NZ622875B2 - Conduit space recovery system - Google Patents
Conduit space recovery system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ622875B2 NZ622875B2 NZ622875A NZ62287512A NZ622875B2 NZ 622875 B2 NZ622875 B2 NZ 622875B2 NZ 622875 A NZ622875 A NZ 622875A NZ 62287512 A NZ62287512 A NZ 62287512A NZ 622875 B2 NZ622875 B2 NZ 622875B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- duct
- conduit
- cutting
- cable
- moving
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title description 4
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21K—MAKING FORGED OR PRESSED METAL PRODUCTS, e.g. HORSE-SHOES, RIVETS, BOLTS OR WHEELS
- B21K1/00—Making machine elements
- B21K1/64—Making machine elements nuts
- B21K1/70—Making machine elements nuts of special shape, e.g. self-locking nuts, wing nuts
- B21K1/701—Weld nuts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K31/00—Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups
- B23K31/02—Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by only one of the preceding main groups relating to soldering or welding
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D3/00—Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut made; Apparatus therefor
- B26D3/001—Cutting tubes longitudinally
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D7/06—Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D7/06—Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
- B26D7/0683—Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form specially adapted for elongated articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D7/00—Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D7/18—Means for removing cut-out material or waste
- B26D7/1836—Means for removing cut-out material or waste by pulling out
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B37/00—Nuts or like thread-engaging members
- F16B37/04—Devices for fastening nuts to surfaces, e.g. sheets, plates
- F16B37/044—Nut cages
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/06—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
- H02G1/08—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/12—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
- H02G1/1202—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof by cutting and withdrawing insulation
- H02G1/1248—Machines
- H02G1/1251—Machines the cutting element not rotating about the wire or cable
- H02G1/126—Machines the cutting element not rotating about the wire or cable making a longitudinal cut
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G1/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H02G1/12—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for removing insulation or armouring from cables, e.g. from the end thereof
- H02G1/1297—Removing armouring from cables
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
- H02G3/02—Details
- H02G3/04—Protective tubing or conduits, e.g. cable ladders or cable troughs
- H02G3/0462—Tubings, i.e. having a closed section
- H02G3/0487—Tubings, i.e. having a closed section with a non-circular cross-section
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G9/00—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water
- H02G9/06—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water in underground tubes or conduits; Tubes or conduits therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H02G9/00—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water
- H02G9/06—Installations of electric cables or lines in or on the ground or water in underground tubes or conduits; Tubes or conduits therefor
- H02G9/065—Longitudinally split tubes or conduits therefor
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49947—Assembling or joining by applying separate fastener
- Y10T29/49948—Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/04—Processes
- Y10T83/0448—With subsequent handling [i.e., of product]
- Y10T83/0467—By separating products from each other
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/202—With product handling means
- Y10T83/2092—Means to move, guide, or permit free fall or flight of product
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/202—With product handling means
- Y10T83/2092—Means to move, guide, or permit free fall or flight of product
- Y10T83/2181—Active delivery means mounted on tool support
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T83/00—Cutting
- Y10T83/202—With product handling means
- Y10T83/2092—Means to move, guide, or permit free fall or flight of product
- Y10T83/2209—Guide
Abstract
apparatus for cutting a duct (11) which surrounds a cable (12) in a longitudinally extending conduit (10) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a drive assembly (23) adapted to engage and pull the duct out of the conduit, and a cutting assembly (25) positioned to longitudinally cut the duct as it is being pulled by the drive assembly. Methods of recovering space in a conduit, by removing a cable duct, are also disclosed. is being pulled by the drive assembly. Methods of recovering space in a conduit, by removing a cable duct, are also disclosed.
Description
CONDUIT SPACE RECOVERY SYSTEM
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No. 61/562,035 filed November 2 1, 201 1.
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to conduits which house communications cables
within innerducts in the conduits. More specifically, this invention relates to a system
for removing the innerducts from around live cables so as to recover space in the
conduits which can then be used to receive one or more additional cables.
BACKGROUND ART
It is likely that there are currently millions of miles of conduits buried under
ground, which conduits carry one or more communications cables. Typically these
cables are housed in plastic innerducts positioned in the conduit. The purpose of
these innerducts is to protect a cable when an additional cable might be installed in
the same conduit. In addition, it is easier to install the additional cables if they too
are in separate innerducts.
There comes a time, however, when the conduit is essentially filled with
innerducts and no more cables can be installed therein. Such a situation is shown in
Fig. A where a conduit 0 is filled with innerducts 11, each of which are carrying a
live or active cable 1 . These innerducts cannot readily be removed because, to
date, the only known way to do so would be to sever a cable, which cannot be done
if it is an active cable. As such, if additional communications cables are needed in
that geographical area, a new conduit must be buried in the ground which is a very
labor intensive, time-consuming, and expensive project.
