WO2007074481A1 - Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice - Google Patents
Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2007074481A1 WO2007074481A1 PCT/IT2005/000768 IT2005000768W WO2007074481A1 WO 2007074481 A1 WO2007074481 A1 WO 2007074481A1 IT 2005000768 W IT2005000768 W IT 2005000768W WO 2007074481 A1 WO2007074481 A1 WO 2007074481A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- sleeve
- tubular
- radially
- radially internal
- expanders
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- 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
- H02G1/14—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for joining or terminating 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
- H02G15/00—Cable fittings
- H02G15/08—Cable junctions
- H02G15/18—Cable junctions protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable
- H02G15/182—Cable junctions protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable held in expanded condition in radial direction prior to installation
- H02G15/1826—Cable junctions protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable held in expanded condition in radial direction prior to installation on a removable hollow core, e.g. a tube
-
- 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
- H02G15/184—Cable junctions protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable with devices for relieving electrical stress
-
- 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
- Y10T29/49863—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part
- Y10T29/4987—Elastic joining of parts
-
- 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
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53126—Means to place sheath on running-length core
-
- 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
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
- Y10T29/53383—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention and means to fasten work parts together
- Y10T29/53391—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention and means to fasten work parts together by elastic joining
-
- 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
- Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
- Y10T29/53657—Means to assemble or disassemble to apply or remove a resilient article [e.g., tube, sleeve, etc.]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element, as well as to an apparatus for putting said method into practice.
- the present invention pertains to a method and an apparatus for radially expanding a tubular sleeve and disposing it on a supporting element for splicing of at least one pair of electric cables, said sleeve being adapted to restore the electric connection between cable sections for energy transport or distribution.
- the electric cables to be submitted to splicing following the method of the present invention can be cables either of the unipolar type, (unipolar cables) or of the multipolar type (bipolar or three-pole cables, for example) . These electric cables can be used for transmission or distribution of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) .
- the expanded sleeves according to the method and apparatus of the invention can be applied to any electric connection between cables being part of an electric network, as well as to any electric connection • between -a cable and an electric apparatus, a terminal for example.
- Cables for energy transport and distribution in particular for transport or distribution of medium- and high-voltage energy, generally comprise, starting from a radially innermost position to a radially outermost position of the cable: an electrically conductive conductor (generally of metal material) , - an inner
- the ends of the latter are ⁇ - previously treated so as to expose the constituent elements of said cables over a portion of a predetermined length. Subsequently, the two cables are spliced in order to form an electric connection between the conductors of - same, by welding or clamping of the conductors for example, and then a separately-produced tubular covering sleeve is positioned at the splicing region (i.e. the region where the conductors have been spliced) .
- the tubular sleeve generally comprises a plurality of elements adapted to restore the electric and mechanical continuity of the constituent elements of the cables to be submitted to splicing.
- This tubular covering sleeve can be applied to the splicing region in the form of a shrinkable tubular sleeve, by previously radially expanding the sleeve itself and subsequently causing shrinkage of same by heating (a heat-shrinkable sleeve) or by removing a previously disposed tubular supporting element aiming at keeping the tubular sleeve - made of resilient material - in a radially expanded condition (a cold-shrinkable sleeve) .
- Positioning of the sleeve on the supporting element is obtained through devices adapted to fit the sleeve on said supporting element.
- these devices cause a radial expansion of the sleeve through direct insertion of the supporting element from one end of the sleeve or through use of a suitable expanding element into which the supporting element is subsequently introduced.
- Document EP03682366 in the name of the same Applicant, discloses a process and an apparatus for inserting a rigid support into a sleeve for splicing of electric cables.
- the apparatus described in this document comprises an actuator adapted to engage a rigid tubular support and the above mentioned sleeve.
- the actuator acts on a pulling bar connected to an ogive integral with a front end of the rigid tubular support. This pulling bar transmits a force oriented in an axial direction to the tubular support, so that said support is inserted into the sleeve.
- the actuator is such operated that the rigid support dragged along by the pulling bar .previously introduced through the sleeve, is inserted into the sleeve starting from a first end of the sleeve itself and drawn in the direction of the second end of the latter.
- the apparatus further comprises a counter-unit set to engage the - tubular sleeve in order to fix positioning of same in an axial direction.
- the counter- unit comprises two shell halves that can be moved close to each other and each having a plurality of homogeneously distributed presser elements to define a holding seat within which the sleeve is housed when the shell halves are close to each other.
- the presser elements apply a centripetal radial force to the outer surface of the sleeve to make said surface adhere to the presser elements so ' as to generate counter-forces distributed over the whole sleeve length that are capable of counteracting the thrust action exerted by the tubular support when it is introduced into the sleeve itself.
