WO2003012950A1 - Procede et dispositif d'etancheification - Google Patents

Procede et dispositif d'etancheification Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003012950A1
WO2003012950A1 PCT/GB2002/003125 GB0203125W WO03012950A1 WO 2003012950 A1 WO2003012950 A1 WO 2003012950A1 GB 0203125 W GB0203125 W GB 0203125W WO 03012950 A1 WO03012950 A1 WO 03012950A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sleeve
support member
applying
flexible
around
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/003125
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Christiaan Radelet
Luc Crabbe
Original Assignee
Tyco Electronics Raychem Nv
Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tyco Electronics Raychem Nv, Tyco Electronics Uk Ltd filed Critical Tyco Electronics Raychem Nv
Publication of WO2003012950A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003012950A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/70—Insulation of connections
    • 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
    • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
    • H02G15/08—Cable junctions
    • H02G15/18—Cable junctions protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a device for sealingly enclosing an object. More in particular, the present invention relates to a method of sealingly enclosing an elongate object, the method comprising the step of applying a flexible sleeve around the object, the sleeve having two ends, and to a device for applying said method.
  • a method as defined in the preamble is in accordance with the present invention characterised by the step of rotating one end of the sleeve relative to the other end so as to bring the sleeve towards the object.
  • the sleeve By rotating the ends of the sleeve relative to each other the sleeve is twisted and decreases in diameter. This causes the sleeve to be pressed against the outer surface of the object and thus to sealingly enclose the object.
  • the amount of pressure exerted by the sleeve is determined by the amount of relative rotation and the outer diameter of the object. Even when no object is present, a good sealing action can be obtained, thus removing the need for plugs in some applications.
  • the pressure exerted by the sleeve onto the object additionally provides axial pull resistance.
  • the sleeve is preferably resilient.
  • the sleeve comprises a gel, a rubber or a combination thereof.
  • a gel and a (natural or synthetic) rubber is advantageous in that the rubber, when twisted, puts the gel under pressure, thus providing excellent sealing properties.
  • the step of applying a flexible sleeve is preceded by the step of applying a cover around the object, the cover preferably comprising a flexible sheet.
  • a cover may be a hard or soft lining but preferably is a flexible sheet of the type described in International Patent Application PCT/GBO 1/01021.
  • a flexible sheet, or simply a gel sheet it is not necessary for the sleeve to contain gel to still obtain excellent sealing properties.
  • the sleeve may itself be constituted by a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the object, thus allowing side-entry of the object.
  • each end of the sleeve is provided with a substantially annular support member.
  • the support members which are attached to the respective ends of the sleeve, facilitate the handling and in particular the twisting of the sleeve. They may also assist in maintaining the twisted position.
  • the invention further provides a flexible sleeve for applying around the object, the sleeve having two ends and a middle section with a certain inner diameter, characterised by support members engaging the respective ends, the support members being rotatable relative to each other so as to decrease the inner diameter of the sleeve.
  • At least one support member is substantially annular so as to allow the object to pass therethrough. This allows the device to be used for in-line cable splices. It is also possible that at least one support member is substantially disc-shaped so as to close off the respective end of the sleeve. For butt cable splices, a device having one annular and one disc-shaped support member is appropriate.
  • the device can be opened along its longitudinal axis so as to allow side-entry of the object.
  • This embodiment is particularly suitable for long objects, such as poles and in-line cables splices.
  • the device further comprises a substantially tubular body for accommodating the flexible sleeve.
  • the body is preferably substantially rigid to provide support and mechanical protection.
  • At least one support member may be rotatably mounted on the body. It is possible for one support member to be integral with the body, thus reducing the number of parts. In that case one sleeve end is directly attached to the body, preferably near one of its ends.
  • the body may be transparent to allow visual inspection of the twisted sleeve.
  • locking means are provided for locking a support member in a rotational position relative to the body. This ensures that the set twisting of the sleeve is maintained.
  • the locking means may be releasable.
  • the locking means comprise a serrated surface on the body and/or the at least one support member. By providing at least one of the body and the support member with a first serrated surface and the other one with a pin or a second serrated surface which can engage the first serrated surface, simple yet effective releasable locking means are obtained. It can also be envisaged that the locking means have a different structure, and/or that the sleeve is structured so as to remain in its twisted state.
  • Figures la and lb schematically show, in perspective, a device according to the present invention applied on a first object
  • Figures 2a and 2b schematically show, in perspective, a device according to the present invention applied on a second, thinner object
  • Figures 3a-d schematically show, in side view and partial cross-sectional view, a cable splice closure according to the present invention
  • Figures 4a-d schematically show, in side view and partial cross-sectional view, a cable seal according to the present invention.
  • the device 10 shown merely by way of non-limiting example in Figs, la and lb comprises a flexible sleeve 1 having a first end 2 and a second end 3. Each end is provided with a support member 5, 6 which may be integral stiffer parts of the sleeve 1 or separate parts which have been attached to the sleeve ends. If the sleeve 1 is made of rubber, the support members 5, 6 may be constituted by thickened and/or reinforced rims of the sleeve 1. The support members 5, 6 may also be made of plastic and/or metal and may be provided with suitable clamps or other means for fastening onto the sleeve 1.
  • the sleeve proper is preferably made of a combination of rubber and gel, and may comprise additional layers, such as a vapour barrier layer (e.g. made of metal) and a reinforcement layer (e.g. made of polypropylene).
  • the support members 5, 6 and hence the ends 2, 3 are rotated relative to each other, preferably by rotating one support member in one direction and the other support member in the opposite direction, as shown in Fig. lb. It is, of course, possible to keep one support member stationary while rotating only the other one.
  • the relative rotation of the sleeve ends 2, 3 and the corresponding twisting of the sleeve causes the diameter of the sleeve 1 to decrease, at least in its middle section 4. Rotating the sleeve ends further will result in the sleeve diameter decreasing further, until the inner diameter of the sleeve equals the outer diameter of the object (if the object is flexible, its outer diameter may decrease due to the pressure exerted by the sleeve).
  • the object which is sealingly enclosed in accordance with the present invention may be elongate, such as a cable or a cable splice. In that case the object may protrude from at least one end of the device 10. In the case of a butt cable splice, the object (cable) will protrude from one end of the device only, the other end being suitably closed off for example by a disc-shaped support member which also acts as an end cap (alternatively, a separate end cap could be provided). It is also possible for the device 10 to completely enclose a relatively short object.
  • the present invention is particularly suitable for providing cable splices, as will be discussed now with reference to Figs 3a-d.
  • a cable 20 may be provided with a cable splice 21.
  • a flexible sheet 15 is applied around the splice 21, as shown in Fig. 3b. This is preferably a sheet as described in the above-mentioned International Patent Application PCT/GB01/01021, although other flexible sheets, such as sheets entirely consisting of gel or rubber, can also be used.
  • the sheet 15 is preferably tightly wrapped around the cable splice and may be held in position with tape.
  • the device 10 shown in Fig. 3c comprises, in addition to a flexible sheet 1 and support members 5 and 6, a body 7.
  • the body 7 comprises a substantially rigid tube in which the object 20 is accommodated.
  • the body 7 serves to define the distance between the support member 5, 6 and to assist in maintaining the support members in their respective twisted positions (shown in Fig. 3d).
  • the parts of the support members 5,6 abutting the body 7 are in preferred embodiments provided with serrated surfaces, as is the body 7, to effectively lock the support members in their positions.
  • the seal shown by way of example in Figs. 4a-d may be used in a domed cable closure (butt closure).
  • the seal effectively consists of a device 10 as discussed above which is accommodated in a suitable cable port 17.
  • This substantially tubular port 17 extends through a surface (e.g. bottom end surface) 18 of a cable splice closure.
  • the port 17 is closed off.
  • a device (seal) 10 is inserted in the port 17, as shown in Fig. 4b.
  • the device 10 is attached to the surface 18 by a suitable attachment member which fixedly engages the second support member 6, as shown in Fig. 4c.
  • the first support member 5 is rotated so as to reduce the diameter of the sleeve 1 and thereby seal the cable port 17.

