Abstract: A method and apparatus for preheating the conductor elements of cables with extruded insulator essentially by forced thermal convection. Particularly for conductors with metal tape reinforcement, such as for example Milliken conductors, where it has been found that the traditional magnetic-induction heating is not satisfactory since the tape reinforcement shields the elements of conductors.

Abstract: The method and the apparatus of the invention use preheating essentially by forced thermal convection. Particularly for conductors with metal tape reinforcement, such as for example Milliken conductors, where it has been found that the traditional magnetic-induction heating is not satisfactory since the tape reinforcement shields the conductors elements.

Abstract: A device for limiting the bending of a cable includes a body made of polymeric material for housing a portion of the cable connected to a joining element and includes at least two rigid elements incorporated in the body and defining spacing elements in the radial direction for the portion of cable, these rigid elements having a substantially annular shape and different diameters and being mechanically independent of one another.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a guide roller having a contact surface and a flange that extends outward from the roller. A guide rail for the elevator system includes a cam that is disposed to engage the flange of the roller. During extended periods of non-use, the elevator car is positioned such that the flange engages the cam and the loading on the contact surface of the roller is minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: A traction resistant termination for a tube which transports fluids under high pressure, the tube having an inner tubular member of an elastomeric or plastomeric material surrounded by at least two helically wound layers of metal straps. The tubular member is received within a first hollow cylindrical body extending from a flange having an opening therethrough with which the body is coaxial. The layers of metal straps and a powder having a hardness greater than the hardness of the straps and surfaces adjacent thereto are clamped between the first body and a second hollow cylindrical body coaxial with the first body. At least one of the first and second bodies is integral with the flange. Also, a method of interconnecting the tube with such bodies.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for making a flexible tube comprising a plurality of helicoidal metal members in side-by-side relation. In the process, metal strips, shaped to the desired configuration, are twisted around their longitudinal axes to helicoidal shape, the twisting being sufficient to cause the shape to be retained if the strip is released. Thereafter, the so-shaped strip is bent around an axis extending in the width direction of the strip by an amount sufficient to cause the strip to have a radius substantially equal to the tube radius. The strips are then laid up, side-by-side into a tube. The apparatus comprises a rotatable cage carrying bobbins having the strips thereon, two pairs of preshaping rollers to produce the twist and the bend mounted for rotation with the cage, a mold for laying up the helicoidal strips, a guide element for the strips intermediate the rollers and the mold and a take-up bobbin or drum for winding up the tube as it leaves the mold.

Abstract: A clamp for gripping an electrical cable for the purpose of raising the cable from, or for lowering it into, the water. The clamp comprises a plurality of clamping units which are disposed in series in the direction of the length of the cable and which are held together by a pair of flexible wire ropes in a manner which permits them to articulate with respect to each other. Each unit comprises a pair of jaws for receiving the cable therebetween, and the jaws are urged against the cable by adjustable screws acting through springs to press the jaws toward each other.

Abstract: A device for constricting an electric cable used underwater for restricting the flow of water lengthwise of the cable when its sheath is perforated intentionally or accidentally. The device comprises a rigid hollow cylinder which fits around the cable with spacing between the cable and the interior wall of the hollow cylinder and has an end wall with an opening for the passage of the cable through the hollow cylinder. The opposite end of the hollow cylinder has an exterior flange, and the space between the interior wall thereof and the cable is filled with an elastomeric or plastomeric sleeve. An annular body which fits around the cable and into the hollow cylinder so as to engage the sleeve has an external flange by which the body may be pressed into the hollow cylinder and thereby compress the sleeve and, hence, the cable.

Abstract: Method for joining electrically and mechanically the multiple aluminum wires of a pair of electrical cable conductors in which the bared conductor ends are beveled and welded together and a metal sleeve, which is more rigid than the aluminum of the conductors, is applied around the weld and lengths of the conductors at each side of the weld and compressed until the sleeve has an outer size substantially equal to the size of the portions of the conductors at each side thereof. The sleeve has inner grooves for receiving displaced aluminum, and if the conductors have central channels, the channels are joined at the conductor ends by a relatively incompressible tube which fits into the channels and which may have peripheral grooves for receiving displaced aluminum. Also, a cable joint made by such method.

Abstract: A submarine electric cable installation in which the cable is protected from damaging stresses to which it would be subjected if it were permitted to be suspended between projections on the water bottom by enclosing the portion of the cable which would normally engage the projections with a tubular stiffening means, the stiffening means having a rigidity greater than the rigidity of the cable and providing a space between it and the cable for cooling water flow. The stiffening means may comprise one or more tube and, preferably, comprises a plurality of tubes having their ends secured to the adjacent ends of other tubes, each tube comprising a pair of C-shaped shells with annular corrugations and secured together. Also, a method of applying the tubes to the cable in which the tubes are applied to the cable, as it is laid, between the laying ship and the surface of the water.

Abstract: An extrusion head for extruding a plastomeric or elastomeric material on at least two filaments having a diameter of the order of 0.1 mm. and having a high modulus of elasticity while maintaining a constant spacing between the filaments and a process for such extrusion. The head comprises a mandrel with a cylindrical portion and a frusto-conical portion, the mandrel having grooves equal in number to the number of filaments extending along the surfaces of both portions for guiding the filaments. The frusto-conical portion has channels between the grooves for feeding the material between the filaments. A die with an opening having parallel walls for guiding the filaments and having a conical surface spaced from the frusto-conical portion is mounted adjacent the latter to provide a space for flow of the material. A further element adjacent the die may be used to extrude further material over the filaments embedded in the material extruded therebetween.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a pair of valves in which a control member is pivoted on the control lever of a first valve for movement normal to movement of first control lever. A link interconnects control member and U-shaped control lever of second valve so that movement of control member about pivot causes movement of second valve.

Abstract: An extrusion head for extruding a plastomeric or elastomeric material on at least two filaments having a diameter of the order of 0.1 mm. and having a high modulus of elasticity while maintaining a constant spacing between the filaments and a process for such extrusion. The head comprises a mandrel with a cylindrical portion and a frusto-conical portion, the mandrel having grooves equal in number to the number of filaments extending along the surfaces of both portions for guiding the filaments. The frusto-conical portion has channels between the grooves for feeding the material between the filaments. A die with an opening having parallel walls for guiding the filaments and having a conical surface spaced from the frusto-conical portion is mounted adjacent the latter to provide a space for flow of the material. A further element adjacent the die may be used to extrude further material over the filaments embedded in the material extruded therebetween.