APPARATUS FOR WINDING CABLE

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application is being filed on April 10, 2019 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/657,572, filed on April 13, 2018, and claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.

62/677,737, filed on May 30, 2018, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Background

Cables, ropes, cords, flexible hoses, flexible tubes, wires and similar objects (collectively,“windable elongate objects” or“WEO’s”) have myriad uses and

applications. Aerospace, marine, agriculture, telecommunications and household appliances, are just a few of the many industries that use these devices regularly and for achieving a variety of objectives.

In many applications, long lengths of WEO’s are required. Typically, to organize lengths of WEO’s and reduce the amount of space they occupy, especially when they are not in use, the WEO or a portion thereof is wound in a wound configuration. A typical wound configuration is a series of loops of the length of WEO, the loops being of roughly the same size. When required in a given application, the wound length of WEO or a portion thereof is unraveled or unwound from its wound configuration and thereby made accessible for use.

Summary

In general terms, the present disclosure is directed to WEO’s with improved wound configurations, and methods and apparatuses for winding WEO’s. While principles of the present disclosure are readily applicable to WEO’s in general, for ease of description the features of the present disclosure will be described in connection with a windable fiber optic cable.

In addition, the principles of the present disclosure are readily applicable to groups of multiple fiber optic cables, e.g., groups of 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 32, 64, or more fiber optic cables. That is, the winding features of the cables described herein can be readily applied to groups of such cables (whether coupled to one another or not coupled to one another), where each cable of the group essentially follows the winding configuration of the other cables in the group. For ease of description, the features of the present disclosure will be described in connection with single fiber optic cables.

Generally speaking, a windable fiber optic cable (hereinafter,“cable” or“fiber optic cable”) is a windable elongate object (WEO) defined by a central longitudinal axis. The cable includes an outer jacket surrounding one or more optical fibers extending generally along or parallel to the central axis. The cable can include other components within the outer jacket, such as strength members (e.g., aramid yarn), a flexible inner tube or buffer tube that houses the optical fiber(s), etc. The one or more fibers can be loose or embedded in the cable.

The one or more optical fibers of the cable can be in single fiber configuration or multi-fiber configuration (e.g., ribbonized). In some examples, each optical fiber includes a glass core through which optical signals are propogated, surrounded by a protective cladding layer and then one or more coating layers.

One or both ends (i.e., the proximal and distal ends) of the cable can be terminated in any suitable way. In non-limiting examples, one or both ends are terminated with one or more fiber optic connectors that terminate the optical fiber(s) of the cable and enable optical connectorization of the cable with other telecommunications equipment.

For shipping, storage, and other organization purposes, lengths of cable are often wound in a wound configuration and then unwound or unraveled on site, e.g., when connecting the cable to other telecommunications equipment. The wound configuration must account for bend radius limitations of the one or more optical fibers of the cable.

That is, the cable must not be bent, either in the wound configuration, or while making a wound configuration, to exceed the bend radius of the optical fiber at which the optical fiber could be damaged.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure a fiber optic cable extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the cable, wherein the cable is defined by a wound configuration and an unwound configuration, the cable in the wound configuration defining a winding plane, wherein the cable in the wound

configuration appears, from at least one of above or below the winding plane, to include a figure-8 substantially circumscribed by a substantially circular loop or a substantially elliptical loop or a substantially rounded rectangle or racetrack shaped loop. According to certain aspects of the present disclosure a fiber optic cable extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the cable, the cable comprising at least a first segment, a second segment extending distally from a distal end of the first segment, a third segment extending distally from a distal end of the second segment, and a fourth segment extending distally from a distal end of the third segment, wherein the cable is defined by a wound configuration and an unwound configuration, wherein in the wound configuration the first segment and the third segment each substantially define at least a portion of a loop, and wherein the second segment and the fourth segment together substantially define a figure-8 shape.

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a method of winding a fiber optic cable is provided, the cable extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the cable, the cable comprising at least a first segment, a second segment extending distally from a distal end of the first segment, a third segment extending distally from a distal end of the second segment, and a fourth segment extending distally from a distal end of the third segment, the method comprising: a) forming at least a first portion of a first loop with the first segment; b) subsequent to a), at least substantially forming a first half of a figure-8 shape with the second segment; c) subsequent to b), forming at least a second portion of the first loop or at least a portion of a second loop with the third segment; and d) subsequent to c), at least substantially forming a second half of the figure- 8 with the fourth segment, wherein the figure-8 shape is at least substantially

circumscribed by the first loop.

