Fiber Optic Splice Case Rotation for Powerline Conductor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of fiber optic cables on powerline conductors faces challenges in efficiently securing and splicing the cables while minimizing damage and eliminating the need for phase-to-ground transitions, which are typically required when the splice cases are mounted on utility towers.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fiber optic cable splice case with an outer enclosure, cable funnels, and an inner enclosure that can be rotated to retract and secure the cable segments, along with a clamp system that securely attaches to the powerline conductor, allowing for safe and damage-free installation and splicing of fiber optic cables directly on the conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fiber optic cable splice cases are mounted on utility towers, then cable installation is possible, but phase-to-ground transitions are required which increase complexity and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the splice case mounting location from the utility tower structure and relocates it directly to the powerline conductor. This eliminates the need for phase-to-ground transitions by performing splicing operations directly on the conductor in aerial positions, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining installation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specialized clamp assembly as an intermediary device that securely attaches the splice case to the powerline conductor. This mediator enables direct mounting on the conductor without requiring ground transitions, simplifying the overall installation process while ensuring stable positioning
2Reliability
If cable clamps are used to secure fiber optic cables on powerline conductors, then cable retention is achieved, but cable damage may occur during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly incorporates cushioning elements and carefully designed contact surfaces that protect the fiber optic cable during the clamping process. These protective features are built into the clamp structure beforehand to prevent damage while securing the cable firmly to the conductor
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp design utilizes flexible or compliant contact surfaces that conform to the cable shape without exerting excessive localized pressure. This flexibility allows secure retention while minimizing the risk of damaging the cable insulation or fibers during installation
3Ease of operation
If inner enclosure is made rotatable to retract cable segments, then cable organization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner enclosure is designed with rotational capability that allows dynamic adjustment of cable segment positioning. This dynamic feature enables operators to retract and organize cables efficiently during splicing operations, while the rotation mechanism is kept simple through straightforward mechanical design
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational mechanism is designed to be easily operated by the installer without requiring complex controls or additional tools. The cable retraction function serves itself through the natural rotation of the inner enclosure, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining operational effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed fiber optic cable splice case may include (1) an outer enclosure with a plurality of cable funnels defining paths from an exterior to an interior of the outer enclosure, (2) a clamp connected to the exterior of the outer enclosure, where the clamp attaches the outer enclosure to a powerline conductor, and (3) an inner enclosure positioned at least partially within, and rotatably coupled to, the outer enclosure, where the inner enclosure defines (a) a splice cavity within the inner enclosure, where the cavity is configured to store an optical fiber splice tray for coupling corresponding optical fibers of each of a pair of fiber optic cable segments and (b) a cable channel about an exterior of the inner enclosure, where the cable channel carries a portion of each of the pair of segments between the funnels and the cavity. Various other components and methods are also disclosed.