Abstract: A method and apparatus of sealing and cutting an underground pipeline, such as a gas line or the like, at or near a point where it connects to a main utilizes an expandable plug which may be inserted in the line without the need to excavate to obtain access to the point of sealing. A thermally stabilized cross-linked preshrunk polyolefin plug is inserted into the line on a heater element. The plug may be inserted from a point where the line exits the earth. Once the plug is inserted on the end of the heater element, the heater element is heated causing the plug to expand fitting it tightly inside of the line at or near the main. The heater element may then be withdrawn, and the line may be cut adjacent the inserted plug.

Abstract: A method of connecting two cables where a reinforcing insulation layer is formed over a connection part of the conductors of the cables. A heat-shrinkable tube is provided on the reinforcing insulation layer by heating the heat-shrinkable tube to form a cable connection part. The cable connection part is shaped by heating while being pressurized in a fluid medium.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article, especially a heat-shrinkable polymeric sleeve, is provided with an inner lining of a continuous metal foil to provide protection against inward water vapor transmission. The lining is preferably aluminium foil having a thickness of from 10 to 25 microns and is thus sufficiently thin that, on recovery, it leads to an even surface configuration without itself tearing or otherwise being damaged. The article is also preferably provided with central reinforcing means comprising one or more longitudinally compressible coils and is especially useful in the protection and insulation of splices in communication cables.

Abstract: A method of making a bond structure and a bond structure are provided that produce concurrently a peel bond and a lap bond. One end of a sheet to be joined to a second end of the same or other sheet is folded back on itself and on end of the other member inserted. The two pairs of contacting surfaces thus formed are subsequently bonded to each other. The bonding may be by any means and the clamping force across the bond during bonding need be applied from one side of the sheet only. By insuring that the peel bond fails before the material, a flat lap bond may be achieved by causing only the peel bond to fail.

Abstract: Flexible hollow articles comprise an expanded elastomeric inner member and an outer restraining means. The restraining means is made of a notch-sensitive material so that when score lines are made in the restraining means, they can be propagated through the material by distorting the article. The stiffness and elongation of the restraining means, and the peel strength of the bond between the inner member and the restraining means, are so chosen that when suitable score line are made in the restraining means, at least part of the restraining means can be pulled away from the inner member, thus permitting the inner member to recover. The articles are useful for covering substrates, especially splices and terminations in electrical cables.

Abstract: A protective coating adhered to the surface of a metal substrate such as a pipe using an adhesive composition containing an adhesive component and a polyhydroxy compound protects the substrate from corrosion. The adhesive has improved resistance to cathodic disbonding which generally weakens the adhesive bond between the protective coating and the substrate when a current is impressed through the substrate causing it to function as a cathode. The electric current inhibits loss of metal ions from the substrate to the environment thus reducing corrosion of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of bracing an article, especially a junction between conduits subject to an internal pressure greater than that of their surroundings, which comprises applying thereto, in the order listed, a gas-impermeable member (this step may be omitted), a reinforcing member and a heat-recoverable member, the reinforcing member being radially inwardly deformable, at least at elevated temperatures, and heating the assembly to cause recovery of the heat recoverable member.

Abstract: A method of making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors includes, in addition to making the electrical connection, the steps of positioning the conductors within a heat-shrinkable sleeve whereby they are held, by an insert positioned within the sleeve, in a substantially fixed transverse relationship to each other in the sleeve, and applying heat to shrink the sleeve. Electrical connectors are also described, one of which comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve having an insert positioned therein for holding conductors to be connected in a substantially fixed relationship to each other, and a quantity of solder positioned within the sleeve between the insert and an end of the sleeve. A further connector comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve having an insert positioned therein, the insert comprising at least two compartments side-by-side to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article suitable for making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors, for example an earth conductor and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The article comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve and a quantity of solder which is positioned eccentrically within the sleeve and is held by and/or on the sleeve. The sleeve also comprises or has guide means capable of locating a portion of the earth conductor in proximity to the quantity of solder. On shrinking of the sleeve and fusing of the solder, an electrical connection can be made between an earth conductor received in the guide means and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable received in the sleeve.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable wrap-around device is made from heat-shrinkable sheet material, two opposed edges of which may be secured together by fasteners so as to form a sleeve prior to recovery. Each edge region is provided with a strip of rigid material lying generally in the plane of the sheet. The strips may be bonded or embedded within the sheet material, or positioned in terminal loops therein, and are preferably so designed that they can be deformed into an interlocking relationship which withstands the recovery forces.

