Abstract: Disclosed herein are preconnectorized cable assemblies and methods of making using a pull string. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a distribution cable assembly using a pull string fed through a jacket of a distribution cable. Subunit cables are attached to the pull string through openings in the jacket of the distribution cable, and then pulled, via the pull string, through the jacket until drawn through a distribution end opening of the jacket. Another embodiment relates to a distribution cable assembly including junction shells covering side openings in the jacket. The junction shell includes a first half shell attached to a second half shell by a fastener. The first half shell includes stops proximate ends of a side opening to fix the junction shell along an axis of the jacket.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a plurality of distribution housings along its length. The distribution housings include a tubular portion with a first passageway that receives optical fibers of the fiber optic cable and a branch portion with a second passageway. The second passageway intersects the first passageway and receives a subset of optical fibers that define tap cables branching away from the main fiber optic cable. The distribution housing includes one or more bend limiters adjacent the intersection between the passageways to limit bending of the tap cables. The distribution housings may include movement restrictors to limit movement of the distribution housings relative to the fiber optic cable. An equipment rack having such a fiber optic cable assembly is disclosed. A method of using the fiber optic cable assembly in an equipment rack to provide a plug-and-play capability is also disclosed.

Abstract: An installation grip for a fiber optic cable having an outer jacket, optical fibers, at least one strength member, and a ferrule terminating the optical fibers is disclosed. The installation grip includes a tubular body having an internal cavity configured to receive the ferrule, a pulling plug for connection to a tension member, and at least one slot through the installation grip. The at least one slot is configured to receive the at least one strength member of the fiber optic cable such that a tensile load imposed on the installation grip is transferred to the at last one strength member along a load path that bypasses the ferrule. A method of preparing a fiber optic cable for installation in ductwork at an installation site and a method of installing a fiber optic cable using the installation grip are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bundled cable assembly comprises groups of jumpers arranged to define a main section and terminal sections that each extend from the main section. The main section includes a plurality of tap locations at spaced apart locations along a length of the main section. At least some of the jumpers are bundled together in the main section between the tap locations. The terminal sections each extend from one of the tap locations. Each of the jumpers includes a first jumper end in one of the terminal sections and a second jumper end in another of the terminal sections. The groups of jumpers are arranged such that each of the terminal sections comprises the first jumper ends the jumpers from a respective group of the groups of jumpers and at least one second jumper end from each of the other groups of jumpers.

