Electrical sheath comprising at least one anti-friction system

Abstract

Electrical sheath comprising at least one anti-friction system The subject of the invention is an electrical sheath (20) comprising: at least one electric cable (22), at least one protective sheath (24) in which the electric cable (22) is positioned, a spacing (E) separating the electric cable (22) and the protective sheath (24), at least one anti-friction system (26), interposed between the protective sheath (24) and the electric cable (22), which comprises: deformable and spaced apart intermediate elements (28), at least one link (30) connecting the intermediate elements (28) together. In operation, the intermediate elements are compressed between the protective sheath (24) and the electric cable (22) and immobilize the latter relative to the protective sheath (24), thus limiting friction. Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical sheath comprising at least one anti-friction system

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical sheath comprising at least one anti-friction system.

[0002] According to an embodiment of the prior art visible in [Fig.l], an electrical sheath 10 comprises a bundle of electrical cables 12 and a corrugated protective sheath 14 in which the bundle of electrical cables 12 is positioned. The latter generally has a section S12 which is significantly smaller than the internal section S14 of the corrugated protective sheath 14.

[0003] Each electrical cable 12 comprises a conductive element surrounded by an insulating protective sheath.

[0004] In operation, as illustrated in [Fig.l], the electrical sheath 10 may be subjected to vibrations 16 which induce friction 18 between the corrugated protective sheath 14 and the electrical cables 12. Over time, this friction 18 causes premature wear of the insulating protective sheath of the electrical cables 12.

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electrical sheath comprising at least one electrical cable and at least one protective sheath in which the electrical cable is positioned, a space separating the electrical cable and the protective sheath.

[0007] According to the invention, the electrical sheath comprises at least one anti-friction system which comprises spaced-apart intermediate elements as well as at least one link connecting the intermediate elements together.

[0008] According to a first variant, each intermediate element has an elastic behavior and is configured to occupy a rest state in which each intermediate element has at least one cross section greater than the spacing between the electric cable and the protective sheath as well as a compressed state interposed between the electric cable and the protective sheath.

[0009] In operation, the intermediate elements are compressed between the protective sheath and the electric cable and immobilize the latter relative to the protective sheath, which makes it possible to avoid premature wear of the electric cable.

[0010] According to one embodiment, at least one interposed element comprises at least one compressible material. According to another embodiment, at least one element interlayer comprises a semi-rigid shell which has slots delimiting at least one elastic blade elastically deformable in a transverse plane.

[0011] According to a second variant, each intermediate element is configured to occupy a rest state in which each intermediate element has a cross-section smaller than the spacing between the electric cable and the protective sheath as well as an expanded state in which each intermediate element is compressed between the electric cable and the protective sheath.

[0012] According to another characteristic, the intermediate elements are distributed along the link and spaced apart by a pitch of less than 10 cm.

[0013] According to another characteristic, each intermediate element has a body which extends between first and second ends, at least one of the first and second ends having an approximately conical or rounded shape.

[0014] According to another characteristic, each intermediate element has an approximately conical or rounded shape at each of its first and second ends.

[0015] According to another characteristic, each intermediate element comprises at least one orifice or conduit passing through it so that it can be threaded onto the link.

[0016] According to another characteristic, the body has a shape of revolution comprising an axis passing through the first and second ends.

[0017] According to another characteristic, each intermediate element has a transverse plane of symmetry located equidistant from the first and second ends as well as a maximum cross-section at the transverse plane of symmetry and cross-sections which progressively decrease from the transverse plane of symmetry towards each of the first and second ends.

[0018] According to another characteristic, each intermediate element has a gutter shape or a hollow and split cylindrical shape from the first end to the second end, each intermediate element being positioned around the electric cable.

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description of the invention which follows, a description given by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawings, among which:

[0020] [Fig-1] is a schematic longitudinal section of an electrical sheath illustrating a embodiment of the prior art,

[0021] [Fig.2] is a side view of an anti-friction system illustrating a mode of realization of the invention,

[0022] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of an insert element illustrating a mode of realization of the invention,

[0023] [Fig.4] is a schematic longitudinal section of an electrical sheath illustrating a embodiment of the invention,

[0024] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of an insert element illustrating another mode of carrying out the invention,

[0025] [Fig.6] is a schematic longitudinal section of an electrical sheath comprising interposed elements as illustrated in [Fig.5],

[0026] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of an insert element illustrating another mode of carrying out the invention,

[0027] [Fig.8] is a side view of an anti-friction system comprising elements spacers as shown in [Fig.7],

[0028] [Fig.9] is a schematic longitudinal section of an electrical sheath illustrating a another embodiment of the invention,

[0029] [Fig. 10] is a schematic cross-section of the electrical sheath visible in [Fig.9],

[0030] [Fig. 11] is a schematic cross-section of an interposed element illustrating another embodiment of the invention,

[0031] [Fig. 12] is a schematic cross-section of an electrical conduit comprising spacers as illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0032] According to an embodiment visible in [Fig.4], an electrical sheath 20 comprises at least one electrical cable 22 as well as at least one flexible protective sheath 24, generally corrugated, in which the electrical cable 22 is positioned. The protective sheath 24 extends in a longitudinal direction. A transverse plane is a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0033] Generally, the electrical sheath 20 comprises a bundle of electrical cables 22. According to one configuration, the protective sheath 24 has an internal diameter greater than the sum of the sections of the electrical cables 22 positioned in the protective sheath 24. Consequently, there exists, in transverse planes, a relatively large spacing E (visible in [Fig.6]) between the protective sheath 24 and the electrical cable or the bundle of electrical cables 22.

