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.
Claims15
A method for pulling cable through a space, said space including:
- an upstream end,
- a downstream end, and
- a point intermediate said ends dividing said space into a first segment adjacent said upstream end and a second segment adjacent said downstream end,
- said method comprising:
- pulling said cable from the downstream end of said space, including exerting a tension on said cable in a direction;
- sensing movement of said cable proximate said intermediate point;
- applying a downstream pull on said cable proximate said point in response to said movement;
- directly and continuously monitoring the tension on said cable being pulled at the downstream end;
- discontinuing pulling said cable at the downstream end in response to said tension exceeding a predetermined value;
- directly and continuously monitoring the tension on said cable being pulled proximate the point;
- and discontinuing pulling said cable proximate the point in response to said tension exceeding a predetermined value.
A method for pulling a cable through a space, said space including:
- an upstream end,
- a downstream end, and
- a point intermediate said ends dividing said space into a first segment adjacent said upstream end and a second segment adjacent said downstream end,
- said method comprising:
- placing first pulling means proximate said downstream end;
- placing second pulling means proximate said point;
- engaging a portion of said cable with said first pulling means;
- engaging an intermediate portion of said cable with said second pulling means;
- driving said first pulling means and said second pulling means for pulling said cable through said second and said first segments, respectively, of said space;
- guiding said cable from the downstream end of said space to said first pulling means, including:
- bearing said cable against first guide means for receiving said cable from said downstream end of said space and directing said cable to said first pulling means;
- directly and continuously monitoring a first force applied to said first guide means by said cable;
- discontinuing driving said first pulling means in response to said first force exceeding a predetermined value;
- guiding said cable from the first segment of said space to said second pulling means, including:
- bearing said cable against second guide means for receiving said cable from said space proximate said point and directing said cable to said second pulling means;
- directly and continuously monitoring a second force applied to said second guide means by said cable;
- and
- discontinuing driving said second pulling means in response to said second force exceeding a predetermined value;
- and
- subsequently guiding said cable from said second pulling means to the second segment of said space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.