SUBMERSIBLE PASSIVE OPTICAL MODULE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A submersible optical module and system to contain and protect fiber optic cables within a splice tray. Access holes on the module allow for an entry point and exit point of the optical fibers. Once set up with the module cavity containing the desired fiber optic cables, the remaining void space of the module cavity is filled with an epoxy creating a protective seal and barrier to provide superior protection to fiber optic cables from moisture.

Claims

1. A submersible passive optical module system comprising: a module base; a module top; an epoxy; and a plurality of optical fibers; wherein said module base is capable of holding the optical fibers and the epoxy when the module top is fixedly attached to the base.

2. A submersible passive optical module system comprising: a module base; a module top; an epoxy; a plurality of optical fibers; and a splice tray; wherein said module base is capable of holding the optical fibers and the epoxy when the module top is fixedly attached to the base.

3. A method of constructing a submersible passive optical module system comprising: constructing a module base of sufficient size wherein said module base has a cavity capable of housing a desired amount of optical fibers; constructing a module top wherein said module top is capable of fitting on the module base and creating a closed seal; placing the optical fibers in the module base in a desired configuration; placing the module top on the module base; and filling the cavity in the module base with an epoxy material wherein the module top and the module base together filled with the epoxy material form a submersible module.

4. A method of constructing a submersible passive optical module system comprising: constructing a module base of sufficient size wherein said module base has a cavity capable of housing a desired amount of optical fibers; constructing a module top wherein said module top is capable of fitting on the module base and creating a closed seal; placing the optical fibers in the module base in a desired configuration; placing the module top on the module base; filling the cavity in the module base with an epoxy material wherein the module top and the module base together filled with the epoxy material form a submersible module; and placing the submersible module in a splice tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of the submersible passive optical module;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a top view of the submersible passive optical module with the module top removed;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a right-side view of the submersible passive optical module showing the holes that permit the fibers to pass through;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the submersible passive optical module;

[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the submersible passive optical module with the module top removed;

[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the module top removed and held near the module base of the submersible passive optical module;

[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the module top;

[0019] FIG. 8 is a right-side perspective view of the submersible passive optical module including the holes that permit the fibers to pass through;

[0020] FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the submersible passive optical module including the holes that permit the fibers to pass through with the top removed;

[0021] FIG. 10 is a top view of the submersible passive optical module including a partial view of the fibers;

[0022] FIG. 11 is a top view of the submersible passive optical module including the fibers;

[0023] FIG. 12 is a top view of the submersible passive optical module in an exemplary splice tray configuration; and

[0024] FIG. 13 is a top view of the submersible passive optical module in an alternate exemplary splice tray configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

[0027] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a top view of the submersible passive optical module 50 with the module top 54 in place and the optical fibers 70 entering and exiting the module on the side. A top view of the module 50 is shown in FIG. 2 without the module top 54, showing the optical fibers 70 within the module cavity 56. FIG. 3 shows the side view of the module 50 with the access points 60 that allow the optical fibers 70 to enter and exit the module 50. FIG. 3 shows six access points 60, but one skilled in the art would know that any desired number of access points could be used depending on the desired optical fiber configuration.

[0028] FIG. 4 again shows the module 50 with the module top 54 in place. FIG. 5 shows the module base 52 alone, without the optical fibers 70 or module top 54. FIG. 6 shows the module top 54 lifted off the module base 52. FIG. 7 shows the module top 54 alone. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the module 50 where the access points 60 for the optical fibers are located. FIG. 9 shows the side view of the module base 52 where the access points 60 for the optical fibers are located. FIGS. 8 and 9 depict an alternate embodiment with four access points 60. As noted above, one skilled in the art would know any plurality of access points necessary for the desired configuration could be used.

[0029] When fiber optic cables are employed, it is often necessary to merge individual fibers into a single fiber. Splice trays are designed to safely route and store optical fiber and associated splices. FIGS. 12 and 13 show example splice trays 10 containing the module 50 in varying configurations. One skilled in the art would know the module could be employed in any multitude of splice tray configurations.

[0030] Once the optical fibers are arranged in the desired position within the module cavity 56 and the module top 54 is affixed to the module base 52, the module cavity 56 is filled with an epoxy material. This creates a protective seal around the optical fibers that can withstand exposure to water and moist environments. Testing of this system after six months with the module under one meter of water resulted in no change to the characteristics of the optical fibers.

[0031] As used herein, it is intended that the terms fiber optic cables and optical fibers include all types of single-mode and multi-mode fibers. Furthermore, to the extent that the term includes is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising as comprising is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[0032] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to precise forms disclosed and, obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.