Abstract: A bundled cable assembly comprises groups of jumpers arranged to define a main section and terminal sections that each extend from the main section. The main section includes a plurality of tap locations at spaced apart locations along a length of the main section. At least some of the jumpers are bundled together in the main section between the tap locations. The terminal sections each extend from one of the tap locations. Each of the jumpers includes a first jumper end in one of the terminal sections and a second jumper end in another of the terminal sections. The groups of jumpers are arranged such that each of the terminal sections comprises the first jumper ends the jumpers from a respective group of the groups of jumpers and at least one second jumper end from each of the other groups of jumpers.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; distinct groups of optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the distinct groups of optical fibers extend beyond the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly having a proximal end selectively secured to the furcation body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior between the proximal end and the distal end that contains fiber end sections. The interior of the pulling grip assembly is sealed off from an exterior of the cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the fiber end sections over an ambient temperate range of at least between ?20 to 50° C. while applying a tensile load of at least 300 lbs to the distal end of the pulling grip assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly having a reduced cross-dimensional width includes a fiber optic cable carrying a plurality of optical fibers and having a furcation formed at an end thereof. The furcation includes a furcation housing and a plurality of furcation tubes extending from the furcation housing. Each of the plurality of furcation tubes is configured to receive a number of the plurality of optical fibers. The furcation further includes at least one connection interface terminating the optical fibers received in each of the plurality of furcation tubes. At least one of the furcation tubes has a diameter substantially equal to a theoretical minimum diameter corresponding to the number and size of the optical fibers received therein, and may be formed from a heat shrink material. A method of making such a fiber optic cable assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical interconnect system for installing fiber optic cables in an equipment rack having an equipment patch panel with a plurality of coupling port locations is disclosed. The optical interconnect system includes a plurality of cable harnesses configured for installation in the equipment rack and at least one installation tray having a plurality of coupling locations. The plurality of coupling locations receives a connector from the plurality of cable harnesses. The plurality of coupling locations on the installation tray has an arrangement that corresponds to the plurality of port locations on the at least one equipment patch panel, thereby allowing a technician to visually realize that a patching error has occurred during the installation. A method of installing fiber optic cables in an equipment rack using the optical interconnect system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the optical fibers extend beyond the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly having a proximal end selectively secured to the furcation body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior that contains fiber end sections. The interior of the pulling grip assembly is sealed off from an exterior of the cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the fiber end sections. The pulling grip assembly may include one or more air intake devices (e.g., cap or diaphragm) to harness energy from pressurized air used in a jetting process and thereby make it easier to pull the cable assembly through ducts.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are preconnectorized cable assemblies and methods of making using a pull string. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a distribution cable assembly using a pull string fed through a jacket of a distribution cable. Subunit cables are attached to the pull string through openings in the jacket of the distribution cable, and then pulled, via the pull string, through the jacket until drawn through a distribution end opening of the jacket. Another embodiment relates to a distribution cable assembly including junction shells covering side openings in the jacket. The junction shell includes a first half shell attached to a second half shell by a fastener. The first half shell includes stops proximate ends of a side opening to fix the junction shell along an axis of the jacket.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the optical fibers extend beyond the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly having a proximal end selectively secured to the furcation body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior that contains fiber end sections. The interior of the pulling grip assembly is sealed off from an exterior of the cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the fiber end sections. The pulling grip assembly may include one or more air intake devices (e.g., cap or diaphragm) to harness energy from pressurized air used in a jetting process and thereby make it easier to pull the cable assembly through ducts.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly comprises: a cable jacket; distinct groups of optical fibers carried within the cable jacket and extending beyond a first end of the cable jacket; a furcation body positioned on the first end of the cable jacket such that the distinct groups of optical fibers extend beyond the furcation body; and a pulling grip assembly having a proximal end selectively secured to the furcation body, a distal end opposite the proximal end, and an interior between the proximal end and the distal end that contains fiber end sections. The interior of the pulling grip assembly is sealed off from an exterior of the cable assembly to provide sealed protection for the fiber end sections over an ambient temperate range of at least between ?20 to 50° C. while applying a tensile load of at least 300 lbs to the distal end of the pulling grip assembly.

Abstract: Bi-directional data center architectures employing a jacketless trunk cable are disclosed. The bi-directional data center architecture includes first and second coupling panels respectively having first adapters and second adapters. The architecture also includes a plurality of sub-racks having sub-rack adapters, and a jacketless trunk cable that includes a plurality of sub-unit sections, with each sub-unit section carrying one or more optical fibers. The plurality of sub-unit sections are configured to optically connect corresponding first and second adapters of the first and second coupling panels to the sub-rack adapters such that every optical fiber in each sub-unit section is used to establish an optical connection.

Abstract: Bi-directional data center architectures employing a jacketless trunk cable are disclosed. The bi-directional data center architecture includes first and second coupling panels respectively having first adapters and second adapters. The architecture also includes a plurality of sub-racks having sub-rack adapters, and a jacketless trunk cable that includes a plurality of sub-unit sections, with each sub-unit section carrying one or more optical fibers. The plurality of sub-unit sections are configured to optically connect corresponding first and second adapters of the first and second coupling panels to the sub-rack adapters such that every optical fiber in each sub-unit section is used to establish an optical connection.

