Abstract: Provided are methods for extending the life of in-service electrical cable having polymeric insulation, comprising injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid composition into the cable, wherein the composition comprises: (a) one or more organoalkoxysilane functional additives (voltage stabilizer-based, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS)-based, and/or UV absorber-based); and (b) a catalyst suitable to catalyze hydrolysis and condensation of (a), the injected composition providing for rapid initial permeation of (a) into the insulation, and extended retention of subsequent condensation products of (a) in the insulation. Additionally provided are innovative silyl functional ferrocenes (e.g., containing a ferrocene moiety and a silyl function hydrolysable to silanol) having utility as functional voltage stabilizing additives in the methods.

Abstract: Provided are methods for extending the life of in-service electrical cable having polymeric insulation, comprising injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid composition into the cable, wherein the composition comprises: (a) one or more organoalkoxysilane functional additives (voltage stabilizer-based, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS)-based, and/or UV absorber-based); and (b) a catalyst suitable to catalyze hydrolysis and condensation of (a), the injected composition providing for rapid initial permeation of (a) into the insulation, and extended retention of subsequent condensation products of (a) in the insulation. Additionally provided are innovative silyl functional ferrocenes (e.g., containing a ferrocene moiety and a silyl function hydrolysable to silanol) having utility as functional voltage stabilizing additives in the methods.

Abstract: A system for use with a manhole vault having an internal atmosphere, and, optionally, with a ventilation stack connecting the vault to an external atmosphere. The system includes a manhole cover, a ventilation pipe, and an air moving assembly. The cover has one or more through-holes extending between top and bottom surfaces. Each of the through-hole(s) is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere at the top surface. The pipe has a through-channel that extends between first and second openings. The first opening is positioned proximal to either an opening into the ventilation stack or at least one of the through-hole(s) at the bottom surface of the cover. The second opening is positioned in the interior of the vault. The device is configured to cause a portion of one of the interior and external atmospheres to flow through the through-channel toward a different one of the interior and external atmospheres.

Abstract: A system including a processor and sensor for installation inside an underground vault. The sensor monitors a parameter inside the vault and sends a monitoring signal to the processor. Based on the monitoring signal, the processor may provide data to a memory for storage and/or control signals to an interface for transmission to an external device located within the vault. The control signals instruct the external device to modify the environment inside the vault. The sensor may be positioned inside an enclosure, which is inside a housing. An air moving device moves air into or out of the enclosure thereby drawing air from the vault into the enclosure before the sensor monitors the parameter. A heat generating component may be positioned inside the housing and when generating heat prevents moisture from condensing therein. The system may include a power unit that draws power from a power source inside the vault.

Abstract: A method for use with an underground network that includes a plurality of locations. The method includes receiving sensor data from at least one sensor located at a first of the plurality of locations and determining the sensor data indicates that a fire is in progress. The method includes identifying one or more of the locations as one or more potential combustion locations and assigning an estimate of a probability to each of the potential combustion location(s). The estimate estimates a likelihood that the potential combustion location is an actual combustion source. The method may include displaying the estimate of the probability assigned to each of the one or more potential combustion locations.

Abstract: A system including a processor and sensor for installation inside an underground vault. The sensor monitors a parameter inside the vault and sends a monitoring signal to the processor. Based on the monitoring signal, the processor may provide data to a memory for storage and/or control signals to an interface for transmission to an external device located within the vault. The control signals instruct the external device to modify the environment inside the vault. The sensor may be positioned inside an enclosure, which is inside a housing. An air moving device moves air into or out of the enclosure thereby drawing air from the vault into the enclosure before the sensor monitors the parameter. A heat generating component may be positioned inside the housing and when generating heat prevents moisture from condensing therein. The system may include a power unit that draws power from a power source inside the vault.

Abstract: A system for use with a manhole vault having an internal atmosphere, and, optionally, with a ventilation stack connecting the vault to an external atmosphere. The system includes a manhole cover, a ventilation pipe, and an air moving assembly. The cover has one or more through-holes extending between top and bottom surfaces. Each of the through-hole(s) is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere at the top surface. The pipe has a through-channel that extends between first and second openings. The first opening is positioned proximal to either an opening into the ventilation stack or at least one of the through-hole(s) at the bottom surface of the cover. The second opening is positioned in the interior of the vault. The device is configured to cause a portion of one of the interior and external atmospheres to flow through the through-channel toward a different one of the interior and external atmospheres.

