Abstract: A linear driving device with load dependent clamping capability with a reference driving element and a moveable driving element. The linear driving device being arranged for driving an elongated element located between the reference driving element and the moveable driving element at least one of which is powered to apply an axial force (Fa) and a clamping force (Fc) to the elongated element to drive it. The device includes at least one pivoting lever attached to the reference driving element by a first rotation axis and to the moveable driving element by a second rotation axis. When the elongated element is driven, the at least one pivoting lever is arranged so that the magnitude of the clamping force (Fc) depends on a predetermined angle (a) defined between a perpendicular direction to the axial force (Fa) and a reaction force passing through the first and second rotations axes.

Abstract: A method for laying a plurality of cable sections to be successively positioned in series in a buried duct, according to a flowing-pushing method using a pressurized fluid. The different cable sections are successively introduced into the duct in a single entry point comprising a laying device notably comprising an orifice for introducing a pressurized fluid, a cable section entirely introduced into the duct is pushed towards the position which it should occupy in the duct, only by the pressure of the fluid introduced by said laying device and when a cable section has reached his final position in the duct, an opening is made in the duct near to the rear of the cable section.

Abstract: A linear driving device with load dependent clamping capability with a reference driving element and a moveable driving element. The linear driving device being arranged for driving an elongated element located between the reference driving element and the moveable driving element at least one of which is powered to apply an axial force (Fa) and a clamping force (Fc) to the elongated element to drive it. The device includes at least one pivoting lever attached to the reference driving element by a first rotation axis and to the moveable driving element by a second rotation axis. When the elongated element is driven, the at least one pivoting lever is arranged so that the magnitude of the clamping force (Fc) depends on a predetermined angle (a) defined between a perpendicular direction to the axial force (Fa) and a reaction force passing through the first and second rotations axes.

Abstract: A method for laying an elongated element in a duct using a fluid injected under pressure through a fluid inlet in a pressure housing disposed at the elongated element inlet extremity of the duct. A mechanical drive placed before the pressure housing and the duct pushes the elongated element into the pressure housing and the duct. The method includes installing a first front end pulling pig at the front end of the elongated element and installing at least one subsequent pulling pig around the elongated element. The distance between each pulling pig is mainly constant. The method also includes applying the same maximum pressure drop to each pulling pig. The total pressure of the fluid injected being mainly equally shared by all the pulling pigs.

Abstract: A method for laying a plurality of cable sections to be successively positioned in series in a buried duct, according to a flowing-pushing method using a pressurized fluid. The different cable sections are successively introduced into the duct in a single entry point comprising a laying device notably comprising an orifice for introducing a pressurized fluid, a cable section entirely introduced into the duct is pushed towards the position which it should occupy in the duct, only by the pressure of the fluid introduced by said laying device and when a cable section has reached his final position in the duct, an opening is made in the duct near to the rear of the cable section.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is described that comprises a storage device having a housing (7) and a rotatable reel (2), configured for storing a flexible optical waveguide, wherein the reel (2) is coupled to a flexible optical waveguide unit (1) having an external diameter (D1) of at most 2 mm for winding and/or unwinding the waveguide unit (1).

Abstract: An apparatus retracts, stores, and inserts an elongated element. The apparatus has a retracting unit for retracting a length of a pre-cut module through a window of a retractable cable, a storage unit for storing the retracted pre-cut module, and an inserting unit for inserting the retracted pre-cut module into a branch duct. The retracting unit, the storage unit, and the inserting unit are mounted on an assembly portion installed at a branch location.

Abstract: A method for laying an elongated element in a duct using a fluid injected under pressure through a fluid inlet in a pressure housing disposed at the elongated element inlet extremity of the duct. A mechanical drive placed before the pressure housing and the duct pushes the elongated element into the pressure housing and the duct. The method includes installing a first front end pulling pig at the front end of the elongated element and installing at least one subsequent pulling pig around the elongated element. The distance between each pulling pig is mainly constant. The method also includes applying the same maximum pressure drop to each pulling pig. The total pressure of the fluid injected being mainly equally shared by all the pulling pigs.

Abstract: The buckling detection head is completely encapsulated in an encapsulating material, thus making it possible to protect the emitting and receiving surfaces of the cells for emitting and receiving light signals. This arrangement provides a slot in which the absolutely smooth cable passes, making it easier to clean the head and protect the cells. Other advantages of this arrangement are also described.

Abstract: An optical waveguide assembly is described that comprises a storage device having a housing (7) and a rotatable reel (2), configured for storing a flexible optical waveguide, wherein the reel (2) is coupled to a flexible optical waveguide unit (1) having an external diameter (D1) of at most 2 mm for winding and/or unwinding the waveguide unit (1).

