Abstract: The fiber optic interconnection apparatus includes a receptacle mounted at least partially within a wall of an enclosure, such as an optical network unit, a network interface device or a splice closure, and a fiber optic cable assembly for mating with the receptacle. By mating the fiber optic cable assembly with the receptacle in a predetermined aligned manner, one or more optical fibers of the fiber optic cable on which the fiber optic cable assembly is mounted can be optically interconnected with respective optical fibers held by the receptacle which extend through the receptacle and into the enclosure.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon comprising a plurality of optical fibers secured or embedded substantially parallel to one another, fibers are selected and processed such that the skew in optical propagation time for signals transmitted over said plurality of optical fibers is minimized. The optical fibers are selected from the same pull and each of said optical fibers has a modal bandwidth greater than or equal to 800 Mhz.km at an operating wavelength of 1300 nm. The invention extends the practical applications of optical fiber ribbons to include synchronous parallel transmission with an aggregate data-rate.times.distance product of greater than 10 Gbit/sec.km.

Abstract: A system for locating corresponding ends of a patch cord used to conduct a signal between a first receptacle and a second receptacle. The system includes a cable having a main signal transmission means and a pair of electrically conductive members extending along the length of the cable. A first connector is attached to one end of the cable and a second connector is attached to the other end of the cable. The first and second connectors are adapted to removably mate with the first and second receptacles, respectively. The first connector has a pair of leads associated therewith. Each of the leads is connected to and corresponds to one of the conductive members. An electrical indicator is attached to the first receptacle. The indicator is electrically connected to the pair of leads when the first connector is mated to the first receptacle. A power supply is used to apply current through the conductive members so that upon application of the current, the indicator is activated.

Abstract: An optical fiber ribbon includes an interfacial layer between a plurality of coated optical fibers and a common coating layer. The interfacial layer includes a liquid lubricant material dispersed in a cross-linked solid material. The optical fiber ribbon is both peelable and thermally strippable. The interfacial layer adheres more strongly to the common coating material than to the coated optical fibers. The interfacial layer may be provided either as the outer layer of each of the individual coated optical fibers or as an inner layer of the common matrix coating.

Abstract: A vertical routing and storage apparatus for optical fibers is provided comprising an upright member having front and rear vertical faces, a plurality of front channel assemblies adjustably mounted to the front vertical face, and a plurality of rear channel assemblies mounted to the rear vertical face. The upright member is adapted for connection to a supporting frame member and has a plurality of vertically oriented slots formed in the front vertical face. Each front channel assembly has a vertical position which is a adjustable through a range of vertical positions corresponding to the vertical extent of one of the vertical slots. Optical fibers can be routed vertically through the front and rear channels of the routing and storage apparatus and the vertical positions and spacing of the front channel assemblies can be adjusted to advantageously correspond to the vertical positions of optical fiber source equipment adjacent to the front of the apparatus.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a longitudinally extending ferrule having fusion access means defined therein such that an optical fiber stub and a second optical fiber can be fused in the field during installation of the optical fiber connector. In one embodiment, the fusion access means includes a fusion access slot which extends transversely across the ferrule from a first side of the ferrule to a bottom portion of the fusion access slot such that a bore defined longitudinally through the ferrule opens into the fusion access slot. In this embodiment, the radial distance between the bottom portion of the fusion access slot and the second side of the ferrule, opposite the first side, is greater than a predetermined radial distance such that the fusion access slot does not significantly weaken the ferrule so that the ferrule remains structurally intact during use.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable suitable for use in building plenums includes a core comprising at least one optical fiber; a core tube formed of a non-halogenated polyolefin-based polymer material surrounding the core; a jacket formed of chlorinated plastic material surrounding said core tube; and a plurality of dielectric strength members which are disposed between said core tube and said jacket, said cable being capable of meeting all test criteria set out in UL Standard 910.

Abstract: The fiber optic cable assembly secures a fiber optic cable within an input port of a splice closure without extending significantly beyond the walls of the splice closure. In addition to a fiber optic cable, the fiber optic cable assembly includes a plug encasing a portion of the fiber optic cable such that the fiber optic cable extends both forwardly from the plug into the splice closure and rearwardly from the plug away from the splice closure. The plug typically has a predetermined shape and size which matches the predetermined shape and size of the input port. Since the end of the input port which opens into the splice closure is partially closed, the plug is retained within the input port and does not extend into the interior cavity defined within the splice closure.

Abstract: A clamp assembly (10) is provided which can include first and second clamp halves (16, 18) with a base (50) mounted in each clamp path. The base has a cylindrical inner surface (54) which can clamp a cable thereto for strain relief. Alternatively, a flexible insert (86) having a plurality of cylindrical cavities (102) opening through the outer surface (100) thereof can receive a number of cables (12) to be clamped in the clamp assembly for strain relief. In another version, a plurality of nested inserts (106-116) can be provided on each base (50) allowing the selection of a particular insert dimension suitable the cable to be secured.

