The disclosure is related to a system for storing ducts through which optical fibers may extend. In general, a bundle of ducts may be surrounded by a sleeve, also referred to as an envelope. Optical fibers may be kept in ducts. The optical fibers in the ducts may be provided with a sheathing so that more or less a cable is formed, having optical fibers at its core.

The bundles are normally buried in the ground for rapid transfer of data between buildings etc. The system for storing ducts comprises usually a box in which excess duct and excess fiber length is kept just in case it is needed for a new branch, for connecting etc. The bundle may also comprise empty ducts for later on filling these with fiber (cables). Such a system for storing ducts comprises a housing, which is known per se. The housing has a bottom element and a circumferential wall that extends upwardly from the bottom element. The housing further has at least one opening in the circumferential wall for holding a bundle of ducts and for letting one or more ducts enter the housing. The housing is normally also buried in the ground.

Background of the disclosure

In the housing, ducts having a relatively large length are stored for further specific use at a later stage. These ducts are often manually put in loops and these loops are put down or somehow stored in the housing. When there is a need to further handle fibers out of different ducts, dedicated equipment is used for holding the fibers. The equipment may also be stored in the housing. The handling of both the equipment and the fibers is often cumbersome. Not infrequently the difficulties in handling lead to kinking and damaging the fibers and/or the ducts. Sometimes the connecting or disconnecting of fibers is poor because of the difficulties in handling the ends of the ducts and the ends of the fibers, and/or because of the difficulties to also hold the equipment that needs to be used for this connecting and/or disconnecting. The job of connection and/or disconnecting fibers requires due to these difficulties much time and due to the errors and kinking that may occur also requires much fiber and duct length.

It is an object of the disclosure to address at least one of these problems.

Provided is a system for storing ducts through which optical fibers may extend. The system comprises a housing, or comprises system parts that may be put together to form a housing. The housing has a bottom element and a circumferential wall that extends upwardly from the bottom element. The housing has at least one opening in the circumferential wall for holding a bundle of ducts and for letting one or more ducts of the bundle enter the housing. The system further comprises a terminal for hosting at least one duct-end. The system is arranged for having the terminal at a number of predetermined positions fixed relative to the housing.

As it is possible to have a duct-end hosted by the terminal and it is possible to have the terminal held in one of the predetermined positions, it is also possible to impose to an extent on the part of the duct that is between the opening in the circumferential wall and the duct end configurations which that duct part can adopt. The handling of the ducts is subject to the predetermined constraint on the duct part where it enters the housing, the predetermined constraint provided by one of the predetermined positions of the terminal, and the shape and dimensions of the circumferential wall. At the design stage of the system, these constraints and shape and dimensions are set such that the duct-part in the housing can be stored and handled in a suitable way for reducing significantly the chance of kinking or otherwise damaging the ducts and/or fibers.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system each of the number of predetermined positions is central relative to the circumferential wall. Advantageously, a distance between the circumferential wall and the terminal for hosting at least one duct end is about the same for each circumferential position from which a duct is bent toward the terminal for hosting the duct end of that duct. Consequently, it is possible to design that distance such that the shortest possible radius of a bend in a duct from a position that is close to the inner circumferential wall and the respective duct end in the terminal, can be taken into account. In fact, as will be shown, it is possible to have the ducts adopt the shape of a spiral, so that much length of the duct extends over bends of a relatively large radius. This reduces the chance of kinking, and/or otherwise damaging ducts and/or fibers that are stored and handled in the housing.

It is further preferable that in an assembled condition of the system, the terminal is reversibly translatable away from the bottom elementalong a predetermined path. It is thus possible that the terminal is kept close to the bottom elementby fixation at a predetermined position, and from there follow a predetermined path, whilst moving from one of the predetermined positions to the next one, to arrive at a predetermined position that is significantly higher than the bottom element, and possibly even higher than the height of the circumferential wall. This allows for manipulation of the ducts as stored in the housing in a very controlled way, ideally maintaining a spiral shape. Again, this minimizes the chances of kinking and/or otherwise damaging the ducts, and the fibers held therein.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system, the housing has an upwardly extending imaginary axis. This provides a well-defined direction within the housing, that can assist in defining what is central relative to the circumferential wall, and that can assist in, for instance, structuring a predetermined path along which the terminal can reversibly be translated away from the bottom. Preferably the predetermined path is along the imaginary axis. This provides for a very compact and stable system.

