US-12619031-B2 - Systems and methods to reduce EMI for fiber optic arrays

US12619031B2US 12619031 B2US12619031 B2US 12619031B2US-12619031-B2

Abstract

A system for sealing EMI leakage from an optical fiber array belt includes a clamp made of a first conductive material, the clamp having a substantially U-shaped chamber; and a sealant having first and second ends to receive the optical fiber array belt in between. The clamp is movable from an upper portion of the sealant to a predetermined position on the sealant, thereby closing the first and second ends of the sealant to establish an electrical connection; and wherein the sealant prevents EMI leakage from the optical fiber array belt.

Inventors

Xiwen Wang
Zining Huang
DAVID MEGHAVORYAN
Jian Yang
Qinrong Yu
Xiaobing Luo

Assignees

Xiwen Wang
Zining Huang
DAVID MEGHAVORYAN
Jian Yang
Qinrong Yu
Xiaobing Luo

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230620

Claims (17)

1 . A system for sealing EMI leakage from an optical fiber array belt, comprising: a clamp made of a first conductive material, the clamp having a substantially U-shaped chamber; and a sealant having first and second ends to receive the optical fiber array belt in between; wherein the clamp is movable from an upper portion of the sealant to a predetermined position on the sealant, thereby closing the first and second ends of the sealant to establish an electrical connection; and wherein the sealant prevents EMI leakage from the optical fiber array belt, wherein the clamp comprises two U-shaped receptacles at two ends, comprising a fastener positioned in the middle of the clamp to locks the clamp to ground and to generate a normal force to close the sealant and a friction force to move the sealant downward.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sealant comprises two arc-shaped wings.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the two arc-shaped wings are coaxial.
4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising two fixed supports that the wings will contact tangentially.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein a vertical force is applied to the clamp to move it downward, generating two force components: a normal force to the sealant surfaces, pushing the sealant to close; and a friction force along the sealant surfaces, attempting to move the sealant downward.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the two fixed supports overcome the friction force and prevent the sealant from moving downward.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein the two wings are concentric, such that when the sealant closes, the sealant's two sides only rotate without any vertical movement.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends comprise a metal.
9 . The system of claim 1 , comprising first and second conductive rubber portions secured to first and second inner sides of the sealant and adapted to secure the optical fiber array belt between the first and second conductive rubber portions.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the clamp comprises a vertical assembly.
11 . A method for sealing EMI leakage from an optical fiber array belt using a clamp and a sealant, comprising the steps of: providing a clamp made of a first conductive material, wherein the clamp has a substantially U-shaped chamber and the clamp comprises two U-shaped receptacles at two ends, comprising a fastener positioned in the middle of the clamp to locks the clamp to ground and to generate a normal force to close the sealant and a friction force to move the sealant downward; providing a sealant with first and second ends capable of receiving the optical fiber array belt between them; positioning the clamp at an upper portion of the sealant; moving the clamp from the upper portion to a predetermined position on the sealant, thereby closing the first and second ends of the sealant and establishing an electrical connection; securing the clamp in the predetermined position to maintain the closure of the first and second ends of the sealant; and placing the optical fiber array belt within the sealant between the closed first and second ends to prevent EMI leakage from the optical fiber array belt with the sealant as a vertical assembly.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising forming the sealant with two arc-shaped wings.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising ensuring that the two arc-shaped wings are coaxial.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising providing two fixed supports for the sealant and aligning the two wings with the fixed supports such that the wings make tangential contact with the supports.
15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying a vertical force to the clamp to move it downward; and generating two force components: a normal force to the sealant surfaces, pushing the sealant to close; and a friction force along the sealant surfaces, attempting to move the sealant downward.
16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising overcoming the friction force with the two fixed supports, preventing the sealant from moving downward.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising ensuring that the two wings of the sealant are concentric; wherein when the sealant closes, the two sides of the sealant only rotate without any vertical movement.

Description

BACKGROUND The present system relates to an improved system for securing and protecting optical fiber array belts, which are essential components in telecommunication networks, particularly in the areas of data transmission and high-speed internet connectivity. Fiber optics play a crucial role in modern telecom transceivers, providing a reliable and efficient means of transmitting data over long distances. For example, fiber optic cables offer a significantly higher data-carrying capacity compared to traditional copper cables. They can transmit large amounts of data over long distances without degradation. This makes them ideal for telecom applications where high-speed data transmission is required. Fiber optics enable long-distance transmission of data without significant signal loss. Unlike copper cables, which suffer from attenuation over long distances, optical fibers can transmit signals for tens or hundreds of kilometers with minimal loss. This allows for the establishment of long-haul telecom networks, connecting distant locations efficiently. Fiber optics support high bandwidth scalability, allowing for the accommodation of increasing data demands. As telecom networks continue to evolve and require higher data rates, fiber optics can easily support these growing bandwidth requirements by utilizing advanced modulation techniques and higher data transmission rates. Fiber optics offer enhanced security for data transmission. Unlike copper cables, which can be tapped or suffer from electromagnetic snooping, optical fibers are difficult to tap without being detected. This makes fiber optics a preferred choice for transmitting sensitive or confidential data in telecom networks, ensuring data privacy and security. Fiber optic cables are thinner and lighter than copper cables, making them easier to install, handle, and manage within telecom transceivers. Their compactness allows for higher cable density and more efficient use of physical space in equipment racks or data centers. In today's digital era, the demand for high-speed communication has increased exponentially. As such, the use of optical fiber cables, which provide a more reliable and faster means of communication with minimal signal loss and interference, has become highly desirable. One of the most common configurations for implementing optical fiber cables is the optical fiber array belt, which comprises a plurality of individual optical fibers housed within a protective sheath. Optical fiber array belts are widely used in various industries for high-speed data transmission and communication. These belts consist of multiple optical fibers aligned and bundled together and are known for their exceptional bandwidth capacity. The use of optical fibers has become increasingly popular due to their many advantages, such as low signal loss, immunity to electrical noise, high bandwidth, and resistance to environmental factors. However, despite these advantages, of electromagnetic interference (EMI) can still infiltrate the optical fiber array belt, causing signal degradation and negatively impacting overall system performance. These optical fibers are delicate and require proper handling and protection to ensure their longevity and sustained performance. However, the existing methodologies and systems employed for securing and protecting these optical fiber array belts often fall short in terms of durability, reliability and practicality. There exists a need for an improved system designed to effectively secure and protect these optical fiber array belts. EMI is a disturbance caused by external electromagnetic fields, which can interfere with the proper functioning of electronic devices and hinder data transmission over optical fibers. Existing techniques for EMI shielding involve the use of conductive materials or coatings that are added to optical fiber exteriors. SUMMARY In one aspect, a system and method for sealing EMI leakage from an optical fiber array belt are provided. The system includes a conductive clamp with a U-shaped chamber and a sealant with two ends designed to receive the optical fiber array belt. The clamp is moved along the sealant, closing the first and second ends and establishing an electrical connection. The sealant prevents EMI leakage from the optical fiber array belt. The method includes positioning the clamp, moving it to close the ends of the sealant, and placing the optical fiber array belt within the sealant to prevent EMI leakage. The sealant may have two arc-shaped wings that are coaxial and contact fixed supports to prevent downward movement. Vertical force applied to the clamp results in force components to close the sealant and maintain its position. In another aspect, a system for sealing EMI leakage from an optical fiber array belt includes a clamp made of a first conductive material, the clamp having a substantially U-shaped chamber; and a sealant having first and second ends to receive the optical fiber array bel