EP1082796A1 - Manchon d'injection de fluide dans des cables - Google Patents

Manchon d'injection de fluide dans des cables

Info

Publication number
EP1082796A1
EP1082796A1 EP99925880A EP99925880A EP1082796A1 EP 1082796 A1 EP1082796 A1 EP 1082796A1 EP 99925880 A EP99925880 A EP 99925880A EP 99925880 A EP99925880 A EP 99925880A EP 1082796 A1 EP1082796 A1 EP 1082796A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electrical cable
cable
interior
sections
connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99925880A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Glen J. Bertini
Bernd Grave
Keith Lanan
Albert W. Chau
William R. Stagi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Utilx Corp
Original Assignee
Utilx Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Utilx Corp filed Critical Utilx Corp
Publication of EP1082796A1 publication Critical patent/EP1082796A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
    • H02G15/08—Cable junctions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
    • H02G15/08—Cable junctions
    • H02G15/10—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes
    • H02G15/103—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes with devices for relieving electrical stress
    • H02G15/105—Cable junctions protected by boxes, e.g. by distribution, connection or junction boxes with devices for relieving electrical stress connected to the cable shield only

Definitions

  • the invention relates to electrical cable connectors, such as splices; and further relates to conduits, or the like, for injection of fluid into the interior of electrical cables.
  • Underground electrical cable technology was developed and implemented due to its aesthetic advantages and reliability.
  • Underground electrical cable a medium voltage cable that carries from 5,000 volts to 35,000 volts with an average voltage of 15,000 volts, initially employed high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) polymer as the insulation of choice due to its low cost and ease of manufacturing.
  • HMWPE high molecular weight polyethylene
  • XLPE cross-linked polyethylene
  • EPR ethylene propylene rubber
  • a water damage retardant formulation has also been included in these newer types of insulation.
  • Underground electrical cable was initially advocated as having a useful life of from 25 to 40 years. However, the useful life of underground cable has rarely exceeded 20 years, and has occasionally been as short as 10 to 12 years. Catastrophic failure of older HMWPE, XLPE, and EPR cable is now beginning to occur due to water damage known as "water trees.” Water trees are formed in the polymer when medium to high voltage alternating current is applied to a polymeric dielectric (insulator) in the presence of liquid water and ions. As water trees grow, they compromise the dielectric properties of the polymer until the insulation fails. Many large water trees initiate at the site of an imperfection or contaminant, but contamination is not a necessary condition for water trees to propagate.
  • Water tree growth can be eliminated or retarded by removing or minimizing the water or ions, or by reducing the voltage stress. Voltage stress can be minimized by employing thicker insulation. "Clean room” manufacturing processes can be used to both eliminate ion sources and minimize defects or contaminants that function as water tree growth sites.
  • Another approach is to change the character of the dielectric, either through adding water tree retardant chemicals to polyethylene or by using more expensive, but water tree resistant, plastics or rubbers. All of these approaches have merit, but only address the performance of electrical cable yet to be installed. For electrical cables already underground, the options are more limited. First, the entire failing electrical cable can be replaced, but the cost is often prohibitive.
  • the points of failures due to water tree propagation can be excised and the removed portions replaced with a splice.
  • the cable can be dried with a desiccant fluid such as nitrogen in order to remove the water that initiates the water tree. While this approach improves the dielectric properties of the underground cable, it requires perpetual maintenance to replace large and unsightly nitrogen bottles that remain coupled to the cable.
  • a more promising approach to retard failure of underground cable is to inject a silicone fluid such as, for example, CABLECURE®, into the electrical cable conductor strands.
  • CABLECURE reacts with water in the underground cable and polymerizes to form a water tree retardant that is more advanced than those used in the manufacture of modern cables.
  • the dielectric properties of the cable are not only stabilized by CABLECURE, but actually improved dramatically.
  • the splice can be reinforced with clamps or other devices to increase its hoop strength.
  • this approach is limited because the force necessarily applied by the hose clamps or other reinforcement devices on the splice is so large that there is substantial deformation of the rubber material used to make the splice. The deformation compromises the geometrical and electrical integrity of the splice and thus provides only a slight increase in injection pressure tolerance.
  • a second approach is to remove the splice prior to injecting the two separated segments of the electrical cable with CABLECURE, then injecting CABLECURE, and finally injecting a second damming chemical compound into the two electrical cable segments that physically blocks the migration of the CABLECURE into a new splice that is applied to the two cable segments after the CABLECURE treatment has been completed.
  • An example of a damming compound is a combination of dimethylsilicone polymers with vinyl cross-linker and a suitable catalyst.
  • a damming fluid must be compatible with all cables, splices and other components.
  • CABLECURE injection can also be employed to treat water tree damage in URD cables. Since the diameter of the URD cables is less than that of feeder cables, the splices in URD cables can withstand the vapor pressure of CABLECURE. Additionally, due to the typically shorter lengths of the URD cables, a lower pressure (0-30 psig) than the pressure employed in feeder cables is required to transport the CABLECURE through the URD cable; therefore, the splices in the URD cable are not subjected to the moderate pressures (30-120 psig) desired to inject typically longer feeder cable and their integral splices.