Preferably, the terminal has at least two gateways, wherein each of the gateways is suitable for holding a duct end and for allowing the optical fibers to extend out of that duct end through the gateway.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system, each gateway is oriented such that when a duct end is held in the gateway, the duct end is oriented in a direction that differs from the upward direction and/or differs from the direction of the imaginary axis. This allows for more optimal use of the space available in the housing, as compared to having gateways oriented such that when a duct end is held in the gateway, the duct end is oriented in the upward and/or direction of the imaginary axis. Due to this orientation of the gateway, the spiralling shape of the excess of duct that is stored in the housing can be facilitated better and possibly maintained throughout the moving of the terminal along the number of predetermined positions. Furthermore, the fibers coming out of the respective duct end are more suitably oriented for further handling, including connecting and/or disconnecting the fibers to fibers coming out of another duct end.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system, each gateway is oriented such that when a duct end is held in the gateway, the duct end is oriented in a direction that has a component across the direction of the imaginary axis and/or that has a component in a direction that is tangential relative to the circumferential wall. This avoids the need for a bend with a small radius in the duct. Consequently, the chance of kinking of the ducts can be reduced.

Preferably, the system further comprises a chamber for storing equipment for holding the optical fibers. Such a dedicated chamber avoids that the equipment interferes with space occupied by the ducts. Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system, the chamber is arranged with respect to the terminal so that when optical fibers extend out of the duct ends that are hosted by the terminal, the equipment is, when stored in the housing, within reach of the optical fibers. Advantageously, the system is, in use, set up for swift handling of the fibers without having to handle the duct ends and/or the position of the equipment. This constellation has shown to lead to less damage and/or less kinking of the cables and the fibers. The connecting and disconnecting activities are of a higher quality, are less time consuming, and ergonomically more acceptable to workers in this field.

Preferably, the chamber is at least partly formed by a removable cover. This protects the equipment and constrains the position of the equipment. Preferably, ducts cannot extend through the chamber.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system the circumferential wall has lateral dimensions in the range of 50 to 100 cm, preferably in the range of 70 to 90 cm, and even more preferably around 80 cm. Of course, the larger the lateral dimension of the circumferential wall, the larger the radius of bending of the various ducts stored and handled in the housing. The smaller the lateral dimension of the circumferential wall, the more compact the housing will be, which is advantageous in ground- based infrastructure that is densely occupied by various pipes, cables, etc.

Preferably, the chamber has a lateral dimension in a range of 10 to 30 cm, preferably in a range of 15 to 25 cm, and even more preferably about 20 cm. Accordingly, the dimensions of the chamber correspond to the dimension of a dinner plate and/or the dimension of a steering wheel. Accordingly, one worker, using his two hands, can without much straining carry out the various connecting and disconnecting activities within the borders of the chamber in an ergonomically acceptable way.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system the circumferential wall has a height in the range of 50 to 120 cm. Taking into account the lateral dimensions of the circumferential wall and the lateral dimensions of the chamber, it is clear that a worker could sit on the ground surrounding the housing and have his legs dangling in the housing between the circumferential wall and the central position that is occupied by the chamber in the housing. This again is from an ergonomical perspective a very acceptable way of working. It may even be possible that a person stands in the housing, whilst connecting and/or disconnecting the various fibers within the space defined by the chamber. Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings which are spatially separated in the circumferential direction along the wall and/or at a distance away from the bottom. Accordingly, each duct enters the housing at a different position in the circumferential wall avoiding congestion of ducts at a certain position within the housing and promoting equal spread of the various ducts stored in the housing.

Preferably, in an assembled condition of the system the housing is provided with a removable roof member for temporarily closing off the housing. This allows for the protection of the content of the housing, and avoids the flowing in of (rain)water.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the system provides for storing ducts through which optical fibers may extend. The system comprises a housing, or comprises system parts that may be put together to form a housing. The housing has a bottom element and a circumferential wall that extends upwardly from the bottom element. The housing has at least one opening in the circumferential wall for holding a bundle of cables and for letting one or more ducts of the bundle enter the housing. The circumferential wall has a height in a range of 50 to 120 cm.