[0034] For the remainder of the description, the term “one or the electrical cable 22” means a single electrical cable or a bundle of electrical cables.

[0035] The electrical sheath 20 comprises at least one anti-friction system 26 positioned in the protective sheath 24, more particularly interposed between the protective sheath 24 and the electrical cable 22, which comprises interposed elements 28 spaced apart from each other as well as at least one link 30, which extends in the longitudinal direction, connecting the interposed elements 28 to each other in the manner of a collar.

[0036] According to one configuration, the anti-friction system 26 and more particularly its link 30 extend parallel to the electric cable 22 over at least one section of the latter or of the electric sheath 20.

[0037] According to one configuration, the intermediate elements 28 are distributed, in a regular manner, along the link 30. Thus, they are spaced apart from each other by a pitch P of less than 10 cm, generally between 2 and 5 cm. According to one arrangement, the intermediate elements 28 are threaded onto the link 30 like beads on a necklace and connected to the latter to remain stationary relative to the link 30. In this case, each intermediate element 28 comprises at least one orifice or conduit passing through it to allow the passage of the link 30 so as to be threaded onto the link 30.

[0038] The link 30 is an elongated flexible element of small section, less than 5 mm. The link 30 is at least as flexible as the protective sheath 24 so as to be able to follow the curvature of the latter. It can be metallic or made from natural, synthetic or artificial fibers.

[0039] According to embodiments visible in Figures 3, 5 and 7, each intermediate element 28 has a body 32 which extends between first and second ends 32.1, 32.2. The intermediate elements 28 of the same anti-friction system 26 are all identical.

[0040] According to configurations visible in Figures 2 to 8, the body 32 has a shape of revolution which comprises an axis A32 passing through the first and second ends 32.1, 32.2. At least one of the first and second ends has an approximately conical or rounded shape. This solution makes it easier to introduce the intermediate element 28 into the protective sheath 24.

[0041] According to one embodiment, each intermediate element 28 has an approximately conical or rounded shape at each of its first and second ends 32.1, 32.2. This solution makes it easier to insert the intermediate element 28 into the protective sheath 24, regardless of the direction of insertion.

[0042] According to embodiments visible in Figures 2 to 8, each intermediate element 28 has a transverse plane of symmetry PTS located equidistant from the first and second ends 32.1, 32.2. Thus, each intermediate element 28 has a maximum cross-section at the transverse plane of symmetry PTS then cross-sections which progressively decrease from the transverse plane of symmetry PTS towards each of the first and second ends 32.1, 32.2.

[0043] According to the configurations visible in figures 2 to 8, the intermediate elements 28 are positioned between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24.

[0044] According to configurations visible in Figures 9 to 12, each intermediate element 28 has a gutter shape or a hollow and split cylindrical shape from the first end 32.1 to the second end 32.2. According to these configurations, each intermediate element 28 comprises a body 32 which has a constant cross-section with first and second rounded ends 32.1, 32.2.

[0045] According to the configurations visible in figures 9 to 12, each of the intermediate elements 28 is positioned around the electric cable 22, between the latter and the protective sheath 24.

[0046] Each intermediate element 28 is, at least in a transverse plane, elastically deformable. Thus, it is configured to be compressed between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24.

[0047] According to embodiments visible in figures 2 to 4, 9 and 10, at least one intermediate element 28 is solid and made of a compressible material, foam for example, and has when it is not compressed a maximum cross-section greater than the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24.

[0048] According to embodiments visible in figures 5, 6, 11 and 12, at least one intermediate element 28 comprises an outer envelope 34 containing a compressible or expandable material or a gas and has in a first state a maximum cross section greater than or equal to the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24. According to one configuration, this outer envelope 34 has at least one orifice 34.1 passing through it to allow it to be filled or inflated as well as a plug configured to close the orifice 34.1.According to these embodiments, the interposed element 28 is configured to occupy a first uncompressed or inflated state in which the interposed element 28 has a maximum cross-section greater than or equal to the spacing E between the electrical cable 22 and the protective sheath 24 as well as a compressed or deflated state in which the interposed element 28 has a maximum cross-section less than or equal to the spacing E between the electrical cable 22 and the protective sheath 24.

