AU2009200424B2

AU2009200424B2 - Apparatus for sealing off at least one cable in a cable insertion area

Info

Publication number: AU2009200424B2
Application number: AU2009200424A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andreas Kupczyk; Simon Thibault
Original assignee: CCS Technology Inc
Current assignee: Corning Research and Development Corp
Priority date: 2008-02-07
Filing date: 2009-02-05
Publication date: 2013-09-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-05
Also published as: EP2088654A2; AU2009200424A1; DE202008001747U1; EP2088654A3

Abstract

APPARATUS FOR SEALING OFF AT LEAST ONE CABLE IN A CABLE INSERTION AREA Abstract 5 The invention relates to an apparatus (50) for sealing off at least one cable in a cable insertion area, in particular a cable insertion area of a cable joint or a distribution device. The apparatus (50) according to the invention comprises a heat-shrinkable basic body (51) and a sealing body (52), which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, the heat shrinkable basic body (51) deforming the sealing body (52) when it shrinks and keeping 10 it in a deformed state after the shrinking process. Fig. 13 z%1 (~1

Description

S&F Ref: 894113 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name and Address CCS Technology, Inc., of 103 Foulk Road, Wilmington, of Applicant: Delaware, 19803, United States of America Actual Inventor(s): Simon Thibault, Andreas Kupczyk Address for Service: Spruson & Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 35 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) Invention Title: Apparatus for sealing off at least one cable in a cable insertion area The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 5845c(1957150_1) 1 Apparatus For Sealing Off At Least One Cable In A Cable Insertion Area The invention relates to an apparatus for sealing off at s least one cable in a cable insertion area, in particular a cable insertion area of a cable joint or a distribution device, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. In practice it is already known to seal off cables such as 10 optical waveguide cables, for example, in cable insertion areas of a cable joint or a distribution device. Apparatuses used for this purpose can be split into in principle two groups, that is firstly into those apparatuses which ensure purely mechanical sealing-off of the cables in the Is respective cable insertion area, and secondly into those apparatuses which realize sealing-off of the cables using the principle of heat shrinkage in the respective cable insertion area. 20 With the first group of apparatuses, which ensure purely mechanical sealing-off of the cables in the respective cable insertion area, at least one cable is accommodated in a deformable sealing body made of an elastically deformable material, which sealing body is deformed by means of the 25 application of a mechanical force, in particular a spring force, so as to seal off the respective cable. The spring element in this case keeps the deformable sealing body permanently deformed. 30 With the second group of apparatuses, which make use of the principle of heat shrinkage, a heat-shrinkable body is heated with the aid of a gas burner, the heat-shrinkable body having a heat-activated, shrinkable surface layer and a likewise heat-activated adhesive 35 2 layer, which is unstable in terms of its state of aggregation. As a result of the effect of heat, the surface layer of the heat-shrinkable body is shrunk and the adhesive layer is liquefied, once the effect of heat is discontinued the surface layer remaining in the shrunk state and the adhesive layer transferring to a solid state of aggregation again. Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an apparatus for sealing off at least one cable in a cable insertion area, in particular a cable insertion area of a cable joint or a distribution device, having a heat shrinkable basic body and a sealing body, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, the heat-shrinkable basic body deforming the sealing body when it shrinks and keeping it in a deformed state after the shrinking process, wherein the heat-shrinkable basic body accommodates the sealing body in the manner of a sandwich, when viewed in the axial direction thereof, the heat-shrinkable basic body being capable of being shrunk in the axial direction and, on shrinking, deforming the sealing body in such a way that a sealing function is provided in the radial direction, namely radially outwards and/or radially inwards. Preferably, the sealing body is produced from an elastically deformable material or a plastically/elastically deformable material or a plastically deformable material. Preferably, the sealing body is produced from an elastomer. Preferably, the sealing body is produced from a polyurethane gel. Preferably, the sealing body is produced from a silicone gel.