Abstract: A system for use with a manhole vault having an internal atmosphere, and, optionally, with a ventilation stack connecting the vault to an external atmosphere. The system includes a manhole cover, a ventilation pipe, and an air moving assembly. The cover has one or more through-holes extending between top and bottom surfaces. Each of the through-hole(s) is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere at the top surface. The pipe has a through-channel that extends between first and second openings. The first opening is positioned proximal to either an opening into the ventilation stack or at least one of the through-hole(s) at the bottom surface of the cover. The second opening is positioned in the interior of the vault. The device is configured to cause a portion of one of the interior and external atmospheres to flow through the through-channel toward a different one of the interior and external atmospheres.

Abstract: A system for circulating air inside a manhole vault. The system includes an air-moving device in fluid communication with the manhole vault and configured to circulate the air inside the manhole vault to prevent a concentration of combustible gasses or to enhance cooling therein.

Abstract: Provided are methods for extending the life of in-service electrical cable having polymeric insulation, comprising injecting into the cable a dielectric gel formulation containing: (a) Si—H endblocked polydiorganosiloxane (H(R2SiO)x(R2Si)H); (b) polydiorganosiloxane endblocked with unsaturated carbon-carbon functionality; (c) hydrosilylation catalyst suitable to cure (a) and (b); and (d) at least one organoalkoxysilane functional additive (e.g., anti-oxidant-based alkoxysilane, voltage stabilizer-based alkoxysilane, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS)-based alkoxylsilane, UV absorber-based alkoxysilane, etc.), wherein (a) and (b) are cured post-injection into a non-flowable gel, and wherein (d) diffuses into the insulation. The methods may further comprise a hydrolysis/condensation catalyst compatible with the hydrosilylation catalyst so as not to interfere with the cure of (a), (b) and (c), and/or be compatible with optional siloxane crosslinkers, and/or with optional hydrosilylation inhibitors.

Abstract: Provided are methods for extending the life of in-service electrical cable having polymeric insulation, comprising injecting a dielectric enhancement fluid composition into the cable, wherein the composition comprises: (a) one or more organoalkoxysilane functional additives (voltage stabilizer-based, hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS)-based, and/or UV absorber-based); and (b) a catalyst suitable to catalyze hydrolysis and condensation of (a), the injected composition providing for rapid initial permeation of (a) into the insulation, and extended retention of subsequent condensation products of (a) in the insulation. Additionally provided are innovative silyl functional ferrocenes (e.g., containing a ferrocene moiety and a silyl function hydrolysable to silanol) having utility as functional voltage stabilizing additives in the methods.

Abstract: A cable accessory for injecting fluid into a cable. The accessory has first and second ends configured to be coupled to the cable and an external cable accessory, respectively. The accessory has an injection port configured to introduce the fluid to a stranded conductor of the cable. The accessory may include a body and conductive rod. The body defines a through-channel configured to receive the conductor. The rod has a first portion that extends outwardly from the second end to be received inside the external cable accessory and to form an electrical connection therewith. The rod has a second portion configured to be coupled to the conductor and form an electrical connection therewith. The second portion (with the conductor coupled thereto) is positionable inside the through-channel with the first portion extending outward from the second end. The fluid is injectable into the conductor through injection port, which extends into the through-channel.

Abstract: A system including a processor and sensor for installation inside an underground vault. The sensor monitors a parameter inside the vault and sends a monitoring signal to the processor. Based on the monitoring signal, the processor may provide data to a memory for storage and/or control signals to an interface for transmission to an external device located within the vault. The control signals instruct the external device to modify the environment inside the vault. The sensor may be positioned inside an enclosure, which is inside a housing. An air moving device moves air into or out of the enclosure thereby drawing air from the vault into the enclosure before the sensor monitors the parameter. A heat generating component may be positioned inside the housing and when generating heat prevents moisture from condensing therein. The system may include a power unit that draws power from a power source inside the vault.