Abstract: A temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a part of an automobile, which sensor comprises in combination a clip and an electric heat-sensitive device, such as preferably a thermistor. The clip, which attaches the sensor to the automobile part, includes a first and a second jaw. These jaws are movable between a first and a second position. In the first position, the jaws are remote from each other, whereas in the second position they are positioned close to each other. In the first jaw, there is provided a recess adjacent to the second jaw. A heat-sensitive device is retained within this recess by a heat-conductive material. The automobile part, the temperature of which is to be determined, is enclosed between the jaws when the clip is in its second position.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable polymeric material is wrapped around a plurality of adhesive coated wire strands placed together in a transposed configuration prior to heating the strands to cause the adhesive to melt and cure. The shrink initiation temperature of the polymeric material is selected to exceed the temperature at which the adhesive melts while preceeding the temperature at which the latent catalyst initiates the cure cycle. The shrinking of the polymeric wrapping causes the transposed cable strands to become compacted and substantially increases the surface area of the strands in contact with the adhesive material.

Abstract: A cable splice comprising a metallic sleeve member joining the conductor ends, a layer of adhesive over the sleeve member adjacent insulation and lead sheath, a helically-wrapped insulation layer formed of a thermosetting polymer, an overlapped layer of fabric surrounding the insulation layer, an overlapped layer of lead foil surrounding the fabric layer and extending over the lead sheath a helically-wrapped heat-shrinkable tape layer surrounding the lead foil layer and a heat-shrinkable sleeve surrounding the splice area which resists invasion by corrosive well fluids and consequent corrosive in high pressure gassy wells, and a method for forming said cable splice.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article suitable for making an electrical connection between two electrical conductors, for example an earth conductor and the outer conductor of a coaxial cable. The article comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve and a quantity of solder which is held by and/or on the sleeve, and is positioned eccentrically within the sleeve. Two discrete quantities of solder may be used.

Abstract: Electrical insulation for an elongate current carrying body, e.g. an underwater cable for carrying very high voltages, is provided by winding a tape round the body under tension, the tape being made of a film of an axially orientated polymer having a thickness less than 200 microns, and preferably between 10 and 50 microns, a significant degree of crystalline order, a high tensile strength, a high modulus of elasticity, and the ability to cling to itself.

Abstract: A braid, consisting of monofilaments, made of two different resins which are adapted, when heated, to fuse and mix and be subjected to polymerization or cross-linking. The braid is interposed between a thermo-retractible sleeve and conductors which are to be covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: A sealing device comprising a hollow body member having a plurality of spaced apart external deformable flanges and provided with a sealant on its external surface, preferably between the flanges. The device may be used to seal a supply line within a duct by pushing it within the duct so that the flanges are deformed, the sealant preferably being provided in a generous amount so that it fills the remaining gaps between the flanges after such deformation. The hollow body member may then be sealed to the supply line using, for example, a heat-shrinkable sleeve. The device may also be used to couple and repair hollow substrates such as gas and water pipes.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve having an elongate electrical conductor retained therein. The conductor projects from at least one end of the sleeve and at least a portion of the length of the conductor within the sleeve is uninsulated, there being a quantity of solder, which is positioned eccentrically in the sleeve, on at least part of the said uninsulated portion. Articles wherein the conductor is an earth conductor may be used to connect the earth conductor to a substrate, for example the outer conductor of a coaxial cable, inserted into the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure comprising an elongate substrate, especially an insulated electrical cable, and a covering member which has been heat-recovered and sealed around the substrate. A heat-recoverable article of a cross-linked crystalline polymer composition which transmits 5-50% of infra-red radiation incident thereon is placed around a substrate whose exterior is composed of a polymeric composition which is at most lightly cross-linked, which absorbs infra-red radiation and which has a crystalline melting point below that of the heat-recoverable article. The assembly is exposed to infra-red radiation such that the heat-recoverable article is heated to its recovery temperature and the exterior of the substrate is heated to its crystalline melting point, preferably before it is contacted by said article as it recovers. In this way an excellent seal can be created between the substrate and the recovered article without the need for any auxiliary fusible material such as a hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A branch-off seal between a heat-shrinkable sleeve, made for example from a cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electric cables or other utility lines is effected by using a fork member. The end portion of the heat-shrinkable sleeve is threaded between the prongs of the fork member so that, on recovery, the heat-shrinkable material tightens and at least two prongs abut the outer surfaces of the sleeve which surround the substrates so as to retain the fork member in position. The fork is preferably made from a metal such as stainless steel or aluminium.

