MULTI-LEVEL OPTICAL FIBER AND COMPONENT STORAGE TRAY

Abstract(summary):

Single and multi-level structures provide neatly organized, secure and easily repairable optical fiber connections between a pump source laser diode (54) and optical fiber coils represented by x-axis coil (22), y-axis coil (24) and z-axis coil (26). The structures employ specially organized trays (60, 62) for supporting such components as a 1x3 fiber optic coupler (46), an optical isolator (ISO) (48), a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) (50), a doped fiber coil (52) and a tap coupler (56), and for holding and routing the optical fibers coupled to and between the components. Routing and secure holding of the fibers are facilitated by a built-in optical fiber holder (120), integral with tray (60), and individual optical fiber holders (140), which are stackable upon the built-in holder or upon each other. Each tray includes internal guides, such as a guide post (118), and segmented internal and external walls which provide optical fiber routing paths (96, 100, 160) and wall separations and/or openings (102, 104, 106, 132, 162) to permit ingress and/or egress of fibers or attachment points, similar to wall separations (145) in the stackable holders. Special resilient clam-shell holders (168, 172) safely hold the fragile components, and are incorporated within the trays to facilitate inter-structural and exterior coupling.