Thus, the need exists to recover the space in a conduit which is being
taken up by one or more innerducts so that additional cables can be installed in the
existing conduit.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a system of
recovering space in a conduit by cutting and removing from the conduit an innerduct which
houses a live cable.
It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide a system, as above,
wherein the innerduct is cut while it is being removed from the conduit.
It is an object of an additional aspect of the present invention to provide a system, as
above, wherein the innerduct is cut while still in the conduit and thereafter removed.
Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to at least provide the public with a
useful choice.
These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof
over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are
accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method of
recovering space in a longitudinally extending conduit having at least one cable surrounded by
a longitudinally extending duct in the conduit includes the steps of longitudinally cutting the duct
and removing the duct from around the cable.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of recovering
space in a longitudinally extending conduit having at least one cable surrounded by a
longitudinally extending duct in the conduit includes the steps of moving the duct out of the
conduit and, as the duct is being moved, cutting the duct so that it may be removed from
around the cable.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a method of recovering space in a
longitudinally extending conduit having at least one cable surrounded by a longitudinally
extending duct in the conduit which includes the steps of accessing the conduit and the duct in
a manhole and pulling the duct a short distance into the manhole. The duct is then engaged
and moved toward a blade assembly which cuts the duct longitudinally into at least two pieces
which are then removed from around the cable.
One form of apparatus for cutting a duct which surrounds a cable in a longitudinally
extending duct includes a drive assembly that is adapted to engage the
duct and pull the duct out of the conduit. A cutting assembly is carried by each arm to
longitudinally cut the duct. A cutting assembly is positioned to longitudinally cut the duct as it is
being pulled by the drive assembly.
Preferred exemplary systems for recovering space in a conduit according to the concepts of the
present invention are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without
attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be
embodied, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the
specification.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and claims the terms
“comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to
an exclusive or exhaustive sense. That is, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 A is a schematic and end view of a conduit which is filled with three innerducts,
each of which is housing a communications cable.
Fig. 1 B is a schematic view, like Fig. 1 , showing that the innerducts have been slit
lengthwise.
Fig. 1 C is a schematic view, like Figs. 1 and 2, showing the space in the conduit that is
recovered after the split innerducts have been removed.
Fig. 2 is a somewhat schematic, fragmented, sectional view of a typical manhole with a
cable extending therethrough.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and showing an end
wall of the manhole.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view like Fig. 2 showing a portion of an innerduct having been
removed from the conduit.
Fig. 5 is a schematic top representation of a device positioned in the manhole which
cuts and removes the innerduct from the conduit according to one aspect of the present
invention.
Fig. 6 is a schematic representation similar to Fig. 5 showing some alternative features
of the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a somewhat schematic depiction of an alternate system to cut and remove
innerduct from the conduit.
Fig. 8 is an end view of the device of Fig. 7.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A conduit 10 for carrying communications cables 12 typically will extend
longitudinally in the ground for up to thousands of feet. As previously described,
when multiple cables are to be positioned in a conduit, it is easier to insert them and
to keep them from damaging existing cable or being twisted with existing cable by
inserting them into some kind of duct, commonly known as an innerduct, such as the
plastic tubing innerduct 11 shown. However, as shown in Fig. 1A, these innerducts
1 take up space that could otherwise be used for additional cables 12.
In accordance with the present invention, as shown in Fig. B, one or more
of the innerducts 1 may be cut along their length, as at 13, at multiple locations.
Then the pieces of innerduct 1 may be removed from around the cables 12 which
creates a recovered space 14 in the conduit 0 as shown in Fig. 1C. Then it would
be preferable to encase the freed cable or cables 12 in a fabric sleeve so that
additional cables could be inserted into conduit 10 without encountering the friction
caused by an exposed cable and without potentially damaging existing cable. In
addition, a fabric innerduct M, such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,251 ,201 , and
sold under the trademark MAXCELL® by Wesco Distribution, Inc. of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, could be inserted into space 1 and new cables could be inserted of
inside the compartments of the fabric innerduct.
Fig. 2 schematically depicts a conventional cable service point such as a
manhole generally indicated by the numeral 15. Manhole 1 , of course, has a
normally covered open top 16, a bottom surface 7 on which workers may stand,
and sidewalls 18. When conduits are initially inserted in the ground 19, manholes 15
are provided every several hundred feet for access to the cables 12 (one shown in
Fig. 2 for convenience) which extend across the manhole 15 from one sidewall 18 to
the other sidewall 18. The cable 12 shown in Fig. 2 is fragmented to indicate that the
cable 12 does not pass through the manhole 15 from one sidewall 18 to the other.
