Description:FORM 2
The Patents Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
“OPTICAL FIBER CABLE HAULING SYSTEM”

APPLICANTS:

Name: Sterlite Technologies Limited
Nationality: Indian
Address: 15th & 16th Floor, Capital Cyberscape, Sector – 59,
Gurugram, Haryana-122102

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of optical fibers and, in particular, relates to an optical fiber cable hauling system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Optical fiber refers to the technology and the medium for the transmission of data as light pulses along an ultrapure strand of glass, which is a thin as a human hair. For many years, optical fibers have been extensively used in high-performance and long-distance data and networking. Generally, it is very difficult to install a connectorized optical fiber cable into a narrow space. Sometimes the narrow space may have small amount of water that can damage the connector during installation process. Currently, to install a connectorized optical fiber cable into a narrow space, a sleeve with a pulling eye to pull and/or draw the pre-connectorized cable through a narrow space by tying a thread into the pulling eye is utilized. However, after installation, removal of additional components over the pre-connectorized cable is also a challenge. Moreover, improper way to pull the optical fiber cable may affect the termination part of the optical fiber cable assembly which is not desirable. A prior art reference “US9312676B2” discloses a cable pull assembly with a sealing member and a fixation member. The sealing member and the fixation member coupled together over the optical fiber cable to getting locked and sealed with a pulling housing. Another prior art reference “US7869685B2” discloses a cable pull assembly having an adapter over the fiber cable that can be coupled with a housing for providing a pulling mechanism. The adapter includes an O-ring to provide sealing to the pulling assembly. Yet another prior art reference “US8577199B2” discloses a cable hauling assembly having a hauling shroud housing with two parts. The housing includes a seat assembly to grasp the fiber cable. Yet another prior art reference “WO2009040567A1” discloses a pulling cap assembly having a hauling shroud housing with two parts. The housing includes a protective rubber cap to cover the connector. Yet another prior art reference “US8165444B2” discloses a retaining sleeve to provide hauling to an optical fiber connector assembly. The retaining sleeve is rotationally locked with the connector assembly. However, none of the prior art references provides a provision that provides additional strength while hauling the optical fiber cable.
[0003] Therefore, there is a need for an optical fiber cable hauling system that overcomes one or more limitation associated with the available optical fiber cable hauling mechanisms.
SUMMARY
[0004] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a cable hauling system is disclosed. The cable hauling system has a cable holding assembly, a connecting sleeve, a connector, and a housing body. The cable holding assembly is defined by a connecter end and a cable end. The cable holding assembly has a connecting sleeve. The connecting sleeve has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first diameter, and the second end has a second diameter. The connecting sleeve further has a first crimp having a hollow structure that mates with the first end of the connecting sleeve. Furthermore, the connecting sleeve has a second crimp having a hollow structure that mates with the second end of the connecting sleeve such that a flexible tensile element of an optical fiber cable is firmly held between one or more first mating surfaces of the first crimp and the connecting sleeve. The connector is engaged at the connector end of the cable holding assembly. The housing body is adapted to encapsulate the cable holding assembly and the connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0005] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, where:
[0006] FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of a cable hauling system.
[0007] FIG. 1B illustrates another exploded view of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a connecting sleeve of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A.
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a housing body of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A.
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an integrated end cap of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A.
[0011] FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A.
[0012] FIG. 5B illustrates another cross-sectional view of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIGs. 6A-6B illustrates different side views of an installation of the cable hauling system of FIG. 1A onto an enclosure.
[0014] It should be noted that the accompanying figures are intended to present illustrations of exemplary aspects of the present disclosure. These figures are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that accompanying figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DEFINITIONS
[0015] The term “optical fiber” as used herein refers to a light guide that provides high-speed data transmission. The optical fiber has one or more glass core regions and one or more glass cladding regions. The light moving through the glass core regions of the optical fiber relies upon the principle of total internal reflection, where the glass core regions have a higher refractive index (n1) than the refractive index (n2) of the glass cladding region of the optical fiber.
[0016] The term “optical fiber cable” as used herein refers to a cable that encloses a plurality of optical fibers.