  • URD cables do not have enough interstitial volume in the strands of the cable to hold sufficient CABLECURE for maximum dielectric performance
  • URD cables require an extended soak period of 60 days or more to allow for additional CABLECURE to diffuse from the cable strands into the polyethylene.
  • moderate to medium pressure injection of CABLECURE may be required.
  • the moderate to medium pressure addition of CABLECURE to an URD cable therefore necessitates removing the splices during the treatment of the cable, followed by adding new splices after the treatment.
  • a device and method for repairing and electrically connecting, in a first embodiment, at least two sections of electrical cable includes an elongate conduit, for example, a tube having two open ends that are each adapted to receive an end of an electrical cable section.
  • the elongate conduit has an interior wall longitudinally dividing the elongate conduit into two portions, each portion having a hollow interior for containing the end of one of the two electrical cable sections.
  • the elongate conduit also has an orifice in each of the two portions communicating with the hollow interior of that portion.
  • a closure device such as a threaded plug, is mateable with each orifice.
  • the device further comprises a fluid-tight seal over the juncture of each electrical cable section end and at each end of the elongate conduit.
  • water damage to the electrical cable portions is repaired by securing an end of an electrical cable section in the hollow interior of each of the two portions of the elongate conduit, sealing those junctures, and passing repairing chemicals through the orifices in the elongate conduit, into the hollow interior of each of the two portions of the elongate conduit, and into the interior of the sections of the electrical cable.
  • the secondary addition of damming chemicals through the elongate conduit and into the electrical cable sections is not required.
  • the elongate conduit further comprises an annular groove adjacent each elongate conduit end, on the hollow interior and intersecting the orifice to augment fluid flow.
  • the elongate conduit also preferably comprises an annular groove adjacent each elongate conduit end and around the elongate conduit exterior for strain relief.
  • the elongate conduit also comprises an annular groove adjacent each elongate conduit end and around the elongate conduit exterior that is sized to receive an interior seal locatable between the elongate conduit and the fluid-tight sheath.
  • an end of a single electrical cable is secured to an end of an elongate conduit having a hollow interior that contains the electrical cable end.
  • a single orifice communicates with the hollow interior for passage of chemicals therebetween.
  • a single fluid-tight seal is located over the juncture of the single electrical cable end and end of the elongate conduit.
  • the cable connector in another embodiment, includes an interior connector and an injection fitting.
  • the interior connector connects the interior ends of the two sections of electrical cable and includes an elongate hollow electrically conductive conduit having open ends adapted to receive the interior ends of the two sections of electrical cable.
  • the interior connector also includes a fastener for securing the interior ends of the two sections of electrical cable in the open ends of the elongate hollow electrically conduit.
  • Another component of the interior connector is a stress control tubing that is adapted to cover the elongate hollow electrically conductive conduit. An insulation sleeve covers the stress control tubing.
  • the interior connector also includes a metal wrap adapted to cover the insulation sleeve and the compression rings.
  • An outer sheath is adapted to cover the metal wrap to complete the assembly of the interior connector.
  • the stress control tubing, compression rings and outer sheath are heat shrunk to produce a fluid tight assembly.
  • the injection fitting includes a cable adaptor that is attachable to the outer surface of one of the electrical cable sections.
  • the cable adaptor supports an exterior housing and is located on the outer surface of the electrical cable section at a position remote from the exterior end of the electrical cable section to leave exposed a portion of the outer surface of the electrical cable section adjacent the exterior end thereof.
  • the injection fitting also includes a sleeve having a first end, a second end and a fluid injection opening. The first end of the sleeve is adapted to fit over the exposed portion of the outer surface of the electrical cable section adjacent the exterior end thereof. The second end is adapted to fit over a conductor contact attached to the central conductor portion of the electrical cable section. In this manner, the sleeve creates a fluid tight seal for passage of repair fluid into the fluid injection opening, through one electrical cable section, through the interior connector and through the other electrical cable section.
  • the sleeve can be heat shrunk to create the aforesaid fluid tight fit.