Abstract: A system including a processor and sensor for installation inside an underground vault. The sensor monitors a parameter inside the vault and sends a monitoring signal to the processor. Based on the monitoring signal, the processor may provide data to a memory for storage and/or control signals to an interface for transmission to an external device located within the vault. The control signals instruct the external device to modify the environment inside the vault. The sensor may be positioned inside an enclosure, which is inside a housing. An air moving device moves air into or out of the enclosure thereby drawing air from the vault into the enclosure before the sensor monitors the parameter. A heat generating component may be positioned inside the housing and when generating heat prevents moisture from condensing therein. The system may include a power unit that draws power from a power source inside the vault.

Abstract: A cable accessory for injecting fluid into a cable. The accessory has first and second ends configured to be coupled to the cable and an external cable accessory, respectively. The accessory has an injection port configured to introduce the fluid to a stranded conductor of the cable. The accessory may include a body and conductive rod. The body defines a through-channel configured to receive the conductor. The rod has a first portion that extends outwardly from the second end to be received inside the external cable accessory and to form an electrical connection therewith. The rod has a second portion configured to be coupled to the conductor and form an electrical connection therewith. The second portion (with the conductor coupled thereto) is positionable inside the through-channel with the first portion extending outward from the second end. The fluid is injectable into the conductor through injection port, which extends into the through-channel.

Abstract: A method for use with an underground network that includes a plurality of locations. The method includes receiving sensor data from at least one sensor located at a first of the plurality of locations and determining the sensor data indicates that a fire is in progress. The method includes identifying one or more of the locations as one or more potential combustion locations and assigning an estimate of a probability to each of the potential combustion location(s). The estimate estimates a likelihood that the potential combustion location is an actual combustion source. The method may include displaying the estimate of the probability assigned to each of the one or more potential combustion locations.

Abstract: A cable accessory for injecting fluid into a cable. The accessory has first and second ends configured to be coupled to the cable and an external cable accessory, respectively. The accessory has an injection port configured to introduce the fluid to a stranded conductor of the cable. The accessory may include a body and conductive rod. The body defines a through-channel configured to receive the conductor. The rod has a first portion that extends outwardly from the second end to be received inside the external cable accessory and to form an electrical connection therewith. The rod has a second portion configured to be coupled to the conductor and form an electrical connection therewith. The second portion (with the conductor coupled thereto) is positionable inside the through-channel with the first portion extending outward from the second end. The fluid is injectable into the conductor through injection port, which extends into the through-channel.

Abstract: A fitting for injecting a first fluid into an injection port of a cable accessory. The fitting includes at least one seal positioned on an injection nozzle. The nozzle is configured to be inserted into the port and has an internal fluid passageway through which the first fluid is injected into the accessory. The seal forms at least one fluid tight seal between the nozzle and the port. The fluid tight seal prevents the first fluid from exiting the accessory and flowing into an outer portion of the port and prevents a second fluid from flowing into an inner portion of the port. The first and second fluids have first and second voltage potentials, respectively. The second voltage potential is different from the first voltage potential. The seal isolates the first and second voltage potentials by isolating the first fluid from the second fluid.

Abstract: A valve assembly that includes a valve body, a poppet member, and a biasing member. The valve body has an internal through-channel. The poppet member has an inside portion positioned at least partially inside the through-channel and an outside portion positioned outside the through-channel and extending outwardly beyond the valve body. The poppet member is movable within the through-channel between an open position and a closed position. The biasing member is external to the valve housing and applies a biasing force to the outside portion of the poppet member that biases the poppet member toward the closed position.

Abstract: An insert for constructing a cable accessory used to inject a fluid into a cable. The cable accessory has an outer body defining an interior configured to house a conductor of the cable. The outer body includes an injection port with an internal channel configured to receive the fluid. The insert has first and second portions. The first portion is configured to line a portion of the interior of the cable accessory. The first portion has a first through-channel configured to allow the conductor of the cable to pass at least partway therethrough. The second portion is configured to line the internal channel of the injection port. The second portion has a second through-channel in fluid communication with the first through-channel. The insert is less permeable to the fluid than the outer body of the cable accessory. The insert may be molded into the outer body.