Abstract: In a method of connecting, for example, two coaxial cables, an electrical connection between the outer cable conductors is made by means comprising a hollow dimensionally-recoverable member, solder, and an electrically conductive deformable member at least a part of which is deformed by recovery of the recoverable member, and the impedance of the electrical connection between the cables and the inner dimensions of the electrical connection between the outer conductors are controlled by a spacer positioned adjacent to the electrical connection between the inner conductors. A connector and connector kit incorporating one or more spacers, as appropriate, are also described.

Abstract: Thermoshrinkable or thermoexpansive tubes for corrosion prevention or lin of piping are disclosed which have their inner and/or outer walls covered with at least one protective cover to keep them clean from dust, dirt, water or any other foreign matter which might interfere with adhesion to the pipe connection, thus causing corrosion or poor lining.

Abstract: An improved cable fitting which consists of a material which is shrinkable under the influence of heat and which has at least one sealing area provided with a sealing device including adhesive agents which are also influenced by heat characterized by the sealing device being a permanent plastic sealing member which is disposed between two adhesive layers. The sealing area of the fitting may be a closure area which has a separation plane defined by a pair of flanges and/or may be a socket-like area or opening in which a cable is inserted through. In either instance, the improved sealing device ensures the required mechanical stability through the use of the adhesive layer and the permanent plastic sealing member or insert ensures sealing against humidity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shrinkable sleeve device easily assembled with a body to be protected thereby. It comprises a dimensionally heat unstable sheet-like portion to embrace the body with unique means for securing edge portions thereof together. The device is particularly advantageous for application and use in restricted locations and for providing a protective sleeve by which cable ducts will not be unduly impeded.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article comprises a memory metal member to which has been imparted both thermally-recoverable and resiliently-recoverable strain. The resilient strain is retained by means of a disburdenable keeper, preferably one made from fusible or chemically degradable material, which can be removed, for example, by heating or chemical treatment, to allow resilient recovery. The article is preferably so constructed that it can be heated to obtain both thermal and resilient recovery simultaneously. One preferred form of article is a radially expanded longitudinally split tube, the keeper being positioned in the split. Such an article can be used as a connector to secure an earth lead to the sheath of a mineral-insulated cable.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable wrap-around device made from heat-shrinkable sheet material is provided with mechanical retaining means which co-operate with opposed edge regions of the sheet material so that after recovery about a substrate such as an electrical cable, the device lies substantially flush with the substrate without protuberances. The mechanical retaining means is preferably a buckle which is shaped to conform with the substrate and in which the sheet material is held by frictional forces.

Abstract: A protective disconnect to prevent overheating of electrical apparatus is described. The device consists of a cutting member accepting a conductor and capable, upon closure, of severing said conductor. The cutting member is surrounded by a thermoconstrictive material which, upon being subjected to heat at a certain temperature, actuates said member.

Abstract: A feedthrough device is provided for sealing a supply line as it passes through an aperture in a wall member such, for example, as the housing of electrical apparatus. The device, which is generally tubular, comprises a first member which is radially inwardly deformable and can be pushed through the aperture and a second member which can telescopically engage the first member so as to co-operate with it to clamp against the wall member and provide a seal whilst at the same time preventing radial inward deformation of the first member. A recoverable sleeve member, which may be provided on, or be integral with, either of the first or second members engages the supply line to effect a seal therewith.

Abstract: A dimensionally-recoverable article comprising a hollow resilient member which has been expanded to a dimensionally unstable configuration in which it is retained by a keeper positioned between and separating two parts of the hollow member away from the path of recovery thereof. The keeper is preferably made from a fusible or chemically degradable material so that it can be removed, for example, by heating or chemical treatment to allow the hollow member to recover towards its original configuration. One preferred form of article is a radially-expanded longitudinally split tube having the keeper positioned within the split. Such an article may be used as a connector to secure an earth lead to the sheath of a mineral-insulated cable.

Abstract: A cable splice comprising a metallic sleeve member joining the conductor ends, a layer of adhesive over the sleeve member and adjacent insulation, a helically-wrapped insulation layer formed of a thermosetting polymer, an overlapped layer of fabric surrounding the insulation layer, a helically-wrapped heat-shrinkable tape layer surrounding the fabric layer and a heat-shrinkable sleeve surrounding the splice area which resists depressurization failure when employed in high pressure gassy oil wells, and a method for forming said cable splice.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable article for protecting a conduit, for example, an electric cable, where its conductors pass through an aperture in a bulkhead, in order, for example, to prevent chafing; the article has an inner expansible and an outer shrinkable sleeve, the outer jacket of the cable terminating in an annular space between the sleeves, the space shrinking on heating of the article; one end of the inner sleeve is expansible to grip the bulkhead.

