EP-4735941-A2 - OPTICAL FIBER CABLE INSTALLATION HAVING AN OPTICAL FIBER CABLE AND GASKET DISPOSED IN A TRENCH

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an installation. The installation includes pavement having a top surface and a trench formed in the pavement. The trench has a first region having a first width, and a second region having a second width that is less than the first width. The first region is closer to the top surface than the second region. An optical fiber cable is disposed in the second region of the trench. A gasket is disposed in the first region of the trench and covers the optical fiber cable. Further, the first region of the trench has first sidewalls and a first floor, and the gasket is disposed between the first sidewalls and abutted against the first floor.

Inventors

• COLE, Brian Matthew
• DUPUIS, DAVID MONTALION
• KIPKE, CARY ALAN
• LARSON, DONALD KENT
• SELLI, RAMAN KUMAR

Assignees

• Corning Research & Development Corporation

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240628

Claims (20)

1. 1. An installation, comprising pavement having a top surface; a trench formed in the pavement, the trench comprising a first region having a first width and a second region having a second width that is less than the first width, and the first region being closer to the top surface than the second region; an optical fiber cable disposed in the second region of the trench; a gasket disposed in the first region of the trench and covering the optical fiber cable; wherein the first region of the trench has first sidewalls and a first floor; and wherein the gasket is disposed between the first sidewalls and abutted against the first floor.
2. 2. The installation of claim 1 , wherein the gasket comprises an internal cavity extending longitudinal along a length of the gasket.
3. 3. The installation of claim 1, wherein the trench further comprises a third region having second sidewalls and a second floor, wherein the first region is disposed between the third region and the second region, wherein the gasket comprises a cross member and a post extending from the cross member, wherein the cross member is disposed between the second sidewalls and abuts the second floor, and wherein the post is disposed in the first region.
4. 4. The installation of claim 3, wherein the first sidewalls are angled and wherein the post comprises angled surfaces that engage the first sidewalls.
5. 5. The installation of claim 4, further comprising a second post extending from the post into the second region, wherein a plurality of ribs extend from the second post to engage third sidewalls of the second region.
6. 6. The installation of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber cable comprises a diameter, wherein a spacing is provided between a bottom of the gasket and the optical fiber cable in the second region, and wherein the spacing is in a range of greater than or equal to half the diameter to less than or equal to twice the diameter.
7. 7. A gasket for carrying at least one optical fiber cable within a trench, the gasket comprising: an elongated elastomeric body having a longitudinal axis along a length thereof; at least one cavity formed in the elastomeric body and extending longitudinally along the length of the elastomeric body; wherein each of the at least one cavity comprises a first dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the first dimension; wherein the first dimension is greater than the second dimension.
8. 8. The gasket of claim 7, further comprising a conduit disposed in the at least one cavity
9. 9. The gasket of claim 7, further comprising an optical fiber cable disposed in the at least one cavity, wherein the optical fiber cable comprises an optical connector at at least one end thereof.
10. 10. The gasket of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric body defines a cross member and a post that extends from the cross member and wherein each of the at least one cavity is disposed in the post.
11. 11. The gasket of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of ribs extending from each side of the post.
12. 12. The gasket of claim 10, wherein the post comprises at least two cavities.
13. 13. The gasket of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric body comprises a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece comprises at least one first channel and the second piece comprises at least one second channel, and wherein, when the first piece and the second piece are joined, the at least one first channel and the at least one second channel form the at least one cavity.
14. 14. The gasket of claim 13, wherein the first piece comprises a first inward surface, wherein the second piece comprises a second inward surface, and wherein the first inward surface mates to the second inward surface.
15. 15. The gasket of claim 13, wherein the at least one first channel comprises a plurality of first channels, wherein the at least one second channel comprises a plurality of second channels, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a plurality of cavities, and wherein, when the first piece and the second piece are joined, the plurality of first channels and the plurality of second channels collectively form the plurality of cavities.
16. 16. The gasket of claim 13, wherein the first piece comprises a first outer surface, wherein the second piece comprises a second outer surface, and wherein respective pluralities of grooves are formed in each of the first outer surface and in the second outer surface.
17. 17. The gasket of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric body comprises a first half and a second half, wherein the first half and the second half are split at a first end of the elastomeric body, and wherein the first half and the second half are joined by a hinge at a second end of the elastomeric body. 1
18. 18. The gasket of claim 7, wherein the elastomeric body comprises a first half and a second half, wherein the first half and the second half have a thinned region disposed therebetween, and wherein the thinned region is configured to operate as a hinge about which the first half and the second half are configured to fold around an optical fiber cable.
19. 19. The gasket of claim 18, wherein, in a folded configuration, the first half and the second half define a cross member and a post extending from the cross member.
20. 20. The gasket of claim 19, wherein the post comprises angled surfaces configured to engage angled sidewalls of the trench.

