System, composition and method of application of same for reducing the coefficient of friction and required pulling force during installation of wire or cable

• US 10,276,279 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2018
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
• Original Assignee: Encore Wire Corporation
• Inventors: Bigbee, Jr., William T., Dahlke, Sheri H., Raedeke, Ronald A., Gillen, Jason Drew, Debord, Melvin Glenn
• Primary Examiner(s): Oladapo, Taiwo
• Application Number:
  US16/057,613
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 125/26 Compounds containing silicon or boron, e.g. silica, sand
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 145/14 Acrylate; Methacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 145/28 of alkylene oxides containing 2 carbon atoms only
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 155/02 Monomer containing silicon
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 161/00 Lubricating compositions characterised by the additive being a mixture of a macromolecular compound and a non-macromolecular compound, each of these compounds being essential
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 169/04 Mixtures of base-materials and additives
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 169/044 the additives being a mixture of non-macromolecular and macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 173/00 Lubricating compositions containing more than 10% water
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 173/02 not containing mineral or fatty oils
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/02 Water
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2201/10 Compounds containing silicon
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/022 Ethene
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2205/16 Paraffin waxes; Petrolatum, e.g. slack wax
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/10 Carboxylix acids; Neutral salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2207/40 Fatty vegetable or animal oils
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2209/084 Acrylate; Methacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2209/104 of alkylene oxides containing two carbon atoms only
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/02 obtained from monomers containing carbon, hydrogen and halogen only
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2213/062 Polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2217/024 containing monomers having an unsaturated radical bound to an amido or imido group
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2229/02 : Unspecified siloxanes; Silicones
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2229/04 : Siloxanes with specific structure
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2229/041 : containing aliphatic substituents
• CPC Class Codes: C10M 2290/00 : Mixtures of base materials or thickeners or additives
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2020/04 : Molecular weight; Molecular weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2030/06 : Oiliness; Film-strength; Anti-wear; Resistance to extreme pressure
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2040/32 : Wires, ropes or cables lubricants
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/01 : Emulsions, colloids, or micelles
• CPC Class Codes: C10N 2050/011 : Oil-in-water
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/023 : Alloys based on aluminium
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/026 : Alloys based on copper
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 3/00 : Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/00 : Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/02 : Disposition of insulation

Abstract

A composition and method for reducing the coefficient of friction and required pulling force of a wire or cable are provided. A composition of aqueous emulsion is provided that is environmentally friendly, halogen free and solvent free. The composition is compatible with various types of insulating materials and may be applied after the wire or cable is cooled and also by spraying or submerging the wire or cable in a bath. The composition contains lubricating agents that provide lower coefficient of friction for wire or cable installation and continuous wire or cable surface lubrication thereafter.

Claims

1. A process for making a finished wire and cable, the process comprising:

providing at least one conductor wire;

providing an extruder wherein the extruder applies an insulating material composition over the at least one conductor wire;

providing a cooling device wherein the cooling device cools the insulated material; and

providing a lubrication application device wherein the lubrication application device applies a lubricating composition subsequent to the cooling of the insulating material, the lubricating composition comprising;

distilled (DI) water;

polyethylene glycol (PEG);

polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) emulsion;

silicone-based antifoaming agent; and

paraffin wax emulsion.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein the step of providing an extruder comprises applying a jacket over the insulating material prior to cooling of the insulated material.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein the jacket is formed from a nylon material.

4. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a second extruder wherein the second extruder applies a jacket over the insulating material prior to cooling of the insulated material.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the jacket is formed from a nylon material.

6. The process of claim 1, wherein the cooling device comprises a trough containing water.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the lubrication application device comprises a spray device.

8. The process of claim 7, wherein the spray device comprises at least one spray nozzle and a tank for storing the lubrication composition.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the lubrication application device comprises a trough.

10. The process of claim 9, wherein the trough contains the lubrication composition.

11. The process of claim 10, wherein the insulated wire is pulled through the trough containing the lubrication composition.