Systems and methods for controlling duct pressurization for cable installation
AssigneeMCI, Inc.
InventorsJohn Fee, Frank McKiel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system includes a duct, a pressurized fluid source, and a valve. The duct receives one or more cables and the pressurized fluid source couples to a first end of the duct and produces fluid pressure within the duct. The valve couples to a second end of the duct and is closed for a time to build pressure within the duct, and then opened to permit the fluid under pressure within the duct to escape rapidly from the duct and propel the one or more cables through the duct.
Claims34
A method for propelling a cable through a duct comprising:
- closing a valve that controls the flow of a pressurized fluid from a first end of the duct;
- at a second end of the duct, applying the pressurized fluid to an interior volume contained by the duct;
- and
- opening the valve to permit an efflux of the pressurized fluid that propels the cable through at least a portion of the length of the duct.
An apparatus for facilitating the placement of a cable inside of a duct, comprising:
- a valve configured to be coupled to an end of the duct and to control flow of a pressurized fluid outward from the inside of the duct.
A system for installing cable in a duct comprising:
- a valve coupled to a first end of the duct;
- and
- a pressurized fluid source coupled to the second end of the duct, wherein the valve may be actuated to affect pressure inside of the duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.