Cable installation apparatus including replaceable drive device

A drive device for installation on an apparatus for installing a cable into a duct, wherein the drive device comprises:

• a base part;
• a conveyer part configured to induce a driving force (F1) onto a part of a cable;
• a driving part configured to drive the conveyer part;
• a coupling arrangement part directly or indirectly connected to the driving part, wherein the coupling arrangement part is configured to engage with a drive arrangement part of the apparatus;
• wherein the base part comprises one or more locking parts configured to be disconnectably connected to locking parts of the apparatus so that the base part is maintained in a locked position at a socket part, and wherein the coupling arrangement part is configured to engage with the drive arrangement part of the apparatus when the base part is arranged at the socket part in the locked position.

A method of adapting an apparatus for installing a cable, into a duct, with the assistance of a fluid drag on the cable within the duct, to be used for installation of different cable types, wherein the apparatus comprises:

• a blowing chamber having a cable inlet, a cable outlet, and a fluid inlet for receiving a supply of pressurized fluid, wherein the cable outlet is configured to be connected to the duct;
• a pushing drive;
• a first drive device comprising a first conveyer part;
• and
• a second drive device comprising a second conveyer part, wherein the first conveyer part and the second conveyer part are arranged at opposing sides of a cable guidance space and wherein one or both of the first conveyer part and the second conveyer part are configured to induce a driving force (F1) onto a part of the cable arranged in the cable guidance space;
• wherein one or both of the first conveyer part and the second conveyer part is configured to be moved towards and away from the cable guidance space;
• wherein the first drive device comprises a first base part and/or the second drive device comprises a second base part at which the corresponding first conveyer part is of a first type and/or the second conveyor part is of a first type is mounted, and a coupling arrangement part configured to engage with a drive arrangement part of the apparatus, wherein the drive arrangement part is configured to be driven by the pushing drive;
• wherein the first conveyer part of the first type and/or second conveyer part of the first part is arranged to be driven by the drive arrangement part of the apparatus;
• wherein the method comprises:
• disconnecting one or more of the first drive device and the second drive device comprising the corresponding first conveyer part of the first type and/or the second conveyer part of the first type from the apparatus;
• providing one or more other drive devices comprising a coupling arrangement part configured to engage with the drive arrangement part of the apparatus, and either the first base part or the second base part at which a conveying part system of a second type is mounted;
• and
• connecting the one or more other drive devices to a socket part so that the coupling arrangement part engages with the drive arrangement part of the apparatus.