Abstract: Bi-directional data center architectures employing a jacketless trunk cable are disclosed. The bi-directional data center architecture includes first and second coupling panels respectively operably connected to first and second trunk cables, wherein the first and second coupling panels respectively have first adapters and second adapters. The architecture also includes a plurality of sub-racks having sub-rack adapters, and a jacketless trunk cable that includes a plurality of sub-units, with each sub-unit carrying one or more optical fibers. The plurality of sub-units are configured to optically connect corresponding first and second adapters of the first and second coupling panels to the sub-rack adapters such that every optical fiber in each sub-unit is used to establish an optical connection.

Abstract: Bi-directional data center architectures employing a jacketless trunk cable are disclosed. The bi-directional data center architecture includes first and second coupling panels respectively operably connected to first and second trunk cables, wherein the first and second coupling panels respectively have first adapters and second adapters. The architecture also includes a plurality of sub-racks having sub-rack adapters, and a jacketless trunk cable that includes a plurality of sub-units, with each sub-unit carrying one or more optical fibers. The plurality of sub-units are configured to optically connect corresponding first and second adapters of the first and second coupling panels to the sub-rack adapters such that every optical fiber in each sub-unit is used to establish an optical connection.

Abstract: Port tap fiber optic modules and related systems and methods for monitoring optical networks are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the port tap fiber optic modules disclosed herein include connections that employ a universal wiring scheme. The universal writing scheme ensure compatibility of attached monitor devices to permit a high density of both live and tap fiber optic connections, and to maintain proper polarity of optical fibers among monitor devices and other devices. In other embodiments, the port tap fiber optic modules are provided as high-density port tap fiber optic modules. The high-density port tap fiber optic modules are configured to support a specified density of live and passive tap fiber optic connections. Providing high-density port tap fiber optic modules can support greater connection bandwidth capacity to provide a migration path for higher data rates while minimizing the space needed for such fiber optic equipment.

Abstract: Convertible fiber optic panel/module assemblies for optical fiber connectivity, including for wall and floor-mounted connectivity applications are disclosed. The convertible fiber optic assemblies are configured to be convertible between a fiber optic panel assembly and a fiber optic module assembly, as desired. According to an exemplary embodiment, the convertible fiber optic panel/module assembly comprises a fiber optic panel to provide a fiber optic panel assembly. One or more fiber optic adapters are disposed through the fiber optic panel to provide fiber optic connectivity. If it is desired to convert the fiber optic panel assembly to a fiber optic module assembly, the fiber optic panel assembly is additionally fitted with a module housing having at least one rear fiber optic adapter disposed therein and a fiber optic cable harness connecting the at least one rear fiber optic adapter to the fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic panel.

Abstract: A port tap cable for supporting live optical connections in a fiber optic network includes one or more fiber optic splitters, which each receive an optical signal from a live input optical fiber of a live input fiber optic cable leg. Each fiber optic splitter splits each optical signal and transmits the signal to a live output optical fiber of a live output fiber optic cable leg and a tap output optical fiber of a tap output fiber optic cable leg. The one or more splitters are enclosed in a furcation, thereby forming a port tap cable that allows for monitoring of optical signals within an active fiber optic network without the need for interrupting network operations. This arrangement also allows for monitoring individual ports in an existing network installation.

Abstract: Convertible fiber optic panel/module assemblies for optical fiber connectivity, including for wall and floor-mounted connectivity applications are disclosed. The convertible fiber optic assemblies are configured to be convertible between a fiber optic panel assembly and a fiber optic module assembly, as desired. According to an exemplary embodiment, the convertible fiber optic panel/module assembly comprises a fiber optic panel to provide a fiber optic panel assembly. One or more fiber optic adapters are disposed through the fiber optic panel to provide fiber optic connectivity. If it is desired to convert the fiber optic panel assembly to a fiber optic module assembly, the fiber optic panel assembly is additionally fitted with a module housing having at least one rear fiber optic adapter disposed therein and a fiber optic cable harness connecting the at least one rear fiber optic adapter to the fiber optic adapters disposed in the fiber optic panel.