[0049] Of course, the invention is not limited to these configurations. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, at least one intermediate element 28 is hollow and comprises a semi-rigid shell 36 which has slots 36.1 delimiting at least one elastic blade 36.2 elastically deformable in a transverse plane. This shell 36 is approximately biconical. According to this embodiment, when the intermediate element 28 is not compressed, the elastic blades 36.2 occupy an expanded state in which the intermediate element 28 has a maximum cross-section greater than the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24. When the intermediate element 28 is compressed, the elastic blades 36.2 have a retracted state in which the intermediate element 28 has a maximum cross-section equal to the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24.

[0050] Whatever the embodiment, the intermediate elements 28 of the anti-friction system 26 are deformable and each comprise at least one cross-section greater than the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24 in at least one rest or expanded state.

[0051] According to a first variant, each intermediate element 28 has an elastic behavior and is configured to occupy a rest state in which each intermediate element 28 has at least one cross section greater than the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24 as well as a compressed state between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24. According to one embodiment, at least one intermediate element 28 comprises at least one compressible material. According to another embodiment, at least one intermediate element 28 comprises a semi-rigid shell 36 which has slots 36.1 delimiting at least one elastic blade 36.2 elastically deformable in a transverse plane.

[0052] According to a second variant, each intermediate element 28 is configured to occupy a rest state in which each intermediate element 28 has a cross-section smaller than the spacing E between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24 to allow the anti-friction system 26 to be put in place between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24 as well as an expanded state in which each intermediate element 28 is compressed between the electric cable 22 and the protective sheath 24.

[0053] Whatever the variant, when they are positioned in the protective sheath 24, the intermediate elements 28 are configured to occupy at least one state in which they are compressed between the protective sheath 24 and the electric cable 22 and immobilize the latter relative to the protective sheath 24. Thus, the electric cable(s) 22 no longer rub against the protective sheath 24, which makes it possible to avoid premature wear of the electric cable(s) 22.

[0054] The fact that the intermediate elements 28 are spaced apart from each other makes it possible to reduce the mass of the anti-friction system 26. The fact that they are connected to each other by a link 30 simplifies the introduction of the intermediate elements 28 into the protective sheath 24.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical sheath (20) comprising at least one electrical cable (22) and at least one protective sheath (24) in which the electrical cable (22) is positioned, a spacing (E) separating the electrical cable (22) and the protective sheath (24); characterized in that the electrical sheath (20) comprises at least one anti-friction system (26) which comprises spaced-apart intermediate elements (28) and at least one link (30) connecting the intermediate elements (28) together, each intermediate element (28) having an elastic behavior and being configured to occupy a rest state in which each intermediate element (28) has at least one cross-section greater than the spacing (E) between the electrical cable (22) and the protective sheath (24) as well as a compressed state interposed between the electrical cable (22) and the protective sheath (24).

2. Electrical sheath (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one intermediate element (28) comprises at least one compressible material.

3. Electrical sheath (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one intermediate element (28) comprises a semi-rigid shell (36) which has slots (36.1) delimiting at least one elastic blade (36.2) elastically deformable in a transverse plane.

4. Electrical sheath (20) comprising at least one electrical cable (22) and at least one protective sheath (24) in which the electrical cable (22) is positioned, a spacing (E) separating the electrical cable (22) and the protective sheath (24); characterized in that the electrical sheath (20) comprises at least one anti-friction system (26) which comprises spaced-apart intermediate elements (28) and at least one link (30) connecting the intermediate elements (28) together, each intermediate element (28) being configured to occupy a rest state in which each intermediate element (28) has a cross-section smaller than the spacing (E) between the electrical cable (22) and the protective sheath (24) and an expanded state in which each intermediate element (28) is compressed between the electrical cable (22) and the protective sheath (24).

5. Electrical sheath (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate elements (28) are distributed along the link (30) and spaced apart by a pitch (P) of less than 10 cm.

6. Electrical sheath (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each intermediate element (28) has a body (32) which extends between first and second ends (32.1, 32.2), at least one of the first and second ends (32.1, 32.2) having an approximately conical or rounded shape.

7. Electrical sheath (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each intermediate element (28) has an approximately conical or rounded shape at each of its first and second ends (32.1, 32.2).

8. Electrical sheath (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each intermediate element (28) comprises at least one orifice or conduit passing through it so that it can be threaded onto the link (30).

9. Electrical sheath (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (32) has a shape of revolution comprising an axis (A32) passing through the first and second ends (32.1, 32.2).

10. Electrical sheath (20) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each intermediate element (28) has a transverse plane of symmetry (PTS) located equidistant from the first and second ends (32.1, 32.2) as well as a maximum cross-section at the transverse plane of symmetry (PTS) and cross-sections which progressively decrease from the transverse plane of symmetry (PTS) towards each of the first and second ends (32.1, 32.2).

11. Electrical sheath (20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each intermediate element (28) has a gutter shape or a hollow and split cylindrical shape from the first end (32.1) to the second end (32.2), each intermediate element (28) being positioned around the electric cable (22).

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