- Document W 02/07280 discloses a device for disposing a sleeve expandable in a radial direction on an elongated ⁇ element provided with an outer cross section larger than the maximum inner cross section Df the sleeve in a non-expanded configuration.
- the device comprises a first and a second units both having a section expandable in a radial direction and being insertable into the sleeve.
- the first unit is insertable into the second.
- the device further comprises a first and .a second rigid tubes that are sequentially introduced into the first unit.
- Document WO 02/07281 discloses a device for applying at least two radially expandable sleeves onto at least two parallel elongated elements provided with an outer cross section larger than the maximum inner cross
- the device comprises at least two expandable tubular sections integral with a common base, each of said sections including an enlarged portion and an expandable portion provided with a plurality of flexible tailpieces. The device is inserted into the sleeve and the elongated element is subsequently inserted into said device.
- Document US 6049960 discloses a method and a device for causing sliding and positioning of components in the form of a resiliently expandable sleeve in a radial direction, on cylindrical or conical bodies with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of said components.
- the device comprises a collar to which a plurality of elongated and flexible tabs are connected, said tabs being spaced apart the same distance and being disposed in coaxial relationship with the central axis of the collar.
- the free ends of the tabs are first inserted into the sleeve-shaped component and then the sleeve is mounted together with the device itself over the end of the previously prepared cable, with the tabs disposed between the sleeve-shaped component and the end of the cable constituting the base body.
- the Applicant has perceived the necessity to improve the known processes for installation of tubular sleeves that are used at the splicing region between at least one pair of electric cables.
- the Applicant has sensed the necessity to improve the radial-expansion methodology for the above sleeves as it has found that the known art solutions cause arising of opposite forces of different amount on the (axially opposite) end portions of the sleeve itself.
- the Applicant could ascertain that introduction of an expansion device starting from a single end of the sleeve causes generation of axial- compression forces in the sleeve portion concerned with entry of the expansion device and of axial pulling forces in the sleeve portion concerned with exit of the expansion device, said exit portion being axially opposite to said entry portion.
- the Applicant has verified- that an asymmetric distribution of the efforts causes arising of asymmetric deformations (in particular plastic sets) that keep frozen within the sleeve material and therefore can impair a correct operation of the sleeve itself once the latter has been positioned on the splicing region. Due to said asymmetric deformations, the sleeve expanded according to the known art methodologies and apparatus can in fact have different radial sizes along its axial extension, which will result in an asymmetric and uneven tightening action of the sleeve on the splicing region.
- the Applicant has also found that, should the sleeve to be submitted to expansion be provided with an outer sheath, the latter being generally coupled with the sleeve by interposition of a lubricating agent utilised to promote laying of the outer sheath on said sleeve, and if the expansion devices are introduced from one end alone of the sleeve itself, the outer sheath can suffer a modification in its axial centring relative to the underlying sleeve.
- the Applicant has found that, should the expansion devices be inserted from a single sleeve end, in order to avoid axial- displacement of the outer sheath relative to the sleeve it is necessary to position the sheath on the sleeve at a position that is out-of-centre by an amount equal to the axial sliding to which the sheath is submitted during introduction of the expansion devices into the sleeve, so that the result, when expansion has been completed, be a correct centring of the outer sheath on the underlying sleeve.
- the Applicant therefore has become aware of the necessity to obtain tubular sleeves radially expanded in a symmetric manner relative to " a middle plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sleeves themselves, so that possible permanent sets generated on the sleeve following introduction of the expansion devices be symmetrically distributed along the longitudinal extension of the sleeve and, as a result, an even tightening action of the sleeve on the splicing region be ensured, as well as centring of the outer sheath on the sleeve, should the latter be already provided with said sheath.
- the Applicant has found that the method of radially expanding a tubular sleeve is advantageously greatly improved if the expansion is carried out in a gradual and symmetric manner starting - from both axially opposite ends of the. sleeve to be submitted to expansion.
- the Applicant in fact has verified that in this way the axially opposite portions of the sleeve are submitted to the same distribution of efforts.
- the present invention relates to a method of disposing a tubular covering sleeve for electric-cable joints on a supporting element, said method comprising the steps of: arranging a tubular sleeve; causing radial expansion of said tubular sleeve starting from axially opposite end portions of said tubular sleeve; arranging said tubular sleeve in a radially-expanded condition on a supporting element.
- radial expansion of the tubular sleeve is carried out gradually starting from the end portions of said sleeve towards an axially intermediate portion t thereof.
- radial expansion of the tubular sleeve is carried out simultaneously on both the end portions of the tubular sleeve.