Abstract: A base has means for mounting and holding an electronic component, and a plurality of lead-out terminals for establishing electric connection between the electronic component and an external circuit. With the electronic component mounted on the base, an inner casing adapted to cover the electronic component is placed on the base. A tube made of a synthetic resin which will contract when heated is applied to cover the junctions between the base and the inner casing over the entire perimeter of the base. In this condition, the tube is heated to shrink it, so that the junctions are sealed by the tube. Thereafter, an outer casing the bottom of which is fixed on the base as to cover the inner casing and the contracted tube, remaining in intimate contact with the tube.

Abstract: Electrical connections to line substrates, such as cables, are made by employing a radially shrinkable coil member which is positioned about the substrate in an expanded form and is then caused or allowed to revert to a smaller radius so that it grips the substrate. In preferred embodiments the coil member is made from a heat-recoverable material or is made from a resilient material which is held in an expanded form by a disburdenable material, e.g. a fusible material such as solder, which is subsequently removed, deformed or destroyed so as to cause connection. The devices are especially suitable for connecting earth leads to the sheaths of mineral insulated cables in the vicinity of terminations and splices thereof.

Abstract: A device for forming a connection between a first and second group of glass fibers with each fiber of the first group being held in alignment with a given fiber of the second group characterized by an elongated carrier member having longitudinally extending grooves and a shrinkable tube telescopically received on the elongated member. In forming the connection, the glass fibers of one group are inserted individually in separate grooves from one end of the carrier member and the fibers of the second group are inserted from an opposite end until their end faces abut and engage the end faces of the respective fiber of the first group. After insertion, the tube is shrunk such as by a heat shrinking step so that the fibers are tightly and firmly held in their respective grooves by the shrinkable tube.

Abstract: Described herein are heat recoverable articles comprising a recoverable member held in a deformed condition by a fusible member. When the fusion temperature of the fusible material is exceeded, the recoverable member is able to move in a direction toward that from which it was deformed. The recoverable member may be, for example, an elastomeric member held in a deformed state or a spring member held in a deformed state.

Abstract: An article such as a tube formed of heat-shrinkable material is bonded exteriorly or interiorly to an elastomeric member to form a laminated article. The bonding preferably takes place before heating and expanding of the heat-shrinkable tube. After expansion and cooling, the parts remain in the heat recoverable position. Subsequent heating of the parts causes them to recover radially about a substrate.

Abstract: An electrical connector adapted to be mechanically joined to the stripped end of a wire for completing an electrical connection between the wire and another circuit component. The connector includes a metallic connector element and an insulative sleeve formed of heat shrinkable material. The connector element has a connector portion for mechanical connection to the circuit component and a wire-receiving portion spaced from the connector portion for accepting the wire and having a part for being mechanically joined to the wire. One end of the sleeve is disposed about and held by the connector portion with the other end of the sleeve disposed between the one end of the sleeve and the part of the wire-receiving portion of the element.

Abstract: An insulated electrical crimp splicer comprising a crimp barrel disposed in an insulating sleeve. The sleeve is adapted to retain the crimp barrel therein but the barrel may be removed from the sleeve to permit crimping of the barrel onto electrical conductors.

Abstract: A sealing device comprising a hollow body member having a plurality of spaced apart external deformable flanges and provided with a sealant on its external surface, preferably between the flanges. The device may be used to seal a supply line within a duct by pushing it within the duct so that the flanges are deformed, the sealant preferably being provided in a generous amount so that it fills the remaining gaps between the flanges after such deformation. The hollow body member may then be sealed to the supply line using, for example, a heat-shrinkable sleeve. The device may also be used to couple and repair hollow substrates such as gas and water pipes.

Abstract: A heat-recoverable sleeve having a meltable or softenable insert inside it, a thermal barrier being located between the sleeve and the insert. The barrier may be crosslinked thermoplastic netting, and the sleeve may be transparent.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for sealing to and protecting a cable jacket from damage when a sharp instrument is used to forcibly remove a sealed heat recoverable closure from the cable and a method for making same. The apparatus comprises a thin stainless steel sheet coated over part of its width on both sides with a thermoplastic adhesive. The adhesive coated sheet is wrapped around the part of the cable jacket to be protected and sealed and is secured by fiberglass reinforced tape. Heating of the closure causes the adhesive to flow thereby securing the shield in place.

