Method of and apparatus for lubricating cable during continuous dry curing

A method of continuously fabricating finished electrical conductor comprising the steps of:

• (a) advancing an elongated electrical conductor along a predetermined straight path through a first extruder head;
• (b) concentrically extruding semiconductor strand shield onto said advancing conductor;
• (c) advancing said shielded conductor along a predetermined straight path through a second extruder head in tandem relationship with said first extruder head;
• (d) concentrically extruding primary insulation onto said advancing shielded conductor in a first extrusion plane within said second extruder;
• (e) simultaneously and concentrically extruding an insulation shield onto said shielded and insulated conductor in a second extrusion plane within said second extruder;
• (f) advancing said shielded, insulated and insulation shielded conductor along a predetermined substantially catenary path through a pressurized vulcanization means in tandem relationship with said second extruder head such that said shielded, insulated and insulation shielded conductor contacts the interior surface of said vulcanization means at a point remote from said second extruder head;
• (g) simultaneously curing the strand shield, insulation and insulation shield of said conductor in a hot, dry medium within said vulcanization means;
• (h) introducing lubricant into said vulcanization means under pressure at the point where said conductor contacts the interior surface of said vulcanization means;
• (i) cooling said conductor when cured within said vulcanization means in an environment substantially free of water or other liquid coolant to form a finished electrical conductor;
• (j) removing finished electrical conductor from said vulcanization means;
• and
• (k) collecting the finished electrical conductor on a cable storage means.