- radial expansion of the tubular sleeve is radially symmetric.
- the present invention relates to an apparatus for disposing a tubular covering sleeve for electric-cable joints on a supporting element,- said apparatus comprising: a support for a tubular sleeve; a pair of expanders to be placed to a substantially coaxial position relative to said tubular sleeve, each at a respective end of the sleeve; driving means adapted to introduce the expanders into the respective ends of the sleeve and to cause radial expansion of the sleeve itself; devices for disposing the sleeve in a radially expanded condition on said supporting element.
- FIG. 1 is a partly sectioned side view of an apparatus for arranging a tubular covering sleeve for electric-cable joints oh a supporting element in accordance with the present invention, in a first operating configuration;
- FIG. 1 shows an enlarged portion of the apparatus in Fig. 1 in the first operating configuration
- FIG. 2a shows a detail to an enlarged scale of the portion in Fig. 2;
- FIG. 3 shows the apparatus in Fig-. 1 in a secqnd operating configuration
- - Fig. 3a shows a detail to an enlarged scale of the apparatus in Fig. 3
- - Fig. 4 shows the apparatus seen in Fig. 1 in a third operating configuration corresponding to a first step of radial expansion of the sleeve;
- Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal section of the sleeve during the first step of radial expansion shown in Fig. 4;
- Figs. 6 to 8 show respective subseguent steps of radial expansion of the sleeve
- - Fig. 9 shows the enlarged portion seen in Fig. 2 in the configuration taken in the operating steps of Figs. 7 and 8; - Fig. 10 shows the apparatus seen in Fig. 1 in a further operating configuration;
- FIG. 11 shows the sleeve installed on the supporting element.
- an apparatus for disposing a tubular covering sleeve 2 for electric- cable joints on a supporting element 3 in accordance with the present invention has been generally identified by reference numeral 1.
- Apparatus 1 comprises a support 4 capable of supporting and locking the sleeve 2 during a step of radial expansion of the latter.
- this support 4 has a pair of plates 5 parallel to each other and mutually spaced apart by substantially the same distance as the length of sleeve 2.
- Each plate is provided with a shaped opening 6 adapted to receive one end 7 of said sleeve 2.
- each of the ends 7 of sleeve 2 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of an axially intermediate portion 8 thereof, so as to form a shoulder 9 adapted to abut against the edges of a respective opening 6.
- opening 6 of the plates conforms in shape to the respective end 7 of the sleeve and can modify its radial size so as to become wide during expansion of the ends 7 of sleeve 2 and follow deformation of the latter.
- Apparatus 1 further comprises a pair- of expanders 10 each moved by driving means 11 capable of disposing the expanders to a position substantially coaxial with the sleeve 2 put on the support 4 and close to ' a respective end 7 of the sleeve 2 itself.
- the driving means 11 further carries out introduction of the expanders 10 into the respective ends 7 of sleeve 2, so as to cause radial expansion of the latter.
- the expanders 10 are preferably introduced as far as their distal ends 10a abut against each other at the axially intermediate portion 8 of sleeve 2.
- the two expanders 10 are of the telescopic type and have the same structure.
- the expanders 10 are preferably introduced into sleeve 2 by a synchronised and symmetric movement relative to a symmetry plane "P" transverse to a longitudinal axis "X" of the sleeve 2 and passing through the axially intermediate portion 8 of the latter, so as to cause a radial expansion which too is symmetric relative to said plane "P".
- each of the expanders 10 comprises a radially external tubular body
- a proximal end 15a of the radially external tubular body 12 is provided with a flange 16 having a tailpiece 17 extending radially away from body 12 and carrying a lead nut 18 installed on a first worm screw 19.
- Distal ends 15b of the radially external tubular bodies 12 face each other and are provided with a bevelled edge in the form of a truncated cone, better seen in Figs. 5-8, to promote introduction into sleeve 2.
- the first worm screw 19 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2 and has two portions 19a, 19b with contrary threads, each supporting one of the lead nuts 18 connected to a respective radially external tubular body 12. Said two portions 19a, 19b extend symmetrically starting from the symmetry plane "P" and are supported by a suitable fixed frame, not shown.
- the driving means 11 comprises a first main motor 20, an electric motor for example, operatively in engagement with the first worm screw 19, through either a belt drive 21 for example, or a chain or gear drive.
- a belt 22 is wrapped on a driving pulley 23 integral with the shaft 24 of the first main motor 20 and on a driven pulley 25 integral with the worm screw 10. Rotation of screw 19 in a first direction causes translation of the two radially external tubular bodies 12 close to each other, towards the symmetry plane "P", while rotation in the opposite direction causes mutual spacing apart of same.