  • FIGURE 1 is a perspective view, partially exposed, of a cable connector of the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a side view of the cable connector of the present invention
  • FIGURE 3 is a side view of a first embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention secured to a cable for injection of cable damage repair chemicals therethrough and for electrical connection of the cable with a second cable;
  • FIGURE 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention secured to a cable for injection of cable damage repair chemicals therethrough and for electrical connection of the cable with a second cable;
  • FIGURE 5 is a side view, partially exposed, of a third embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention secured to a cable for injection of cable damage repair chemicals therethrough and for electrical connection of the cable with a second cable;
  • FIGURE 6 is a detail view of FIGURE 5;
  • FIGURE 7 is a side view, partially exposed, of a fourth embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention secured to a cable for injection of cable damage repair chemicals therethrough and for electrical connection of the cable with a second cable;
  • FIGURE 8 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention secured to a cable for injection of cable damage repair chemicals therethrough and for electrical connection of the cable with a second cable;
  • FIGURE 9 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention secured to a cable for injection of cable damage repair chemicals therethrough and for electrical connection of the cable with a second cable;
  • FIGURE 10 is a side view of first and second electrical cable sections prepared for connection by a seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the invention
  • FIGURE 11 is a side view of the interior connector components of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention arranged on the first and second electrical cable sections prior to installation;
  • FIGURE 12 is a partially exposed side view showing the attachment of the conduit of the interior connector of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention to the first and second electrical cable sections;
  • FIGURE 13 is a side view showing a first sealing step for providing a fluid tight seal at the joints of the conduit with the first and second electrical cable sections of FIGURE 12;
  • FIGURE 14 is a side view showing a second sealing step for providing a fluid tight seal at the joints of the conduit with the first and second electrical cable sections of FIGURE 12;
  • FIGURE 15 is a side view showing attachment and heat shrinking of the stress control tubing over the conduit of the interior connector of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGURE 16 is a side view showing attachment and heat shrinking of the insulation sleeve over the stress control tubing of the interior connector of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention
  • FIGURE 17 is a side view showing heat shrinking of the compression rings over the ends of the stress control tubing of the interior connector of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 18 is a side view showing the application of metal wrap over the stress control tubing of the interior connector of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 19 is a side view showing the reconnection of the optional shielding wires of the first and second electrical cable sections
  • FIGURE 20 is a side view showing the application of a second metal wrap when shielding wires are present
  • FIGURE 21 is a side view showing the attachment and heat shrinking of the outer sheath over the second metal wrap of the interior connector of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 22 is a side view showing the interior connector of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention completely installed between first and second electrical cable sections;
  • FIGURE 23 is a partially exposed side view of the sleeve of the injection fitting of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention attached to the exterior end of the cable section and to conductor contact;
  • FIGURE 24 is an exposed detail view of a first embodiment of the fluid injection opening of the sleeve of the injection fitting of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention
  • FIGURE 25 is an exposed detail view of a second embodiment of the fluid injection opening of the sleeve of the injection fitting of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention
  • FIGURE 26 is an exposed detail view of a third embodiment of the fluid injection opening of the sleeve of the injection fitting of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention.
  • FIGURE 27 is an exposed detail view of a fourth embodiment of the fluid injection opening of the sleeve of the injection fitting of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention
  • FIGURE 28 is an exposed detail view of a fifth embodiment of the fluid injection opening of the sleeve of the injection fitting of the seventh embodiment of the cable connector of the present invention.
  • FIGURES 1 and 2 depict a cable connector 2 of the present invention in the form of an elongate conduit which may be, for example, a tube, pipe or any other similarly shaped device capable of fluid transport.
  • the cable connector has an exterior 4, ends 6 and 7, and an interior 8 that is divided by an interior wall 10 into two hollow portions 12 and 14.
  • the hollow portions 12 and 14 are each sized and shaped to receive an end of an electrical cable or cable section. A portion of a cable that has been stripped to remove the outer insulation from the cable is inserted into each hollow portion. The ends of the cables are then secured to the cable connector by crimping each end 6 and 7 of the connector.
  • Crimping guides 28 and 30 are provided on the exterior 4 of the connector to demark the appropriate location of crimping.
  • Strain relief grooves 24 and 26 are located on the exterior 4 of the cable connector adjacent the crimping guides 28 and 30, respectively, and provide relief from strain forces generated as the cable connector is crimped.
  • Two orifices 16 and 18 are provided in the ends 6 and 7 of the cable connector 2 to allow a cable damage repair chemical to be injected into the cable.
  • Orifice 16 communicates with the hollow portion 12 of the cable connector
  • orifice 18 communicates with the hollow portion 14.
  • Each orifice 16 and 18 is preferably threaded to allow the orifice to be closed after chemicals have been pumped through the orifice, as described in further detail below.
  • interior circumferential grooves 20 and 22 are formed around the interior of the hollow portions 12 and 14, respectively.
  • the interior grooves 20 and 22 preferably intersect orifice 16 and orifice 18, respectively, to channel chemicals pumped through the orifice around the exterior of each cable contained in the ends of the cable connector.
  • the exterior 4 of the cable connector 2 is also formed with circumferential seal grooves 32 and 34 adjacent the ends 6 and 7 of the connector, respectively.
  • the seal grooves are sized to receive an O-ring or other seal known in the art, to optionally provide an enhanced seal between the cable connector 2 and electrical cable sections or cables, as described in further detail below.
  • FIGURE 3 shows a first embodiment for attachment of the cable connector 2 to an electrical cable in which an O-ring or other seal is not employed in seal groove 32, and seal groove 32 is not present.
  • broad band seals 33 can be employed between sheath 36 and connector 2 and cable 38.
  • sheath 36 itself, may provide a tight enough seal without seals if sheath 36 is, for example, vinyl.
  • an adhesive can be employed between sheath 36 and connector 2 and cable 38. As shown in FIGURE 3, sheath 36 is initially placed over the end 6 of the cable connector 2.
