US-12625339-B2 - High density optical splitter with internal fanout device

Abstract

An optical splitter module for splitting an input signal from an input optical fiber is provided. The optical splitter module includes the input optical fiber, output optical fibers, and a splitter device configured to split the input signal from the input optical fiber into a plurality of output signals that are each directed into one of the output optical fibers. The optical splitter module also includes a fanout device defining openings that are each configured to receive one of the output optical fibers. The optical splitter module defines an internal volume and an exit cavity. The input optical fiber, the output optical fibers, the splitter device, and the fanout device are each received in the internal volume. The fanout device defines a side length, the exit cavity defines a width, and the side length of the fanout device is greater than the width of the exit cavity.

Inventors

• Alan Duncan Burkett
• William Julius McPhil Giraud
• Lingling Hu

Assignees

• CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20230623

Claims (20)

1. 1 . An optical splitter module for splitting an input signal from an input optical fiber, the optical splitter module comprising: the input optical fiber; a plurality of output optical fibers; a splitter device configured to split the input signal from the input optical fiber into a plurality of output signals that are each directed into one of the plurality of output optical fibers; and a fanout device defining a plurality of openings that are each configured to receive an output optical fiber of the plurality of output optical fibers, wherein the optical splitter module defines an internal volume and an exit cavity, wherein the input optical fiber, the plurality of output optical fibers, the splitter device, and the fanout device are each received in the internal volume, wherein the fanout device defines a side length, wherein the exit cavity defines a width, wherein the side length of the fanout device is greater than the width of the exit cavity; wherein the fanout device extends diagonally with respect to the exit cavity in the optical splitter module.
2. 2 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein the fanout device is configured to receive a portion of covered output optical fibers, wherein the covered output optical fibers each include protective tubing.
3. 3 . The optical splitter module of claim 2 , wherein the covered output optical fibers extend through the exit cavity, wherein the width of the exit cavity is 1.68 inches or less.
4. 4 . The optical splitter module of claim 2 , wherein each of the covered output optical fibers have a diameter of approximately 0.063 inches.
5. 5 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein a split density is a number of output optical fibers in the optical splitter module divided by a number of input optical fibers in the optical splitter module as well as a volume of the optical splitter module, wherein the split density of the optical splitter module is greater than five or more splits per cubic inch.
6. 6 . The optical splitter module of claim 5 , wherein the split density of the optical splitter module is 13.6 or more splits per cubic inch.
7. 7 . The optical splitter module of claim 6 , wherein the split density of the optical splitter module is 17.3 or more splits per cubic inch.
8. 8 . The optical splitter module of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of output optical fibers are each bend insensitive fibers.
9. 9 . The optical splitter module of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of output optical fibers each possess a minimum bending radius of approximately 5 millimeters or less.
10. 10 . The optical splitter module of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of output optical fibers are each ITU-T G.657.B3 fibers.
11. 11 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein the fanout device is integrally attached to the optical splitter module.
12. 12 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein the fanout device is removably attachable to the optical splitter module.
13. 13 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein the fanout device is configured to provide strain relief for the plurality of output optical fibers.
14. 14 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein the fanout device defines an internal cavity, wherein the internal cavity is configured to receive an epoxy to at least partially restrict movement of the plurality of output optical fibers in the internal cavity.
15. 15 . The optical splitter module of claim 14 , wherein an opening of the plurality of openings is configured to receive three or more output optical fibers.
16. 16 . The optical splitter module of claim 15 , wherein covered output optical fibers are each received in an opening of the plurality of openings.
17. 17 . The optical splitter module of claim 1 , wherein the side length of the fanout device being greater than the width of the exit cavity permits additional openings to be provided in the fanout device so that additional output optical fibers may be received in the fanout device.
18. 18 . An optical splitter module for splitting an input signal from an input optical fiber, the optical splitter module comprising: the input optical fiber; a plurality of output optical fibers; a splitter device configured to split the input signal from the input optical fiber into a plurality of output signals that are each directed into one of the plurality of output optical fibers; and a fanout device defining a plurality of openings that are each configured to receive an output optical fiber of the plurality of output optical fibers to control an exit position thereof, wherein the fanout device extends diagonally with respect to an exit cavity in the optical splitter module; wherein a split density is a number of output optical fibers in the optical splitter module divided by a number of input optical fibers in the optical splitter module as well as a volume of the optical splitter module, wherein the split density of the optical splitter module is greater than five or more splits per cubic inch.
19. 19 . The optical splitter module of claim 18 , wherein the fanout device is configured to receive a portion of covered output optical fibers, wherein the covered output optical fibers each include protective tubing.
20. 20 . The optical splitter module of claim 18 , wherein the split density of the optical splitter module is 17.3 or more splits per cubic inch.

