 73 extending between first end 71 and second end 72 of electromagnetic shielding tube 70.

[0048] When the transition fitting 10' is configured to hold multiple fiber optic cables, the compressible seal 50' includes a module 54 for each fiber optic cable, with each module 54 having an axial opening 56' configured to receive one fiber optic cable. As the fiber optic cables pass from the compressible seal 50' into the electromagnetic shielding tube 70', i.e., where the first end 71 of the electromagnetic shielding tube 70' and the second end 32 of the sleeve 30 are coupled together, the fiber optic cables are disposed within each of the through openings 75-78 extending between the first end 71 and the second end 72 of the electromagnetic shielding tube 70'.

[0049] As described above, the embodiment having one or more protrusions 61 extending axially from the first end 31 of the sleeve 30 to prevent rotation can be used in both the single cable transition fitting 10 and the multiple cable transition fitting 10'.

[0050] As an example, Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of a transition fitting 10' for passing multiple cables, e.g., four fiber optic cables, through a partition. The transition fitting 10' includes two projections 61, which are nubs. Each nub is disposed within an opening 62 in the forward fitting 51, which limits rotational movement of the sleeve 30 relative to the forward fitting 51 and the compressible seal 50. Additionally, the transition fitting 10' is secured to the partition by using a nut 91 and washer 92, as previously described.

Claims

1. A transition joint (10, 10') for at least one optical fiber cable passing through a partition (2), The transition joint (10, 10') comprises a sleeve (30), a compressible seal (50, 50'), and an electromagnetic shielding tube (70, 70'); The sleeve (30) has a first end (31), a second end (32), and an opening (33); the opening (33) extends axially from the first end (31) for receiving the compressible seal (50, 50'); said compressible seal (50, 50') sealingly circumferentially about a fiber optic cable; The shield tube (70, 70') has a first end (71), a second end (72), and at least one through opening (73, 75, 76, 77, 78); the at least one through opening (73, 75, 76, 77, 78) is disposed between the first end (71) and the second end (72) for receiving and shielding the at least one fiber optic cable; The second end (32) of the sleeve (30) is connected to the first end (71) of the shield tube (70, 70'); At least one through opening (73, 75, 76, 77, 78) of the shielding tube (70, 70') is connected to an opening (33) of a sleeve (30) of a transition joint of the at least one optical fiber cable. Transition fittings.

2. The second end (32) of the sleeve (30) is integrated with the first end (71) of the shield tube (70, 70'). The transition joint of claim 1 .

3. The sleeve (30) and the electromagnetic shielding tube (70, 70') include a conductive material. A transition joint according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sleeve (30) and the electromagnetic shielding tube (70, 70') contain metal. The transition joint of claim 3 .

5. The shield tube (70, 70') protrudes in the axial direction from the second end (32) of the sleeve (30). The transition joint of claim 1 .

6. The length of the shield tube (70, 70') is at least four times the inner diameter of at least one through opening (73, 75, 76, 77, 78) of the shield tube (70, 70'); The transition joint of claim 1 .

7. The shield tube (70') has a plurality of through openings (75, 76, 77, 78), The length of the shield tube (70') is at least four times the inner diameter of each of the through openings (75, 76, 77, 78); The transition joint of claim 6.

8. The outer surface (74) of the shield tube (70, 70') is at least partially threaded. The transition joint of claim 1 .

9. The compressible seal (50, 50') comprises a front fitting (51), a rear fitting (52), and a compressible base (53, 53'); The front attachment (51) and the rear attachment (52) are disposed at opposite ends of the compressible base (53, 53'). The transition joint of claim 1 .

10. the forward fitting (51) extends radially outwardly such that the forward fitting (51) abuts the first end (31) of the sleeve (30) when the compressible seal (50, 50') is received within the sleeve (30); The transition joint of claim 9.

11. The compressible base (53') has an axial through opening extending through the base (53'); The axial through opening is configured to receive one or more modules (54); Each module (54) has an axial opening (56') configured to receive one fiber optic cable extending through the transition fitting (10'); The transition joint of claim 10.

12. the number of modules (55) arranged on the base (53') of the sleeve (30) corresponds to the number of through openings (75, 76, 77, 78) provided in the shield tube (70') so that each optical fiber cable extending through the transition joint (10') is received in each of the modules (55) of the sleeve (30) and the through openings (75, 76, 77, 78) of the shield tube (70'); The transition joint of claim 11.

13. The sleeve (30) is tubular; The shield tube (70, 70') is tubular, The diameter of the sleeve (30) is larger than that of the shield tube (70, 70'). The transition joint according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. the second end (32) of the sleeve (30) having a radially extending abutment surface (35) between an outer tubular surface (36) of the sleeve (30) and the shield tube (70, 70'); The transition joint of claim 13.

15. When the transition joint (10, 10') is disposed in the through opening of the partition (2), the abutment surface (35) abuts against the partition (2), and the shield tube (70, 70') is disposed so as to extend through the opening of the partition (2). The transition joint of claim 14.

16. The transition joint (10, 10') is attached to the partition (2) by welding or other fastening means. The transition joint of claim 15.

17. The sleeve (30) includes anti-rotation means extending axially from a first end (31) of the sleeve (30). The transition joint of claim 5 .

18. the front attachment (51) has at least one opening (62) for interacting with the anti-rotation means of said sleeve (30); The transition joint of claim 17.

19. The anti-rotation means comprises one or more protrusions (61) which cooperate with one or more corresponding openings (62) in the front attachment (51); The transition joint of claim 18.

20. The anti-rotation means has at least two protrusions (61), Each projection (61) is provided with a radial extension for bayonet mounting into a corresponding opening (62) in said front mounting fixture (51); The transition joint of claim 19.

21. the anti-rotation means comprises one or more screws received in corresponding holes in the first end (31) of the sleeve (30); The one or more screws cooperate with one or more corresponding openings (62) in the front mounting fixture (51); The transition joint of claim 18.

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