The disclosure is further illustrated and explained on the basis of a drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a semi-exploded perspective view of an example of a system according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 shows a part of an example of a system according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 shows a semi-exploded perspective view of an example of a system according to the present disclosure, in use;

Fig. 4 shows a semi-exploded perspective view of an example of a system according to the present disclosure, in use;

Fig. 5 shows a part of an example of a system according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 shows a side view of the part shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a top view of the part shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of an example of a system according to the present disclosure, in use; Fig. 9 shows an example of a system according to the present disclosure, in use;

Fig. 10 shows an example of a system according to the present disclosure, in use; and

Fig. 11 shows an example of a system according to the present disclosure, in use. In the drawing, like parts are provided with like references.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a system 1 for storing ducts 2 of bundles 3 through which optical fibers (not shown) extend. The system is shown in use, as buried in the ground A between bundles 3 buried under an upper surface B, that may be formed by, for instance, a pavement. The ground A and the pavement B are not part of the system 1. The system comprises a housing 4 having a bottom element 5 and a circumferential wall 6 that extends upwardly from the bottom element 5. The housing has at least one opening 7 (not shown in Fig. 1) which is shown in more detail in Fig. 2. The system is arranged for having the terminal at a number of predetermined positions fixed relative to the housing 4. In Fig. 1, terminal 8 is shown to be at a predetermined position that is central relative to the circumferential wall 6. In fact, as will be clearer later on, in the examples shown, each of the predetermined positions is central relative to the circumferential wall 6. In principle, it is possible to have at least one or a number of the predetermined positions a little off-centre. It is even possible to have a number of the predetermined positions more peripheral from the centre, and even close to the circumferential wall. However, it is preferred, as shown, to have the terminal fixed at a position that is central relative to the circumferential wall 6.

Fig. 2 shows in more detail openings in the circumferential wall 6 for holding a bundle of ducts 3. These openings 7 are spatially separated in circumferential direction along the wall 6 and, as shown, also spatially separated in distance away from the bottom. However, it is also possible to have all the openings only separated in distance away from the bottom. Likewise, it is also possible to have the openings only spatially separated in circumferential direction along the wall 6. In general, it is preferred to have the opening in the circumferential wall 6 for holding a bundle and for letting at least one duct 2 of the bundle 3 enter the housing 4 to be configured such that the cable approaches the circumferential wall 6 from an angle that is slightly larger than the angle that will be included by the bundle 3 and the circumferential wall 6 if the bundle were to approach the housing from a tangential direction. Advantageously, the ducts 2 entering the housing 4 are in those circumstances suitably aligned for adopting a shape that corresponds to the shape of the inner wall 9 of the circumferential wall 6.

Turning to Fig. 3, in an assembled condition of the system, the terminal 8 is reversibly translatable away from the bottom 5 along a predetermined path. The predetermined path is formed by adjacently situated predetermined positions that fix the terminal 8 relative to the housing 4. In this specific example, the housing has an upwardly extending imaginary axis that coincides with an axis along which the terminal 8 can be translated upwards and downwards within the housing 4 and, possibly even outside housing 4. For this purpose, a handle 10 is available for pulling up. Such a handle is well known, for instance from suitcases which are provided with wheels and that can be pulled along by pulling the handle etc. preferably, as shown, the predetermined path is a linear path and in any case not a path that changes its direction over more than 45°.

The terminal 8 has a number of gateways 11. Each of the gateways 11 is suitable for holding a duct end 12 and for allowing the optical fibers (not shown) to extend out of that duct end 12 through the gateway 11.

In this example, each gateway 11 is oriented such that when a duct end 12 is holding the gateway 11, the duct end 12 is oriented in a direction that differs from the upward direction and/or differs from the direction of the imaginary axis (or in this case, real axis).

From another perspective, each gateway 11 is oriented such that when a duct end 12 is holding the gateway 11, the duct end 12 is oriented in a direction that has a component across the direction of the imaginary axis and/or that has a component in a direction that is tangential relative to the terminal 8.

The system further comprises a chamber 13 for storing equipment (not shown) for connecting and/or disconnecting the optical fibers (not shown). This chamber 13 is arranged with respect to the terminal 8 so that when optical fibers extend out of the duct ends 12 that are hosted by the terminal 8, the equipment is, when stored in the housing 4, within reach of the optical fibers. As shown, the chamber may partly be formed by a removable cover 14.