Landscapes

  • Cable Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un procédé pour envelopper de manière étanche un objet allongé (20). Ce procédé consiste à appliquer une gaine souple (1) autour de l'objet (20), à tourner une extrémité (2, 3) de cette gaine (1) par rapport à l'autre extrémité, de façon à approcher la partie médiane de la gaine vers l'objet. La présente invention concerne également un dispositif (10) pour mettre en oeuvre ledit procédé. Ce dispositif comprend des éléments de support (5, 6) qui mettent en prise les extrémités (2, 3) de la gaine et de préférence un corps tubulaire, au moins un élément de support étant monté rotatif par rapport audit corps.
PCT/GB2002/003125 2001-07-27 2002-07-08 Procede et dispositif d'etancheification WO2003012950A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0118328A GB0118328D0 (en) 2001-07-27 2001-07-27 Sealing method and device
GB0118328.4 2001-07-27

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003012950A1 true WO2003012950A1 (fr) 2003-02-13

Family

ID=9919300

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/003125 WO2003012950A1 (fr) 2001-07-27 2002-07-08 Procede et dispositif d'etancheification

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0118328D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003012950A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105337137A (zh) * 2014-07-25 2016-02-17 泰科电子(上海)有限公司 扩张工具以及连接第一和第二电缆的方法

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988004487A1 (fr) * 1986-12-05 1988-06-16 Domus International Pty. Ltd. Dispositif de fermeture reglable

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988004487A1 (fr) * 1986-12-05 1988-06-16 Domus International Pty. Ltd. Dispositif de fermeture reglable

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105337137A (zh) * 2014-07-25 2016-02-17 泰科电子(上海)有限公司 扩张工具以及连接第一和第二电缆的方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0118328D0 (en) 2001-09-19

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