[0017] The term “SC/APC” as used herein refers to a connector designed for quick installation in the field without fiber polishing. It depends on mechanical fiber splice with precise alignment and matching gel in order to provide quick fiber termination with minimum loss in signal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The detailed description of the appended drawings is intended as a description of the currently preferred aspects of the present disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different aspects that are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0019] Moreover, although the following description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and/or alterations to said details are within the scope of the present technology. Similarly, although many of the features of the present technology are described in terms of each other, or in conjunction with each other, one skilled in the art will appreciate that many of these features can be provided independently of other features. Accordingly, this description of the present technology is set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the present technology.
[0020] FIG. 1A illustrates an exploded view of an optical fiber cable hauling system 100. The optical fiber cable hauling system 100 (hereinafter interchangeably referred to and designated as “the cable hauling system 100”) may be adapted for a connectorized optical fiber cable. Specifically, the cable hauling system 100 may be adapted to facilitate a passage of an optical fiber cable 500 (as shown later in FIG. 5A) through narrow spaces such as a duct. The cable hauling system 100 may have a cable holding assembly 102, a connector 104, and a housing body 106. The housing body 106 may have a pull cap 106a and an integrated end cap 106b. The integrated end cap 106b provides sealing between the integrated end cap 106b and the optical fiber cable 500. The integrated end cap 106b also gets engaged with the housing body 106. Specifically, the cable holding assembly 102, the connector 104, and the housing body 106 may be coupled in an assembled configuration to form the cable hauling system 100.
[0021] FIG. 1B illustrates another exploded view of the cable hauling system 100 of FIG. 1A. As illustrated, the cable hauling system 100 may have the cable holding assembly 102, the connector 104, and the housing body 106 (as shown in FIG. 1A). The cable holding assembly 102 may be defined by a connecter end 102a and a cable end 102b. In other words, the cable holding assembly 102 may have the connecter end 102a and the cable end 102b. Further, the cable holding assembly 102 may have a connecting sleeve 110, a first crimp 112, and a second crimp 114. Specifically, the first crimp 112 and the second crimp 114 may be coupled to the connecting sleeve 110 at the connecter end 102a and the cable end 102b, respectively, to form the cable holding assembly 102. The connecting sleeve 110 may have a first end and a second end. The first crimp 112 may have a first end and a second end. The first crimp 112 may be a cylindrical hollow structure such that the first end of the first crimp 112 is adapted to mate with the first end of the connecting sleeve 110 over a first mating surface 116 of the connecting sleeve 110. In other words, the first crimp 112 may be adapted to encapsulate the first end of the connecting sleeve 110 such that the first crimp 112 mates with the first end 110a of the connecting sleeve 110 over the first mating surface 116 of the connecting sleeve 110. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first mating surface 116 of the connecting sleeve 110 may have a knurled surface for gripping. Further, the first crimp 112 may be adapted to mate with the connector 104 at the other end (i.e., the second end of the first crimp 112). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first crimp 112 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a hardened plastic, a metal, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the first crimp 112, known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first crimp 112 may have a uniform diameter along a length of the first crimp 112.
[0022] The second crimp 114 may have a first end and a second end. The second crimp 114 may be a cylindrical hollow structure such that the first end of the second crimp 114 is adapted to mate with the second end of the connecting sleeve 110 over a second mating surface 118 of the connecting sleeve 110. In other words, the second crimp 114 may be adapted to encapsulate the second end of the connecting sleeve 110 such that the second crimp 114 mates with the second end 110b of the connecting sleeve 110 over the second mating surface 118 of the connecting sleeve 110. Specifically, the first end of the second crimp 114 may be adapted to mate with the second end of the connecting sleeve 110 over the second mating surface 118 of the connecting sleeve 110 such that a flexible tensile element of an optical fiber cable 500 is firmly held between the second mating surface 118 of the connecting sleeve 110.
