Abstract: Filter/protection units positioned along a fiber optic cable are tested. The fiber optic cable includes a metallic sheath surrounding the cable. A cable locating unit generates an electric signal. The metallic sheath conducts the electrical signal. The electric signal creates a voltage within the metallic sheath. The voltage level is below a specified flashover point or threshold of a normally operating filter/protector unit. As a result, any filter/protector units that are triggered by the electric signal are considered faulty.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a buried utility conveyance, such as an undersea cable, beneath a body of water. The apparatus generally comprises a submersible housing that contains a variable ballast system for selectively controlling the buoyancy of the apparatus, and a detector assembly for locating the conveyance. The detector assembly includes first and second signal generators and first and second signal detectors vectoring the location of the conveyance. An operator guides the detector relative to a target search location through cables attached to the housing and the variable ballast system. A camera generates images of the target search location for use by the operator to control the apparatus through an umbilical cable connected to the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying fiber optic jumper cables is presented. A radio-frequency identification system is presented in which a tag is placed in an ST connector. The tag includes a memory storing jumper cable identification information. The jumper cable identification information identifies the jumper cable. A radiating unit radiates the tag with electromagnetic waves and the tag is energized. Once energized, the tag communicates the jumper cable identification information located in the memory to the radiating unit. The radiating unit then displays the jumper cable identification information. As such, a technician is able to identify a jumper associated with the connector and connect the jumper to an appropriate communications bay.

Abstract: The present invention is a apparatus and method for accurately finding a location of a fault in a fiber cable where a cable locating current is leaking to ground. The system includes a sensor body, voltage probes mounted in the body to face the cable, a reference voltage input and a voltage comparator that compares the reference voltage to a measured voltage at the probes. Use of the system may include applying a conductive medium such as a conductive gel between the probes and the cable.

Abstract: A system for transmitting operational control messages to a plurality of remotely-disposed cable-locating transmitters uses a spare communication line associated with each transmitter to carry the control messages from unit to unit. In the case of a fiber optic cable, the control message is transferred from an incoming telephone line associated with a first cable-locating transmitter to a spare optical fiber. The control message then propagates down the fiber to the next transmitter (where this transmitter does not otherwise have accessibility to a telephone line). This transmitter converts the optical signal to an electrical signal and either uses the control message (if indeed destined for that particular transmitter), or re-converts it to optical form and sends it further along the spare fiber to the next remote cable-locating transmitter further down the line.

Abstract: A radio tower light system utilizes a ground-level semiconductor optical light source and includes fiber optic cabling that is strung along the tower to the various desired locations for the beacon light. A lens system, at each beacon site, is coupled to the termination of a fiber optic cable and used to magnify and radiate the optical signal in the desired direction. The use of a ground-based light source eliminates the need for a technician to climb the tower (or lower the beacon) upon failure of the light source.

Abstract: A system and method for making a repair to a damaged section of a conduit includes a pair of couplers, which securely mate, with undamaged sections of the conduit, which straddle the damaged section of the conduit; and a bridging duct, which replaces the damaged section. In one embodiment, the couplers are placed around the undamaged section of the conduit and the bridging duct is placed around the couplers.

Abstract: A tool for stabilizing slack fiber cable that has been withdrawn from a cable duct includes an inner sleeve portion for stabilizing the end portion of the cable remaining in the duct and a collar that is coupled to the sleeve and attaches to the exterior periphery of the duct. A set of cable-locking rollers is coupled to the collar and used to engage the slack portion of the cable and hold it in place as various fibers within the cable are repaired.

Abstract: The present invention is a apparatus and method for accurately finding a location of a fault in a fiber cable where a cable locating current is leaking to ground. The system includes a sensor body, voltage probes mounted in the body to face the cable, a reference voltage input and a voltage comparator that compares the reference voltage to a measured voltage at the probes. Use of the system may include applying a conductive medium such as a conductive gel between the probes and the cable.

Abstract: A hand-held tool for quickly and easily removing duct material surrounding a fiber optic cable. The tool contains a motorized saw blade, with an adjustable depth of cut gauge formed integral with the cutting floor. In use, a technician first determines the thickness of a particular duct to be removed, then adjusts the depth of cut for the saw blade to provide the desired cut without damaging the underlying fibers. Once adjusted, the technician can then turn on the tool, which activates the saw blade and effectuates the desired cut (either axial or radial).

Abstract: The present invention is a technique for locating and identifying a failed filter/arrester in an underground conveyance such as a fiber optic cable. A sensor is installed in the filter/arrester housing to sense grounding of a cable locating frequency. The sensor will monitor the cable locating signal that is normally on the cable and blocked by the filter arrester to ground. A small radio frequency oscillator (85 to 88 Hz), also installed inside the filter housing, is activated by the sensor. The RF signal is detected above ground with standard cable locating equipment. A warning indicator such as an indicator light may also be installed on the outside of the filter housing. The indicator is also activated by the sensor. In that way, the particular failed filter can be identified if multiple filters are installed at that location. The power that will be required to operate the RF transmitter and indicator will be obtained from the voltage passing through the cable.

