Method and apparatus for pulling lightweight cable

Abstract

A method of installing lightweight cable in a conduit by placing a leakproof tubing in a conduit, joining the sections of tubing together to make a continuous length of tubing and attaching to one end of the tubing a fitting having a liquid tight passage for sliding cable therethrough and an inlet passage for pumping fluid into the tubing. Fluid under pressure provides a lubricant while forcing a pulling plug through the tubing. A lightweight cable attached to the pulling plug pulls the lightweight cable through the lubricating fluid in the tubing without breaking the cable. If the fluid used is liquid it is removed from the tubing by using pressurized gas to force a wiper plug along the cable and inside of the tubing. The apparatus of the invention includes a deformable pulling plug that slides along the inside of tubing, pulling the lightweight cable therewith. A deformable wiper plug is provided having an opening for sliding along the cable and inside the tubing to forceably remove liquids in the tubing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.