  • the sheath 36 is preferably comprised of a liquid tight material that can be either resilient or can have heat- shrink properties and can be, for example, rubber, vinyl, polyethylene, or nylon.
  • Cable 38 that is comprised of, for example, cable insulation 40 and cable strands 42, is inserted into the end of the cable connector and secured in the hollow portion 12 by crimping the connector.
  • Optional sheath connectors 44 which may be, for example, steel bands or clamps, or other material with high tensile strength, may be placed around the sheath 36 to provide additional hoop strength to secure the sheath 36 at the juncture of the end 6 of cable connector 2 and the cable insulation 40 of the cable 38.
  • cable water-damage repair chemicals such as, for example, a silicone fluid (CABLECURE®) may be injected into the cable 38.
  • the repair chemicals are supplied from a pressure source known in the art through a tube 46 in communication with a tube fitting 48.
  • Tube fitting 48 is preferably threadedly mateable with orifices 16 and 18, and preferably also functions as a closure device.
  • the silicone fluid flows through orifice 16, into hollow portion 12, where it contacts cable strands 42 of cable 38, passes out of end 6 of elongate conduit 2 and into cable 38 for a predetermined distance.
  • the tube 46 is removed.
  • the tube fitting 48 may remain in the orifices 16 and 18 and may be plugged to the orifices 16 and 18, or tube fitting 48 may be removed and a plug fitting installed in orifices 16 and 18.
  • FIGURE 3 only shows and describes the chemical repair and electrical connection of a single cable 38 to the cable connector 2 at end 6, it is understood that a second cable can be attached at end 7 of the cable connector 2 for a similar chemical repair and electrical connection.
  • the present invention encompasses both a cable connector 2 having only an end 6 and not an end 7 to secure only a single cable 38 with some other known electrically conductive connection to other devices in place of end 7, as well as a cable connector 2 having both an end 6 and an end 7 to secure, repair and electrically connect two cables 38.
  • FIGURE 4 a second embodiment of the present invention is shown which is similar to the first embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE 3 and in which the same element numbers are used as in FIGURE 3 to describe like elements.
  • the primary difference between the first embodiment of FIGURE 3 and the second embodiment of FIGURE 4 is that in the second embodiment of FIGURE 4, an O-ring or seal 50 is located in the seal groove 32 adjacent the end 6 of the cable connector 2.
  • the seal 50 is therefore located between the end 6 of the cable connector 2 and the sheath 36.
  • a second seal 50 is also located between the sheath 36 and the cable insulation 40 of cable 38.
  • sheath 36 is bowed such that concave portions are present for the placement of seals 50 between sheath 36 and cable 38, and between sheath 36 and the end 6 of the cable connector 2, respectively. Additionally, sheath 36 is bowed such that a convex center portion provides additional closure at the juncture of attachment of cable 38 in end 6 of the cable connector 2.
  • FIGURES 5 and 6 a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in which the same element numbers are used as are used in FIGURE 3, which shows the first embodiment, to describe like elements.
  • Threaded seal 52 is located at the juncture of end 6 of cable connector 2 and insulation 40 of cable 38.
  • Threaded seal 52 is comprised of a preferably annular inner seal member 54 having an exterior surface 56. On exterior surface 56 are threads 58. Compression ring 59 is located on inner seal member 54 with O-ring seal 57 located therebetween.
  • Threaded seal 52 also includes outer seal member 60 which is preferably annular, and which has threads 64 thereon that are mateable with threads 58 of inner seal member 54.
  • Elastomeric packing 68 is located between the junctures of both compression ring 59 and inner seal member 54 with insulation 40 of cable 38, and elastomeric packing 69 is located between inner seal member 54 and end 6 of cable connector 2.
  • Inner seal member 54 has a passageway 70 therethrough for passage of cable water-damaged repair chemicals through threaded seal 52 and into contact with cable strands 42 of cable 38, in a manner described above for the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • connector 2 can be a connector known in the art, with the elements of the third embodiment being located over cable strands 42 and between insulation 40 and connector 2.
  • FIGURE 7 a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown which includes elements described in the first embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE 3, these elements having like element numbers to those in the first embodiment of FIGURE 3.
  • spring seal 72 is employed.
  • Spring seal 72 is comprised of a spring receptacle portion 74 which is preferably annular in shape and which has a hollow interior 76 which is sized to receive spring 78.
  • Spring seal 72 also includes annular elongate portion 80 which is mateable with hollow interior 76 of spring receptacle portion 74 to compress spring 78 when spring seal 72 is secured.
  • Hole 82 passes through spring receptacle portion 74, communicates with hollow interior 76 thereof, and is coaxially aligned with hole 84 when elongate portion 80 is inserted into hollow interior 76 of spring receptacle portion 74.
  • Pin 86 is adapted to pass through hole 82 of spring receptacle portion 74 and hole 84 of elongate portion 80 to lock elongate portion 80 in spring receptacle portion 74.
