Compact cable assembly
Optical fibers of a multi-fiber cable are grouped into connection units. The distal ends of the fibers of each connection unit are terminated at a connection unit body that attaches to a tapering cable core formed of longer ones of the connection units. After deployment of the cable, two or more connection units can be stacked together to form a connector or inserted into a connector shell. Prior to deployment of the cable, at least some of the connection units are spaced from each other along the cable. For example, individual connection units may be disposed at one end of the tapering cable core and stacks of connection units may be disposed at the other end of the tapering cable core.
1 . A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:
a cable, the cable including a core, the core including a plurality of optical fibers; and
a plurality of connection units, each of the connection units including a subset of the plurality of the optical fibers, the connection units being initially in a first configuration spread about the core of the cable as the cable is deployed, once the cable is deployed the connection units being configured to assemble into a second configuration with one another to form a connector, wherein, in the first configuration, the connection units are grouped together in stacks that are spaced along the cable during deployment of the cable.
2 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1 , further comprising, in the second configuration, a shell which the connection units are configured to assemble within to form the connector.
3 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection units further comprise keying features, the keying features allowing the connection units to assemble with one another to form the connector.
4 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1 , wherein, in the first configuration, the connection units are protected within a sleeve during deployment, the sleeve extending along the cable.
5 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1 , wherein each connection unit includes a connection unit body holding the subset of the plurality of optical fibers of the connection unit.
6 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 5 , wherein, in the first configuration, the connection unit bodies of adjacent connection units are spaced from each other.
7 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the stacks increase in height as the core decreases in cross-dimension.
8 . A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:
a cable, the cable including a core, the core including a plurality of optical fibers; and
a plurality of connection units, each of the connection units including a subset of the plurality of the optical fibers, the connection units being initially in a first configuration spread about the core of the cable as the cable is deployed, once the cable is deployed the connection units being configured to assemble into a second configuration with one another to form a connector, and
wherein each connection unit includes a connection unit body holding the subset of the plurality of optical fibers of the connection unit and wherein, in the first configuration, the connection unit bodies of multiple connection units are stacked together as a unit during deployment of the cable.
9 . A fiber optic cable assembly comprising:
a cable, the cable including a core, the core including a plurality of optical fibers; and
a plurality of connection units, each of the connection units including a subset of the plurality of the optical fibers, the connection units being initially in a first configuration spread about the core of the cable as the cable is deployed, once the cable is deployed the connection units being configured to assemble into a second configuration with one another to form a connector,
wherein each connection unit includes a connection unit body holding the subset of the plurality of optical fibers of the connection unit and wherein, in the first configuration, the connection unit bodies of multiple connection units are stacked together as a unit during deployment of the cable, and
wherein, in the first configuration, the connection unit bodies are managed within a track mounted to the cable.
10 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9 , wherein the track extends parallel with the cable.
11 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9 , wherein the track extends helically around the cable.
12 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9 , wherein each connection unit extends along a longitudinal axis of the track.
13 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9 , wherein each connection unit is angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the track.
14 . The fiber optic cable assembly of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of connection units is a first plurality of connection units, the fiber optic cable assembly further comprising:
a second plurality of connection units arranged such that the first and second plurality of connection units are opposing connection units; and
an adapter configured to be arranged between the first and second plurality of connection units and mate the opposing connection units while the opposing connection units are still held by respective tracks.