Apparatus and method for pulling cable
AssigneeJ.P. Patent Holdings, L.L.C.
InventorJohn W. Pickrell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A primary device placed at the upstream end of a duct and a relay device placed at an access point pull a cable through respective duct segments. The pulling speed of the primary device is controlled by an operator. The pulling speed of the relay device is variable in response to movement of the cable by the primary device to maintain equilibrium between the pulling speeds of the devices. The pulling tension exerted upon the cable by each device is monitored and discontinued upon reaching a predetermined maximum value. At the inlet to the second segment, lubricant is supplied to the cable at a quantitative rate which is proportional to the pulling speed.
Claims9
In a relay device for pulling cable and for relaying said cable to a subsequent device,
- said subsequent device capable of exerting a pulling tension upon said cable, for moving said cable at a first speed, and
- said relay device including cable handling means driven by a drive means for exerting a pulling tension upon said cable for moving said cable at a second speed,
- improvements therein for controlling said relay device in response to said subsequent device, said improvements comprising:
- a) a first means response to said first speed and to said second speed;
- and
- b) second means responsive to said first means for controllably varying said cable handling means to accelerate said cable from said second speed when said first speed is greater than said second speed, and to decelerate said cable from said second speed when said first speed is lesser than said second speed to maintain equilibrium with said first speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.