In use, the system put in an assembled condition, is positioned in the ground. Bundles 3 of ducts 2 which are buried in the ground and comprise ducts 2 through which optical fibers extend will be connected up with the housing 4 via openings 7. Each bundle 3 will be held in the respective opening 7 in a circumferential wall and as such allow for entering of the ducts 2 into the housing. Much extra length of the ducts 2 will be entering the housing 4. The ducts 2 will most likely spiral up to the terminal 8. The end of each duct will be held by a gateway 11. Ideally, the handle 10 and chamber 13 (into which the fibers extend from the duct ends 12) can be moved up and/or be rotated around the axis so as to better accommodate the ducts 2 and/or to relieve possible strain in the ducts. This is schematically depicted in Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 4, it is possible that the terminal 8 and chamber 13 are moved up by handle 10 to a point higher than the housing 4, i.e. a point that is higher than the upper end of the circumferential wall 6. As shown in Fig. 4, the ducts will in an undisturbed way be able to follow this movement of terminal 8. The ducts will not be damaged and/or kinked. A worker can more easily connect or disconnect fibers which extend into chamber 13. The terminal 8 and the chamber 13 are in this example supported by a telescopic bar that can be pulled out by pulling handle 10.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the terminal 8 and the chamber 13, showing also the handle 10. It is seen that the terminal has a large number of gateways 11. Figure 6 shows a sideview. Figure 7 shows a top view, and clearly shows the orientation to the gateways 11 with respect to the terminal 8. The axial direction of each individual gateway include an angle with the circumference of the terminal 8 that is slightly larger than the angle that would have been included had the orientation of the gateway been tangential with respect to the circumference of the terminal 8. Fig. 7 also clearly shows that the entire circumference of the terminal 8 is provided with gateways 11, to allow for a large number of duct-ends to be held by a gateway.

Figure 8 is based on fig. 4 and also shows the embedment in the ground A by the presence of an upper surface B that has been provided with a recess for extending therethrough an upper part of the housing, so that the upper end of the circumferential wall 6 is more or less at the level of the upper surface B, which could be pavement or roaddeck etc.

Figure 9 shows the chamber 13 back down in the housing 4 and a cover 15 on top of the housing 4.

As mentioned above, the chamber 13 is for storing equipment for holding the optical fibers. In an assembled condition of the system, the chamber is arranged with respect to the terminal so that when optical fibers extend out of the duct-ends that are hosted by the terminal, the equipment is, when stored in the housing, within reach of the optical fibers. As shown, the chamber 13 is at least partly formed by a removable cover 14.

In an assembled condition of the system the circumferential wall has lateral dimensions in a range of 50 to 100 cm, preferably in a range of 70 to 90 cm, and even more preferably about 80 cm. The chamber 13 has a lateral dimension in a range of 10 to 30 cm, preferably in a range of 15 to 25 cm, and even more preferably about 20 cm. In an assembled condition of the system the circumferential wall has a height in a range of 50 to 120 cm. These dimensions allow a worker to place his legs in the annular space between the inner circumferential wall and the terminal8/chamber 13, whilst handling fibers in the space that is occupied by the chamber 13, as shown in fig. 10 and 11. Note that the equipment can be shaped differently than shown. It is envisaged that the system is provided initially without the equipment. However, it is not impossible that the equipment is part of the system.

The disclosure is not limited to the examples shown. For instance, instead of a circular circumferential wall, it is also possible that an octahedron, a hexagon, a pentagon etc is used. It may also be square shaped and/or rectangular. In principle, any shape is possible. It is foreseen that the housing is of plastic, such as PVC or PP. The cover 14 of the chamber 13 may be of a plastic like PP or ABS. Also the shape of the chamber cover 14 is relatively free to choose. Other than roundish, it may, for instance, be block-shaped, or a hexagon or octahedron in cross section.

Instead of a telescopic shaft for allowing movement of the terminal along a predetermined path, it is also envisageable that another mechanism allows for that movement, such as a lift mechanism possibly with a counterweight etc., hydraulically or electrically driven. The predetermined path is preferably along the axis X and/or preferably within a central zone of the housing.

The implementation of the system will ideally strike a balance between compactness and spaciness for storing ducts, so that kinking is unlikely to occur.

In an assembled condition of the system the at least one opening 7 comprises a plurality of openings 7 which are spatially separated in circumferential direction along the wall and/or in distance away from the bottom element, wherein preferably a bundle of ducts, when held in an opening 7, includes an angle with the circumferential wall that allows for the ducts to adopt a position closely along the inner circumferential wall. The openings may have different diameters to accommodate for bundles having different diameters. Although the word "opening" is used, it may be that an openable opening is present which is closed when not in use. The opening 7 may also comprise a little pipe into which the bundle is put.

As explained in an assembled condition of the system the housing 4 is provided with a removable roof-member 15 for temporarily closing off the housing at the top. This can be a flat lid type of cover 15 but also a dome-shaped cover. Although it is shown that the system is not fully embedded in the ground, it is not inconceivable that the housing including the cover is buried under the upper surface and that the cover is not visible from above the ground. The bottom element 5 may be a plate, as shown, but alternatively also a grid or any other support, allowing or disallowing water to enter the housing.

The appended claims provide a further framework for the disclosure.