US 4,875,952 A · Forced encapsulation means for a cable

Abstract

A forced encapsulation system and method that can be advantageously used to encapsulate cable splices e.g., multiconductor communications cables. Containment means are formed around a substrate comprising part of at least one cable, and secured to the cable, thereby forming an enclosure into which liquid encapsulant can be introduced under pressure and in which the encapsulant can be maintained at pressure above ambient pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the containment means comprise a containment bag formed in situ from an elastomer sheet and sealed to the cable sheaths, with a reinforcing outer enclosure surrounding the containment bag. Introducing the liquid encapsulant under pressure leads to thorough penetration of the encapsulant into the splice work and cable ends and to intimate contact between the cured encapsulant and the surfaces within the enclosure, including surfaces with which the encapsulant does not form an adhesive bond, resulting in improved gasketing around conductors, thereby reducing the possibility of water-caused splice damage.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Means for enclosing a portion of at least one cable, comprising

(a) expandable first means adapted for surrounding at least the portion of the cable and for being sealed to the cable, thereby forming containment means adapted for receiving therein, through encapsulant-introduction means, a quantity of liquid encapsulant of a type whose viscosity increases with time until the encapsulant is no longer a liquid at room temperature;
and
(b) substantially rigid outer enclosure means adapted for surrounding the containment means characterized in that
(c) the containment means are adapted for having the liquid encapsulant therein pressurized to a first pressure that is substantially greater than ambient pressure, and for maintaining the liquid encapsulant therein under a pressure above embient pressure for a time such that at least part of the encapsulant is no longer a liquid at room temperature;
(d) the outer enclosure means are adapted for substantially restraining expansion of the containment means with the pressurized liquid encapsulant therein;
and
(e) the encapsulant-introduction means are of a type that permits further introduction of liquid encapsulant into the containment means after introduction and pressurization of the quantity of liquid encapsulant.

4 more elements

A method of enclosing a portion of at least one cable comprising

(a) forming expandable containment means around at least the portion of the cable, the containment means being secured to the cable and being adapted for receiving therein a liquid encapsulant;
(b) surrounding the containment means with substantially rigid outer enclosure means;
and
(c) introducing a quantity of the liquid encapsulant into the containment means, the encapsulant being of a type whose viscosity increases with time until the encapsulant is no longer a liquid at room temperature;
characterized in that the method further comprises
(d) pressurizing the encapsulant in the containment means to a first pressurize that is greater than ambient pressure, with the outer enclosure substantially restraining expansion of the containment means, and maintaining the liquid encapsulant under a pressure above ambient pressure for a time such that at least a part of the quantity of encapsulant is no longer a liquid at room temperature;
and
(e) introducing the liquid encapsulant into the containment means through encapsulant-introduction means that are of a type that permits further introduction of liquid encapsulant into the containment means after introduction and pressurization of the quantity of liquid encapsulant.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Forced encapsulation means for a cable

Life of this patent

Forced encapsulation means for a cable

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11