Description

PRIORITY APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/389,079, filed on Jul. 14, 2022, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to optical splitter modules having high split densities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Optical splitter modules are integral passive optical devices that play a critical role in optical fiber communications. Optical splitter modules typically are rectangular in shape with the input and output optical fibers located on one side. They usually mount in Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH) and Multi Dwelling Unit (MDU) enclosures using tracks, snaps or screws. Optical splitter modules are often used for optical fiber communications such as passive optical networks (PON). Optical splitter modules frequently have one or two input ports and N output ports (N=2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, etc.). An optical fiber enters the optical splitter module through the input port(s), with an incoming optical signal being provided in the optical fiber. The incoming optical signal is divided evenly into optical fibers in the N output ports. Each optical fiber in an output port goes to a transient node or directly to a subscriber. As a result, the splitter modules help maximize the functionality of an optical network. The splitter modules typically contain no electronics and do not require any power to work. With increasing optical fiber access worldwide and the deployment of fiber to the X (FTTX) architectures, more and more subscribers are being added into networks. Consequently, an increased demand is arising for signal splitting products. At the same time, adding more splitter modules consumes more space in hubs or nodes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Various embodiments described herein relate to fiber optic splitter modules, such as used in telecommunications enclosures or fiber distribution hubs. More specifically, embodiments relate to high density optical splitter modules having an increased number of splits within a confined volume. This may be accomplished, in some embodiments, by using ultra bend performance fiber and/or beneficial fanout designs. Various embodiments provide high-density optical splitter modules that are capable of providing an increased splitting capacity without requiring additional space for fiber optic splitter modules. This enables providing even more services (e.g., more output fibers) without the need for larger transmission equipment in any central office. Further, by limiting the space required for the optical splitter modules, additional free space may be provided in enclosures, such as in Fiber Distribution Hubs (FDHs), that may be used for alternative purposes. In an example embodiment, an optical splitter module is provided for splitting an input signal from an input optical fiber. The optical splitter module includes the input optical fiber, a plurality of output optical fibers, and a splitter device. The splitter device is configured to split the input signal from the input optical fiber into a plurality of output signals that are each directed into one of the plurality of output optical fibers. The optical splitter module also includes a fanout device defining a plurality of openings that are each configured to receive an output optical fiber of the plurality of output optical fibers. The optical splitter module defines an internal volume and an exit cavity. The input optical fiber, the plurality of output optical fibers, the splitter device, and the fanout device are each received in the internal volume. The fanout device defines a side length, and the exit cavity defines a width. The side length of the fanout device is greater than the width of the exit cavity. In some embodiments, the fanout device may be configured to receive a portion of covered output optical fibers, and the covered output optical fibers may each include protective tubing. Additionally, in some embodiments, the covered output optical fibers may extend through the exit cavity, and the width of the exit cavity may be 1.68 inches or less. In some embodiments, each of the covered output optical fibers may have a diameter of approximately 0.063 inches. In some embodiments, the split density of the optical splitter module may be greater than five or more splits per cubic inch, with the split density being a number of output optical fibers in the optical splitter module divided by a number of input optical fibers in the optical splitter module as well as a volume of the optical splitter module. In some embodiments, the split density of the optical splitter module may be 13.6 or more splits per cubic inch. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the split density of the optical splitter module is 17.3 or more splits per cubic inch. The plurality of output optical fibers may each be bend insensitive fibers in some embodiments. Additionally, in some embo