Abstract:
A modular assembly for a dense wavelength division multiplexing system a base having at least one handle, a first connector panel attached to the base, a second connector panel attached to the base, a multiplexing clamp, a first splice platform and a second splice platform.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/258,178 filed Dec. 22, 2001, the entire contents of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    With the growth of fiber optic communication systems, numerous devices have been developed to house and manage the complex assemblies needed. However, there remains a continuing need for improvements to lower cost, increase efficiency and provide for ease maintenance.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The present invention relates to improvements in wavelength division multiplexing systems providing more efficient fiber optic connectivity and maintenance. A module having a base panel with one or more handles, DWDM clamps, a lower splice platform and an upper splice platform are used to access and control fiber management. A housing is used to hold pluralities of moudles. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0004]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
         [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a module for fiber optic equipment.  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a top view of the module of FIG. 1.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a front view of the module of FIG. 1.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the module of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5A is a top view of the module of FIG. 1 with hidden lines visible.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5B is a top view of the module of FIG. 1 with fiber optic equipment located therein.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a housing for holding four modules.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a front view of the housing of FIG. 6.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is a right side view of the housing of FIG. 6.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the housing of FIG. 6. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    FIGS.  1 - 5 A,  5 B illustrate an embodiment of a module  100  for fiber optic equipment. FIG. 1 shows, by way of a perspective view, elements of the module  100  that include stepped or angled front cover  114 , rear cover  115 , left front panel  105 , right front panel  106  and body shelf or base panel  101  with integral handles  101 A. The left and right front panels  105 ,  106  are angled and include standard fiber adapters  107 . FIG. 2 is a top view and FIG. 3 is a front view of the module  100 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the module  100  which shows the assembly of the module. As shown in this view, the module further includes double DWDM clamp  102 , single DWDM clamp  104 , lower splice platform  10 , upper splice platform  112  and spiral wraps  108 ,  109 . FIG. 5A is a top view of the module  100  with hidden lines visible. In particular, the hidden lines of double DWDM clamp  102 , single DWDM clamp  104 , lower splice platform  110 , upper splice platform  112  and spiral wraps  108 ,  109  are visible in this view.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5B is a top view of the module  100  with fiber optic equipment mounted therein. In particular, dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) devices  117 ,  119  are shown mounted using the DWDM clamps  102 ,  104 . For example, Avanex DWDM devices can be mounted therein. The single DWDM clamp  104  is adapted for mounting one such device. The double DWDM clamp  102  is adapted for mounting two such devices.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5B also shows the routing of optical fibers  118  that connect between connectors  115  on the front panels  105 ,  106  and the DWDM devices  117 ,  119  through splices  116 .  
         [0019]    The clamps  102 ,  104  hold the DWDM devices in place so that the fiber pigtails exit the DWDM devices toward the center of the module. The clamps  102 ,  104  are padded to provide isolation from vibration transferred by the module itself.  
         [0020]    The splice platforms  110 ,  112  are located between the clamps  102 ,  104  that hold the DWDM devices. The splice platforms provide for fiber management and mounting of the splices  116 . The upper splice platform  112  accommodates additional splices if needed beyond those provided by the lower splice platform  110 . The spiral wraps  108 ,  109  are used for managing the optical fiber pigtails that exit from the DWDM devices and connect to the standard fiber adapters  107  on front panels  105 ,  106 . In particular, the fibers connected to the adapters are routed underneath the lower splice platform  110  in a half coil using the spiral wraps  108 ,  109 . Use of the spiral wraps limits the possibility of breaking a fiber while servicing the connectors due to hard pulling. If a fiber is be pulled hard, the spiral wrap deforms which prevents a large stress on any point on the fiber. Another advantage of the embodiment of the module described herein is that prewiring of the modules is facilitated such that the DWDM devices can be placed into the modules and fibers spliced thereto.  
         [0021]    The body shelf  101  of the module  100  provides a support for the optical fiber cables that connect to the adapters  107  of front panels  105 ,  106  of the module. The integral pair of handles  101  A of body shelf  101  facilitate insertion and removal of the module from the housing  200  (described herein below).  
         [0022]    FIGS.  6 - 9  illustrate an embodiment of a housing  200  for holding up to four modules  100 . FIG. 6 shows, by way of a perspective view, elements of the housing  200  that include top panel  205 , top and bottom side panels  205 A,  205 B, angle mounts  212 , fiber supports  206 , front door unit  207  with integral door hinge  208 , door hinge pin  208 A, door window  209  and latches  211 . FIG. 7 is a front view and FIG. 8 is a right side view of the housing  200 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the housing  200  which shows the assembly of the housing. As shown in this view, the housing further includes bottom panel  201  and left and right side mounting units  202 ,  204 . The left and right side mounting units include tabs or lips  202 A,  204 A which serve to support the modules  100  (FIGS.  1 - 5 A,  5 B).  
         [0024]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.