In some examples of the foregoing method, the cable includes a length of cable extending distally from the fourth segment, the length of cable including a plurality of segments, and wherein the method comprises repeating steps a) through d) at least one time, at least 2 times, at least 3 times, at least 4 times, at least 5 times, at least 10 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, at least 500 times, or at least 1,000 times with the length of cable.

In some examples of the foregoing methods, the first loop or the first portion of the first loop is distally wound in a substantially clockwise manner relative to a winding plane and the second loop or the second portion of the first loop is distally wound in a substantially counterclockwise manner relative to the winding plane.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, a machine for winding a fiber optic cable is provided, the cable extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the cable, the cable comprising at least a first segment, a second segment extending distally from a distal end of the first segment, a third segment extending distally from a distal end of the second segment, and a fourth segment extending distally from a distal end of the third segment, the machine comprising a first winding peg, a second winding peg distanced from, and in a fixed position relative to, the first winding peg, a cable feeder having a feed head, one or more drivers adapted to position and move the feed head relative to the first and second winding pegs, and at least one controller adapted to control movements of the cable feeder, wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of each of the first and second winding pegs is cylindrical, wherein the cable feeder is adapted to support the cable and wind a length of the cable around the first and second winding pegs, and wherein the controller is adapted to control the cable feeder such that the cable feeder winds the length of cable in a wound configuration about the first and second winding pegs such that in the wound configuration the first segment and the third segment each define at least a portion of a loop, and the second segment and the fourth segment together substantially define a figure-8 shape.

In some examples of the foregoing machine, the controller is adapted to control the cable feeder such that the cable feeder: a) at least substantially forms a first loop or a first portion of a first loop with the first segment about the first and second pegs; b) subsequent to a), at least substantially forms a first half of a figure-8 shape with the second segment; c) subsequent to b), at least substantially forms a second loop, a portion of a second loop or, or a second portion of the first loop with the third segment; and d) subsequent to c), at least substantially forms a second half of the figure-8 shape with the fourth segment, wherein the figure-8 is at least substantially circumscribed by the first and second loops.

In some examples of the foregoing machines, the machine is adapted to repeat the steps a) through d) with a length of the cable at least 2 times, at least 5 times, at least 10 times, at least 50 times, at least 100 times, at least 500 times, or at least 1,000 times or more.

In some examples of the foregoing machines, the controller is adapted to control the cable feeder such that the first loop is distally wound around the first and second pegs in a substantially clockwise manner relative to a winding plane and the second loop is distally wound around the first and second pegs in a substantially counterclockwise manner relative to the winding plane.

In some examples of the foregoing machines, the first and second loops are substantially round, substantially elliptical, or substantially race track or rounded rectangle shaped. In some examples of the foregoing machines, the machine further comprises a base, a table, and/or a chassis to support the first and second winding pegs.

In some examples of the foregoing machines, the feeder comprises an arm extending from a conveyor to the feed head, the conveyor being adapted to convey the arm along a first dimension relative to the first and second winding pegs, the feeder comprising at least a first translator, the first translator being movable to adjust a position of the feed head relative to the first and second winding pegs along a second dimension, the second dimension being perpendicular to the first dimension. In some examples, the feeder comprises at least a second translator, the second translator being movable to adjust a position of the feed head relative to the first and second winding pegs along a third dimension, the third dimension being perpendicular to the first and second dimensions.

In some examples of the foregoing machines, the fiber optic cable is a first cable, the cable feeder is a first cable feeder, the machine comprises a second cable feeder, and the third and fourth winding pegs are spaced apart from each other at a fixed distance, and the machine is adapted to, simultaneously, wind the first cable around the first and second winding pegs, and a second fiber optic cable around the third and fourth winding pegs.

In some examples of the foregoing cables, methods, and machines, the first half of the figure-8 and the second half of the figure-8 cross over each other approximately at a center of the first and second loops.

In some examples of the foregoing cables, methods, and machines, the winding path or winding operations of the cable can be adjusted to suit specific needs, such as limitations or tolerances of the cable or how it is to be shipped, packaged, or stored. For example, the winding path or winding operations can be adjusted to provide for different ratios of loops to figure-8 shapes, such as more loops than figure-8’ s, or more figure-8’ s than loops, or approximately equal numbers of loops and figure-8’ s. Other features can also be adjusted for similar or other reasons. For example, the loops and figure-8’s can be configured to include only curved portions or to include one or more straight portions. In addition, the radius of curvature of the curved portions can be predefined to minimize damage to the cable being wound.