- Each expander 10 further comprises a radially internal body 26 movable between a disengaged position (Figs. 1 and 10) at which it lies spaced apart from the respective radially external tubular body 12, preferably at a position axially offset relative to said radially external body 12, and an engaged position (Fig. 3), at which it is inserted in the respective radially external tubular body 12.
- the first main motor 20 connected to the radially external tubular bodies 12 is adapted to simultaneously introduce the expanders 10 into sleeve 2 while the radially internal body 26 is in the engaged position .
- each radially internal body 26 is mounted on a respective main support assembly 27 which in turn is installed on an auxiliary support assembly 28.
- Both the mentioned assemblies 27, 28 are diagrammatically shown in the figures as rectangular tables.
- Each of the main support assemblies 27 and each of the auxiliary support assemblies 28 is moved along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2 by a respective second worm screw 29 extending parallel to said longitudinal axis "X" and is supported by a suitable fixed frame, not shown.
- the second worm screw 29 bears a lead nut, not shown, connected to the respective main support assembly 27 through the auxiliary support assembly 28.
- the mentioned lead nut is integral with the auxiliary support assembly 28 and in the accompanying drawings is not shown as it is concealed behind it.
- a second main motor 31 being part of the driving means 11, is operatively engaged with the second worm screw 29 to move the respective radially internal body 26 together with the main 27 and auxiliary 28 support assemblies on parallel guides 30 extending along a ..direction parallel to the longitudinal axis "X".
- the second main- motor 31 also of the electric type for example, is connected to said second worm screw 29 through either a belt drive 32 for example, or a chain or gear drive.
- a belt 22 is wrapped on a driving pulley 23 integral with the shaft 24 of the second main motor 31 and on a driven pulley 25 integral with the second worm screw 29.
- Rotation of the second screw 29 in a first direction causes translation of the respective radially internal tubular body 26 close to the symmetry plane "P", while rotation in the opposite direction causes moving apart of same.
- the second main motors 31 are operated by a single control unit, not shown, for simultaneous and symmetric movement of the radially internal tubular bodies 26.
- a third worm screw 33 extending along a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2 and to the second worm screw 29 and supporting a concealed lead nut integral with the respective main support assembly 27. The auxiliary support assembly 28 therefore is maintained to an interposed position between the second worm screw 29 and the respective main support assembly 27,
- a third main motor 35 is located over the auxiliary support assembly 28 and is connected to the respective third worm screw 33, to move the main support assembly 27 along mutually parallel guides 34 transverse to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2 and positioned on the auxiliary support assembly 28.
- the third main motor 35 is connected to the third worm screw 33 by means either of a belt drive 36 for example, or of a chain or gear drive.
- a belt 22 passes over a driving pulley 23 integral with the shaft 24 of the third main motor 35 and over a driven pulley 25 integral with the third worm screw 33.
- Rotation of the third screw 33 in a first direction causes translation of the main support assembly 27 and the respective radially internal tubular body 26 close to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2, while rotation in the opposite direction causes moving apart of same.
- the radially internal body 26, in a first operating configuration shown in Fig. 2, has a tapered distal end
- each of the radially internal bodies 26 comprises a central element 38 which has a distal portion 39 provided with a tapered distal end 39a in the form of an ogive for example, that in the first operating configuration in Figs. 2, 2a and 10, constitutes the point of the ogive 37 of the radially internal body 26 considered as a whole.
- the distal portion 39 carrying the ogive comprises a cylindrical length having an annular ridge 42 at the rear, i.e. towards the proximal end 40 of the central element 38.
- the central element 38 further has an intermediate length 43 interposed between the proximal end 40 and the annular ridge 42, which intermediate length 43 is rod-shaped and terminates with an outer thread 44 placed on said proximal end 40.
- the -cylindrical length 41 is further provided with radial seats 45 for housing keys 46 set to prevent mutual rotation between the different elements of the radially internal body 46, as better detailed in the following of the present specification.
- the radially internal body 26 further comprises an outer tubular element 47 disposed around the central element 38 and slidably in engagement with said central element 38.
- an intermediate tubular element 48 is located between the central element 38 and the outer tubular element 47 and is slidably in engagement with both of them. While in the embodiment shown only one intermediate element 48 is represented, also adoption of a plurality of intermediate elements 48 coaxial with each other falls within the scope of the present invention, so as to define a multi-stage telescopic radially internal body 26. Preferably, said stages are four in number.
- the outer tubular element 47 has a distal portion 49 provided with a tapered distal end 49a, preferably of frusto-conical shape.
