Abstract: A splice case for a telecommunications cable splice comprises first and second parts that are held together by springs that function also to deform surfaces of the parts to put a sealing material therein under compression. The splice case may contain a conductor organizer.

Abstract: A strained distributed optical fiber distribution network includes read and write optical fibers having taps attached thereto in series so as to strain portions of the fiber in excess of 0.60%, the strained portions being environmentally isolated by an enclosure which includes gel filled seals subject to a resilient load.

Abstract: A waterproof electrical splice enclosure for receiving a single electrical connector splicing the ends of a plurality of insulated electrical conductors extending out of the connector in the same same direction and parallel to one another. The enclosure comprises an elongated hollow tube having one open end and one closed end having a cross-section slightly larger than the connector. A connector retainer is provided to retain the electrical connector adjacent the closed end of the tube with the insulated electrical conductors extending out of the open end of the tube, and the tube contains a waterproofing fluid which will not flow out of the tube but which will flow around the connector as it is slid into the tube to provide a waterproof seal around the connector and around and between the insulated conductors. A cap is connected to the tube at its open end by a hinge and has a bulbous protrusion to fit into and close the open end of the tube, and latch retains the cap in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing and sealing plural conductive wires comprising a support member and a flexible sealant held in the interior of the support member and a method for splicing and sealing plural conductive wires employing the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for sealing an open end of a sheathed cable. After removing a length of insulating jacket, the open end of the cable is placed in a pressure block and a viscous sealant material is injected into the block and into the open end of the cable. After injection, the cable is removed from the block and the sealant allowed to cure to a gel-like consistency. Fluid which may invade the interior of the cable above the seal is, therefore, prevented from passing by the seal and entering a transducer or other instrument secured to the end of the cable. In the preferred embodiment, a cable head, O-ring and transducer body are also provided to enclose the transducer in a substantially waterproof housing.

Abstract: A two piece enclosure having a separate cover and a hollow body into which is placed a multiplicity of wires which have had the insulation stripped away adjacent their respective ends so they can be connected together by a connector. The hollow body is partially filled with a waterproof gel and the connector and ends of the connected wires are placed into the hollow body so that they are immersed within the waterproof gel. The top of the hollow body and the cover have aligned openings to permit a respective wire to extend out of the closed assembly through the aligned openings after the cover has been placed on the body. The cover further comprises a centrally disposed rod which extends transversely to the interior of the cover and is aligned with the connector.

Abstract: Polymeric electrically conductive apparatus such as electric connectors are disclosed. These connectors employ a polymeric conductive material such as a conductive epoxy having conductive particles dispersed therein sufficient to establish electrical conductivity. These conductive materials are at least initially deformable such that electrical conductors may be inserted within an envelope containing the conductive material and electrical continuity for a prescribed circuit can be verified before structurally affixing the conductors to the envelope. Embodiments having radially collapsible envelopes for forming splice connectors and multicontact configurations employing rigid dielectric housings are disclosed.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement having a pre-sealing element and a pourable sealing compound. The sealing arrangement is intended for use in electrical cables where several insulated conductors are enclosed within an insulating hose. To achieve the desired moisture-resistant sealing effect with minimal expenditure of time and material, and to avoid damage to the cable and/or conductors, the pre-sealing element is in the form of an elastic sheath which encloses all the individual conductors at a pre-set location. The sheath comprises a tubular portion which tightly encloses the conductors, pressing them together, and a funnel-shaped portion joined with it, which fits tightly against the wall of the insulating hose.

Abstract: A closure for an electric cable splice includes first and second generally rectangular shell segments having side walls and end walls constructed and arranged to be telescopically secured together. A threaded fastener is connectable to extend through the first and second shell segments and is adapted to urge the shell segments together with sufficient force to extrude sealant in the first and second shell segments through entrance openings to encapsulate ends of spliced cables to provide a moistureproof seal between the spliced cables and the end wall adjacent the entrance openings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealed cable article and method for sealing the area between two or more cables and between the cables and an enclosure with a shaped article at a location where the cables exit from the enclosure, the method comprising (a) providing a shaped article of a polymeric gel said gel having (i) a cone penetration value of about 30 to about 450 (10.sup.-1 mm), and (ii) an elongation of from about 25% to about 750%; (b) positioning the shaped article around the cables; and (c) positioning the enclosure such that it surrounds the shaped article. An article aspect of the invention comprises two or more cables, an enclosure surrounding the cables, and a polymeric gel having the properties as described above sealing the area between the cables and the enclosure.