An advantage of the cables, methods, and machines herein is that the disclosed wound configurations of the cables facilitate unwinding of the cable and minimize tangles and memory kinks in the cable when it is being unwound. This is due, for example, because the wound cable alternates between a circumscribing loop and a circumscribed partial figure-8. Another advantage is that the disclosed wound configurations of the cables do not require a spool structure about which the cable is spooled. Eliminating spool structures can reduce cost and weight when, e.g., shipping the wound cables. Another advantage is that in the disclosed wound configurations of the cable, for a given length of cable, the number of times the cable crosses over itself at the center of a loop or the center of a figure-8 is reduced compared to, e.g., a wound configuration of only figure-8’ s.

Similarly, for a given length of cable, the number of loops is reduced compared to, e.g., a wound configuration of only loops. By distributing cable length across both loops and figure-8’ s or partial figure-8’ s the maximum height (perpendicular to the winding plane) of the wound cable is reduced, which can decrease packaging and shipping costs. In addition, reducing overlaps (e.g., at the center of the figure-8) can reduce damage or breakage to the optical fibers of the cable, as increasing the number of overlaps can increase pressure on the cable at the crossover locations.

In some examples, the wound configuration can be packaged in a generally planar arrangement where ties maintain the loops and figure-8 shapes. In some examples the wound configuration is attached to a substrate, such as a foam sheet, for support. The ties can be attached to the substrate. The wound configurations can be stacked for shipping, storage, and other organization purposes. Bag-like structures can surround one or more wound configurations, with or without the substrates.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. l is a schematic representation of an example fiber optic cable in an unwound configuration.

FIG. 2 is an aerial view above a winding plane of the cable of FIG. 1 in a first stage of a wound configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is an aerial view above a winding plane of the cable of FIG. 1 in a second stage of a wound configuration according to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an aerial view above a winding plane of the cable of FIG. 1 in a third stage of a wound configuration according to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an aerial view above a winding plane of the cable of FIG. 1 in a fourth stage of a wound configuration according to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an aerial view above a winding plan of the cable of FIG. 1 in a first stage of a wound configuration according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an aerial view above a winding plane of the cable of FIG. 1 in a second stage of a wound configuration according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an aerial view above a winding plane of the cable of FIG. 1 in a third stage of a wound configuration according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an aerial view above a winding plane of a group of telecommunications cables in a wound configuration in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example machine for winding cable in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a schematic depiction of the example machine of FIG. 10.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example cable 100 in an unwound configuration extends along a central longitudinal axis A that bends together with the cable 100. The cable can represent a single cable or a group of multiple cables and each cable can include one or more optical fibers.

The cable 100 extends distally from a proximal end to a distal end along a proximal to distal direction 102. The cable 100 includes a first segment 104, a second segment 106, a third segment 108 and a fourth segment 110. The segments need not be of equal longitudinal length, though in some examples the lengths of segments 104 and 108 are at least approximately equal, and the lengths of the segment 106 and 110 are at least approximately equal.

The segments 104, 106, 108, and 110 can in some examples take up the entire longitudinal length of the cable 100. In other examples, the segments take up a portion of the length of the cable 100, the cable 100 including a proximal end portion 122 and a distal end portion 124. In some examples, one or both of the end portions 122 and 124 can be provided with one or more fiber management and/or connection structures, such as a fiber fan-out and connectors terminating ends of the optical fibers extending from the fan out.

The segment 104 has a proximal extreme 112 and a distal extreme 114. The distal extreme 114 of the segment 104 coincides with the proximal extreme 114 of the segment 106. The distal extreme 116 of the segment 106 coincides with the proximal extreme 116 of the segment 108. The distal extreme 118 of the segment 108 coincides with the proximal extreme 118 of the segment 110. The segment 110 has a distal extreme 120.

