# US 8,147,739 B2 · Cable manufacturing process

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- Number: US 8,147,739 B2
- Document ID: US8147739B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/918,872
- Filed: 2005-04-27
- Published: 2009-08-20
- Granted: 2012-04-03
- Earliest claimed: 2005-04-27
- Assignees: Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi Energia S.R.L.
- Inventors: Walter Castiglioni; Luca Balconi; Alberto Bareggi; Sergio Belli
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8147739B2

## CPC

- B29C 48/34: Cross-head annular extrusion nozzles, i.e. for simultaneously receiving moulding material and the preform to be coated
- B29C 48/06: Rod-shaped
- B29C 48/92: Measuring, controlling or regulating
- B29C 48/09: Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels
- B29C 2948/92019: Pressure
- B29C 2948/92209: Temperature
- B29C 2948/92409: Die; Nozzle zone
- B29C 2948/92466: Auxiliary unit, e.g. for external melt filtering, re-combining or transfer between units
- B29C 2948/92514: Pressure
- B29C 2948/92571: Position, e.g. linear or angular
- B29C 2948/9258: Velocity
- B29C 2948/926: Flow or feed rate
- B29C 2948/92704: Temperature
- B29C 2948/92904: Die; Nozzle zone
- B29C 2948/92933: Conveying, transporting or storage of articles
- B29C 2948/92952: Drive section, e.g. gearbox, motor or drive fluids
- B29L 2031/3462: {Cables}
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

A method for manufacturing a cable, the cable including at least one transmissive element and at least one coating layer made of a polymeric material and arranged at a radially outer position with respect to the transmissive element. The method includes the steps of: a) feeding the polymeric material to an extrusion apparatus including an extrusion head, the extrusion head including a male die; a female die coaxially arranged with respect to the male die; a conveying channel, at least one portion of which is defined between the male die and the female die; and b) controlling a cross-sectional area of the at least one portion of the conveying channel in response to a detected quantity, the quantity being caused to vary during the manufacturing of the cable as a function of the actual extrusion speed. An extrusion apparatus for carrying out the process.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for manufacturing a cable comprising at least one transmissive element and at least one coating layer made of a polymeric material, said coating layer being arranged at a radially outer position with respect to said transmissive element, comprising:
feeding said polymeric material to an extrusion apparatus comprising an extrusion head, said extrusion head comprising an annular member, a male die and a female die, said male and female die defining at least a portion of an adjustable conveying channel therebetween, wherein one die between said male die and said female die is slidably associated with an inner wall of said annular member so as to be axially displaceable with respect to the other die; and
partially counteracting a force exerted on said axially displaceable die by the polymeric material flowing in the conveying channel using a resilient element configured to control a cross-sectional area of said adjustable conveying channel by axially displacing said axially displaceable die with respect to the other die.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the counteracting comprises causing a reciprocal displacement of the female die with respect to the male die to adapt said cross-sectional area to the flow conditions of the polymeric material flowing through the extrusion head, the female die being coaxially arranged with respect to the male die.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, wherein said displacement is carried out automatically.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said force is exerted by the polymeric material acting on the female die.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said force is substantially parallel to an extrusion head longitudinal axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said resilient element is associated with the at least one die which is allowed to be axially displaced.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of extruding said polymeric material.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of choosing a variation of the extrusion speed of the polymeric material in response to the process working conditions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coating layer is a semi-conductive layer.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coating layer is an insulation layer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coating layer is a protective element.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric material is expandable.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one coating layer is made of an expanded polymeric material.