[0023] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the second mating surface 118 of the connecting sleeve 110 may have a knurled surface for gripping. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first end of the second crimp 114 may have a first crimp diameter and the second end may have a second crimp diameter such that the first crimp diameter is greater than the second crimp diameter. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the second crimp 114 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a hardened plastic, a metal, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the second crimp 114, known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Specifically, the connecting sleeve 110 with first and second crimps 112 and 114 at both ends may facilitate to connectorized the optical fiber cable 500 and provide additional strength while pulling the optical fiber cable 500. The connector 104 may be engaged at the connector end 102a of the cable holding assembly 102. Specifically, the connector 104 may be crimped with the connecting sleeve 110 (crimped with the optical fiber cable 500) with first crimp 112. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the connector 104 may be a standard connector/angle polished connector (SC-APC).
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the connecting sleeve 110 of the cable hauling system 100 of FIG. 1A. The connecting sleeve 110 may have a first end 110a and the second end 110b. The first end 110a may have a first diameter (D1) and the second end 110b may have a second diameter (D2). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first diameter (D1) may be less than the second diameter (D2). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first diameter (D1) may be less than a diameter of an optical fiber cable (e.g., the optical fiber cable 500 (as shown later in FIG. 5A)) that may be inserted in the connecting sleeve 110. Further, the second diameter (D2) may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the optical fiber cable. Specifically, the first diameter (D1) may be less than the diameter of the optical fiber cable and the second diameter (D2) may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the optical fiber cable such that a jacket of the optical fiber cable cannot pass through the connector end 102a of the cable holding assembly 102 while one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber cable are allowed to pass.
[0025] In some aspects of the present disclosure, the connecting sleeve 110 may further have one or more radial structures 120 of which first and second radial structures 120a and 120b are shown. The first and second radial structures 120a and 120b may be circular disc shaped structures that may encircle the connecting sleeve 110. The one or more radial structures 120 (i.e., the first and second radial structures 120a and 120b) may be adapted to be engaged with an enclosure 602 (as shown later in FIG. 6A). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more radial structures 120 (i.e., the first and second radial structures 120a and 120b) may define a central portion 122 therebetween. In other words, the central portion 122 may be defined between the one or more radial structures 120 (i.e., the first and second radial structures 120a and 120b) such that an outer parameter of the connecting sleeve 110 between the one or more radial structures 120 (i.e., the central portion 122) may be rectangular in shape. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the central portion 122 having the rectangular outer surface may be adapted to be engaged between one or more mounting tabs (not shown) provided in the enclosure 602.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the housing body 106 of the cable hauling system 100 of FIG. 1A. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the housing body 106 may have the pull cap 106a and the integrated end cap 106b. Specifically, the pull cap 106a and the integrated end cap 106b may be adapted to engage with each other to encapsulate the cable holding assembly 102 and the connector 104 (as shown in FIG. 1A). In other words, the housing body 106 may be adapted to encapsulate the cable holding assembly 102 and the connector 104. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the housing body 106 may be a hollow structure that may be adapted to accept the cable holding assembly 102 and the connector 104 in the assembled configuration of the cable hauling system 100. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the housing body 106 may have a pulling end 300 that has a pulling hole 302. Specifically, the pull cap 106a may have the pulling end 300 and an open end 304 such that the pulling end 300 has the pulling hole 302. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the pulling hole 302 may facilitate hauling of the housing body 106. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the open end 304 may have internal threads (not shown) for locking the integrated end cap 106b therein. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the pull cap 106a may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a hardened plastic, a metal, and the like. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the material for the pull cap 106a, know to a person having ordinary skill in the art, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the housing body 106 may have a length in a range of 66 millimetres (mm) to 78 mm. Preferably, the length of the housing body 106 may be 72 mm. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the pull cap 106a may have a length in a range of 60 millimetres (mm) to 70 mm. Preferably, the length of the housing body 106 may be 66 mm.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the integrated end cap 106b of the housing body 106 of FIG. 3. The integrated end cap 106 may have a first portion 400 and a second portion 402. The first portion 400 and the second portion 402 may be separated by a separation ring 404. The separation ring 404 may be a circular structure that may be disposed along a periphery of the integrated end cap 106b to separate the first and second portion 400 and 402. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may be a cylindrical shaped structure that has a through hole 406 running along a length of the integrated end cap 106b such that the through hole 406 facilitates to slidably connect the integrated end cap 106b over an optical fiber cable (e.g., the optical fiber cable 500 (as shown later in FIG. 5A)) at a distance from the connecting sleeve 110 (as shown in FIG. 1A). Specifically, the integrated end cap 106b may be slidably connected to the optical fiber cable and engaged with the pull cap 106a to form the housing body 106. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may have external threads 408 disposed along a length of the second portion 402 such that the external threads 408 are engaged with the internal threads of the pull cap 106a to lock the integrated end cap 106b and the pull cap 106a to form the housing body 106. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may have a tearing slot 410 running at least partially though the length of the integrated end cap 106b. Specifically, the tearing slot 410 may be adapted to enable breakage of the integrated end cap 106b after installation of the connector 104 inside the enclosure 602. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may have a solid body without any slots.
