Butt Closure Base With Adjustable Wedge Seals for Mixed Cable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing butt closures for fiber optic cables face challenges in providing reliable sealing for a wide range of cable diameters and are difficult to utilize efficiently, often requiring all seals to be sealed and unsealed together as a single system.
Innovation Solution
A butt closure base with a base housing featuring annularly arranged cavities containing gels and removably insertable wedge assemblies, each with a movable pressure plate to apply pressure to the gels, ensuring secure sealing around cables of varying diameters, and a seal assembly between the cover and base for enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional through-hole seals are used in closure bases, then the structure is simple, but the sealing reliability is poor and difficult to utilize for various cable diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple cavities, each capable of independently accommodating different cable diameters with individual sealing mechanisms. This segmentation allows each cavity to be optimized for specific cable sizes while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cavity is equipped with localized sealing elements and pressure plates that can be independently adjusted to match the specific diameter of cables in that location. This local quality ensures optimal sealing performance for each cable configuration without requiring complete system redesign.
2Productivity
If all seals are sealed and unsealed together as a single system, then the sealing is consistent, but the operation efficiency is low and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into independent cavities, each with its own sealing mechanism that can be operated separately. This allows technicians to seal or un seal individual cables independently, dramatically improving installation efficiency and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge assemblies and pressure plates are designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing rapid insertion and removal of sealing elements. This dynamic capability enables quick adaptation to different cable configurations without requiring complete system disassembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the closure must accommodate a large range of cable diameters (0.4" to 1.2"), then the versatility is high, but the sealing reliability becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The base cavities are designed with universal compatibility to accommodate various cable diameters from 0.4" to 1.2" through adjustable wedge assemblies and pressure plates. Each cavity can be configured for different cable sizes while maintaining consistent sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism incorporates adjustable parameters including wedge assembly positions and pressure plate forces that can be modified to match different cable diameters. This parameter adjustment capability ensures reliable sealing across the full range of cable sizes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides improved sealing capabilities for a variety of cable diameters, facilitates easy and efficient installation, and maintains a consistent seal under external pressure, reducing the risk of leakage and environmental intrusion.
Implementation Method 1
A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities... Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel.
Data Source
AI summary
A butt closure base includes a base housing defining a plurality of cavities. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along a longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies further includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an adjustable tab and a stop member movable between a first position which limits movement of the adjustable tab and a second position in which movement of the adjustable tab is not limited by the stop member.