Fiber Optic Splicing Enclosure for Hazardous Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic splicing in hazardous environments with explosive gases is challenging due to safety concerns, as existing fusion splicers are not designed to operate safely in such conditions, and traditional solutions require large, heavy equipment that cannot be installed in confined spaces, leading to increased time, cost, and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A portable fiber optic splicing enclosure system that houses a fusion splicer, featuring a pressure-purging unit with a sealing mechanism to prevent flammable gases from entering, a portable air-pumping device for inert gas purging, and an alarm system to ensure safe operation, allowing splicing in hazardous areas without exposing the equipment to hazardous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional fusion splicers are used in hazardous environments, then splicing can be performed, but safety risks increase due to explosive gases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the splicing environment into two separate zones: a hazardous zone containing the explosive atmosphere and a safe zone containing the fusion splicer. The enclosure creates this segmentation by physically isolating the splicer from the hazardous gases, allowing splicing operations to proceed safely while maintaining productivity in the hazardous environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure system acts as an intermediary barrier between the fusion splicer and the hazardous explosive atmosphere. It includes sealing mechanisms, pressure equalization systems, and purging capabilities that mediate the interaction between the safe splicing environment and the hazardous external environment, enabling safe operation without compromising splicing capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If large, heavy equipment is used to ensure safety in hazardous areas, then safety is improved, but the equipment cannot be installed in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system nests multiple functional components within a compact enclosure structure. The fusion splicer, sealing mechanisms, pressure equalization systems, and purging apparatus are all integrated into a single portable unit that can be easily transported and installed in confined spaces while maintaining comprehensive safety features.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the enclosure environment dynamically. It uses pressure equalization to match internal and external pressures, purging to remove explosive gases, and sealing to maintain isolation. These parameter changes enable the enclosure to provide safety without requiring excessive size or weight.
3Productivity
If fusion splicing is performed in hazardous areas without proper enclosure, then splicing speed is maintained, but safety risks and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions before splicing begins: the enclosure is sealed, pressure is equalized, and the internal atmosphere is purged of explosive gases. These preliminary safety measures are integrated into the splicing workflow, allowing rapid splicing operations to proceed immediately once the enclosure is established, maintaining productivity while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure system is designed to be self-sufficient and self-regulating. It automatically manages pressure equalization, maintains sealing integrity, and controls the internal atmosphere without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability reduces operational complexity and costs while maintaining high splicing speeds and safety standards.
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
Enables safe and efficient fiber optic splicing in hazardous environments by creating a non-hazardous, sealed space for the fusion splicer, reducing risks and costs associated with traditional solutions, and allowing for use in confined or hard-to-reach locations.
Implementation Method 1
a purging unit connected to the enclosure for performing pressure purging within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
an air-pumping device for delivering non-flammable gas to the enclosure during pressure purging
Implementation Method 3
the top side of the enclosure further comprises a sealing unit for sealing the enclosure and fiber optic cables to be spliced, thoroughly preventing any flammable gas from entering the enclosure
Implementation Method 4
Fusion splicing uses heat to join two fiber optics. The source of heat comes from an electric arc or a tungsten filament
Implementation Method 5
The source of heat comes from an electric arc or a tungsten filament
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure system for enclosing a fiber optics splicer so that the fiber optic splicer can be used in hazardous area is disclosed. The enclosure system comprises of an enclosure wherein the top side of the enclosure is adapted to become door of the enclosure and a purging unit connected to the enclosure for performing pressure purging within the enclosure system, wherein the purging unit comprises a pressure purge unit, an air-pumping device, and pressure gauges. A fusion splicer and fiber optic cables to be spliced are installed inside the enclosure and the top side of the enclosure is locked and sealed using a sealing unit. The sealing unit is made of soft materials that conforms around the fiber optic cables to be spliced, hence do not damage the fiber optic cables. Using the purging unit of the enclosure system, flammable gas inside the fiber optics enclosure system is displaced with non-flammable air or inert gas. During splicing, the enclosure system also maintains positive pressure inside the enclosure, hence preventing any flammable gas from entering the enclosure. With the enclosure system, splicing of fiber optics can be done safely, even in a hazardous area, using the fusion splicer installed in the enclosure system. A method utilizing the enclosure system for splicing of fiber optics is also disclosed herein.