MULTI-SPOOL CABLE REEL
In general, in one aspect, one or more examples relate to apparatuses and methods for deploying a cable. The apparatuses comprises a set of spools. Each spool includes a pair of flanges, and a cable hub positioned between them. The cable hub defines one or more module compartments configured to house modules. A cable is wound around the hub, with at least one module contained within the module compartments and connected to a first end of the cable.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a set of spools, each spool comprising:
a pair of flanges;
a cable hub juxtaposed between the pair of flanges; and
one or more module compartments positioned within the cable hub and configured to contain one or more modules.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the flanges comprises an access door that opens to the one or more module compartments.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable hub is elliptical in shape.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable hub further comprises:
an access door that opens to the one or more module compartments, wherein the access door has a radius of curvature along an outer surface that is about equal to a radius of curvature of the cable hub.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable hub further comprises:
a radius ramp exiting the one or more module compartments and connecting to an exterior of the cable hub along a transition curve.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first module contained within the cable hub of a spool in the one or more module compartments; and
a first cable connected to the first module at a first end of the first cable, wherein the first cable is routed out of the module compartments and wound around the cable hub.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:
a second module contained within the cable hub of the spool in the one or more module compartments; and
a second cable connected to the second module at a first end of the second cable, wherein the second cable is routed out of the module compartments and coextensively wound around the cable hub with the first cable.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cable hub is monolithic with at least one of the flanges.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a stand, wherein the set of spools is rotatably mounted thereon; and
a set of spacers interposed between adjacent ones of the set of spools.
10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein each spool is independently rotatable.
11 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein each flange further comprises:
a set of spool locks that rotatably secure together one or more spools of set of spools such that the set of spools corotate.
12 . A method for deploying a cable, the method comprising:
providing a spool at a first location, the spool comprising:
a pair of flanges;
a cable hub juxtaposed between the pair of flanges;
one or more module compartments positioned within the cable hub; and
configured to contain one or more modules a pair of flanges; and
a cable wound around the cable hub, wherein the cable has a first module attached to a first end of the cable, first module contained within the one or more module compartments of the spool;
unwinding the cable from the cable hub to deploy a second end of the cable to a second location;
removing the first module from the one or more module compartments; and
connecting the first module to network equipment at the first location.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the cable is routed through a radiused ramp exiting the module compartments within the cable hub.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein removing the first module from the one or more module compartments further comprises:
pulling the first module through a connector pocket opening to the one or more module compartments after unwinding the cable from the cable hub.
15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
stabilizing the spool on a stand using spacers interposed between adjacent spools in a multi-spool configuration.
16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein unwinding the cable from the cable hub further comprising:
rotating the spool on a stand to facilitate unwinding the cable, wherein the spool is rotatably mounted on the stand.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
unwinding cables from multiple spools on the stand simultaneously, wherein the spools are independently rotatable.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the spool is a first spool, the method further comprising:
engaging a spool lock to allow co-rotation of multiple spools during deployment.
19 . A multi-spool cable reel comprising:
a set of spools, each spool comprising:
a pair of flanges;
a cable hub juxtaposed between the pair of flanges; and
one or more module compartments positioned within the cable hub and configured to contain one or more modules.
20 . The multi-spool cable reel of claim 19 , further comprising:
a stand, wherein the set of spools is rotatably mounted thereon; and
a set of spacers interposed between adjacent ones of the set of spools.