Splice protection system
a protection system and splice technology, applied in the field of shielding signal transmission devices, can solve problems such as cable heating and signal loss at the potential, replacement rather than repair, and easy failure of connections
Inactive Publication Date: 2004-03-18
CHEMQUE
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- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
"The present invention relates to protective devices for signal transmission devices, such as cables and optical fibers, from adverse conditions such as moisture, dirt, chemicals, and microorganisms. The invention provides a closure for splices in signal transmission devices that can prevent the ingress of water and other environmental elements, and can easily be removed and replaced. The invention also includes a protective coating for signal transmission devices that can prevent damage and ensure the continued function and integrity of the device."
Problems solved by technology
It was expected that, due to the low cost of materials, faulty or faulted runs would be replaced rather than repaired.
Today, with the high costs involved with disrupting existing landscaping, the practice of splicing buried drop wire has become common enough to require a special system to protect the integrity of the connection.
Over the years, these connections have shown themselves to be prone to failure from water intrusion and corrosion.
Encapsulants should not exhibit any creep over time since these connections are often made in aluminum conductors and the aluminum can be prone to cold flow.
Encapsulant entry could cause an increase in resistance that would lead to cable heating and signal loss at the potentials that are imposed on coaxial cable.
There is considerable worker and environmental exposure and hence, resistance to handling small chemical mixes in the field.
They can be messy, difficult to handle and apply.
There is also the related expense in time lost while waiting for the system to cure.
This approach is vulnerable to the effects of temperature on the flow of filling compound and the volume of wirework placed.
Also, quality of work is difficult to monitor since there is no indication of completeness of the interstitial fill.
Historically, inadequate filling leaves these systems vulnerable to water ingress from without and via the core of the drop wire.
They exhibit severely limited life spans relative to the 40 years expected of most outside plant equipment.
In addition to requiring special heating tools, there is the potential for deterioration of the integrity of the material due to overheating.
Also, the available heat shrinkable materials for such applications are typically of high durometer to withstand the hostile environment, making re-entry as by slitting more difficult and limiting the flexibility of the spliced area.
It is for these reasons that heat shrinkable materials have found little acceptance in the coaxial plant as well.
The adverse effects of dirt and moisture are of concern especially when the signal transmission devices are buried underground or placed in contaminated micro environments such as machine tool housings.
Once the integrity of the protective coating is breached, dirt and moisture will penetrate the signal transmission device oftentimes causing failure unless steps are taken to seal out dirt and moisture and restore the original integrity of the cable.
The water resistant material is typically disposed on the wrapper and acts to invasively fill any spaces or voids after the closure is wrapped around the signal transmission device.
The water resistant material encapsulates or otherwise surrounds the splice thereby restricting penetration of dirt and moisture into the splice and at a location where dirt and moisture can adversely affect the operation of the conductors in the signal transmission device.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0035] It will be recognized from the above, that the closure disclosed herein can be assembled and formed using innumerable materials, shapes, and sizes. The precise sizes and configurations, including the choice of materials and properties of the wrapper, water resistant material, protective covering, rigid closure and delivery devices will depend in large part on the particular application for which the closure is intended. For convenience in this more detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, the closure will generally be of a type suitable for use in wrapping splices of signal transmission devices, such as the splice region of two or more drop wires. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the closures can be used with coaxial cable splices, mechanical connections between signal transmission devices, soldered, twisted or metallurgical joints or connections, fiber optic splices, devices used to make optical connections or any other applicatio...
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Abstract
A splice protection system including a water resistant material disposed on a flexible wrapper that retains the water resistant material is disclosed. The splice protection system is useful for preventing unwanted entry of external elements into the splice regions of signal transmission devices, thus preserving the integrity and function of the signal transmission devices.
Description
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems for protecting signal transmission devices from adverse conditions that could alter operation of the signal transmission device, such as adverse environmental conditions including dirt, moisture, insects, local chemical and biological contaminants, and microorganisms. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to the protection of a splice or other connection in a signal transmission device, such as an electrical or optical cable. Even more particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a novel closure for protecting splice connections from exposure to moisture or other environmental elements that may harm or otherwise interfere with operation of the signal transmission device.[0003] 2. Description of Related Art[0004] Changes in plant construction philosophy and methods have often led to the need for new products. The telephone subscriber loop pr...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): G02B6/255G02B6/38
CPCG02B6/3801G02B6/255
InventorHERSHKOWITZ, ELLIOTT E.
OwnerCHEMQUE