[0028] FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cable hauling system 100 of FIG. 1A. As illustrated, the cable hauling system 100 has the cable holding assembly 102, the connector 104, and the housing body 106 such that the cable holding assembly 102, the connector 104, and the housing body 106 are coupled in the assembled configuration to form the cable hauling system 100. The connecting sleeve 110 having the first and second crimps 112 and 114 may receive the optical fiber cable 500 such that the connecting sleeve 110 with first and second crimps 112 and 114 at both ends facilitates to connectorized the optical fiber cable and provide additional strength while pulling the optical fiber cable. The connecting sleeve 110 may have the first end 110a and the second end 110b. As discussed, the first end 110a (as shown in FIG. 2) may have the first diameter (D1) and the second end 110b (as shown in FIG. 2) may have the second diameter (D2). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first diameter (D1) may be less than the second diameter (D2). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the first diameter (D1) may be less than a diameter of the optical fiber cable 500 that may be inserted in the connecting sleeve 110. Further, the second diameter (D2) may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the optical fiber cable. Specifically, the first diameter (D1) may be less than the diameter of the optical fiber cable and the second diameter (D2) may be greater than or equal to the diameter of the optical fiber cable such that a jacket of the optical fiber cable cannot pass through the connector end 102a of the cable holding assembly 102 while one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber cable are allowed to pass.
[0029] The integrated end cap 106b may be slidably connected to the optical fiber cable 500 and engaged with the pull cap 106a to form the housing body 106. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may have the external threads 408 such that the external threads 408 are engaged with the internal threads of the pull cap 106a to lock the integrated end cap 106b and the pull cap 106a to form the housing body 106. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may have an inner O-ring 502 that provides an inner seal between the integrated end cap 106b and the optical fiber cable 500 that is inserted inside the through hole 406. Further, the integrated end cap 106b may have an outer O-ring 504 that provides an outer seal between the end cap 106b and an inner surface 506 of the pull cap 106a when the integrated end cap 106b is slidably connected to the pull cap 106a. In some aspects of the present disclosure, the integrated end cap 106b may have a slot 508 that runs parallel to the separation ring 404 along the periphery of the integrated end cap 106b such that the slot 508 is adapted to accept the outer O-ring 504 that provides an outer seal between the integrated end cap 106b and an inner surface 506 of the pull cap 106a to prevent water ingress inside the housing body 106.
[0030] FIG. 5B illustrates another cross-sectional view of the cable hauling system 100 of FIG. 1A. As illustrated, the cable hauling system 100 has the cable holding assembly 102 and the connector 104 such that the cable holding assembly 102, the connector 104, and the housing body 106 (as shown in FIG. 1A) are coupled in the assembled configuration to form the cable hauling system 100. The connecting sleeve 110 having the first and second crimps 112 and 114 may receive an optical fiber cable 500 such that the connecting sleeve 110 facilitate to hold the optical fiber cable 500 firmly while crimping an aramid yarn 510 (specifically, the aramid yarn 510 may be flared outside of the connecting sleeve 110 as illustrated) and a jacket 512 of the optical fiber cable 500 when the optical fiber cable 500 is pulled by way of the pull cap 106a (as shown in FIG. 1A) of the housing body 106.