3 Exemplary embodiments of the invention without the invention being restricted thereto, are explained in - 4 more detail with reference to the drawing, in which: figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of an apparatus according to the invention for 5 sealing off a cable in a cable insertion area in a first state thereof; figure 2 shows a cross section through the apparatus in figure 1; figure 3 shows the apparatus in figure 1 in a second 10 state thereof; figure 4 shows a cross section through the apparatus in figure 2; figure 5 shows a perspective illustration of an alternative apparatus according to the 15 invention for sealing off a cable in a cable insertion area in a first state thereof; figure 6 shows a cross section through the apparatus in figure 5; figure 7 shows the apparatus in figure 5 in a second 20 state thereof; figure 8 shows a cross section through the apparatus in figure 7; figure 9 shows a perspective illustration of a further alternative apparatus according to the 25 invention for sealing off a cable in a cable insertion area in a first state thereof; figure 10 shows a cross section through the apparatus in figure 9; figure 11 shows the apparatus in figure 9 in a second 30 state thereof; figure 12 shows a cross section through the apparatus in figure 11; and figure 13 shows a perspective, exploded illustration of a further alternative apparatus according to 35 the invention for sealing off a cable in a cable insertion area. Figures 1 to 4 show a first exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 20 according to the invention for sealing off - 5 a cable in a cable insertion area, in particular a cable insertion area of a cable joint or a distribution device. The apparatus 20 shown in figures 1 to 4 is in this case used for sealing off a single cable in a 5 cable insertion area. The apparatus 20 according to the invention has a heat shrinkable basic body 21 and a sealing body 22, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation. 10 The heat-shrinkable basic body 21 and the sealing body 22, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, each have a central cutout 23, into which the cable to be sealed off can be inserted. The heat 15 shrinkable basic body 21 accommodates the sealing body 22, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, when viewed in the axial direction of the basic body 21 or the apparatus 20, in the form of a sandwich, for this purpose the heat-shrinkable basic 20 body 21 having a groove radially on the outside and radially on the inside, into which groove halves 24, 25 of the sealing body 22, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, are inserted. 25 The heat-shrinkable basic body 22 can be shrunk by means of heat being applied in the axial direction, the basic body 22 deforming the sealing body 22, namely the two halves 24 and 25 thereof, during shrinkage starting from the state shown in figures 1, 2 into the state 30 shown in figures 3, 4 and, after the shrinking process, keeping it in this deformed state, the sealing body 22 then providing a sealing function in the radial direction, namely in such a way that the half 24 of the sealing body 22 seals radially on the outside and the 35 half 25 of the sealing body 22 seals radially on the inside. As can be seen in figures 2, 4, a heating resistor 26 is integrated in the heat-shrinkable basic body 21 in a - 6 section which is positioned between the two grooves for accommodating the halves 24, 25 of the sealing body 22, to which heating resistor 26 an electrical voltage can be applied via electrical conductors 27 in order thus 5 to provide the heating effect required for shrinking the basic body 21. In the exemplary embodiment in figures 1 to 4, accordingly on the effect of heat the basic body 22 10 shrinks in the axial direction, in this case the sealing body 22, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, is compressed axially and therefore provides a sealing effect or sealing function radially on the inside and radially on the outside. 15 The sealing body 22, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, is produced from an elastically deformable material or a plastically/elastically deformable material or a plastically deformable 20 material, but it is critical that it maintains its state of aggregation during the shrinking process and after the shrinking process. Accordingly, no liquefaction of the sealing body 22 occurs during shrinkage of the basic body 21. 25 Preferably, the sealing body 22 is produced from a substantially elastically deformable material, such as an elastomer, for example. Particularly preferably, the sealing body 22 is manufactured form a polyurethane gel 30 or a silicone gel. A second exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 30 according to the invention is shown in figures 5 to 8, the apparatus 30 in figures 5 to 8 serving the purpose 35 of sealing off a plurality of cables in a cable insertion area. The apparatus 30 in figures 5 to 8, in the same way as the apparatus 20 in figures 1 to 4, has a heat- - 7 shrinkable basic body 31 and a- sealing -body 32, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation. The heat-shrinkable basic body 31 deforms the sealing body 32, which is stable in terms of its state of 5 aggregation, during the shrinking process starting from the state shown in figures 5, 6 into the state shown in figures 7, 8 and, after the shrinking process, keeps it in the deformed state. 10 In the exemplary embodiment in figures 5 to 8, the sealing body 32, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, is accommodated in an outer groove of the heat-shrinkable basic body 31, in the exemplary embodiment shown four cutouts 33 being formed radially 15 on the outside on the circumference of the basic body 31 and of the sealing body 32 for the purpose of accommodating, guiding and sealing off in each case one cable. 