Optical fibre tube sealing
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for sealing an optical fibre guide tube from which an optical fibre cable emerges, the device comprising:
- a resilient sleeve having in its unexpanded state, an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the optical fibre guide tube, and a clamping member for sealingly clamping at least part of the resilient sleeve around the optical fibre cable.
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Abstract
Apparatus (1) for sealing an optical fibre guide tube or duct (11) from which an optical fibre cable (10) emerges comprises a resilient sleeve (2) having in its unexpanded state an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the optical fibre guide tube (11), and a clamping member (3) for sealingly clamping part of the resilient sleeve (2) around the optical fibre cable (10). The resilient sleeve is preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer. Resilient sealing material may be introduced into the sleeve while resisting introduction of the sealing material into the interior of the tube or duct.
77 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sealing an optical fibre guide tube from which an optical fibre cable emerges, the device comprising:
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a resilient sleeve having in its unexpanded state, an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the optical fibre guide tube, and a clamping member for sealingly clamping at least part of the resilient sleeve around the optical fibre cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29)
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7. A method of sealing an optical fibre guide tube from which an optical fibre cable emerges, the method comprising:
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fitting a resilient sleeve over an end portion of the optical fibre guide tube, the resilient sleeve having an inner diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the end portion; and
fitting a clamping member around a part of the resilient sleeve enclosing the optical fibre cable so as to seal any gap between the resilient sleeve and the optical fibre cable. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 24, 25, 26)
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11. A method of sealing an interior of a hollow duct through which passes at least one elongate element which projects beyond the end of the hollow duct, the method comprising:
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introducing one end of the hollow duct into one end of a sleeve of resilient flexible material, a relaxed inner diameter of which is not greater than an outer diameter of the hollow duct, and introducing a mass of a resilient sealing material into the sleeve to surround the at least one elongate element while resisting the introduction of the resilient sealing material into the interior of the hollow duct. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. (Canceled).
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17. An apparatus for sealing an end region of a duct carrying at least one elongate element, such as an optical fibre, which projects beyond an end of the duct, the apparatus comprising:
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a resilient flexible sleeve engageable over an end region of the duct and through which a projecting part of the elongate element can pass;
a mass of flexibly resilient sealing material introduced into the sleeve to surround the projecting part of the elongate element; and
means for resisting entry of the sealing material into an interior of the duct. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for use in sealing an interior of a hollow duct through which passes at least one or more elongate element, such as optical fibres, with the at least one elongate element or elements in situ and projecting beyond an end region of the duct, the apparatus comprising;
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a resilient flexible sleeve having a relaxed inner diameter not greater than an outer diameter of the hollow duct;
means for applying an external constriction to the sleeve whereby to restrict a lumen therein; and
means for introducing a mass of sealant material into an interior of the sleeve around the at least one elongate element.
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21. (Canceled).
Specification