Electricity: conductors and insulators – Feedthrough or bushing – Compression
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-07
2001-05-29
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Feedthrough or bushing
Compression
C174S073100, C174S135000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239388
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to measuring a cable in connection with cable laying. The invention especially relates to laying of submarine cables. The invention especially relates to fiber optical cables but is also applicable to electrical cables. The invention further relates to a splicing device for utilization at cable pulling where strong forces are involved.
2. Discussion of the Background
In the laying of cables there is a requirement that a certificate regarding the quality of the cable be issued. This is accomplished by an end of the cable that is located and “moored” on land being opened and the ends of the fibers/wires being connected to measuring instrument. After the connection current measurements are performed and the quality of the cable is determined, a guaranteed electrical quality check of the cable can be obtained once the measurements are performed. To perform cable pullings it is previously known to fasten different types of hauling ropes to the cables before the pulling is started. It is further known to connect the so called single-ended cable grips to the end of the cable and fasten the hauling rope to this. The single-ended cable grip is designed in such a way that it upon pulling tightens round the sheath of the cable. An acceptable hold is achieved as long as the quality of strength of the single-ended cable grips is not exceeded. Upon pulling of cables in harder environments such as laying of submarine cable, the strains can be considerable due to currents and other circumstances.
In laying of submarine cables there is a need for measuring the cable at the “hand over”-point on land. The technology which is utilized implies that measuring instrument is connected to the cable when one of its ends has been “moored” on land. The procedure is time-consuming and expensive since the cable ship with crew is principally inactive during the measuring. Upon laying of submarine cable, steps shall further be taken to prevent water from coming into the cable, which reduces or spoils the cable's fit for use. Upon pulling of the cable it is further necessary that a hauling rope be fastened to the cable. For this purpose there are different arrangements, for instance single-ended cable grips, which can be threaded on to the end of the cable. These single-ended cable grips, however, are intended for pulling of cable in ducts on land where there are no problems with the humidity. Upon laying of cables in sea/lakes and waterlogged areas, the tensile strain is in certain cases considerable. One cannot take for granted that it is possible to utilize single-ended cable grips on these occasions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device which can be used for instance in laying of submarine cable from cable ships. The device includes a splicing section, and a section for connection of measuring device. In the splicing section the fibers/wires of the cable are connected. The fibers/wires are further connected to the measurement section, in which a contact unit for connections is arranged. At the “place of deliver” the measurement connection section is opened, at which place a measuring instrument can be connected and the quality of the cable can be determined.
The invention relates to a device for delivery of cable, which cable includes a number of fibers/wires. The cable is mounted in one in the device arranged splicing device. The fibers/wires are further connected in the splicing device. A connection device for measuring equipment is connected to the splicing device. The fibers/wires are connected to the splicing device.
The invention consequently relates to a device for reduction of the measuring time needed at “delivery” of the cable at its end point. For this purpose the fibers/wires of the cable are connected to the device. The connection is made pre-assembled. To the device a measuring equipment further can be connected. By reading of the measuring equipment after that the measuring of the fibers/wires is made, time is saved with respect to the arranging of the cable and connection of the fibers/wires to the measuring device.
The device further is constructed with a watertight design which resists liquids and/or gases. Such further resists compressive stress. The device consequently makes it possible to lower down the end of the cable into waterlogged areas without the cable being effected. In the device fastening devices are further arranged, to which a hauling rope, wire or the like can be connected. By means of the hauling rope the cable subsequently can be pulled in different environments such as sea/lakes, swamps, ducts, etc.
The device further can be opened for access to connection device for measuring equipment. The measuring devices can be of different kinds, for instance contact units which have been adapted to the characteristics of the fibers/wires.
When the device has fulfilled its purpose, it is removed from the cable, to be reused on another occasion. The connection of the device can be made on the one hand at the manufacturing of the cable, and on the other hand, during transport to the location of cable laying. The transport can for instance relate to a trip in a cable laying ship to a point where the laying of the cable shall start, or during laying of cable to the end which is left on the ship.
The fibers/wires of the cable can be optical or electrical and principally intended for transmission of information. The device includes a splicing box to which the fibers/wires of the cable are connected and in which the tightening devices for the holding of the cable have been arranged. A measurement connection device is further arranged in the device in line with the splicing box. The measurement connection device includes a connection contact unit for connection of the measuring equipment.
The fastening device and the device are further arranged to allow tensile strains of at least 10,000 kp. With present cables and conditions at sea are in many cases required that both cable and pulling devices shall carry strains of at least 40,000 kp.
The device is utilized at laying of cables from ships. Further, the arrangement shall allow that end of the cable in its entirety to be lowered down into the water for pulling to land. The device further can be used for pulling in waterlogged areas or under other special conditions where special demands are required.
The present invention permits measurement connections to be made to a cable before the cable is laid. In laying of submarine cable, consequently, connection of the measuring equipment to the cable can be prepared while at sea on the cable ship, or by utilization of other transport means, or, alternatively in manufacturing of the cable. The construction further allows enclosure of the end of the cable to which the measuring equipment shall be connected. By the device being made with a watertight construction the cable can be allowed to be lowered down into water during the pulling of the cable. The incorporation of a hold in the ship for hauling rope, wire or the like, further allows the device to be used for pulling of said cable to the delivery point on land. The encapsulation consequently is waterproof and thus the cable can be lowered down into the sea from the ship and, after that, by means of a rope, wire or the like can be pulled ashore. The effective time the ship can be utilized for laying of cable is increased as well because the measuring time is reduced corresponding to the time the connection of the measurement connection requires. The invention also can be used in connection with other laying of cables, for instance in ducts where the pre-assembling of the measurement connection can be time-saving. The construction of the device further allows that the hauling rope, or corresponding, easily can be fastened to the device for pulling of cable in different connections. The construction has the further advantage that the connection of the fibers in the cable to the connection device for the measuring equipment can
Andersson Tommy
Eklund Thomas
Hallberg Hakan
Karlstrom Bo
Ljung Per
Oblon & Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt P.C.
Reichard Dean A.
Telia AB
Walkenhorst W. David
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