20 In the exemplary embodiment in figures 5 to 8, too, the heat-shrinkable basic body 31 accommodates the sealing body 32, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, in the form of a sandwich, when viewed in the axial direction, the heat-shrinkable basic body 31 25 being capable of being shrunk by the effect of heat in the axial direction and, during the shrinking process, deforming the sealing body 32 in such a way that it provides a sealing function in the radial direction. In the exemplary embodiment in figures 5 to 8, a sealing 30 function is provided radially on the outside. In a central section, i.e. radially on the inside, a heating element 34, which is used to provide the heat effect for shrinking the basic body 31, is associated 35 with the heat-shrinkable basic body 31, it being possible for an electrical voltage for forming the thermal power required for the shrinking process to be applied to the heating element 34 via electrical conductors 35. The shrinking of the heat-shrinkable - 8 basic body takes place in the exemplary embodiment in figures 5 to 8, in the same way as in the exemplary embodiment in figures 1 to 4, in the axial direction in order thus to provide a sealing function in the radial 5 direction via the sealing body, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation. A further exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 40 according to the invention for sealing off a plurality 10 of cables in a cable insertion area is shown in figures 9 to 12, in figures 9 to 12, as well, the apparatus 40 in turn comprising a heat-shrinkable basic body 41 and a sealing body 42, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, the heat-shrinkable basic 15 body 41 deforming the sealing body 42 during the shrinking process and, after the shrinking process, keeping it in the deformed state. In this case, the heat-shrinkable basic body 41 20 accommodates the sealing body 42, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, when viewed in the axial direction, in turn in the form of a sandwich, the heat-shrinkable basic body 41 being capable of being shrunk in the axial direction under the effect of heat 25 and, during the shrinking process, deforming the sealing body starting from the state shown in figures 9, 10 into the state shown in figures 11, 12. After the shrinking process, the heat-shrinkable basic 30 body 41 keeps the sealing body 42, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, in this deformed state, with the result that a sealing function is provided in the radial direction, namely so as to correspond to the exemplary embodiment in figures 5 to 35 8 radially on the outside. In this case, in turn a plurality of cutouts 43 for accommodating, guiding and sealing off in each case one cable are formed radially on the outside on the circumference of the heat shrinkable basic body 41 and the sealing body 42, which - 9 is stable in terms of its state of aggregation. The exemplary embodiment in figures 9 to 12 differs from the exemplary embodiment in figures 5 to 8 by 5 virtue of the fact that, in the exemplary embodiment in figures 9 to 12, the heat input into the heat shrinkable basic body 41 for the purpose of shrinking the latter takes place via a heat conductor 44, which interacts with a heat accumulator 45, which is 10 associated with the basic body 41. The heat conductor 44 can be, for example, an electrical soldering bit. Accordingly, one common feature of the three exemplary embodiments in figures 1 to 12 is the fact that the 15 heat-shrinkable basic body accommodates the sealing body, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, when viewed in the axial direction, in the form of a sandwich, shrinking of the basic body taking place in the axial direction in order to deform the 20 sealing body, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, and thus provide a sealing function in the radial direction. The sealing body, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, can be designed in each case as described in connection with the exemplary 25 embodiment in figures 1 to 4. A further exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 50 according to the invention for sealing off a cable in a cable insertion area is shown in figure 13, the 30 exemplary embodiment in figure 13 serving the purpose of sealing off a single cable in the respective cable insertion area. The apparatus 50 in figure 13 in turn has a heat 35 shrinkable basic body 51 and a sealing body 52, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, the heat-shrinkable basic body 51 being capable of being shrunk under the effect of heat and, in the process, deforming the sealing body 52, which is stable in terms - 10 of its state of aggregation, during the shrinking process and, after the shrinking process, keeping it in the deformed state. In order to accommodate the cable to be sealed off, a central cutout 53 is introduced 5 both into the basic body 51 and into the sealing body 52. In the exemplary embodiment in figure 13, the heat shrinkable basic body 51, when viewed in the radial 10 direction thereof, is accommodated in the form of a sandwich in the sealing body 52, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, namely between a radially inner half 54 and a radially outer half 55 of the sealing body 52. The two halves 54 and 55 of the 15 sealing body 52 can be connected to one another. The thermally resilient basic body 51, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has shrinkable fibers 56, which extend in the axial direction, and heating elements 57, 20 which extend in the circumferential direction, in order to provide the heat effect required for shrinking the basic body 51. In the exemplary embodiment in figure 13, shrinkage of the basic body 51 accordingly takes place in the axial direction by means of the 25 fibers 56, in the event of such shrinking in the axial direction a sealing effect being provided radially on the outside and radially on the inside. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment in figure 13, 30 the shrinkable fibers can also extend in the circumferential direction and the heating elements in the axial direction, in which case shrinkage of the basic body 51 takes place in the radial direction and the sealing function is provided radially on the 35 inside. It is also possible for shrinkable fibers to extend in the circumferential direction and in the axial direction in order thus to provide shrinkage of the basic body 51 in the axial direction and radial direction.

