Pre-Terminated Optical Fibre Sleeve for Low-Friction Duct Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pre-terminated optical fibre cable installations face challenges with protecting exposed fibre ends during blowing processes, as conventional protective sleeves are either too bulky for efficient blowing or require complex trimming and fitting, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in installation.
Innovation Solution
A pre-terminated optical fibre cable assembly with a protective sleeve extending from behind the terminal connector along part of the fibre, providing low-friction properties and adjustable length to prevent movement and damage during installation, while maintaining compactness and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional protective sheath is applied after installation, then the exposed fibre end is protected, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming due to trimming and precise application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is pre-applied to the optical fibre cable before installation into the duct. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-installation application, trimming, and precise positioning of protective sheaths, thereby reducing installation complexity while ensuring continuous protection of the fibre ends.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve integrates multiple functions: it protects the optical fibre cable, reduces friction during blowing installation, and provides a sealing interface with the duct. By combining these functions into a single component applied before installation, the system eliminates the need for separate protective sheaths and reduces overall installation complexity.
2Productivity
If a protective sleeve with low-friction properties is provided, then jamming and restarting during blowing are minimized, but the sleeve must be precisely positioned to remain within the duct after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing collar acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the protective sleeve and the duct. It provides a mechanical stop and sealing surface that ensures the protective sleeve remains positioned within the duct after blowing installation, eliminating the need for precise sleeve positioning while maintaining installation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve has different functional zones: a low-friction outer surface for efficient blowing installation, and a sealed end with the sealing collar for precise positioning and sealing. This local differentiation of properties allows the sleeve to perform multiple functions without requiring overall precision in all areas.
3Reliability
If the protective sleeve extends along a significant portion of the optical fibre, then protection is improved, but the overall cable diameter increases affecting duct compatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is segmented into two parts: the protective sleeve that extends along a portion of the optical fibre cable for protection and friction reduction, and the sealing collar at the end that provides sealing and positioning. This segmentation allows the protective function to be provided without requiring the entire cable diameter to be increased along its full length.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective sleeve extends along a significant but not excessive portion of the optical fibre cable - enough to provide adequate protection and friction reduction during blowing, but not so long as to excessively increase the overall cable diameter and compromise duct compatibility. The sealing collar compensates for the partial coverage.
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 enhances the installation process by reducing jamming and restarting issues, allowing for efficient fibre transport through ducts with minimal excess fibre length, thus improving installation speed and reducing post-installation steps, while maintaining the fibre's integrity and reducing storage needs.
Implementation Method 1
a protective sleeve extending from behind the terminal connector along part of the length of the optical fibre, wherein the protective sleeve has low-friction properties
Implementation Method 2
Using the blowing process to install optical fibre transmission lines into an optical fibre duct typically uses viscous drag generated by a high-speed flow of a fluid, for example air
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pre-terminated (pre-terminated) optical fibre cable assembly (10,90), which is configured to be installed through a duct (20). The pre-terminated optical fibre construction (10,90) includes at least one optical fibre (46). A protective sleeve (26) is added to the optical fibre (46) before adding a terminal connector (24) to the leading end of at least one optical fibre (46). The protective sleeve (26) extends from behind the terminal connector (24) along part of the length of the optical fibre (46). When the cable is installed through a duct, the protective sleeve protects the portion of the fibre that protrudes from the end of the duct, for example in a communications cabinet (16). A residual length (28) of the protective sleeve remains within the duct. Terminal connectors and protective sleeves can be applied at both ends of the cable assembly, or only one end.