Rather, typically, a coil of cable 12 may be found in a manhole 15 . As shown in Fig.
3 , the conduit 10 and innerducts 1 (one shown in Fig. 3 for convenience) are
exposed in manhole sidewalls 18.
The operation of the system of the present invention can take place in a
manhole 15, and in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the
innerduct 11 to be operated upon can be pulled a short distance into the manhole as
shown in Fig. 4. Then an assembly, generally shown in Fig. 5 , can be used to
remove and cut innerduct 1 as now will be described.
Assembly 20 is shown as having a frame generally indicated by the
numeral 2 . Frame 2 includes spaced support arms 22 the edges of which rest
against manhole sidewall 8. Arms 22 are spaced from each other with cable 12
being positioned therebetween. Each arm 22 carries a drive device generally
indicated by the numeral 23. Drive 23 can be as shown in the form of rotating
wheels 24 or could be in the form of a conventional tractor drive. In the form shown,
wheels 24 first clamp down on opposite sides of the exposed innerduct 11, as is
shown in Fig. 5, and then wheels 24 may be rotated in opposite directions, as shown
by the arrows in Fig. 5, to pull innerduct 11 out of the conduit 10 and move it to the
left in Fig. 5. Wheels 24 may be hydraulically driven and may be provided with a
knurled surface to assist in the engaging and pulling functions. Since frame 2 1 is
braced against manhole sidewall 18, the force used in the pulling process is borne by
sidewall 18.
Each arm 22 of frame 2 1 also includes a cutting device generally indicated
by the numeral 25. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, cutting device 25 is
schematically shown to be in the form of a stationary blade 26. Opposed blades 26
extend inwardly from each arm 22 a sufficient extent so as to come into contact with
innerduct 1 but not so far as to touch and potentially damage active cable 2 .
Thus, as drive 23 moves innerduct past cutting device 25, innerduct is
longitudinally severed at two circumferentially spaced locations and the cut pieces 27
of innerduct 1 may be removed from around cable. If desired to cut innerduct 11 in
three or more locations, additional cutting devices 25 can be provided. Pieces 27
may then be ground up and environmentally recycled.
Fig. 6 depicts some alternative features to the embodiment of Fig. 5 just
discussed. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, the drive device 23 is shown in the form of
conventional tractor devices 28 and the cutting device 25 is shown in the form of
rotating cutter wheels 29. Cutter wheels 29 can rotate in a clockwise direction
against the direction of movement of the innerduct 1 or, if desired, could rotate in a
counterclockwise direction to actually assist tractor devices 28 in the movement of
innerduct 11.
Fig. 6 also shows that if desired, a split metal tube 30 can be inserted into
the conduit 0 and around innerduct 11 if guidance of the innerduct 11 is required as
it is being removed from the conduit 1. Tube 30 extends out of the conduit and into
manhole 15 and is shown as having a slot 3 1 at the location of drive devices 23 so
that they may engage the innerduct 11 and other slot 32 at the location of cutting
devices 25 to that they may longitudinally sever the innerduct 1 . Moreover, if
necessary to protect the live cable 12 from damage which might be occasioned by
accidental contact with the cutting devices 25, a split metal tube 33 may be inserted
a short distance into conduit 10 around cable 12. Tube 33 extends into manhole 15
to 50 protect cable 12, if necessary.
Figs. 7 and 8 show an alternative system to accomplish space recovery in
a conduit. There, a cutting assembly, generally indicated by the numeral 40,
includes a body portion generally indicated by the numeral 4 1. Body portion 4 1 must
extend around the cable 12, but because live cables cannot be severed, body portion
4 1 is split into two sections 4 1A and 4 1B. Body portion 4 1 is installed around a cable
12 at a service point, such as the manhole previously described, where the cable 12
is exposed. The innerduct having an edge 42 may then be pulled into the manhole
and the two halves can then be positioned around the cable 12 and can be
connected by any suitable means. For example, each half 4 1A , 4 B may be
provided with a small apertured flange 43 which mate with each other and receive a
fastener.
Cutting assembly 40 includes a plurality of outer guides 44 which are
positioned on the circumferential outside of the innerduct 11 being worked on. A
blade 45 extends from each guide 44 to body portion 4 . Blades may be attached to
guide 44 and/or body portion 4 1 in such a manner that they could be readily
changed, if necessary. While three blades 45 are shown, which will longitudinally slit
innerduct 1 into three pieces, as is evident from the previous discussion of Figs. 5
and 6 , at least two blades 45 are required. Moreover, more than three blades 45
could be utilized if desired. At the outset of the cutting process, blades 45 are
positioned adjacent to end 42 of innerduct 1 .