- 11 In the exemplary embodiment in figure 13 as well, the sealing body 52, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, is produced from an elastically 5 deformable material or a plastically/elastically deformable material or a plastically deformable material. Preferably, the sealing body comprises a predominantly elastically deformable material, namely an elastomer. Particularly preferably, the sealing body 10 52 is manufactured from polyurethane gel or silicone gel.

- 12 List of reference symbols 20 Apparatus 21 Basic body 22 Sealing body 23 Cutout 24 Half 25 Half 26 Heating resistor 27 Conductor 16 30 Apparatus 31 Basic body 32 Sealing body 33 Cutout 34 Heating element 35 Conductor 40 Apparatus 41 Basic body 42 Sealing body 43 Cutout -LO 44 Heat conductor 45 Heat accumulator 50 Apparatus 51 Basic body 52 Sealing body 1. 53 Cutout 54 Half 55 Half 56 Fibers 57 Heating elements

Claims

1. An apparatus for sealing off at least one cable in a cable insertion area, in particular a cable insertion area of a cable joint or a distribution device, having a heat-shrinkable basic body and a sealing body, which is stable in terms of its state of aggregation, the heat-shrinkable basic body deforming the sealing body when it shrinks and keeping it in a deformed state after the shrinking process, wherein the heat-shrinkable basic body accommodates the sealing body in the manner of a sandwich, when viewed in the axial direction thereof, the heat-shrinkable basic body being capable of being shrunk in the axial direction and, on shrinking, deforming the sealing body in such a way that a sealing function is provided in the radial direction, namely radially outwards and/or radially inwards.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing body is produced from an elastically deformable material or a plastically/elastically deformable material or a plastically deformable material.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing body is produced from an elastomer.

4. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing body is produced from a polyurethane gel.

5. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sealing body is produced from a silicone gel.

6. An apparatus for sealing off at least one cable in a cable insertion area substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings. CCS Technology, Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON