Method for repair or accessing pressurized cable
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorsMichael L. Jensen, Jean M. E. Nolf
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A unique air vent is provided for use with heat-recoverable closures when installed on pressurized cables. Typically, when a heat-recoverable closure is used to repair a hole or opening in the jacket of a pressurized cable the cable must be depressurized during installation of the closure to ensure formation of a pressure and watertight seal. The air vent assembly permits installation of a heat-recoverable closure without the need for depressurizing the cable. After installation, the air vent can be used as an access point to the pressurized air within the cable.
Claims8
A method of protecting a pressurized cable having an outer protective jacket which jacket has an opening therein which permits air to escape from the cable which comprises:
- (a) placing an air vent assembly against the cable, said air vent assembly comprising:
- (i) a tubular fitting;
- (ii) an elongate, semi-flexible, non-collapsible hollow tube, one end of which is connected to said fitting;
- and
- (iii) deflection means secured at the other end of said hollow tube;
- said assembly being positioned so that the end of the hollow tube remote from the fitting is placed against said opening in said jacket;
- (b) positioning said deflection means to prevent the flow of viscous material into said tube and to deflect air from said opening into said tube;
- (c) positioning a heat-recoverable closure over said cable and vent assembly such that the fitting extends beyond the closure;
- and
- (d) heating the closure to cause it to recover into intimate contact with the cable and vent assembly.
A method for providing access to pressurized air within a pressurized cable, said cable having an outer jacket which prevents air from escaping from said cable, which method comprises:
- (a) forming a hole in the outer cable jacket of said pressurized cable;
- (b) placing an air vent assembly against the cable, said air vent assembly comprising:
- (i) a tubular fitting;
- (ii) an elongate, semi-flexible, non-collapsible hollow tube, one end of which is connected to said fitting;
- and
- (iii) deflection means secured at the other end of said hollow tube;
- said assembly being positioned so that the end of the hollow tube remote from the fitting is placed against said opening in said jacket;
- (b) positioning said deflection means to prevent the flow of viscous material into said tube and to deflect air flow from said opening into said tube;
- (c) positioning a heat-recoverable closure over said cable and vent assembly such that the fitting extends beyond the closure;
- and
- (d) heating the closure to cause it to recover into intimate contact with the cable and vent assembly.
A method of enclosing an electric cable which comprises:
- (a) placing an air vent assembly against the cable, said air vent assembly comprising:
- (i) a tubular fitting;
- (ii) an elongate, semi-flexible, non-collapsible hollow tube, one end of which is connected to said fitting;
- and
- (iii) deflection means secured at the other end of said hollow tube;
- (b) positioning said deflection means against said cable to prevent ingress of viscous material into said hollow tube;
- (c) positioning a heat-recoverable closure over said cable and vent assembly such that the fitting extends beyond the closure;
- and
- (d) heating the closure to cause it to recover into intimate contact with the cable and vent assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.