Description

OPTICAL FIBER CABLE INSTALLATION HAVING AN OPTICAL FIBER CABLE AND GASKET DISPOSED IN A TRENCH CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/523,986, filed on June 29, 2023, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] The disclosure relates generally to an optical fiber cable installation and more particularly to an installation in which the optical fiber cable is disposed in a trench and secured with a gasket. [0003] Optical fiber cables are deployed in a variety of different installations. For example, aerial cables may be strung across utility poles, and underground optical fiber cables may be carried in ducts. For running an optical fiber cable to a subscriber or to 5G antennas, a low fiber count cable may be utilized, and one way to provide the cable is to run the cable along or across a roadway in a trench. However, running an optical fiber cable over a roadway requires shutting down of traffic, and thus, quick and secure methods of installation are desirable. Further, the installation must be able to account for temperature fluctuations that can lead to cable bending or buckling, which can cause signal attenuation. SUMMARY [0004] According to an aspect, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an installation. The installation includes pavement having a top surface and a trench formed in the pavement. The trench has a first region having a first width, and a second region having a second width that is less than the first width. The first region is closer to the top surface than the second region. An optical fiber cable is disposed in the second region of the trench. A gasket is disposed in the first region of the trench and covers the optical fiber cable. Further, the first region of the trench has first sidewalls and a first floor, and the gasket is disposed between the first sidewalls and abutted against the first floor. [0005] According to another aspect, embodiments of the disclosure relate to a gasket for carrying at least one optical fiber cable within a trench. The gasket includes an elongated elastomeric body having a longitudinal axis along a length thereof. At least one cavity is formed in the elastomeric body and extends longitudinally along the length of the elastomeric body. Each of the at least one cavity has a first dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second dimension perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the first dimension. The first dimension is greater than the second dimension. [0006] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description that follows, and, in part, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. [0007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and together with the description serve to explain principles and the operation of the various embodiments. [0009] FIG. 1 depicts an installation of an optical fiber cable in a trench having a rectangular gasket, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0010] FIG. 2 depicts an installation of an optical fiber cable in a trench having a T-shaped gasket, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0011] FIG. 3 depicts an installation of an optical fiber cable in a trench having a gasket with angled surfaces to engage a trench with angled sidewalls, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0012] FIG. 4 depicts an installation of an optical fiber cable in a trench having a gasket with ribs designed to engage sidewalls of the trench, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0013] FIG. 5 depicts an installation of an optical fiber cable within a gasket that is inserted in a trench, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0014] FIG. 6 depicts a gasket having an interior conduit to enhance cable blowing, jetting, or pulling, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0015] FIG. 7 depicts a gasket having a plurality of cavities containing a plurality of conduits for carrying optical fiber cables, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0016] FIG. 8 depicts a multipiece gasket, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0017] FIG. 9 depicts another multipiece gasket, according to an exemplary embodiment; [0018] FIG. 10 depicts a pre-connectorized optical fiber cable disposed in a gasket, such as a gasket according to FIGS. 8 or 9, according to an exemplary embodiment; [00