- the distal portion 49 internally has axial splines 50 adapted to slidably house the keys 46 inserted in the radial seats 45 formed in the intermediate tubular element 48, to prevent mutual rotation of said intermediate tubular element 48 relative to the outer tubular element 47.
- the wall of the distal portion 49 of the outer tubular element 47 has an increased thickness than an intermediate length 51 of said outer tubular element 47 and delimits a passageway adapted to receive and guide a distal portion 52 of the intermediate tubular element 48.
- a proximal end 53 of the outer tubular element 47 has an outer thread 54 on which a lead nut 55 is installed, said lead nut 55 being rotatably mounted, by means of bearings 56 for example, in a seat 57 formed in a housing body 58 set up in an integral manner on the main support assembly 27 (Figs. 2, 3a and 9) .
- the lead nut 55 mounted on the outer tubular element 47 is axially locked relative to said housing body 58.
- the distal portion 52 of the intermediate tubular element 48 has a distal end 52a provided with a bevel adapted to give it a frustoconical tapered shape and is internally provided with axial splines 59 into which the keys 46 housed in the radial seats 45 of the cylindrical length 41 of the central element 38 are slidably engaged, to prevent mutual rotation between said intermediate tubular element 48 and the central element 38.
- the distal portion 52 further comprises a cylindrical length 60 having an annular ridge 62 at the rear, i:e. towards a proximal end 61 of the intermediate tubular element 48, which ' annular ridge 62 is similar to the annular ridge 42 of the central element 38. . •
- the proximal end 61 of the intermediate tubular element 48 has an outer thread 63 on which a lead nut 64 is mounted which is rotatably engaged, by means of bearings ' 56 for example, into the proximal end 53 of the outer tubular element 47.
- the lead nut 64 mounted on the intermediate tubular element 48 is axially locked relative to said outer tubular element 47 and is movable therewith.
- the intermediate tubular element 48 is absent and the lead nut 65 of " the central element 38 is directly mounted to the proximal end 53 of the outer tubular element 47.
- central element 38, intermediate tubular element 48 and outer tubular element 47 are mutually movable between said first operating configuration, at which the ogive-shaped end 39a and the tapered distal ends
- 49a, 52a form a continuous tapered and preferably substantially conical surface shown in Figs. 2 and 2a,
- the shoulders defined by the annular ridges 42, 62 of the central element 38 and the intermediate tubular element 48 lie against shoulders 67 located on inner surfaces of the intermediate tubular element 48 and the outer tubular element 47, respectively.
- the driving means 11 further comprises a pair of auxiliary motors 68 each of which is fixedly mounted on the main support assembly 27 and is connected to the respective outer tubular element 47 by means of a belt drive 69 for example, or of a chain or gear drive.
- a belt 22 is wrapped on a driving pulley 23 fitted on shaft 24 of the first auxiliary motor 68 and on the lead nut 55 of the outer tubular element 47. Rotation of the lead nut 55 caused by the first auxiliary motor 68 through belt 22 causes translation of the outer tubular element 47 relative to the main support assembly 27 on .which it is installed.
- a second pair of auxiliary motors 70 moves the intermediate tubular elements 48.
- each of the second ' auxiliary motors 70 is installed on the main support assembly 27 and connected to the respective intermediate tubular element 48 by means of either a belt drive 71, or a chain or gear drive.
- a belt 22 is wrapped on a driving pulley 23 fitted on the shaft 24 of the second auxiliary motor 70 and on the lead nut 64 of the intermediate tubular element 48. Rotation of the lead nut 64 caused by the second auxiliary motor 70 through belt 22 causes translation of the intermediate tubular element 48 relative to the outer tubular ' element 47.
- the second auxiliary motor 70 is moved on guides 72 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2 and placed on the first main support assembly 27, to follow the axial movement of the outer tubular element 47.
- Axial-motion transmission from the outer tubular element 47 to the second auxiliary motor 70 preferably takes place through a rigid connection, not shown.
- a third pair of auxiliary motors 73 moves the central elements 38.
- each of the third auxiliary motors 73 is installed on the main support assembly 27 and is connected to the respective central element 38 by means either of a belt drive 74 for example, or of a chain or gear drive.
- a belt 22 is wrapped on a driving pulley 23 fitted on the main shaft 24 of the third auxiliary motor 73 and on the lead nut 65 of the central element 38.
- Rotation of the lead nut 65 caused by the third auxiliary motor 73 through belt 22 causes translation of the central element 38 relative to the intermediate tubular element 48.
- the third auxiliary motor 73 is moved on guides 75 that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis "X" of sleeve 2 and placed on the first main support assembly 27, to follow axial motion of the intermediate tubular element 48.