Thus, in this example, the segments are contiguous and sequential. In other examples, there can be an additional length of cable between any two adjacent segments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cable 100 appears in a first stage of a first embodiment of a wound configuration. In the first stage, the segment 104 has been wound at least substantially into a rounded rectangle having a center C. The segment 104 has been wound parallel to a winding plane which, in this example, coincides with the page of the figure. Looking from above the winding plane, the segment 104 has been wound in a clockwise configuration, as indicated by the arrow 130.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cable 100 has been wound further from the first stage into a second stage of a wound configuration according to the first embodiment. In particular, the segment 106 has been wound into half of a figure-8 shape from the proximal extreme 114 in the direction of the arrows 132 to the distal extreme 116. In practice, the portion 107 of the segment 106 will stack up at least substantially on top of or below the corresponding portion of the segment 104 when viewed from above; however, to aid illustration, the portion 107 is shown distanced within the winding plane (i.e., the plane of the page) from the corresponding portion of the segment 104.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cable 100 has been wound further from the second stage into a third stage of a wound configuration according to the first embodiment. In particular, the segment 108 has been wound substantially into a loop from the proximal extreme 116 in the direction of the arrow 134 (counterclockwise when looking from above at the winding plane) to the distal extreme 118. In practice, the portion 107 of the segment 106 and the segment 108 will stack up at least substantially on top of or below the corresponding portions of the segment 104 when viewed from above; however, to aid illustration, the portion 107 and the segment 109 are shown distanced within the winding plane (i.e., the plane of the page) from each other and from the corresponding portions of the segment 104.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cable 100 has been wound further from the third stage into a fourth stage of a wound configuration according to the first embodiment. In particular, the segment 110 has been wound into a second half of a figure-8 shape (the other half of the figure-8 shaped formed by the segment 106) from the proximal extreme 118 in the direction of the arrows 136 to the distal extreme 120. In practice, the portion 107 of the segment 106 and the portion 111 of the segment 110 will stack up at least substantially on top of or below the corresponding portions of the segment(s) 104, 106, and/or 108 when viewed from above; however, to aid illustration, the portions 107 and 111 are shown distanced within the winding plane (i.e., the plane of the page) from the corresponding portions of the other segments. The segments 106 and 110 cross over each other at or approximately at the center C.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5 it should be appreciated that the windings depicted in FIGS. 2-5 can be repeated in the same sequence as many times as needed depending on the length of the cable 100 and the length of the cable that needs to be wound. In some examples, when a given cable 100 is in its completed wound configuration, the first and last windings are complete loops such that the order of loop and figure-8 windings is the same whether unwinding the cable starting from the proximal end portion 122, or starting from the distal end portion 124.

It should also be appreciated that where one segment of the cable ends and the next begins is arbitrary provided that the wound configuration includes at least one figure-8 shape substantially circumscribed by at least one loop. The particular winding of each of the segments 104, 106, 108, and 110 is just one of many possible examples. In addition, it should be appreciated that the figure-8 shape of the wound configuration of FIG. 5 has substantially straight or X-like crossover portions. In other examples, these cross-over portions of the figure-8 shape can be curved.

For a cable in the wound configuration of FIG. 5, or having multiple lengths wound according to the wound configuration of FIG. 5, the approximate ratio of loops to figure-8 shapes is 2: 1. That is, the number of loops is larger than the number of figure-8 shapes. In a particular wound configuration according to the winding pattern of FIGS. 2-5 that begins and ends with a full loop, the winding pattern includes N figure-8 shapes, and 2N + 1 full loops, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Another way to describe the windings of FIGS. 2-5 is as follows: a full 360 degree loop, followed by one-half of a figure-8, followed by a full 360 degree loop in an opposite direction to the first loop, followed by the other half of the figure-8, and then repeat as necessary until the appropriate length of cable is wound up.

Referring to FIG. 6, according to a winding method of a second embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, a first segment 204 of a cable 200 is wound substantially into a loop having a shape of an ellipse. The winding is performed in the direction of the arrows, i.e., counterclockwise relative to the winding plane (the plane of the page).

Referring to FIG. 7, according to the winding method of the second embodiment, a second segment 206 of the cable 200 is wound substantially into half a figure-8 shape circumscribed by the loop of the first segment and approximately half of a second elliptical loop. The winding is performed in the direction of the arrows, e.g., the half of the second elliptical loop is wound clockwise relative to the winding plane (the plane of the page).

Referring to FIG. 8, according to the winding method of the second embodiment, a third segment 208 of the cable 200 is wound substantially into the second half of the figure-8 shape circumscribed by the loop of the first segment and crossing over at the center the first half of the figure-8 shape formed by the second segment, the third segment 208 continuing on and forming approximately the second half of the second elliptical loop having a shape of an ellipse. The winding is performed in the direction of the arrows, e.g., the second half of the second elliptical loop is wound counterclockwise relative to the winding plane (the plane of the page).