Abstract: A pig for installing a cable in a conduit, in which it comprises a body and a seal intended to follow the internal surface of the conduit, the body comprising a radially elastic tubular part on which the seal is mounted, and a support part fixed to or integral with the tubular part, the support part having a guide surface intended to guide the pig in the conduit, the diameter of the guide surface being slightly less than the maximum diameter of the seal, so that the support part radially deforms the tubular part when the pig passes through deformed parts of the conduit.

Abstract: The device for installing a wire in a conduit of the type with thin walls and ribbed, comprises in particular a support sleeve suitable for preventing a radial expansion as well as a lengthening of a portion of said conduit above ground.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for setting medium or high power electric cables (2) in the ground, which consists in digging a trench (14) evacuating the materials derived from the trench (14) towards a treatment device, for example by crushing, depositing at least a duct or an assembly of three installation ducts in the trench (14), backfilling the trench (14) with the treated materials and setting in said installation duct (1), at least a medium or high power electric cable (2) by pushing it while injecting water (6a) under pressure into the installation duct (1) so as to use the water (6a) as carrier and discharge fluid for the heat energy resulting from friction between the cable (2) and the installation duct (1).

Abstract: A pig for installing a cable in a conduit, in which it comprises a body and a seal intended to follow the internal surface of the conduit, the body comprising a radially elastic tubular part on which the seal is mounted, and a support part fixed to or integral with the tubular part, the support part having a guide surface intended to guide the pig in the conduit, the diameter of the guide surface being slightly less than the maximum diameter of the seal, so that the support part radially deforms the tubular part when the pig passes through deformed parts of the conduit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for setting medium or high power electric cables (2) in the ground, which consists in digging a trench (14) evacuating the materials derived from the trench (14) towards a treatment device, for example by crushing, depositing at least a duct or an assembly of three installation ducts in the trench (14), backfilling the trench (14) with the treated materials and setting in said installation duct (1), at least a medium or high power electric cable (2) by pushing it while injecting water (6a) under pressure into the installation duct (1) so as to use the water (6a) as carrier and discharge fluid for the heat energy resulting from friction between the cable (2) and the installation duct (1).

Abstract: For installing a cable duct around a cable buried in the ground, the duct is propelled by a propelling device formed of a solenoid and a corresponding core member of a magnetic material, and a duct transporting device. The core member is provided with a coupling which couples to a free end of the cable. The solenoid is driven by a current so as to maintain, during operation, the free end of the longitudinal member, coupled to the core member, in a fixed position with respect to the transporting device. The propelling operation is supported by feeding a fluid under pressure through the duct, with the foremost end of the duct being provided with a spouting member. Suitable design of the core member in combination with a suitably varying current for driving the solenoid allows increased dynamic propelling operation and consequently improved performance.

Abstract: A cable straightener removes mini-bends from cable as it is unwound from a reel for installation in an underground duct, providing improved blowing performance for any cable with non-negligible stiffness and that exhibits reel-set or shape memory recovery, for example cables enclosed within small diameter tubular steel jackets, cables enclosed within aluminum laminated polymer sheets, and cables enclosed within hard polymer tubing. Residual stresses induced in such cables are reduced by first and second sets of straightener rollers prior to pushing/blowing installation.

Abstract: For installing a cable-duct (1) around a cable (3) buried in the ground the duct is propelled by propelling means (17) which comprise solenoid means (49) and a corresponding core member (53) of a magnetic material, and duct transporting means (47). The core member is provided with coupling means (55) for coupling to the free end of the cable, and the solenoid means are driven by a current as to maintain during operation the free end of the longitudinal member coupled to the core member in a fixed position with respect to the transporting means. The propelling operation is supported by feeding a fluid under pressure through the duct, the foremost end of the duct being provided with a spouting member. Suitable design of the core member in combination with a suitably varying current for driving the solenoid allow more dynamical propelling operation, and consequently better performance.

Abstract: A cable straightener removes mini-bends from cable as it is unwound from a reel for installation in an underground duct, providing improved blowing performance for any cable with non-negligible stiffness and that exhibits reel-set or shape memory recovery, for example cables enclosed within small diameter tubular steel jackets, cables enclosed within aluminum laminated polymer sheets, and cables enclosed within hard polymer tubing. Residual stresses induced in such cables are reduced by first and second sets of straightener rollers prior to pushing/blowing installation.

Abstract: A cable straightener removes mini-bends from cable as it is unwound from a reel for installation in an underground duct, providing improved blowing performance for any cable with non-negligible stiffness and that exhibits reel-set or shape memory recovery, for example cables enclosed within small diameter tubular steel jackets, cables enclosed within aluminum laminated polymer sheets, and cables enclosed within hard polymer tubing. Residual stresses induced in such cables are reduced by first and second sets of straightener rollers prior to pushing/blowing installation.