- Axial-motion transmission from the intermediate tubular element 48 to the third auxiliary motor 73 preferably takes place by a rigid connection, not shown.
- Each of the support assemblies 27 comprises a locking device 76 capable of making the radially external tubular body 13 of the expander 10 and the support assembly 27 integral with each other.
- the locking device 76 is defined by a tailpiece 77 of the housing body 58 on which a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 78 is mounted (Fig. 3a) .
- the rod 79 of the cylinder 78 is slidable in a hole 80 formed in the tailpiece 77 along a radial direction.
- the radially external tubular body 12 has a housing 81 located on the proximal end 15a and formed- in the flange 16, • for example.
- Housing 81 is capable of receiving the rod 79 when the radially internal body 26 is in the above mentioned engaged position, at which it is inserted in the respective radially external tubular body 12.
- the rod 79 is therefore movable between a backward position, at which it is completely contained in hole 80 and an extracted position at which it projects from said hole 80 to enter housing 81.
- the sleeve 2 in a rest configuration i.e. not yet expanded, is positioned on the support 4 and has its ends 7 placed in the openings 6.
- the radially external tubular bodies 12 of the expanders 10 are in alignment with the longitudinal axis "X", their distal ends 15b facing the ends 7 of sleeve 2.
- the radially internal bodies 26 too lie in alignment with the longitudinal axis "X”, their distal ends 37 facing the proximal ends 15a of the radially external tubular bodies 12.
- Each of the radially internal tubular bodies 26 is in the first operating configuration, better shown in Figs. 2 and 2a, in which the ogive-shaped end 39a and the tapered distal ends 49a, 52a form a continuous and substantially conical surface.
- the radially internal bodies 26, together with the respective main 27 and auxiliary 28 support assemblies are moved forward along the respective worm screws 29, until each radially internal body 26 is completely inserted into the corresponding radially external tubular body 12, and housing 81 is disposed close to hole 80 of the tailpiece 77 (Figs. 3 and 3a) .
- the rod 79 of the cylinder 78 is inserted in hole 81 to lock each radially external tubular body 12 on the respective main support assembly 27.
- the first main motor 20 drives in rotation the first worm screw 19 that, through the lead nuts 18 connected therewith, drags along the two expanders 10, each integral with its main 27 and auxiliary 28 support assemblies, and moves them close to the symmetry plane "P".
- the auxiliary assemblies 28 are preferably disconnected from the second worm screw 29 and move on their guides 30 being dragged along by the ' first worm screw 19 alone.
- the distal ends 10a of the expanders 10, formed by the distal ends 15b, 37 of the radially external tubular body 12 and the radially internal body 26 enter the ends 7 of sleeve 2 causing radial expansion of said ends until the distal ends 10a, i.e.
- first 68, second 70 and third 73 auxiliary motors move the tubular elements 47,
- the main 27 and auxiliary 28 assemblies upon the action of the first main motors 20, go on moving forward towards the symmetry plane "P" taking along with them the radially external tubular body 12, outer tubular element 47 and intermediate tubular element 48 that are integral with each other.
- the third auxiliary motor 73 of each of the two expanders 10 acts on the central element 38 making it move backwards relative to the intermediate tubular element 48, so as to maintain its distal end 39a fixed on the symmetry plane "P".
- the radially external tubular body 12, outer tubular element 47 and intermediate tubular element 48 start gradual expansion also of the- axially intermediate portion 8 of sleeve 2.
- the radially internal body 26 is formed with a plurality of telescopic tubular elements disposed around the central element 38. These telescopic tubular elements are moved forward in succession from the innermost one to the outermost one until abutment of the respective tapered distal ends, one after the other.
- the auxiliary assemblies 28 are connected with the respective second worm screws 29 and axially moved apart from sleeve 2 through the action of the second main .motors 31.
- the radially internal bodies 26, once separated and axially spaced apart, are radially shifted relative to the longitudinal axis "X" of the sleeve 2 itself, moving • the main support assemblies 27 along the respective guides 34 upon the action of the third main motors 35 and third worm screws 33 (Fig. 10) .
- a method of disposing the tubular covering sleeve 2 for electric-cable joints on the supporting element 3 comprises the steps of causing radial expansion of the tubular sleeve 2 starting from the axially opposite end portions 7 of the sleeve 2 itself and disposing the tubular sleeve 2 in a radially expanded condition on the supporting element 3.
- this • radial expansion is preferably carried out gradually starting from the end portions 7 to the axially intermediate portion 8 of the tubular sleeve 2 and simultaneously on both the end _ o ⁇ _
- sleeve 2 preferably has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the supporting element 3 on which it is to be disposed and laying is produced by causing a radial shrinkage of sleeve 2 on the supporting element 3 itself.
