Retrofit encapsulating kit and method for hermetically enclosing an air breathing splice assembly

• US 3,916,082 A
• Filed: 02/25/1974
• Issued: 10/28/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George W. Gillemot
• Original Assignee: George W. Gillemot
• Inventors: Gillemot, George W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clay, Darrell L.
• Application Number:
  US05/445,359
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 174/91-93,76,41,60,88R,71R,72R,68C
• US Class Current: 174/41
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/003 Filling materials, e.g. solid or fluid insulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 15/18 protected by sleeves, e.g. for communication cable two-part covers H02G15/10 ; preforms having internal stresses B29C61/00

Abstract

A retrofit encapsulating kit and method for hermetically enclosing a conventional air-breathing ready-access splice assembly between a main cable and branchout service cables. The unsheathed length of the main cable is enclosable in a nonconductive shroud with the splice connections projecting outwardly from between the lateral edges of the shroud, the ends of the latter being sealed to the main cable sheath. Readily fragmentable potting compound normally fills the shroud and seals the conductors from corrosive atmospheres, moisture and foreign matter. The kit is equally suitable for use on both a new splicing assembly as well as in retrofitting and encapsulating previously installed air breathing splice assemblies.

Claims

1. That improvement in a re-enterable cable splice assembly of the free-breathing type having a rigid main frame bridging the cable splice and supporting at least one terminal strip unit interconnecting cable conductors and branchout splice connections and which splice assembly is normally enclosed by a readily detachable protective cover, said improvement comprising:

means for sealing the unsheathed length of the main cable including a longitudinally slit non-conductive shroud embracing the unsheathed cable conductors with the splice connections to the cable conductors extending through said slit to said terminal strip unit, and the interior of said shroud being charged substantially from end to end thereof with readily removable potting compound providing a hermetic seal for the full length of the unsheathed portion of the main cable.

2. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said shroud is circumferentially expandable sufficiently to permit said shroud to be detached laterally from said splice.

3. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said potting compound is of a permanent setting type which can be readily crumbled and removed from the cable conductors using finger-applied rubbing pressure and without risk of injury to the splice connections and the cable conductors.

4. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that the edge of said slit is irregular in shape thereby providing recesses crosswise thereof accommodating conductors of said splice connections without gripping or damaging to said conductors.

5. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in the provision of readily removable clamping band means snugly embracing said shroud and holding juxtaposed edge portions of said slit closed against one another.

6. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterize in that said shroud is provided with at least one compound charging port offset closely beside one edge of said slit.

7. That improvement defined in claim 6 characterized in the provision of closure means closing said charging port.

8. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said shroud comprises a semi-rigid tube having a groove extending therealong generally opposite said slit and providing a hinge facilitating flexing of the two halves thereof apart while assembling the same about said cable splice assembly.

9. That improvement defined in claim 1 characterized in that said shroud is provided with at least one long narrow opening in communication with and between the opposite ends of said slit to accommodate lead wires extending radially therethrough, and said opening having a low height side wall projecting radially from the inner rim edge of said opening.