A system that may be used for deploying optical cables, the system may include a track having an outer edge and a surface, the track having a track gear disposed proximate the outer edge and a plurality of track grooves disposed on the surface of the track. The system may also include a spool having a first outer edge and a second outer edge. The spool may include a first wheel disposed on the first outer edge, a second wheel disposed on the second outer edge, a spool gear disposed on the first wheel and interfacing with the track gear, plurality of spool grooves, and a plurality of guides interfacing with the track to align the track grooves with the spool grooves.

An apparatus has a cassette configured to hold optical fiber comprising one or more optical sensors. The cassette has a spool configured to one or more of extract and retract the optical fiber from the cassette. A pre-strain mechanism is configured to apply a predetermined pre-strain to the one or more optical sensors. An optical fiber installation tool is configured to mount the optical fiber comprising the one or more pre-strained optical sensors to a surface.

An apparatus includes a cassette configured to hold optical fiber comprising one or more optical sensors. The cassette comprises a spool configured to one or more of extract and retract the optical fiber from the cassette. A fiber monitor is coupled to the cassette. The fiber monitor is configured to monitor at least one parameter of the optical fiber as the optical fiber is extracted from the cassette.

The present invention provides a method for converting the topological charge of an orbital angular momentum mode of light to an opposite topological charge by applying the light to a spool of optical fiber having a bend radius R and length L. The length of the fiber used to form the spool is defined by ½ the bend-induced 2π walk-off length L.sub.l,m.sup.b(2π). The length of the fiber L and the bend radius R of the spool may be adjusted to account for an ellipticity-induced 2π walk-off length L.sub.l,m.sup.3(2π). Using the proportionality rules, L.sub.l,m.sup.b(2π)∝R.sup.2l and L.sub.l,m.sup.3(2π)∝ε.sup.−l adjustments to account for ellipticity induced 2π walk-off length L.sub.l,m.sup.e(2π), or to account for a change in the bend radius ΔR of the spool can be easily determined.

A cable manager is provided including a base, a cable hub configured to rotate relative to the base, and a directional resistance element configured to allow rotation of the cable hub in a first direction and resist rotation of the cable hub in a second direction, that is opposite the first direction. The cable hub includes a cable slot configured to receive at least one cable, such that when the cable hub is rotated the at least one cable is wound about a periphery of the cable hub.

The disclosed robotic system may include (1) a drive subsystem that translates the robotic system along a powerline conductor and (2) a rotation subsystem coupled to the drive subsystem, where (a) the rotation subsystem is coupled to a container that defines an arcuate volume about an axis such that the container partially surrounds the powerline conductor when the axis aligns with the powerline conductor, (b) the container carries a segment of fiber optic cable coupled to the powerline conductor, and (c) the rotation subsystem, while the drive subsystem translates the robotic system along the powerline conductor, rotates the container about the powerline conductor while the axis is aligned with the powerline conductor such that the segment of fiber optic cable is wrapped helically about the powerline conductor. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

A fiber optic cable slack management module includes a base defining a first cable management spool, an outer face of which is configured to contact cables when cables are pulled away from the base and a second cable management spool, within which the first cable management spool is located. An inner face of the second cable management spool is configured to contact cables when cables are in a relaxed, non-pulled state. The fiber optic cable slack management module defines a cable exit adjacent the first cable management spool and defined at least partially by the inner face of the second cable management spool, the cable exit defined by a channel positioned between the first and second cable management spools.

An optical fiber distribution terminal assembly comprises a housing having a rear housing portion and a front housing portion moveable between an open position and a closed position defining an interior. The housing further defines at least one port for passage of a optical fiber distribution cable. A rotatable reel is located in the interior of the housing, the reel carrying a length of optical fiber distribution cable. A distribution module, also located in the housing, is operative to distribute source fibers of the optical fiber distribution cable to individual subscriber cables.

A fiber management tray (10) is disclosed. The fiber management tray (10) can have a body (12) including a bottom wall (14) with side walls (16) extending outwardly from the bottom wall (14). The fiber management tray (10) can include a termination region (18) that has a first side (24) and a second side (26). The termination region (18) includes a termination panel (13) that holds connectors (20). The fiber management tray (10) can include a hinge area (56) for mounting said tray (10) to a tray tower (58) and a storage basket (32) located between the termination region (18) and the hinge area (56). The storage basket (32) can include a first pocket (44) that communicates with the second side (26) of the termination region (18) and an opposite second pocket (48) that communicates with the first side (24) of the termination region (18). The fiber management tray (10) can define at least one fiber routing path on each of the first and second pockets (44, 48) of the storage basket (32). The fiber management tray (10) can define a fiber transition opening (54) for transitioning optical fibers between the second pocket (48) of the storage basket (32) and first side (24) of the termination region (18). The fiber transition opening (54) can have an access structure for allowing optical fibers to be inserted into the fiber transition opening (54).

The invention relates to a device for winding/unwinding a link adapted to transporter a fluid or transmit energy and/or signals, comprising: a reel (2) adapted to receive said link in wound form, a hollow through shaft (3) adapted to the passage of said link or fluid between a rotating joint and the reel, said hollow shaft (3) being integral with the reel (2) in order to drive said reel in rotation about a longitudinal axis (X) of said shaft, at least one permanent magnet synchronous direct drive motor, comprising a stator carrying windings (10) adapted to be electrically three-phase powered and a rotor carrying the permanent magnets (11) facing windings (10) of the stator.