Patents by Inventor Francesco Portas

Francesco Portas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7728227
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for covering an elongate object in particular an electric cable or a pipe. The method includes providing a covering assembly which includes a tubular elastic covering element having at least one end which is folded to define at least one backward folded portion and at least one forward folded portion; a first supporting element which is arranged radially internal to the covering element and which holds the covering element in a radially stretched condition, and a second supporting element which is coaxially arranged around the first supporting element, the second supporting element holding said forward folded portion of the tubular elastic covering element in a radially stretched condition; removing the first supporting element to allow the sleeve to gradually collapse onto the elongate object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi Energia SRL
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Patent number: 7645408
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an elastomeric sleeve of a joint for electrical cables. The sleeve has an electric field-control element, an electrical insulating element surrounding the electric field-control element, and at least a semiconductive element having two stress control screens. The process includes providing the electric field-control element and the two stress control screens on a supporting element; introducing the supporting element into a mold provided for molding the electrical insulating element; filling with the electrical insulating material the space radially external to the electric field-control element and the stress control screens, the step of filling being carried out during the step of introducing; curing the electrical insulating material to obtain the electrical insulating element of the elastomeric sleeve. An apparatus for carrying out the process for manufacturing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Prysmian Cavi E Sistemi Energia S.R.L.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Publication number: 20090218135
    Abstract: A tubular covering sleeve (9) is manufactured which comprises a primary tubular body (10) externally coated with a sheath (14) formed of a layer of semiconductive material (15) coupled with an elastomer layer (16). The sheath (14) is made separately of the primary body and subsequently coupled therewith, before or after coupling of the primary body itself on a splicing region between two electric cables (2a, 2b). The sleeve one of the cables before electrically connecting the conductors (3a, 3b). Then a radial shrinkage of the sleeve (9) on the cables (2a, 2b) is caused at the splicing region. To carry out a sectionalisation (18), one end portion of the sheath and of the semiconductive layer (16) alone is turned up or mechanically removed, before or after engagement of the sheath (14) with the primary tubular body (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Publication number: 20090065125
    Abstract: A tubular covering sleeve for electric-cable joints is disposed on a supporting element causing radial expansion of said sleeve (2) starting from axially opposite end portions (7a) of the sleeve (2) itself. The tubular sleeve (2) in a radially expanded condition is installed on the supporting element (3). A apparatus (1) for putting into practice the above described method comprises a support (4) for the tubular sleeve (2) and a pair of expanders (10) to be located to a position substantially coaxial with said sleeve (2), each at a respective end (7) of the sleeve (2) itself. Driving means (11) is used for introducing the expanders (10) into the respective sleeve ends (7) and causing radial expansion. The apparatus (1) further comprises devices adapted to dispose the sleeve (2) in a radially expanded condition on the supporting element (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Publication number: 20090008149
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method as well as to a joint assembly (12) for splicing a first and a second eclectic cable (1, 2) by means of a tubular elastic sleeve (15) at a splicing zone (11) between such cables (1, 2), said tubular sleeve (15) being supported in an expanded condition on a removable hollow supporting element (16) detachable in a first supporting portion (17) and a second supporting portion (18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: PIRELLI & C.S.P.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Publication number: 20080257259
    Abstract: A method of coating the junction area between elongated elements, in particular between electric cables. This method includes the steps of: arranging a rigid tubular support having two axially separable tubular halves; mounting an elastic tubular sleeve in an elastically radially expanded condition on an outer surface of the support; interposing a lubricating material between the support and sleeve; arranging a circumferentially continuous sealing element between the halves to prevent the lubricant from percolating between the halves; positioning the support around the junction area; and moving the halves apart from each other to enable the sleeve to collapse on the junction area. A device for coating the junction area between elongated elements and a method of making the device and a joint for electric cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Publication number: 20080121408
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for covering an elongate object (11, 12), in particular an electric cable or a pipe. The method comprises the steps of.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Publication number: 20060272842
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an elastomeric sleeve of a joint for electrical cables. The sleeve has an electric field-control element, an electrical insulating element surrounding the electric field-control element, and at least a semiconductive element having two stress control screens. The process includes providing the electric field-control element and the two stress control screens on a supporting element; introducing the supporting element into a mould provided for moulding the electrical insulating element; filling with the electrical insulating material the space radially external to the electric field-control element and the stress control screens, the step of filling being carried out during the step of introducing; curing the electrical insulating material to obtain the electrical insulating element of the elastomeric sleeve. An apparatus for carrying out the process for manufacturing is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 6576846
    Abstract: A tubular elastic covering (730) for electric components (700), having on the whole predetermined values of mechanical and electric/environmental requirements, in which the mechanical requirements include expandibility and elastic recovery in a radial direction, and electric/environmental requirements comprise resistance to tracking and resistance to solar radiation, characterized in that said covering includes an inner insulating layer (680) and an outer insulating layer (660) coaxial with each other, in superposed relationship and bonded together, made of blends of cross-linked polymeric material, in which the cross-linked blend forming the inner layer has predetermined values of said mechanical requirements and the cross-linked blend forming the outer layer has predetermined values of said electric/environmental requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Publication number: 20020153163
