Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
1996-11-01
2001-04-17
Kincaid, Kristine (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Combined
C174S093000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06218618
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an encapsulated cable splice enclosure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for viewably containing encapsulant forced into a cable splice enclosure during the encapsulation thereof.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Electrical cables, especially telecommunications cables are typically run outdoors, either suspended overhead or buried underground. In order to effect repairs to the individual conductors within the cable, or to make interconnections thereto, the integrity of the cable must be violated. Once repairs or interconnections are accomplished, the exposed area of the cable, commonly referred to as a cable splice, must be resealed in order to protect the conductors against the outdoor environment.
Many techniques are currently known for sealably covering cable splices. One particularly effective technique is to use a cable splice closure, which includes an enclosure filled with an encapsulant which fully surrounds the splice to seal the splice against moisture penetration which is prevalent in outdoor environments. These encapsulants are typically provided in a fluid state and poured into the enclosure over the cable splice. The encapsulant may be forced into the enclosure under pressure so that the encapsulant fully surrounds the cable splice and fills the interstices between conductors. The encapsulant then cures to a gel-like consistency to effectively seal the splice.
In order to assure that the enclosure is filled with encapsulant and all air is forced from the splice, the enclosure typically includes a pressure relief valve. Encapsulant is forced into the enclosure until all air is released through the valve and encapsulant begins to flow out from the valve. The exiting encapsulant provides a vivid indication that air has been purged from the enclosure and that the splice enclosed therein is fully encapsulated.
However, as may be appreciated, the exiting encapsulant has a tendency to flow over the enclosure. Until the encapsulant cures, it is messy and difficult to handle. While it is advantageous to allow the encapsulant to escape so as to provide a visual indication that the enclosure is filled, it makes splice installation more difficult and time consuming.
It is therefore desirable to provide a splice enclosure which provides a visual indicator that the enclosure is filled with encapsulant and which may be easily cleared and handled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for sealably encapsulating a cable splice enclosure.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cable splice closure which provides a visual indication that the splice enclosure has been completely filled with curable encapsulant.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a cable splice enclosure shell which accommodates exiting encapsulant and provides a visual indication that the enclosure is filled with encapsulant.
In the efficient attainment of these and other objects, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for encapsulating a cable splice enclosure. An enclosure shell encloses an electrical cable splice and accommodates a curable encapsulant. The shell includes an inlet port and an outlet port. The outlet port permits exiting of encapsulant therefrom indicating that the shell is filled with encapsulant. An outlet container is positioned over the outlet port to contain the exiting encapsulant. The container is formed of clear material to permit the exiting encapsulant to be observed.
As more particularly described by way of the preferred embodiment herein, the container is formed of an elongate, hollow tube. The tube is positioned over the outlet port. The tube may be formed of translucent or transparent material.
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Dumont Kenneth R.
O'Neill Andrew J.
Hoffmann & Baron , LLP
Kincaid Kristine
Nguyen Chau N.
Thomas & Betts International Inc.
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