[0031] FIGs. 6A-6B illustrates different side views of an installation 600 of the cable hauling system 100 of FIG. 1A onto the enclosure 602. As illustrated, the one or more radial structures 120 (i.e., the first and second radial structures 120a and 120b) (as shown in FIG. 2) of the connecting sleeve 110 may be adapted to be engaged with the enclosure 602 (as shown later in FIG. 6A). In some aspects of the present disclosure, the one or more radial structures 120 (i.e., the first and second radial structures 120a and 120b) may define the central portion 122 (i.e., a groove) therebetween such that central portion 122 (as shown in FIG. 2) is rectangular in shape. Specifically, the central portion 122 (i.e., a groove) facilitates in holding of the connected optical fiber cable 500 inside the enclosure 602.
[0032] Thus, the cable hauling system 100 of the present disclosure provides the connector sleeve 110 with two crimps at both ends (i.e., the first and second crimp 112 and 114) used to connectorized the optical fiber cable 500 and thus providing additional strength while pulling the optical fiber cable 500. Moreover, the cable hauling system 100 has the housing body 106 that has the integrated end cap 106b such that the integrated end cap 106b can be removed after installation of the cable hauling system 100 within the enclosure 602 to minimize space.
[0033] The foregoing descriptions of specific aspects of the present technology have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The aspects were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present technology and various aspects with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present technology.
[0034] While several possible aspects of the invention have been described above and illustrated in some cases, it should be interpreted and understood as to have been presented only by way of illustration and example, but not by limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred aspect should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects.
, Claims:Claims
1. A cable hauling system (100) comprising:
a cable holding assembly (102) defined by a connecter end (102a) and a cable end (102b), where the cable holding assembly (102) comprising:
a connecting sleeve (110) having a first end (110a) and a second end (110b), where the first end (110a) has a first diameter (D1), and the second end (110b) has a second diameter (D2);
a first crimp (112) having a hollow structure that mates with the first end (110a) of the connecting sleeve (110) over a first mating surface (116);
a second crimp (114) having a hollow structure that mates with the second end (110b) of the connecting sleeve (110) over a second mating surface (118) such that a flexible tensile element of an optical fiber cable (500) is firmly held between the second mating surface (118) of the connecting sleeve (110) and the second crimp (114);
a connector (104) engaged at the connector end (102a) of the cable holding assembly (102); and
a housing body (106) adapted to encapsulate the cable holding assembly (102) and the connector (104).
2. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the housing body (106) comprising a pulling hole (302) disposed at a pulling end (300).
3. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the first diameter (D1) is less than the second diameter (D2).
4. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the first diameter (D1) is less than a diameter of the optical fiber cable (500) and the second diameter (D2) is greater than or equal to the diameter of the optical fiber cable (500) such that a passage of a jacket of the optical fiber cable (500) through the connector end (102a) is restricted while one or more optical fibers of the optical fiber cable (500) are allowed to pass.

5. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the connecting sleeve (110) further comprising one or more radial structures (120) adapted to be engaged with an enclosure (602).
6. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the one or more radial structures (120) defines a central portion (122) therebetween, where the central portion (122) is rectangular in shape and central portion (122) facilitates in holding of the connected optical fiber cable (500) inside the enclosure (602).
7. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the housing body (106) further comprising a pull cap (106a) and an integrated end cap (106b), where the pull cap (106a) and the integrated end cap (106b) engages with each other to encapsulate the cable holding assembly (102) and the connector (104).
8. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the integrated end cap (106b) comprising:
an inner O-ring (502) to provide an inner seal between the integrated end cap 106b and the optical fiber cable (500); and
external thread (408) to engage the integrated end cap 106b) with the housing body (106).
9. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the first mating surface (116) of the connecting sleeve (110) has knurled surface for gripping.
10. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the second mating surface (118) of the connecting sleeve (110) has a knurled surface for gripping.
11. The cable hauling system (100) of claim 1, where the integrated end cap (106b) has a tearing slot (410) running at least partially though a length of the integrated end cap (106b) to enable breakage of the integrated end cap (106b).