  • O-ring-type seal 88 is present between elongate portion 80 and spring receptacle portion 74 in hollow interior 76 thereof; O-ring-type seal 90 is present between spring receptacle portion 74 and insulation 40 of cable 38, and O-ring-type seal 92 is present between elongate portion 80 and end 6 of cable connector 2 to provide a fluid-tight environment through which cable repair chemicals can pass.
  • Passageway 94 is located through spring receptacle portion 74 to allow cable repair chemicals to pass through spring seal 72 and contact cable strands 42 of cable 38.
  • a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown having elements that are also present in the first embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE 3, these like elements having the same element numbers as those used in the first embodiment of FIGURE 3.
  • a fluid-tight connection between cable 38 and connector 2 is created by cable shoulder 98 which is defined by first portion 100 of insulation 40 having a standard outside diameter and by a second portion 102 of insulation 40 having an outside diameter less than the outside diameter of first portion 100 of insulation 40 of cable 38.
  • a seat 104 in hollow portion 12 of interior 8 of connector 2 is mateable with shoulder 98. More specifically, seat 104 includes first portion 106 that has an inside diameter less than the outside diameter of second portion 102 of insulation 40, and also includes a second portion 108 that has an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of second portion 102 of insulation 40.
  • second portion 102 of insulation 40 is insertable into second portion 108 of hollow portion 12, but second portion 102 of insulation 40 has an outside diameter too great to clear the lesser inside diameter of first portion 106 of hollow portion 12 such that shoulder 98 of insulation 40 mates with seat 104 of hollow portion 12 and abuts against end 6 of connector 2.
  • annular seal 110 for example, an O-ring or the like, can be located between second portion 108 of hollow portion 12 and second portion 102 of insulation 40.
  • FIGURE 9 a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown having elements that are also present in the first embodiment of the present invention of FIGURE 3, these like elements having the same element numbers as those used in the first embodiment of FIGURE 3.
  • a configuration is shown which allows cable connector 2 to pass cable repair or desiccant fluids therethrough such that these fluids are originated only at one end of cable connector 2, i.e., end 6, and not at both ends 6 and 7 of cable connector 2, whereby cable repair or desiccant fluids flow in a single direction through cable connector 2.
  • the above configuration is useful when cable connector 2 is located remotely from the initial injection point of the cable repair chemicals into cable 38.
  • tube 96 is employed to connect tube fitting 48 of end 6 with tube fitting 48 of end 7 such that cable repair chemicals entering end 6 of cable connector 2 are not blocked by interior wall 10, but instead pass through tube fitting 48 of end 6, through tube 96, through tube fitting 48 of end 7, and out of end 7 into the other portion of cable 38 which is joined by cable connector 2.
  • a seventh embodiment of the subject invention which includes an interior connector portion and an injection fitting portion. More specifically, referring to FIGURE 10, electrical cable sections 120 are shown after being prepared for attachment to the interior connector components of the seventh embodiment of the subject invention. Electrical cable sections 120 each include a central core 122 that is surrounded by insulation 124. Core screen 126 covers insulation 124. Shielding wires 130 cover core screen 126. Oversheath 130, which is optional, covers shielding wires 128. The electrical cable sections 120 are each prepared by removing a portion of insulation 124 to expose central core 122. Also, a portion of core screen 126 is removed to expose insulation 124. Shielding wires 128 are bent away from central core to lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of electrical cable section 120.
  • conduit 132 of the interior connector portion of the subject invention will electrically connect each central core 122 of electrical cable sections 120. Conduit 132 will abut the exposed ends of insulation 124 of each of electrical cable sections 120; it is therefore important to ensure that the structural integrity of insulation 124 remains undamaged and that its surface is free from any previous jointing material if conduit 132 serves as a replacement splice.
  • Conduit 132 is an elongate hollow electrically conductive tubular member having a first end 134 and a second end 136. Adjacent to first end 134 and second end 136 of conduit 132 are a plurality of threaded openings 138; preferably, between two and four threaded openings 138 are present adjacent each of first end 134 and second end 136. Threaded openings 138 are sized to receive bolts 140. Bolts 140 are preferably of a length sufficient to contact central core 122 of electrical cable section 120 when bolts 140 are tightened without impeding the flow of cable repair chemicals through electrical cable sections 120. As stated above, conduit 132 is hollow, and therefore has an opening 142 and 144 adjacent first end 134 and second end 136, respectively.
  • FIGURE 11 prior to attaching conduit 132 to central core 122 of the electrical cable sections 120, additional components of the interior connector portion of the subject invention are placed over the two electrical cable sections 120. More specifically, outer sheath 146 is first placed over one of the two electrical cable sections 120. Next, at least two compression rings 148 are placed over the same electrical cable section 120 such that the compression rings 148 are located adjacent to outer sheath 146, and in closer proximity to the end of the electrical cable section 120. Stress control tubing 150 is placed over the other electrical cable section 120, and insulation sleeve 152 is placed over stress control tubing 150. Stress control tubing 150, as described further below, is located over conduit 132, which connects the two electrical cable sections 120.
  • Stress control tubing 150 is employed to provide electrical stress control around the joint.
