Microtrench Plugs for Optical Fiber Position Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fiber cables and microducts often bow up from the bottom of microtrenches during the filling process in microtrenching, leading to instability and potential exposure to environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

The use of microtrench plugs, such as foam, spring, and compression plugs, is introduced to secure optical fiber and microducts within the microtrench by inserting them above the cables/ducts, reducing bowing and ensuring they remain in place during filling and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If optical fiber and microduct are laid in microtrench without additional securing measures, then installation process is simple and quick, but the optical fiber and microduct bow up from the bottom of the microtrench during filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidposition stability of optical fiber

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Microtrench plugs are inserted into the microtrench before the filling process to pre-establish securing points along the trench. These plugs are positioned at intervals to prevent bowing during subsequent filling operations, allowing the optical fiber to be laid and secured in one continuous process without requiring post-installation adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The microtrench plug acts as an intermediary element between the optical fiber and the fill material. The plug provides a mechanical anchor point that transfers the stabilizing force from the surrounding fill to the optical fiber, preventing direct contact between the fill and the fiber while maintaining position stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If microtrench plugs are inserted to secure optical fiber, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition stability of optical fiberVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microtrench is divided into multiple segments by inserting plugs at regular intervals along its length. Each plug independently secures a section of the optical fiber, and the segmented approach allows for standardized plug designs that can be quickly deployed without requiring complex integrated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microtrench plugs are designed as simple, inexpensive, single-use components that are inserted and then remain in place to provide securing function. Their simplicity and low cost allow multiple plugs to be used along the trench without significantly increasing overall system complexity or expense

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11466428B1Microtrench plug and method for securing an optical fiber and/or microduct/innerduct in a microtrench

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 CCIIP LLC

AI summary

A method of securing optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 within a microtrench 11 by laying the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 within a microtrench 11 and inserting a plurality of microtrench plugs 6 into the microtrench 11 above the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 to secure the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 in the microtrench 11 and reduce bowing of the optical fiber and/or innerduct/microduct 140 up from a bottom of the microtrench 11.