# US 12,015,251 B1 · System, method and apparatus for spray-on application of a wire pulling lubricant

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- Number: US 12,015,251 B1
- Document ID: US12015251B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 17/893,063
- Filed: 2022-08-22
- Granted: 2024-06-18
- Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15
- Assignees: Encore Wire Corporation
- Applicants: Encore Wire Corporation
- Inventors: Mark D. Bennett; William T. Bigbee, Jr.; Ramon V. Hernandez
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12015251B1

## CPC

- H02G 1/08: through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling {(inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401)}
- H02G 1/00: Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
- H01B 3/44: vinyl resins; acrylic resins (silicones H01B3/46)
- Y02P 70/10: Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
- H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus lubricating a wire or cable during manufacturing, wherein the wire is aligned with an entry to a spraying enclosure and passes through a first seal of the spraying enclosure. Lubricant is sprayed onto the wire inside of the spraying enclosure while the unapplied, but sprayed, lubricant is collected at the bottom of the spraying enclosure. The wire passes through a second seal of the spraying enclosure, is aligned, and exits from the spraying enclosure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lubricant application system for applying a lubricant onto a wire, the system comprising:
a spraying enclosure, wherein the spraying enclosure comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion is moveably connected to the second portion by a hinge;
a lubricant sprayer within the spraying enclosure; and
a drainage connector connected to the first portion.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a first seal attached to the spraying enclosure, wherein the first seal allows the wire to enter the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2 further comprising a second seal attached to the spraying enclosure, wherein the second seal allows the wire to exit the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second seals further comprise grommets.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The system of claim 4, wherein the first and second seals comprise slit grommets.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the slit grommets comprise slit rubber grommets.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the spraying enclosure comprises a spraying chamber and a drying chamber.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7 further comprising a third seal, wherein the third seal allows the wire to pass from the spraying chamber to the drying chamber.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the third seal further comprises grommets.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the third seal comprises slit grommets.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the slit grommets comprise slit rubber grommets.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the lubricant sprayer includes an adjustable spray nozzle to spray lubricant onto the wire and further wherein the adjustable spray nozzle comprises a flow adjustment device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a securing mechanism attached to the first portion and second portion, wherein the securing mechanism secures the spraying enclosure in a closed position.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a latch.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the spraying enclosure impedes the lubricant from escaping the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the spraying enclosure impedes outside contaminants from entering the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising an alignment assembly to align the wire with the first seal of the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein the alignment assembly aligns the wire after the wire exits the second seal of the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1 further comprising a drying device connected to the second seal of the spraying enclosure.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The system of claim 19, wherein the drying device comprises an air knife to disperse excess lubricant from the wire as the wire exits the spraying enclosure.