IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,322,871
Granted Patent B1
US 8,322,871 · App. 12/787,883 · Granted Dec 4, 2012

Optical fiber tracing system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,322,871
App. No.
12/787,883
Granted
Dec 4, 2012
Kind
B1
Abstract

An optical fiber tracing system for efficiently tracing one or more optical fibers within a fiber-optic communication system. The optical fiber tracing system generally includes an optical fiber and a luminescent member positioned adjacent to the optical fiber. The luminescent member illuminates along the length thereof for allowing a selective visual tracing of an individual optical fiber or group of optical fibers. The luminescent member is preferably comprised of an electroluminescent wire (EL wire) that extends along the length of the optical fiber.

Claims (41)

1. An optical fiber tracing system, comprising:

an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, wherein said optical fiber is for a fiber-optic communications;

a luminescent member positioned adjacent to and along said optical fiber, wherein said luminescent member illuminates for allowing a selective visual tracing of an individual optical fiber or group of optical fibers; and

a first patch panel and a second patch panel, wherein said first end of said optical fiber is in communication with said first patch panel and wherein said second end of said optical fiber is in communication with said second patch panel.

2. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein a substantial portion of the length of said luminescent member illuminates.

3. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein a substantial and continuous portion of the length of said luminescent member illuminates.

4. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein said luminescent member extends from said first end to said second end of said optical fiber.

5. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein said luminescent member extends along the length of said optical fiber.

6. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , including a translucent cover surrounding at least a substantial portion of said optical fiber and said luminescent member.

7. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 6 , wherein said translucent cover is colored.

8. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 6 , wherein said translucent cover is substantially clear.

9. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 6 , including aramid fibers surrounding said optical fiber.

10. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein said luminescent member is comprised of an electroluminescent wire.

11. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , including a first controller in communication with a second controller, wherein said first controller is adjacent said first patch panel and wherein said second controller is adjacent said second patch panel, and wherein said second controller sends a notification signal to said first controller when a signal is detected from said luminescent member.

12. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 11 , including a sensor adjacent to said luminescent member for detecting said signal from said luminescent member, wherein said signal is comprised of an electrical signal.

13. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein said optical fiber and said luminescent member are connected at one end to a first connector and at an opposite end to a second connector for communicating with a first patch panel and a second patch panel respectively.

14. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 1 , wherein said luminescent member has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

15. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 14 , wherein said luminescent member is comprised of an electroluminescent wire.

16. An optical fiber tracing system, comprising:

an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, wherein said optical fiber is for a fiber-optic communications;

a luminescent member positioned adjacent to and along said optical fiber, wherein said luminescent member illuminates for allowing a selective visual tracing of an individual optical fiber or group of optical fibers;

wherein said luminescent member has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm;

wherein said luminescent member is comprised of an electroluminescent wire;

wherein a substantial and continuous portion of the length of said luminescent member illuminates;

wherein said luminescent member extends the length of said optical fiber from said first end to said second end of said optical fiber; and

a first patch panel and a second patch panel, wherein said first end of said optical fiber is in communication with said first patch panel and wherein said second end of said optical fiber is in communication with said second patch panel.

17. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 16 , including a translucent cover surrounding at least a substantial portion of said optical fiber and said luminescent member, wherein said translucent cover is colored or substantially clear.

18. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 16 , including a first controller in communication with a second controller, wherein said first controller is adjacent said first patch panel and wherein said second controller is adjacent said second patch panel, and wherein said second controller sends a notification signal to said first controller when a signal is detected from said luminescent member.

19. The optical fiber tracing system of claim 18 , including a sensor adjacent to said luminescent member for detecting said signal from said luminescent member, wherein said signal is comprised of an electrical signal.

20. An optical fiber tracing system, comprising:

an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, wherein said optical fiber is for a fiber-optic communications;

a luminescent member positioned adjacent to and along said optical fiber, wherein said luminescent member illuminates for allowing a selective visual tracing of an individual optical fiber or group of optical fibers;

wherein said luminescent member has a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm;

wherein said luminescent member is comprised of an electroluminescent wire;

wherein a substantial and continuous portion of the length of said luminescent member illuminates;

wherein said luminescent member extends the length of said optical fiber from said first end to said second end of said optical fiber;

a translucent cover surrounding at least a substantial portion of said optical fiber and said luminescent member, wherein said translucent cover is colored or substantially clear;

a first patch panel and a second patch panel, wherein said first end of said optical fiber is in communication with said first patch panel and wherein said second end of said optical fiber is in communication with said second patch panel;

a first controller in communication with a second controller, wherein said first controller is adjacent said first patch panel and wherein said second controller is adjacent said second patch panel, and wherein said second controller sends a notification signal to said first controller when an electrical signal is detected from said luminescent member, wherein said electrical signal is comprised of an alternating current that illuminates said luminescent member; and

a sensor adjacent to said luminescent member for detecting said electrical signal from said luminescent member;

wherein said optical fiber and said luminescent member are connected at one end to a first connector and at an opposite end to a second connector for communicating with said first patch panel and said second patch panel respectively.

Assignments (1)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2015
From: TELECT, INC.
To: COMERICA BANK
Reel/Frame 035101/0646 →