Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Making electrical conductors of indefinite length
Patent
1994-02-28
1995-05-16
Ball, Michael W.
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Making electrical conductors of indefinite length
156 49, 156 52, 156 86, 428 349, 439730, H01B 728, H01B 1332, H01R 422, H01R 472
Patent
active
054157137
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to the sealing of electrical and mechanical connectors, against water ingress, for example in an in-line splice or cable termination in an electrical cable or an interconnection in an air or hydraulic pipe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Corrosion protection of such connectors and protection of the electrical lines in the connectors is often required when they are employed in wet environments, for example in humid conditions or in underwater applications. Such forms of connector are often provided with seals, for example in the form of "O" rings, against moisture ingress, but such seals often do not function effectively due to the tolerances in the parts and/or mechanical loading of the connectors, and additional sealing of the connector is necessary. We have found, however, that the use of adhesives or mastics in the sealing of the connectors makes it very difficult to re-enter the connector and can often cause damage to the connector during removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a method of sealing a connector in a cable or pipe against water ingress, which comprises: at least part of it; at least one open end about the connector and gel material and recovering it thereon to enclose the gel material and at least part of the connector, the recovery causing part of the gel material to exude out of the or each open end of the article; and at least one open end over the connector and recovering it so that it encloses at least the or each end of the inner article and the part of the gel material that has exuded therefrom.
The method according to the invention has the advantage that it can enable an effective seal against moisture ingress due to humidity or to underwater hydrostatic pressure to be formed, while at the same time being relatively easy to remove for re-entry to the connector without damage to the connector.
The term "gel" or "gel material" as used herein is intended to mean a liquid-extended polymer composition. Such compositions normally contain a three-dimensional network of cross-linked molecular chains and preferably include at least 300 parts, more preferably at least 500 parts by weight of extender liquid per 100 parts by weight of the polymer composition. The gel used in the invention preferably has a cone penetration value (measured by ASTM D217) within the range of from 100 to 400 10.sup.-1 millimeters, more preferably 100 to 350 10.sup.-1 millimeters; an ultimate elongation (measured by ASTM D412) preferably greater than 100%, with substantially elastic deformation to an elongation of preferably at least 100%; and ultimate tensile strength (ASTM D412) preferably less than 1 MegaPascal.
The polymer composition may for example comprise an elastomer, or a block copolymer having relatively hard blocks and relatively elastomeric blocks. Examples of such copolymers include styrene-diene block copolymers, for example styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene diblock or triblock copolymers, or styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene triblock copolymers as disclosed in international patent publication number WO88/00603. The extender liquids employed in the gel preferably comprise oils conventionally used to extend elastomeric materials. The oils may be hydrocarbon oils, for example paraffinic or naphthenic oils, synthetic oils for example polybutene or polypropene oils, and mixtures thereof. The preferred oils are mixtures of non-aromatic paraffins and naphthenic hydrocarbon oils. Suitable gels can also be prepared by curing reactive silicones with non-reactive extender silicones. The gel may contain known additives such as moisture scavengers (eg. benzoyl chloride), antioxidants, pigments and fungicides.
The gel is resiliently deformable, and when compressed is capable of flowing and conforming around intricate shapes and adhering to solid surfaces. The gel is also capable of being pierced by sharp objects (such as elongate electrical conductors for example) and when so pierced tends to conform to the piercing object. These proper
REFERENCES:
patent: 3781461 (1973-12-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 3891790 (1975-06-01), Kierstead
patent: 4018962 (1977-04-01), Pedlow
patent: 4701574 (1987-10-01), Shimirak et al.
patent: 4962286 (1990-10-01), Jensen et al.
Ball Michael W.
Burkard Herbert G.
Lorin Francis J.
Novack Sheri M.
Raychem Limited
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