The sequential windings of FIGS. 6-8 can be repeated as many times as needed depending on the length of the cable 200 and the length of cable needed to be wound.

Each successive loop stacks up with the loops before it (i.e., the stack of loops extends into or out of the page), and each successive figure-8 shape stacks up with the loops before it (i.e., the stack of figure-8 shapes extends into or out of the page).

For a cable wound according to FIGS. 6-8 at least one or more times, the approximate ratio of loops to figure-8 shapes is 2:1. That is, the number of loops is larger than the number of figure-8 shapes. If the winding begins and ends with a full loop (i.e., begins and ends with the winding shown in FIG. 6), there are N figure-8’ s and 2N+1 full loops in the winding, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

Another way to describe the windings of FIGS. 6-8 is as follows: a full 360 degree loop, followed by one-half of a figure-8, followed by half a loop in an opposite direction to the full loop, followed by the other half of the figure-8, followed by a half loop in the same direction as the full loop, and then repeat as necessary to wind up the desired length of cable.

It is to be appreciated that a winding pattern can also include just the steps shown FIGS. 7 and 8 if desired. Following the winding pattern of FIGS. 7 and 8 results in an approximate ratio of loops to figure-8 shapes of 1 : 1. That is, the number of loops is equal to the number of figure-8 shapes.

Referring to FIG. 9, a length of cable 302 is wound in a wound configuration 300 according to winding methods of the present disclosure. The wound configuration 300 includes a plurality of figure-8 shapes 308, 310 substantially circumscribed by a plurality of elliptical loops 304, 306.

Still referring to FIG. 9, cable 302 is shown in a wound pattern suitable for storage, and transport to a desired location for deployment. During deployment, the cable will be unwound without resulting in any twisting of the cable that would otherwise occur if the cable was solely wound into loops. Furthermore, with the wound configuration of FIG. 9, no rigid spool structure is used. Instead, the wound configuration 300 is attached to a substrate 330 by one or more ties 332, 334, 336, which are looped around a grouping of the wound loops 304, 306 and/or figure-8 shapes 308, 310 and also looped through the substrate.

The tie 334 is positioned to tie together the portions of the cable in the upper portion of the bottom half of the figure-8 shape to the portions of the cable in the lower portion of the upper half of the figure-8 shape. Thus, in this example, the looping direction of the tie 334 is aligned with the major axis of the overall winding pattern.

Alternatively, one or more of the ties 332, 334, 336 need not be looped through the substrate 300, and instead looped around the groupings of wound cable only. In some examples, the substrate 330 is not needed, and the tied cable (tied with one or more ties) can be packaged (e.g., in a bag) without an accompanying substrate.

The depicted location of the ties 332 and 336 is not limiting. In the example shown, the ties 332 and 336 are positioned substantially along the major axis of the ellipse formed by the loop windings of the cable and tie top and bottom portions of the figure-8 shapes with corresponding overlap portions of the loops. In other examples, the ties 332 and 336 can be positioned elsewhere, e.g., along the minor axis of the ellipse formed by the loop windings of the cable, i.e., not in an overlap region between the loops and figure- 8 shapes, such that the ties 332 and 336 tie together only the loop windings and not the figure-8 shapes.

Generally, (e.g., for non-elliptical wound configurations of a cable), the major axis can be thought of as the axis that passes through the center of the figure-8 shape from top to bottom of the figure-8 shape (the top and bottom being where the figure-8 shapes overlap with the full loops), and the minor axis can be thought of as the axis that passes through the center of the figure-8 from side to side of the figure-8 shape (perpendicular to the major axis).

As discussed, the substrate 330 is an optional element. Ties 332, 334, 336 located in the loop/figure-8 overlap areas or in the figure-8 crossing areas can help maintain the loop and figure-8 shapes. The wound configuration 300, including the optional substrate 330, can be conveniently placed into a bag-like structure 340, such as a plastic bag with opposed major surfaces. The wound configuration 300 with the substrate 330 is conveniently stacked for storage or shipment to the desired location. If the wound configuration 300 was solely in figure-8 shapes, the number of crossings defining the figure-8 shapes could be detrimental to a compact configuration for storage or shipment.

In some examples, multiple cables, each tied in the wound configuration 300, can be packaged in the same container (e.g., in the same bag side by side and/or stacked on top of one another), optionally with a single substrate 330 in the container, or with a separate substrate for each of the multiple cables.