Abstract: A coupler is provided for coupling standard optical fiber connectors of the type with a ferrule extending from a connector housing. The coupler has a monolithic ferrule sleeve that defines a passageway configured for receiving and operatively aligning the ferrules from the two connectors to be coupled. A first latch portion is spaced from and generally parallel with the ferrule sleeve. A midpoint of the first latch portion is connected to a midpoint of the ferrule sleeve. A second latch portion is similarly connected to the ferrule sleeve opposite the first latch portion. The first and second latch portions are configured for engaging the connector housings of the connectors to be coupled.

Abstract: A device and method are provided to relieve strain in a plurality of optical ribbon fibers. In one embodiment, a tray has two sidewalls defining a passageway therebetween for receiving a grommet. The grommet defines a channel sized for receiving therethrough the plurality of optical ribbon fibers in a stacked arrangement. A compression clip fits over the grommet to compress the grommet proximal the channel the compress the optical ribbon fibers against each other in the stack.

Abstract: Methods for marking sections of a fiber optic cable (22) so that carrier tube reversal points will be indicated on an exterior surface of the fiber optic cable. The method including the steps of: determining a current length value of the cable; measuring an offset distance value (39), the offset distance being a length measurement between a carrier lay direction reversal point of the cable and a marking device (28); entering the offset distance value into a memory; as a lay direction reversal point is being made, adding the current length value to the offset distance to define a sum value; comparing the sum value to the current cable length value; and when the sum value equals the current cable length value, activating the marking device (28) whereby the marking device marks the cable section.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a connector housing and a monolithic ferrule disposed within the connector housing for maintaining a plurality of optical fibers in respective predetermined positions relative to the connector housing. The monolithic ferrule includes a monolithic ferrule body defining an internal cavity and a plurality of longitudinal bores through which the optical fibers extend. The optical fiber connector can also include an annular alignment key extending radially outward from the monolithic ferrule and having a position indicator adapted to mate with the connector housing such that the monolithic ferrule is held in a predetermined position relative to the connector housing. Accordingly, the optical fibers secured within the monolithic ferrule can be held in respective predetermined positions relative to the connector housing.

Abstract: A connector block and method are provided wherein a plurality of optical fiber connectors can be removably loaded in the block for the simultaneous mating of such optical fiber connectors. Springs are disposed behind the connectors and the block defines a shoulder surface against which the spring is abutted. The block further defines connector channels to fix the connectors relative to each other in a lateral direction yet allow the connectors to slide backward in the longitudinal direction to compress the spring. Two such blocks can be connected to each other for simultaneously mating and spring loading the plurality of connectors.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable includes optical fibers loosely housed within a buffer tube. The buffer tube includes an inner coating, an outer coating, or both inner and outer coatings of moisture-absorptive material. The moisture-absorptive material may be a mixture of a moisture-absorptive powder and a thermoplastic resin; or a thermally crosslinked polymer; or a mixture of a moisture-absorptive resin and a resin cured by ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Disclosed is a network interface device for connecting network wiring to a subscriber's wiring at a subscriber's premises, the network interface device having a door covering a test jack, with means for connecting the network wiring to the subscriber wiring when the door is closed and connecting the network wiring to the test jack when the door is open.

Abstract: A guide tool and associated method are provided for inserting guide pins in a plurality of stacked multi-fiber connectors and for mating two opposed stacks of multi-fiber connectors. The guide tool comprises a rail with a first and a second mount disposed thereon. At least one of the mounts is slidably disposed on the rail. The mounts receive a stack of multi-fiber connectors or a pin applicator body. In operation, a first stack of multi-fiber connectors are disposed in the first mount, a pin applicator is disposed in the second mount, the second mount is slid along the rail until the guide pins are operatively inserted into the first stack of connectors. The applicator is removed from the second mount and a second stack of connectors can be disposed therein for being slid into an operative mating relationship with the first stack of connectors.

Abstract: A method of stranding light waveguide ribbon cables, such as slotted core type cables, including stacks of light waveguide ribbons. A radially inward light waveguide ribbon in a stack is stranded at a lower tension than a radially outward light waveguide ribbon in the stack. The stack of light waveguide ribbons may be disposed in other slotted carriers such as U-shaped members or folded tapes.

Abstract: A telecommunication cable includes a layer comprising wetted water-absorptive powder on the surface of a substrate element, thereby avoiding the use of adhesives to bind the dry superabsorbent powder. The water-absorptive powder may be adhered to the surface of the substrate element by a water-soluble adhesive material.