  • Stress control tubing 150 is preferably made of a carbon-based filler in a heat shrinkable polymer matrix.
  • Insulation sleeve 152 provides electrical insulation and screening, as well as sealing.
  • Insulation sleeve 152 is preferably made of an insulating elastomer with an external conductive screen.
  • Compression rings 148 as will be discussed further below, provide a fluid tight seal over the points of attachment of stress control tubing 150 and insulation sleeve 152 to the electrical cable sections 120.
  • Compression rings 148 are preferably comprised of a high density polyethylene-based cross-linked material.
  • Outer sheath 146 is the exterior layer of the interior connector portion of the cable connector of the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
  • Outer sheath 146 is preferably comprised of a heat shrink material, such as low density polyethylene-based cross-linked material, and provides protection from the external environment.
  • a heat shrink material such as low density polyethylene-based cross-linked material
  • all of outer sheath 146, compression rings 148, stress control tubing 150, and insulation sleeve 152 are comprised of a heat shrink material such that the application of sufficient thermal energy will cause the structure to shrink in diameter in order to ensure a fluid-tight fit.
  • conduit 132 is attached to central core 122 of each of the cable sections 120 by insertion of central core 122 (that has been exposed by removing a portion of insulation 124 therefrom) into one of openings 142 and 144 of first end 134 and second end 136, respectively, of conduit 132.
  • Bolts 140 are then placed in threaded openings 138 of conduit 132. Bolts 140 are hand tightened. Bolts 140 are preferably shear bolts such that the application of sufficient torque thereto will cause the heads of bolts 140 to shear off. As shown in FIGURE 12, a ratchet or wrench is employed to provide sufficient torque for the heads of bolts 140 to shear off. Next, the gaps created in threaded openings 138 by the removal of the heads of bolts 140 are filled with sealing clay, for example, Raychem clay electrical grade filler.
  • sealing clay for example, Raychem clay electrical grade filler.
  • first end 134 and second end 136 of conduit 132 with insulation 124 of the electrical cable sections 120 are covered with rubber tape 154 having an elastomeric property such that the tape can be stretched to about one half of its original width to ensure a tight seal.
  • Rubber tape 154 is wrapped over conduit 132 and the insulation 124 of electrical cable sections 120 such that rubber tape 154 covers at least one-half inch of conduit 132 and one-half inch of insulation 124 on both first end 134 and second end 136 of conduit 132.
  • a void-filling tape 156 preferably Raychem stress grading yellow void filling mastic, is wrapped over conduit 132, insulation 124 and rubber tape 154.
  • void-filling tape 156 has elastomeric properties such that it can be stretched to about one half of its original width during the wrapping process. Void-filling tape 156 is wrapped over a sufficient portion of first end 134 and second end 136 of conduit 132 to cover threaded openings 138 in which sheared bolts 140 are located. Void-filling tape 156 can also optionally be employed to wrap the juncture of insulation 124 and core screen 126 formed by removal of a portion of core screen 126 to expose insulation 124.
  • stress control tubing 150 which had previously been located over one of the two electrical cable sections 120, is now moved to cover conduit 132 connecting the two electrical cable sections 120.
  • the stress control tubing 150 is of sufficient length to cover conduit 132, the exposed portion of insulation 124, and a portion of core screen 126.
  • a thermal heat source such as a propane torch, is employed to shrink stress control tubing 150. More specifically, shrinking is started at the center of stress control tubing 150 and is worked outwardly to both ends thereof in order to ensure that stress control tubing 150 is completely shrunk and substantially wrinkle free.
  • insulation sleeve 152 which has previously been located over the same electrical cable section 120 as was stress control tubing 150, is now moved to cover stress control tubing 150, which has been heat shrunk over conduit 132.
  • insulation sleeve 152 is of sufficient length to substantially cover stress control tubing 150.
  • insulation sleeve 152 is heat shrunk with a thermal energy source, such as a propane torch, by first shrinking the center portion of insulation sleeve 152 until a sufficient portion of insulation sleeve 152 has been heat shrunk so insulation sleeve 152 does not rotate with respect to electrical cable sections 120 when an attempt is made to twist it by hand.
  • one of the two outer portions of insulation sleeve 152 is heat shrunk; however, the exterior end of the outer portion being heat shrunk is not heat shrunk at this time.
  • the other outer portion of insulation sleeve 152 is then heat shrunk, again leaving the end of this outer portion unshrunk.
  • the end of the first outer portion to be heat shrunk is then heat shrunk.
  • the end of the second outer portion is heat shrunk to complete the process.
  • compression rings 48 which were located on one of the two electrical cable sections 120 are moved over insulation sleeve 152 while insulation sleeve 152 is still hot from heat shrinking.
  • One compression ring 148 is oriented at each of the two ends of insulation sleeve 152. Compression rings 148 are then heat shrunk with a propane torch, for example, onto insulation sleeve 152.
  • an alloy braid 158 comprised of, for example, copper alloy, is wrapped over insulation sleeve 152 and compression rings 148.
  • shielding wires 128 from each of electrical cable sections 120 are bent from their configuration away from the work area to now be positioned over alloy braid 158.