In the illustrated example at FIG. 9, cable 302 includes two fan-outs 312 which fan the cable out into four separate cables 316, 320 which can each be terminated with a fiber optic connector (not shown). In the example shown, each of the four cables 316 and the four cables 320 are terminated with a duplex LC connector (8 fibers total). The wound configuration 300 of cable 302 including the connectors forms a patch cord. It is to be appreciated that connectors do not need to be supplied with cable 302, and can be applied at a later time.

Loops 304, 306 can be full loops, half loops or combinations. Figure-8 shapes 308, 310 are half shapes in the illustrated examples. Full figure-8 shapes can also be used in some examples. One or more dimensions of the wound cable configuration can be pre-determined based on one or more parameters of the cable. One such parameter can be the bend radius limit of the fiber(s) of the cable. Another such parameter can be a thickness of the cable to be wound. Another such parameter can be a flexibility of the cable to be wound. Another such parameter can be a length of the cable to be wound. For example, the wound configuration 300 shown in FIG. 9 has a major diameter D. The major diameter D can be predetermined based on one or more of these or other parameters. For example, for an optical cable having an outer jacket holding eight single core fibers having cladding diameters of 125 microns, and a length of the optical cable to be wound in a range from about 2 meters to about 50 meters, the major diameter D can be predetermined to be in a range from about 20 centimeters to about 25 centimeters. Generally, all other parameters equal, as the length of cable to be wound increases, the length of the predetermined major diameter D also increases. The predetermined major diameter D can increase in a continuous manner as a function of the cable length, or in a stepwise manner, increasing in intervals as the length of optical cable to be wound reaches certain predetermined threshold magnitudes.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11, a machine 400 for winding fiber optic cable in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted. In some examples, the machine is specifically configured or calibrated for winding fiber optic cable. For example, the machine 400 can be configured or calibrated such that the windings it creates are of appropriate size and shape to minimize damage to delicate optical fibers.

Referring to FIGS. 10-11, two (or more) cables or groups of cables 500 and 502 can be wound simultaneously by the machine 400. The machine includes a first pair of winding pegs including a first winding peg 402 and a second winding peg 404 distanced (e.g., horizontally or vertically), and in a fixed position relative to, the first winding peg 402. The machine 400 also includes a second pair of winding pegs including a third winding peg 406 and a fourth winding peg 408, distanced (e.g., horizontally or vertically), and in a fixed position relative to, the third winding peg 406. In this example the first and second pairs of winding pegs extend in the same direction from a main body 420.

Additional such pairs 412, 414, 416, and 418 of winding pegs are also provided extending from different sides of the main body 420 to allow for windings of more cables simultaneously.

The main body 420 is supported on a table 410. The machine 400 also includes one or more cable feeders 422 (in some examples, a cable feeder for each pair of winding pegs) having a pivotal feed head 424 through which the cable passes and dispenses as it is wound, one or more drivers adapted to position and move the feed head 424 relative to a pair of the winding pegs, and at least one controller 430 adapted to control movements of the cable feeder. The cables 500, 502 come off one or more cable dispensers 450 (e.g., having one or more spools 452 with spooled cable) and are fed into the cable feeders 422.

The winding pegs are substantially cylindrical to provide cable windings that have a partially curved loop portions and partially curved figure-8 portions.

The cable feeders 422 are adapted to support the cables 500, 502 and wind a length of the cables around the respective winding peg pairs.

The controller 430 is adapted to control the cable feeders 422 such that the cable feeders wind the lengths of cable in a wound configuration about the respective pairs of winding pegs such that in the wound configuration the cable 500, 502 includes at least one figure-8 shape substantially circumscribed by at least one loop having a substantially round, elliptical, rounded rectangle, or racetrack shape.

The feeder 422 includes an arm 436 extending from a conveyor 438 to the feed head 424, the conveyor being adapted to convey the arm(s) 422 along a first dimension relative to the first and second winding pegs. The feeder 422 also includes translators 426 that are movable relative to the respective pairs of winding pegs to adjust a position of the feed head relative to the winding pegs parallel to a plane that is perpendicular to the direction with which the corresponding winding pegs extend from the main body 420.

Together, the translators and conveyors allow the position of the feed head to be adjusted along each of the x, y, and z axes relative to the winding pegs to perform winding operations described above.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.