Abstract: The quality of a weld is tested in an elongated object, such as a strand or cable, by pressing the ends to be welded against one another and maintaining them in such pressed condition while welding the same. Thereafter, a predetermined tension is applied to the weld and the elongation produced thereby is measured and compared to a preset value. If the elongation exceeds the preset value, the weld is considered unsatisfactory.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically controlling tension of an armour tape being wrapped around a continuous strand of material, such as an electrical cable, travelling through an armouring machine having a reel of tape and tape feed rolls rotating around the strand and having a motor or suitable variable speed drive (such as a P.I.V. variable speed drive) for controlling the speed of rotation of the tape feed rolls and thus of tape feed rate. To achieve automatic control, the diameter of the strand entering the machine is measured, preferably by a laser, and the diameter of the armour over the strand exiting the machine is also measured, also preferably by a laser. The measurements are communicated to a computer which compares them to preset values. The computer drives the motor or variable speed drive and adjusts them when required depending on the measurements of the two diameters and so as to maintain the preset values during the wrapping operation.

Abstract: An electric power cable is provided having concentric neutral wires (CN wires) applied helically over the cable core construction to serve as a metallic ground shield and having a protective polymeric jacket over the CN wires. The cable is characterized in that at least one continuous, elongated water swellable element, such as yarn, filament, strand or strip is provided in contact with the CN wires and is so disposed in relation thereto as to block the passage of water within the cable in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided for overcoating splices in polymer coated metal tapes, which comprises a plastic film that serves as recoating material, a layer of adhesive applied to one face of this film and covered by a releasing tape which is peeled-off when required to expose the adhesive tape which is then applied onto the area of the splice to overcoat the same. The adhesive is crosslinkable by application of heat and is crosslinked during a subsequent cable jacketing operation, thereby forming a strong bond between the non-coated metal tape in the splice area and the recoating plastic film.

Abstract: A method and detector are provided for accurately and continuously detecting surface roughness or oversize defects on coated wire or cable, such as magnet wire. This is achieved by passing the wire or cable through a die having an opening which is larger than the cross-section of the wire or cable by the size of the surface roughness or defect to be detected. This die is pulled on the wire or cable when engaged by the oversize defect to a spot or position where a sensor is provided to sense the presence of the die and thus of the defect and then produce a suitable alarm.

Abstract: A self-healing drop/insert (D/I) communication method and network are provided. The network comprises two end stations and a chain of intermediate D/I multiplexer stations to which the two end stations are connected by two lines, so as to provide communication in both directions, East and West, for multiple data and/or voice channels between any of the stations. According to the invention, the end stations are collocated or located near one another and in the event of a break or failure in the network, they are interconnected to form one D/I multiplexer station, whereas the stations on each side of the break or failure become new end stations. The communication transmitted by the multiple data and/or voice channels is then redirected away from the point of break or failure, when it occurs, thereby allowing the network to self-heal and remain operational after the break or failure.