  • the ends of each shielding wire 128 group are coupled to a connector 160.
  • the two connectors 160 are then connected by a wire lead 162 to interconnect the two shielding wire 128 groups.
  • outer sheath 146 is moved from its position over one of the electrical cable sections to cover alloy braid 164.
  • Outer sheath 146 is heat shrunk with, for example, a propane torch, starting at the center of outer sheath 146 and working toward the outer edges thereof until outer sheath 146 tightly encases alloy braid 164.
  • the above-detailed configuration of the interior connector portion of the seventh embodiment of the present invention facilitates the passage of cable repair chemicals through electrical cable sections 120 while maintaining electrical conductivity between the two electrical cable sections 120.
  • injection fitting portion of the seventh embodiment of the subject invention is shown. Specifically referring to FIGURE 23, an electrical cable section 120 having a central core 122 is shown. It should be noted that the injection fitting portion of the subject invention, to be described further below, can be connected to an exterior end of an electrical cable section 120 whereby the interior end of this same electrical cable section 120 is interconnected with the interior end of another electrical cable section 120 by the above-described interior connector portion of the subject invention of FIGURES 11-20. As shown in FIGURE 23, injection fitting 176 of the seventh embodiment of the present invention is connectable to a cable splice 178 that can be, for example, Elastomold model No. M650S or model No. 755LR.
  • Cable splice 178 includes splice housing 180, a hollow member that is removably attachable to splice base 182.
  • the end of splice housing 180 remotely located from splice base 182 includes adaptor opening 184 in which cable adaptor 186 can be located.
  • Cable adaptor 186 is a collar attachable to electrical cable section 120, preferably around insulation 124.
  • Cable splice 178 also includes conductor contact 188 that has an end attachable to the end of central core 122 of electrical cable section 120. The end of conductor contact 188 remote from central core 122 of electrical cable section 120 is attachable to splice base 182 by bolt 190.
  • conductor contact 188 provides electrical interconnection between central core 122 of electrical cable section 120 and cable splice 178.
  • cable splice 178 as shown in relation to the present invention has a relatively truncated cable adaptor 186 such that a portion of central core 122 of electrical cable section 120 between cable adaptor 186 and conductor contact 188 is exposed and not covered by cable adaptor 186.
  • This configuration facilitates the orientation of injection sleeve 192 of injection fitting 176 over the exposed portion of insulation 124 to cover cable core 122 of electrical cable section 120.
  • injection sleeve 192 is oriented over both insulation 124 and contact end 194 of conductor contact 188 to form a fluid injection chamber 196 in which central core 122 of electrical cable section 120 is located.
  • Injection port 198 is located in injection sleeve 192 to provide fluid communication into fluid injection chamber 196 such that repair chemicals can be injected into injection port 198 to enter fluid injection chamber 196 and pass into central core 122 of electrical cable section 120. These repair chemicals can pass through this electrical cable section 120 and into a second electrical cable section 120 if the two electrical cable sections 120 are interconnected by the interior connector portion of the present invention as shown in FIGURES 11-22.
  • injection sleeve 192 is preferably comprised of polyethylene applied with a hot melt adhesive. Most preferably, injection sleeve 192 is comprised of a heat shrink material such that the application of thermal dynamic energy from a thermal source, such as a propane torch or the like, facilitates a fluid tight fit of injection sleeve 192 over both insulation 124 of electrical cable section 120 and contact end 194 of conductor contact 188.
  • injection port 198 can be an opening that is drilled into injection sleeve 192 after injection sleeve 192 has been heat shrunk and has cooled. This opening is then tapped with internal threads to facilitate a threaded interconnection between injection sleeve 192 and a cable repair chemical source having an externally threaded connector (not shown).
  • injection port 198 a second embodiment of injection port 198 is shown.
  • a hole defining injection port 198 is first drilled in injection sleeve 192 prior to heat shrinking thereof. This hole is tapped and a temporary externally threaded fitting 200 is placed in the hole. Injection sleeve 192 is then heat shrunk in the manner described above and the externally threaded fitting 200 is removed, leaving an internally threaded injection port 198 through which cable repair chemicals can pass from a cable repair chemical source having an externally threaded connector (not shown).
  • injection port 198 a third embodiment of injection port 198 is shown.
  • a hole is drilled in injection sleeve 192 prior to shrinking thereof.
  • Internally threaded bushing 202 defining the injection port 198 is placed in the hole and adhesively connected to injection sleeve 192.
  • Injection sleeve 192 is then heat shrunk in the manner described above, and cable repair chemicals can pass through injection port 198 by attachment of an externally threaded connector from a cable repair chemical source (not shown) to externally threaded bushing 202.
  • FIGURE 27 a fourth embodiment of injection port 198 is shown.
  • injection sleeve 192 is first heat shrunk in the manner as described above.
  • injection port 198 a hole is drilled into injection sleeve 192, forming injection port 198.
  • a tube preferably comprised of a synthetic polymer is inserted in injection port 198 and is sealed onto injection sleeve 192 by using a thermal adhesive, hot air, or ultrasonic energy in a manner known in the art.