Abstract: Thermoshrinkable or thermoexpansive tubes for corrosion prevention or lining of piping are disclosed which have their inner and/or outer walls covered with at least one protective cover to keep them clean from dust, dirt, water or any other foreign matter which might interfere with adhesion to the pipe connection, thus causing corrosion or poor lining.

Abstract: A laminated sealing article comprising a layer of adhesive sandwiched between a pair of cross-linked, dimensionally heat unstable wafers of polymeric material. The article is provided with a plurality of apertures adapted to receive a corresponding plurality of substrates. The gaps between the plurality of substrates are sealed by heating the article to the recovery temperature of the wafers. This heating causes the layer of adhesive to bond to the substrates and the wafers to recover around the substrates thereby forming a seal between all of the substrates and the article. The heat recoverable article of the invention is particularly well adapted for use in a method of environmentally sealing the rear of an electrical connector of the type having a plurality of individually insulated electrical conductors extending from a tubular rear portion.

Abstract: Flexible hollow articles comprise an expanded elastomeric inner member and an outer restraining means. The restraining means has score lines thereon, and is made of a notch-sensitive material so that the score lines can be propagated through the material by distorting the article. The stiffness and elongation of the restraining means, and the peel strength of the bond between the inner member and the restraining means, are so chosen that at least part of the restraining means can be pulled away from the inner member by manual force. The articles are useful for covering substrates, especially splices and terminations in electrical cables.

Abstract: A self-regulating heating article comprising a layer of material exhibiting a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) and said PTC layer having at least partially contiguous therewith at least one layer of constant wattage output material. The article operates such that when connected to an electric power source, the current flows through at least a portion of the thickness of the PTC layer and of the constant wattage layer. In a preferred embodiment, upon heating the article, a change in dimensions as well as activation of an adhesive occurs.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved connector sleeve and a method of forming wire wrap post terminations with this connector sleeve. The sleeve comprises a solder ring and a fixturing member positioned in an axially displaced relationship within a heat recoverable sleeve such that the fixturing member and the solder ring are held in place by the heat recoverable sleeve.

Abstract: An article such as a tube formed of heat-shrinkable material is bonded exteriorly or interiorly to an elastomeric member to form a laminated article. The bonding preferably takes place before heating and expanding of the heat-shrinkable tube. After expansion and cooling, the parts remain in the heat recoverable position. Subsequent heating of the parts causes them to recover radially about a substrate.

Abstract: A method of making a composite structure comprising an elongate substrate, especially an insulated electrical cable, and a covering member which has been heat-recovered and sealed around the substrate. A heat-recoverable article of a cross-linked crystalline polymer composition which transmits 5-50% of infra-red radiation incident thereon is placed around a substrate whose exterior is composed of a polymeric composition which is at most lightly cross-linked, which absorbs infra-red radiation and which has a crystalline melting point below that of the heat-recoverable article. The assembly is exposed to infra-red radiation such that the heat-recoverable article is heated to its recovery temperature and the exterior of the substrate is heated to its crystalline melting point, preferably before it is contacted by said article as it recovers. In this way an excellent seal can be created between the substrate and the recovered article without the need for any auxiliary fusible material such as a hot melt adhesive.

Abstract: A plurality of contact pins project from a flat header of a miniature relay for connection to a corresponding number of coaxial cables. A separate radio frequency adaptor is provided having a plurality of hollow cable connector receiving shells and a planar supporting base interconnecting the shells with the shells serving as RF shields for the header pins.The process of making the RF relay assembly includes mounting the header pins in a predetermined layout on the relay header, forming a one-piece adaptor by interconnecting the tubular shells in a pattern corresponding to the header pin layout and then securing the one-piece RF adaptor to the relay header with each header pin in a complementary shell and with each shell made common with electrical ground.

Abstract: A laminated tubular connector for splicing or terminating electric conductors, comprising an outer layer of a heat shrinkable dielectric material, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, and an inner layer of relatively soft, self-adhesive, low temperature flowable thermoplastic material, preferably a polyvinyl acetate composition. When heat is applied to the connector, the outer layer shrinks and the inner layer functions as a sealant and a cushioning agent. In some applications, the adhesiveness of the inner layer may be used to hold the connector in place during subsequent operations by pinching the connector so that the depressed portions of the tube adhere to each other prior to heating the connector to shrink the outer layer.