- the supporting element 3 is preferably an independent tubular support, as specified above in describing operation of apparatus 1.
- the supporting element consists of the ends themselves of the cables to be spliced, the above described operations being conducted directly in the trench.
- the supporting element is made up of the two radially external tubular bodies 12.
- the two radially external tubular bodies 12 are disconnected from the flanges 16 integral with the lead nuts 18 mounted on the first worm screw 19 and need replacement by further bodies 12 expansion of a subsequent sleeve 2 is to be carried out.
- the above described movements are preferably and advantageously controlled and governed by an electronic programmable control unit connected to all or part of motors 20, 31, 35, 68, 70, 73 and possibly to sensors, not shown, adapted to detect the positions, displacements and velocities of the different parts of the apparatus, for example.
Landscapes
- Cable Accessories (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
- Processing Of Terminals (AREA)
- Manipulator (AREA)
- Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (11)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ES05850985.2T ES2490792T3 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Procedure for arranging a tubular sleeve on a support element and apparatus for the implementation of said procedure |
AU2005339513A AU2005339513B2 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
BRPI0520810-6A BRPI0520810A2 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method and apparatus for placing a cable gland pipe sleeve over a support member |
EP05850985.2A EP1966861B1 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
CN2005800524167A CN101346860B (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method for arranging tubular sleeve on support unit and device for implementing the same |
PCT/IT2005/000768 WO2007074481A1 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
CA2633302A CA2633302C (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
NZ568559A NZ568559A (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Stretching a tubular sleeve from both ends to avoid asymmetrical expansion forces deforming the sleeve |
US12/087,123 US8273200B2 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
EP12169039.0A EP2506373A3 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Apparatus for disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element |
US13/559,040 US8789570B2 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2012-07-26 | Apparatuses for disposing tubular covering sleeves for electric-cable joints on supporting elements |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IT2005/000768 WO2007074481A1 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/087,123 A-371-Of-International US20060069605A1 (en) | 2004-09-29 | 2005-03-22 | Workflow association in a collaborative application |
US13/559,040 Division US8789570B2 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2012-07-26 | Apparatuses for disposing tubular covering sleeves for electric-cable joints on supporting elements |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2007074481A1 true WO2007074481A1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
Family
ID=37067480
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IT2005/000768 WO2007074481A1 (en) | 2005-12-28 | 2005-12-28 | Method of disposing a tubular sleeve on a supporting element and apparatus to put said method into practice |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8273200B2 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1966861B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101346860B (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005339513B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0520810A2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2633302C (en) |
ES (1) | ES2490792T3 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ568559A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007074481A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ATE545976T1 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2012-03-15 | Prysmian Spa | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COATING THE CONNECTION AREA BETWEEN AT LEAST TWO ELONGATED ELEMENTS, IN PARTICULAR BETWEEN ELECTRICAL CABLES |
NZ567396A (en) * | 2005-10-19 | 2010-09-30 | Prysmian Cavi Sistemi Energia | Method and apparatus for splicing a pair of electric cables |
US8853563B2 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2014-10-07 | Thomas & Betts International, Llc | Cold shrink assembly |
US9202612B2 (en) | 2012-09-28 | 2015-12-01 | Thomas & Betts International, Llc | Cold shrink assembly |
DE112016002376B4 (en) * | 2015-05-26 | 2023-11-09 | Mitsubishi Electric Corporation | ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE |
TWI711238B (en) * | 2019-07-26 | 2020-11-21 | 日商永木精機股份有限公司 | Sleeve installation tool and sleeve installation method |
CA3153815A1 (en) | 2021-03-24 | 2022-09-24 | Richards Mfg. Co., A New Jersey Limited Partnership | Cold shrink core |
CN113771372B (en) * | 2021-07-22 | 2024-05-28 | 江苏恒源园艺用品有限公司 | Automatic thermal shrinkage capping machine for metal pipe and metal pipe capping process |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0780948A1 (en) | 1995-12-19 | 1997-06-25 | SAT (Société Anonyme de Télécommunications) | Device for radial expansion of an elastomeric sleeve |