  • injection port 198 a fifth embodiment of injection port 198 is shown.
  • injection sleeve 192 is first heat shrunk in the manner described above and is allowed to cool.
  • a hole defining injection port 198 is drilled into injection sleeve 192.
  • Tube 206 is inserted in injection port 198.
  • Tube 206 has a plurality of angularly disposed fins 208. Fins 208 are angled outwardly with respect to fluid injection chamber 196 such that tube 206 can readily be inserted into injection port 198, but removal of tube 206 from injection port 198 is hampered by fins 208. Additionally, fins 208 provide a physical block to prevent seepage of fluid from between tube 206 and injection sleeve 192.

Landscapes

  • Processing Of Terminals (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Abstract

Raccord (2) pour câbles qui comporte un connecteur interne et un accessoire d'injection. Le connecteur interne comporte un conduit (2) allongé creux électriquement conducteur doté d'extrémités ouvertes (6, 7) adaptées pour recevoir les extrémités internes des deux longueurs de câble électrique. Il comporte également un dispositif de fixation destiné à fixer les extrémités internes des deux parties de câble électrique dans les extrémités ouvertes (6, 7) du conduit (2). Ledit connecteur interne comporte encore un tube de régulation de contrainte qui est adapté pour couvrir le conduit allongé creux électriquement conducteur. Un manchon isolant (152) couvre le tube (150) de régulation de contrainte. Des anneaux de compression (148) sont situés sur le manchon isolant à proximité de chacune des extrémités ouvertes du conduit (2). Le connecteur interne comprend en outre une enveloppe métallique adaptée pour couvrir le manchon isolant et les anneaux de compression. Un fourreau externe (146) est adapté pour couvrir l'enveloppe métallique et compléter l'ensemble du connecteur interne. L'accessoire d'injection comporte un adaptateur pour câble qui peut être attaché à la surface externe de la longueur (120) de câble électrique à une position située à distance de l'extrémité extérieure de la longueur de câble électrique pour laisser à nu une partie de la surface externe de la longueur de câble électrique adjacente à l'extrémité extérieure dudit câble. L'accessoire d'injection comporte également un manchon (192) doté d'une première extrémité, d'une seconde extrémité et d'une ouverture d'injection de fluide. La première extrémité du manchon (192) est adaptée pour être installée sur la partie à nu de la surface externe de la longueur de câble électrique adjacente à l'extrémité extérieure dudit câble. La seconde extrémité est adaptée pour être installée sur un contact de conducteur attaché à la partie conductrice centrale de la longueur de câble électrique.
EP99925880A 1998-05-27 1999-05-26 Manchon d'injection de fluide dans des cables Withdrawn EP1082796A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US8538598A 1998-05-27 1998-05-27
US85385 1998-05-27
PCT/US1999/011637 WO1999062156A1 (fr) 1998-05-27 1999-05-26 Manchon d'injection de fluide dans des cables

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EP1082796A1 true EP1082796A1 (fr) 2001-03-14

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EP (1) EP1082796A1 (fr)
KR (1) KR100521612B1 (fr)
AU (1) AU4208199A (fr)
BR (1) BR9910722A (fr)
CA (1) CA2333370A1 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ508348A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999062156A1 (fr)

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ES2215011T3 (es) * 2000-10-05 2004-10-01 Nexans Empalme de cables con conexion de pantalla mejorada.
US7973241B2 (en) * 2007-09-10 2011-07-05 3M Innovative Properties Company Pressure restraining enclosure for cables
US7635813B2 (en) 2007-09-10 2009-12-22 3M Innovative Properties Company Article and method for sealing fluid-containing cables
CN103715647A (zh) 2012-10-09 2014-04-09 泰科电子(上海)有限公司 用于电力电缆的冷缩式终端
KR101966786B1 (ko) * 2016-11-15 2019-04-08 대한전선 주식회사 일체형 구조의 초고압 전력케이블 중간 접속함용 도체 연결 슬리브
CN117577380B (zh) * 2023-10-08 2024-06-11 友光电线电缆有限公司 一种复合电缆及其生产工艺

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US4370517A (en) * 1977-12-29 1983-01-25 Hitachi Cable Limited Polyolefin compositions for electrical insulation
US4372988A (en) * 1979-01-22 1983-02-08 Cable Technology Laboratories, Inc. Extension of cable life
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US5372841A (en) * 1993-04-20 1994-12-13 Dow Corning Corporation Method for enhancing the dielectrical strength of cable using a fluid mixture
US5907128A (en) * 1997-02-13 1999-05-25 Utilx Corporation Cable connector with fluid injection port

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See references of WO9962156A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2333370A1 (fr) 1999-12-02
KR20010070950A (ko) 2001-07-28
AU4208199A (en) 1999-12-13
NZ508348A (en) 2003-11-28
BR9910722A (pt) 2001-01-30
WO1999062156A1 (fr) 1999-12-02
KR100521612B1 (ko) 2005-10-12

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