Blades 45 longitudinally slit innerduct 11 by causing relative movement
between cutting assembly 40 and innerduct 11. This can happen by causing cutting
assembly 40 to remain stationary and pulling innerduct past blades 45 (to the left
in Fig. 2) in a similar manner as described with respect to Figs. 5 and 6 . Or cutting
assembly 40 can be caused to move through the conduit 0. Such can be
accomplished by blowing one or more pull tapes into the conduit 10 in a conventional
manner. Then the tape(s) can be attached to the cutting assembly 40. To that end,
body sections 4 1A and 4 B may be provided with slots 46 so that the pull tape can
be connected thereto. Then by pulling on the tape, downstream from the end 42 of
innerduct (at the next adjacent manhole), cutting assembly 40 can move, to the right
in Fig. 2 , through conduit 10 to cut innerduct 1. Slots 47 are also provided at the
other end of cutting assembly 40 so that a tape can be attached thereto to pull
cutting assembly 40 in the reverse direction, if necessary.
When the innerduct 11 has been longitudinally split as shown in Fig. 1B,
its pieces may be easily pulled out of conduit 10. If additional innerducts 11 are in
conduit 10 and if it is desired or necessary to remove them all, the process may be
repeated until all innerducts are spliced and removed creating the recovered space
14. As previously described, the pieces of the innerduct may be ground up and
environmentally recycled. Once the space of one or more removed ducts has been
recovered, the fabric innerduct M such as that shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,251 ,201
could be inserted into that space so that one or more new cables could be inserted
into the fabric innerduct.
In view of the foregoing, it should be evident that a conduit space recovery
system as described herein accomplishes the objects of the present invention and
otherwise substantially improves the art.
Claims (23)
1. A method of recovering space in a longitudinally extending conduit having at least one cable surrounded by a longitudinally extending duct in the conduit such that said cable is capable of being live or operational during performance of the method, the method comprising the steps of longitudinally cutting the duct, and removing the duct from around the cable.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of cutting and removing are done generally simultaneously.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of cutting includes the step of moving the duct past a blade.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of moving includes the step of pulling the duct out of the conduit.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of cutting includes the step of moving a blade through the conduit.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of cutting includes the step of cutting the duct of at least two circumferentially spaced locations to form pieces of duct.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of inserting an innerduct in the recovered space.
8. The method of claim 1, comprising accessing the conduit and duct in a manhole, pulling the duct a short distance into the manhole, engaging the duct, and moving the engaged duct toward a blade assembly, wherein said longitudinally cutting comprises cutting the duct longitudinally into at least two pieces, and said removing comprises removing the pieces from around the cable.
9. A method of recovering space in a longitudinally extending conduit having at least one cable surrounded by a longitudinally extending duct in the conduit such that said cable is capable of being live or operational during performance of the method, the method comprising the steps of moving the duct out of the conduit, and as the duct is being moved, cutting the duct so that the duct may be removed from around the cable.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of moving includes the step of grasping the duct with opposed wheels, and rotating the wheels to pull the duct out of the conduit.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of moving includes the step of engaging the duct with opposed tractor drives.
12. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of cutting includes the step of moving the duct past fixed blades.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of cutting includes the step of moving the duct past rotating blades.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of guiding the duct as the duct is being moved out of the conduit.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of protecting the cable while cutting the duct.
16. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of inserting an innerduct in the recovered space.
17. Apparatus for cutting a duct which surrounds a cable in a longitudinally extending conduit such that said cable is capable of being live or operational during said cutting, the apparatus comprising a drive assembly adapted to engage the duct and pull the duct out of the conduit, and a cutting assembly positioned to longitudinally cut the duct as it is being pulled by said drive assembly.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a tube positioned around the duct to guide the duct out of the conduit and toward said cutting assembly.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a tube positioned around the cable to protect the cable from said cutting assembly.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said drive assembly includes wheels engaging the duct and rotating to move the duct.
21. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said drive assembly includes a tractor drive to move the duct.
22. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said cutting assembly includes fixed blades.
23. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said cutting assembly includes rotating blades.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201161562035P | 2011-11-21 | 2011-11-21 | |
US61/562,035 | 2011-11-21 | ||
US13/622,173 US9391433B2 (en) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-09-18 | Conduit space recovery system |
US13/622,173 | 2012-09-18 | ||
PCT/US2012/065763 WO2013078104A2 (en) | 2011-11-21 | 2012-11-19 | Conduit space recovery system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ622875A NZ622875A (en) | 2016-07-29 |
NZ622875B2 true NZ622875B2 (en) | 2016-11-01 |
Family
ID=
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