WO2002007280A1 (en) * | 2000-07-15 | 2002-01-24 | Tyco Electronics Raychem Gmbh | Multiple expander |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3495301A (en) * | 1967-06-23 | 1970-02-17 | Phillips Petroleum Co | Tube expanding apparatus |
CN85204897U (en) * | 1985-11-16 | 1987-03-11 | 吕永起 | Plastic protection sleeve for cable connection |
IT1229810B (en) * | 1988-11-11 | 1991-09-13 | Pirelli Cavi Spa | PROCEDURE AND EQUIPMENT FOR INSERTING A RIGID SUPPORT IN A SLEEVE FOR ELECTRIC CABLE JOINTS. |
SE503278C2 (en) * | 1993-06-07 | 1996-05-13 | Kabeldon Ab | Method of jointing two cable parts, as well as joint body and mounting tool for use in the process |
US5467515A (en) * | 1994-09-28 | 1995-11-21 | Amerace Corporation | Alternative cold shrink device |
DE19510598A1 (en) | 1995-03-23 | 1996-09-26 | Zittauer Kunststoff Gmbh | Sliding aid for pushing and positioning sleeve-shaped, elastic components onto cylindrical or conical bodies |
ATE208094T1 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 2001-11-15 | Tyco Electronics Ltd Uk | CABLE COVER ARRANGEMENT |
FR2761830B1 (en) * | 1997-04-07 | 2000-01-28 | Pirelli Cables Sa | JUNCTION SUPPORT WITH SELF-CONTAINED EXTRACTION |
FR2786954B1 (en) * | 1998-12-02 | 2001-01-12 | Sagem | EXPANDING DEVICE FOR AN ELASTIC SLEEVE, AND METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EXPANSIONING AN ELASTIC SLEEVE |
GB0017340D0 (en) | 2000-07-15 | 2000-08-30 | Tyco Electronics Raychem Gmbh | Multiple expander |
-
2005
- 2005-12-28 ES ES05850985.2T patent/ES2490792T3/en active Active
- 2005-12-28 EP EP05850985.2A patent/EP1966861B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2005-12-28 EP EP12169039.0A patent/EP2506373A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2005-12-28 BR BRPI0520810-6A patent/BRPI0520810A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-12-28 US US12/087,123 patent/US8273200B2/en active Active
- 2005-12-28 WO PCT/IT2005/000768 patent/WO2007074481A1/en active Application Filing
- 2005-12-28 CA CA2633302A patent/CA2633302C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-12-28 CN CN2005800524167A patent/CN101346860B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-12-28 AU AU2005339513A patent/AU2005339513B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-12-28 NZ NZ568559A patent/NZ568559A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2012
- 2012-07-26 US US13/559,040 patent/US8789570B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0780948A1 (en) | 1995-12-19 | 1997-06-25 | SAT (Société Anonyme de Télécommunications) | Device for radial expansion of an elastomeric sleeve |
WO2002007280A1 (en) * | 2000-07-15 | 2002-01-24 | Tyco Electronics Raychem Gmbh | Multiple expander |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2005339513B2 (en) | 2011-03-17 |
BRPI0520810A2 (en) | 2010-03-16 |
EP1966861B1 (en) | 2014-05-14 |
EP1966861A1 (en) | 2008-09-10 |
CA2633302A1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
CN101346860B (en) | 2011-08-31 |
US20090065125A1 (en) | 2009-03-12 |
CN101346860A (en) | 2009-01-14 |
EP2506373A3 (en) | 2015-11-11 |
US8273200B2 (en) | 2012-09-25 |
CA2633302C (en) | 2014-02-11 |
US8789570B2 (en) | 2014-07-29 |
EP2506373A2 (en) | 2012-10-03 |
ES2490792T3 (en) | 2014-09-04 |
NZ568559A (en) | 2011-03-31 |
AU2005339513A1 (en) | 2007-07-05 |
US20130061465A1 (en) | 2013-03-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8789570B2 (en) | Apparatuses for disposing tubular covering sleeves for electric-cable joints on supporting elements | |
AU2005337582B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for joining a pair of electric cables | |
CN101346862B (en) | Cable connection method and related connection part, tubular overlapping casing tube of electric cable connection part and manufacturing method thereof | |
AU2004321218B2 (en) | Method for covering an elongate object and device for covering said elongate object | |
US5987745A (en) | Method and devices for jointing cables | |
EP2656463B1 (en) | Process for manufacturing a jointing assembly for medium or high voltage electrical cables | |
EP2186177B1 (en) | Device for expanding a tubular elastic body | |
CA2062663C (en) | Connecting device for one or two electric cables, and process for mounting this device on the end of the cable or cables | |
JP2003153423A (en) | Method for forming connection section of plastic insulated power cable and diameter expanding support pipe |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 200580052416.7 Country of ref document: CN |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 568559 Country of ref document: NZ Ref document number: 2005339513 Country of ref document: AU |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2005850985 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2633302 Country of ref document: CA |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2005339513 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20051228 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2005339513 Country of ref document: AU |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2005850985 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 12087123 Country of ref document: US |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: PI0520810 Country of ref document: BR Kind code of ref document: A2 |