A system and method for the remote measurement of physical parameters, comprising an optical fiber cable adapted to measure a physical parameter in a remote location, a conduit extending to the remote location and configured to accommodate the optical fiber cable, a cable installation mechanism configured to install the optical fiber cable through the conduit and place the optical fiber cable at the remote location, the cable installation mechanism including means for propelling a fluid along the conduit, and a seal between the optical fiber cable and the conduit.

Apparatus for the remote measurement of physical parameters

An optical fiber cable management device includes a housing and rotatable trays. The trays include a base, and various upstanding wall portions for defining cable guideways. Inner walls include curved segments. Four crescent shapes are provided for cable winding and cable protection. Various tabs extend from the wall portions and are spaced from the base to assist with cable positioning. The trays are symmetrical about a central axis extending parallel to the base. The housing further includes tray supports to support a free end of the trays during storage, and rotation out of the housing.

Optical fiber cable management device including storage tray

The present invention provides modular optical amplifier constituents suitable for constructing optical amplifiers of various designs and modular fiber optic cassettes. Each stage of a multiple stage optical amplifier is housed in a separate optical cassette. Optical pump(s) are separately packaged in pump modules to further simplify amplifier design and enhance amplifier manufacturability. In an exemplary embodiment, a modular optical amplifier is constructed comprising a first amplifier housing including a first optical cassette for holding a first amplifier stage. Cassette regions are provided for receiving one or more passive optical components used with the first stage of the optical amplifier. A first length of rare-earth doped optical fiber is retained by cassette retaining projections and optically communicates with a pump interconnection element. A second amplifier housing is provided comprising a second optical cassette for holding a second amplifier stage in a substantially similar manner as the first optical cassette. At least one optical pump is retained in an optical pump housing separate from the first and second optical cassettes for supplying pump energy to the optical amplifier. The cassettes are optionally mounted vertically or adjacent one another on a circuit board. The circuit board may include electrical circuits for monitoring amplifier performance and for passing the monitoring information to a network management system.

Modular optical amplifier and cassette system

A cable is injected into a length of coiled tubing disposed on a reel by an apparatus and method which includes attaching a small diameter pipe to the end of the coiled tubing, feeding the cable into the opposite end of the pipe through a seal and pumping a liquid into the annular space defined by the cable and the pipe at sufficient pressure and flow rate so that fluid drag on the cable overcomes the frictional force of the cable passing through the seal to inject the cable through the entire length of the coiled tubing. This method avoids the prior expensive practice of deploying coiled tubing in a straight line, either horizontally or vertically in order to feed cable through the tubing.

Method for placing cable within coiled tubing

A storage tray arrangement for storing cable slack in fiber optic systems includes a vertically oriented frame and at least one tray mounted to the frame in a vertical plane parallel to the frame. There is a mounting construction that permits the tray to be pivotally secured to the frame. The mounting construction permits the tray to be selectively pivoted relative to the frame within the vertical plane. In preferred arrangements, the trays are mounted as tray sets having at least two trays mounted to a common pivot post. Particular preferred trays include trays having scalloped side walls. Methods for storing cable slack utilize trays and mounting arrangements as described herein.

Rotating vertical fiber tray and methods

A method and apparatus for installing optical fibres (11) in tubes or ducts (29). An optical fibre is fed from a reel (13) into a small diameter feed portion of duct (25), and compressed air is introduced into the duct. This advances the fibre, using viscous drag forces, into a main duct of larger diameter. There is a pressure drop at the intersection of the two ducts. Subsequently, the advancement of the fibre is continued by maintaining the air supply, and the viscous drag forces, acting on the increasing length of the fibre in the duct, advance it along the duct. Two or more fibres, which may be unsheathed primary coated fibres, may be installed simultaneously.

Transmission line installation

The propulsive force on an optical transmission line member moving through a tubular passageway can be varied so the line travels at or close to optimum speed without risk of damage to the line or associated apparatus. A curve is provided in a portion of the passageway such that a transmission line subject to unacceptable compressive forces buckles towards the outer side of the curve. A sensor detects the presence or absence of the line at this point and a control circuit varies the propulsive force. Excessive tension in the fibre may also be detected. A modified system uses deflectors to ensure that buckling occurs by bowing in the direction towards the sensor with the transmission line undeflected under correct tension. The invention finds particular application in a method of fibre blowing where an optical fibre transmission line is propelled along a tube by fluid drag.

Control method and apparatus

A splice organiser comprises a tray having a plurality of formers (14, 15) which control the minimum bend radius of the fibres, a groove for retaining a splice, an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself, and a plurality of guide tracks (23, 24, 25) which enable fibres to enter and exit the organiser at any corner of the tray.

Optical fiber splice organizer

An apparatus and method for determining passage along an installation route of an advancing end of an optical fibre. A detector at the installation end detects when light is transmitted back along the fibre from a source at a predetermined location. The source may be a primary source or comprise a means for coupling to a light carrying fibre.

Remote end detection.

A distribution arrangement for optical fibre comprising a branched coupling array (1) and a plurality of splice organisers (2) for storing splices associated with connections to the coupling array. Each fibre connected to the array passes through a manifold block (8) that is provided with a plurality of capillaries extending to the splice organisers. Fibres from other parts of the network also pass through the manifold and into capillaries for conduction to the splice organisers where they are connected to a respective fibre from the coupling array. Preferably the array (1) has alternative winding routes for fibre tails extending from individual couplers within the array to facilitate multiple splice attempts. A preferred splice organiser comprises an enclosure into which coiled fibre loops are introduced and permitted to expand so that they are retained by the resilience of the fibre itself.

Robert Alan Freeman

Papers

Transmission line installation

Control method and apparatus

Optical fiber splice organizer

Remote end detection.

Fibre distribution arrangement