CARRIER FOR PULLING OPTICAL CABLE
A carrier system for pulling a cable includes a tubular housing having an elongate body with a non-uniform cross-section, a tapered first end, and an open second end. A carriage is releasably secured to the second end and includes a plug configured to seal the housing during pulling. The plug may be a clamshell structure with an aperture sized to receive a cable of an optical connector, enabling axial retention and environmental sealing. The apparatus further includes an optical connector with a cable extending through the plug. A method for using the carrier includes securing the optical connector within the tubular housing, attaching the carriage to the open end, and pulling the carrier through a conduit. The housing geometry is modulated along its length for improved conduit navigation and strain distribution. The carriage assembly provides protection and sealing for the connector and supports deployment of pre-terminated cables in buried environments.
1 . A carrier for pulling a cable, the carrier comprising:
a tubular housing comprising:
an elongate body having a non-uniform cross-section, wherein the elongate body is configured to hold an optical connector;
a first end that is tapered;
a second end, opposite the first end, that is open; and
a carriage, releasably securable to the second end of the tubular housing, wherein the carriage comprises:
a plug configured to seal the second end of the housing during pulling.
2 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the non-uniform cross-section of the elongate body further comprises:
a circular cross section at the second end;
a super-elliptic cross-section at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end.
3 . The carrier of claim 2 , wherein the non-uniform cross-section is modulated between the second end and the intermediate location according to:
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a=radius of the circular cross section at the second end; and
n is a positive parameter that defines a shape of the cross section, wherein 1<n<2.
4 . The carrier of claim 3 , wherein the non-uniform cross-section is modulated between the intermediate location and the first end according to:
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a=radius of the circular cross section at the second end; and
n is a positive parameter that defines the shape of the cross section, wherein 1<n<2.
5 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the first end further comprises:
a hemispherical cap.
6 . The carrier of claim 5 , wherein the first end further comprises:
an eyelet extending from the hemispherical cap.
7 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the carriage further comprises:
a grommet configured to fit over at least a portion of the plug.
8 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plug is a clamshell that can be snap fit around a cable of the optical connector.
9 . The carrier of claim 1 , wherein the plug further comprises:
an aperture extending through the plug and configured to hold a cable of the optical connector.
10 . The carrier of claim 9 , wherein the at least a portion of the aperture has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the cable.
11 . An apparatus comprising:
an optical connector having a cable extending therefrom; and
a carrier comprising:
a tubular housing comprising:
an elongate body having a non-uniform cross-section, wherein the elongate body is configured to hold an optical connector;
a first end that is tapered;
a second end, opposite the first end, that is open; and
a carriage, releasably securable to the second end of the tubular housing,
wherein the carriage comprises:
a plug configured to seal the second end of the housing during pulling.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the non-uniform cross-section of the elongate body further comprises:
a circular cross section at the second end;
a super-elliptic cross-section at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end.
13 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first end further comprises:
a hemispherical cap; and
an eyelet extending from the hemispherical cap.
14 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the carriage further comprises:
a grommet configured to fit over at least a portion of the plug.
15 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plug is a clamshell that can be snap fit around the cable of the optical connector, wherein the plug further comprises:
an aperture extending through the plug and configured to hold a cable of the optical connector wherein the at least a portion of the aperture has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the cable.
16 . A method for pulling cable, the method comprising:
securing an optical connector within a carrier, the carrier comprising:
a tubular housing comprising:
an elongate body having a non-uniform cross-section;
a first end that is tapered;
a second end, opposite the first end, that is open;
securing a carriage to the second end of the tubular housing, wherein the carriage comprises:
a plug configured to seal the second end of the housing during pulling; and
pulling the carrier with the optical connector secured therein.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the non-uniform cross-section of the elongate body further comprises:
a circular cross section at the second end;
a super-elliptic cross-section at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein securing the carriage to the second end of the tubular housing further comprises:
fitting a grommet over at least a portion of the plug.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the plug is a clamshell, and securing the optical connector within a carrier further comprising:
positioning the cable within an aperture extending through the plug, wherein the at least a portion of the aperture has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the cable; and
snap fitting the plug around the cable of the optical connector.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the first end further comprises a hemispherical cap having an eyelet extending from the hemispherical cap, the method further comprising:
securing a pull cable to the eyelet; and
pulling the carrier via the pull cable.