Method installing a duct, device for carrying out said method, and a tape-shape element for use with said method

• US 20040037649A1
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke KPN NV
• Inventors: Kerling, Frank Martin, Van Bijsterveld, Cornelis Casparus
• Granted Patent: US 7,018,136 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 405/184
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/52 using fluid, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/06 for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 1/08 through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling inserting electrical cables into tubes using wallbores E21B17/206; for optical cables G02B6/4401
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5191 Assembly

Abstract

Method for installing a duct, a longitudinal member being present along the section over which the duct is to be installed, the longitudinal element present being utilised as a guide for the duct to be installed and the duct being propelled, a tape-shaped element being formed around the existing longitudinal element during the propulsion into a duct closed all around, by coupling to one another coupling means present at the longitudinal edges of the tape-shaped element.

The invention offers a simple solution, on the basis of a tape-shaped element, of forming, around a (copper) telecommunication cable already present in the ground, a duct for including optical-fibre cables, without it being required to interrupt or remove the existing cable.

Claims

1. Method for installing a duct, a longitudinal member being present along the section over which the duct is to be installed, the longitudinal element present being utilised as a guide for the duct to be installed, and the duct being propelled,

characterised in that a tape-shaped element is formed around the existing longitudinal element during propulsion into a duct closed all around, by coupling to one another coupling means present at the longitudinal edges of the tape-shaped element.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the tape-shaped element consists of a carrier provided, on at least one side, with microducts.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterised in that the microducts are connected to the carrier by way of a ridge.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that, for the benefit of forming a branching in the duct, a microduct is interrupted and is released from the circumference of the duct.

5. Tape-shaped element intended for use with a method according to any of the claims 1 to 4 inclusive, characterised in that along the longitudinal edges the tape-shaped element is provided with coupling means.

6. Tape-shaped element according to claim 5, characterised in that the coupling means comprise closing members.

7. Tape-shaped element according to claim 6, characterised in that the closing member along one longitudinal edge comprises an upright edge having barbs, and that the closing member along the other longitudinal edge comprises a slot having upright walls, which are provided with means for including the barbs.

8. Tape-shaped element according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the tape-shaped element consists of a carrier, which on at least one side is provided with microducts.

9. Tape-shaped element according to claim 8, characterised in that the microducts are connected to the carrier by way of a ridge.

10. Tape-shaped element according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterised in that the diameter of each microduct is approx. 5-7 mm.

11. Tape-shaped element according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that in the microducts there is included an optical fibre or cable.

12. Tape-shaped element according to any of the claims 6 to 11 inclusive, characterised in that the closing members are implemented in such a manner that the belt may be closed optionally with a first side on the outside of the duct or on the inside of the duct.

13. Tape-shaped element according to any of the claims 6 to 12 inclusive, characterised in that the closing members are implemented in such a manner that several tape-shaped elements may be transversely coupled to one another.

14. Tape-shaped element according to any of the claims 6 to 13 inclusive, characterised in that between the closing members there is provided for a ridge with which conveyor means are capable of engaging.

15. Tape-shaped element according to any of the claims 7 to 13 inclusive, characterised in that the carrier consists of several layers.

16. System for carrying out a method according to claim 1, characterised by

means for supplying a tape-shaped element which is provided with longitudinal edges capable of being mutually coupled;

means for folding, around a longitudinal element, the tape-shaped element and for coupling longitudinal edges to one another;

means for, with respect to the longitudinal element, conveying the tape-shaped element formed into a duct; and

means for feeding a fluid to the front end of the duct.

17. System according to claim 16, characterised in that the longitudinal edges of the tape-shaped element are provided with complementary closing members.

18. Device to be used with a system according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the device consists of at least two parts which are formed in such a manner that the device may be placed around the longitudinal element, the device being further provided with the means for folding, around a longitudinal element, the tape-shaped element and for coupling to one another the longitudinal edges.

19. Device according to claim 18, characterised in that the device is further provided with the means for conveying, with respect to the longitudinal element, the tape-shaped element formed into a duct, and means for anchoring the device with respect to the longitudinal element.

20. Device according to claims 18 and 19, characterised in that the means for coupling, to one another, the longitudinal edges and propelling, with respect to the longitudinal element, the tape-shaped element formed into a duct, comprise at least two conveying belts lying opposite one another and engaging with the closing members.