    Abstract: A tubular elastic covering (730) for electric components (700), having on the whole predetermined values of mechanical and electric/environmental requirements, in which the mechanical requirements comprise expandibility and elastic recovery in a radial direction, and electric/environmental requirements comprise resistance to tracking and resistance to solar radiation, characterized in that said covering comprises an inner insulating layer (680) and an outer insulating layer (660) coaxial with each other, in superposed relationship and bonded together, made of blends of cross-linked polymeric material, in which the cross-linked blend forming the inner layer has predetermined values of said mechanical requirements and the cross-linked blend forming the outer layer has predetermined values of said electric/environmental requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Pirelli CAVI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Patent number: 6342679
    Abstract: A tubular elastic covering for electric components is provided to obtain predetermined values of mechanical and electric/environmental requirements. The mechanical requirements include expandibility and elastic recovery in a radial direction. The electric/environmental requirements include resistance to tracking and resistance to solar radiation. The covering includes an inner insulating layer and an outer insulating layer coaxial with each other, in superposed relationship and bonded together. The covering is made of blends of cross-linked polymeric material, in which the cross-linked blend forming the inner layer has predetermined values of the mechanical requirements and the cross-linked blend forming the outer layer has predetermined values of the electric/environmental requirements. This invention also describes a method of making this covering, a termination for electric cables utilizing this covering, and a method of mounting the termination to an electric cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Patent number: 6171669
    Abstract: A storable tubular element for covering an electric cable joint which includes a rigid tubular support with a three layer sleeve having an unstretched bore of a size less than the external diameter of the support mounted on the tubular support in radially stretched condition. The element is usable for a group of cables having several different diameters and the properties and thicknesses of the layers are selected so that with storage on the support, the layers do not tear and so that when the sleeve is applied to a joint, the sleeve will apply the desired pressure to the cable even though it has a temporary residual deformation and does not immediately tend to return to its initial unstretched state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Societa Cavi Pirelli S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 6004416
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing an insulating body with a predetermined profile for an electrical device. This method comprises the steps of forming a covering body of cross-linkable polymer material on a supporting element, where said body has a first external profile that comprises the envelope of the predetermined profile; to vulcanize the body; and to create the predetermined profile on the external surface of said body by removing portions of said material. The covering body obtained in monolithic vulcanized polymer material comprises a central element and a plurality of frusto-conical sheds formed on it where the internal conical surface of at least one shed forms an angle of less than 80.degree. with the central element and where the external conical surface of at least one shed forms an angle greater than 110.degree. with said central body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri
  • Patent number: 5985062
    Abstract: The process calls for extrusion of a multilayer tubular structure with semiconducting innermost layer. In production of the sleeve the inner layer is partially removed leaving only a central portion forming an electrode. In addition the intermediate layer is made with a compound having pre-determined relative dielectric constant and dielectric rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 5944929
    Abstract: The support is designed to keep in expanded condition an elastic covering sleeve for elongated cylindrical elements such as electric cable joints and the like. The support comprises a tape wound spirally in side-by-side turns so as to take on a cylindrical tubular form and mutual constraint means between the turns to keep the tape in wound condition. In accordance with the invention the tape and the constraint means are provided in different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 5800886
    Abstract: The support is designed to keep in expanded condition an elastic covering sleeve for elongated cylindrical elements such as electric cable joints and the like. The support comprises a tape wound spirally in side-by-side turns so as to take on a cylindrical tubular form and mutual constraint means between the turns to keep the tape in wound condition. In accordance with the invention the tape and the constraint means are provided in different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 5589123
    Abstract: There is proposed a tubular supporting element of a sleeve for covering a junction of cables provided with a wall that has a non-passing incision directed according to a helical line, having a mouth with a width of less than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.05 mm, so as to accomplish a strip having a substantially rectangular cross-section; a process and an apparatus for accomplishing the abovementioned tubular element have also been developed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 5560969
    Abstract: A tubular supporting element for supporting an elastic sleeve for covering a junction of cables which is provided with a wall which has a groove or incision directed according to a helical line and which has a radial depth from the outer surface of the supporting element less than the radial thickness of the supporting element. The incision has a mouth at the outer surface of the supporting element with a width of less than 0.1 mm, preferably less than 0.05 mm, so as to provide a strip between the incision having a substantially rectangular cross-section. Also, a process and an apparatus for making the tubular supporting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Portas
  • Patent number: 5492740
    Abstract: The enclosure assembly, being particularly but not exclusively conceived for use over electric cable splices, comprises a sleeve of an elastomer material, a support whereover the sleeve is fitted in a condition of elastic expansion, said sleeve being adapted to shrink around the elongate cylindrical objects upon removal of the support. The support comprises two substantially cylindrical, tubular bodies having ends abutted coaxially with each other in mutual continuation relationship; the abutted ends are disposed at substantially inward locations of the sleeve longitudinal extension. Thus, the support removal can begin from a predetermined internal region of the sleeve; the sleeve starts shrinking over the splice within said internal region, and any axial deformations in the sleeve would leave the sleeve positioning relatively to said predetermined internal region unaffected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Vallauri, Francesco Portas, Bruno Parmigiani
  • Patent number: 5486388
    Abstract: The enclosure assembly particularly, but not exclusively, conceived for spliced electric cables, comprises a sleeve of an elastomer material, a support whereover the sleeve is fitted in a state of elastic expansion, said sleeve being adapted to shrink about the elongate cylindrical objects upon removal of the support. The support comprises a tubular body formed of a strip of a strong flexible material wound into a helix having mutually bonded adjacent turns, the turns being separable by applying a pull force along a substantially longitudinal direction to an end portion of the strip unravelled from the adjacent turns and taken through the interior of the tubular body along a substantially axial direction and out through the opposite end of the tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Pirelli Cavi S.p.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Portas, Ubaldo Vallauri