Abstract: To locate via electromagnetic signaling each of a plurality of buried side leg conveyances (141-146) coupled to a common underground backbone conveyance (12), a cable locating signal generator (17) applies a plurality of different frequency conveyance locating signals to the backbone conveyance. A separate one of a plurality of filter arrestors (181-186) selective passes a particular one of the plurality of different frequency locating signals onto a corresponding one of the side leg conveyances. In this way, each side leg conveyance carries only a particular frequency locating signal whose strength remains unaffected by the locating signal on the other side leg conveyances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for consolidating troubleshooting information generated by a variety of troubleshooting systems is presented. A fault occurs in a network. At least one troubleshooting system notifies a network incident analyzer of the fault. A graphical user interface (GUI) is presented to a network operator. The network operator inputs information into the GUI. The information is used in conjunction with the original troubleshooting information to generate a query to a plurality of troubleshooting systems. Updated troubleshooting information is received in the network incident analyzer in response to the queries. The network incident analyzer uses the updated troubleshooting information to update the GUI and ultimately isolate the fault.

Abstract: A bracket for supporting spare fiber optic cable includes a pair of parallel, spaced-apart cross arms supported by a center post, where the center post may then be attached to the floor of a manhole, or other location used to store spare fiber cable. The spare cable is then wound around the cross arms and available for later use. The hanging bracket is located in the manhole such that the cross arms face the cable conduits in the sidewalls of the manhole, allowing the fiber to be easily pulled through the conduit as it unwinds from the bracket, eliminating the problem of kinks in the cable as it is pulled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for testing a fiber-optic cable. An Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) is presented. Test signals are generated from the OTDR and received by the OTDR for processing. The received test signals are sampled and analyzed. The received test signals include reflectance spikes and a slope. A first-order derivative is taken of the received signal. The first-order derivative is then filtered to remove the reflectance spikes and the slope. Discontinuities in the filtered first-order derivative denote a fault in the fiber-optic cable.

Abstract: A system (10) for monitoring a cable (14) for fault in the metallic sheath (12) includes a transmitter (16) for applying a signal to a first end of the metallic member at periodic intervals. A receiver (18) periodically measures what if any signal exists at a second end of the metallic member in synchronism with the application of the signal so that each measurement is made not long longer than the interval during which the signal is applied to the metallic member. The receiver communicates the measurements to a central facility for evaluation to determine whether the metallic member exhibits a fault.

Abstract: To locate a buried conveyance (10), electromagnetic signaling information is collected at spaced intervals along the conveyance with the aid of a locating device (14). A processor (21) receives such information from the locating device (14) and then geographically orders the information in accordance with the geographic coordinates of the location at which it was obtained. Once geographically ordered, the information is then provided on a display (22) to provide a visual representation of the information as a function of the conveyance length.

Abstract: A conductive splint for repairing a damaged metallic sheath of a fiber optic cable includes a C-shaped stabilization element that spans the damaged area and a conductive stabilization component that attaches to the C-shaped stabilization element and provides for electrical connection across the section of damaged sheath. The conductive stabilization component includes a pair of end clamps that have an inner barbed surface for penetrating into and contacting the metallic sheath, and a conductive brace that is coupled between the clamps, the combination of the clamps and brace forming an electrical path across the damaged section. A heat shrink blanket is used to encapsulate the combination of the C-shaped element and conductive stabilization component, preventing further corrosion in the damaged section.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the integrity of the spare fibers within a fiber optic cable includes a transmitter unit at a first location and a receiver unit at a second location (which may be upwards of 50 miles from the first location). A test signal is launched by a laser source in the transmitter unit along each spare fiber, and a set of threshold detectors is used at the receiver unit to monitor the received signal level. If the level of a received test signal along a spare fiber drops below a predetermined level (or if the fiber fails completely), an alarm signal is generated to alert a technician regarding the need to repair or replace the failed spare fiber. The alarm signal may be a “local” alarm signal generated at the second/receiver location or may be communicated back to the first/transmitter location as a “remote” alarm signal.

Abstract: A utility conveyance (10), such as a pipe, cable or duct, designed for burial in surrounding earth (12) carries a passive warning mechanism (16), preferably a water-soluble dye embedded in the conveyance. The dye, when exposed to moisture (e.g., rainwater in the surround earth) will bleed from the conveyance and discolor the surrounding soil, thus alerting any contractor attempting to excavate in the surrounding area.