Abstract: A device for insulating and re-insulating cable splices and terminations in which a housing encloses and defines a space around a portion of the cable to be insulated. An insulating gel fills the space. The insulating gel is formed of an imbibitive lightly crosslinked polymer having an insulating fluid such as mineral oil entrapped in the polymer network thereof. The polymer before it combines with the oil is granular, in the form of a multiplicity of imbiber beads. The imbiber beads may be formed of a styrene or alkylstyrene polymer.

Abstract: A method for sealing the interstices between individual cables of a cable bundle to achieve the sealing of the cable bundle in the longitudinal direction applying a liquid resin system to the area between the cables, the system comprising the reaction of a polyisocyanate and at least one fatty acid polyol having a hydroxy number of at least about 150 and an acid number of no greater than about 1.0, followed by curing thereof to a non-flowable state.

Abstract: An enclosure for sealing, insulating and strain relieving a conductor splice of insulated electrical wires. The enclosure (34) has a molded housing (26) with a plurality of mirror-imaged cavities (38) for receiving and restraining spliced conductors (10) and the adjacent insulated portions of the electrical wires. A mastic sealer (2) may be disposed upon the internal face of the enclosure. The enclosure containing the mastic sealer is subsequently locked about the spliced portion of the insulated wires.

Abstract: A splice case for encapsulating a substrate includes first and second containers each of which contain a gel having a cone penetration between 100 and 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, the gel in each container having an exposed surface, one exposed surface having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the other exposed surface, the first and second containers being adapted for telescopic engagement.

Abstract: Environmental sealing may be achieved by means of a flexible envelope having therein a sealing material having a cone penetration value preferably from 100-350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100%. The material is preferably mechanically deformed preferably by shear and preferably causing it to be comminuted.

Abstract: A fiber optic fan-out module has a channel for receiving a fiber optic cable and a groove adjacent the channel for receiving protective filaments from the cable. The module further has an anchor block with a passage therethrough for receiving a loose protective sleeve assembly. The anchor block has a groove for receiving protective filaments from the sleeve assembly.

Abstract: A gel-filled cap member having a retaining nut member therein for receiving a threaded contact member and a notch, at the open end of the cap member, for at least partially receiving a wire to be connected to the threaded contact member. The cap member may also have a portion at the open end of the cap member which is defined by reinforced wall having an increased cross-sectional area. Further, the cap member may have a plunger portion at the closed end of the cap member for applying increased pressure to the gel.

Abstract: A closure structure for a telecommunications splice having two housing halves which, when joined together, provide a splice chamber surrounded by a space which is sealed with moisture blocking material. For this purpose, each housing half has two spaced-apart walls with the walls of the two halves coacting to provide the space upon assembly.

Abstract: An article for protecting a multiconductor connector comprising a container containing a layer of gel. In one embodiment the container can be moved relative to the container to compress the gel to seal the connector. In another embodiment the gel layer contains a plurality of holes which tend to close when the gel is compressed.

Abstract: A sealant applicator comprising an enclosure body which is openable to receive structure defining a junction locus into its interior space. Means are provided for introducing a flowable sealant into the interior space of the enclosure, e.g., a fill tube open at one end and joined at its opposite end in closed-flow communication with the enclosure body, to deposit sealant material at the junction locus. A sealant application apparatus is also disclosed, comprising a sealant applicator of the aforementioned type, secured to the nozzle of a pressurized container containing the sealant material. The sealant applicator of the invention is particularly useful for applying electromagnetic interference- and RF leakage-blockingly effective sealant materials to cable junctions, e.g., a junction formed by a coaxial cable and a cable television junction box.

Abstract: An article that may be employed to protect a substrate by wrapping the article around the substrate. The article comprises a flexible matrix which is composed of a first material and comprises a plurality of open interstices, the interstices having an average volume of less than 0.01 inch.sup.3 ; and an impregnant which is composed of a second material which has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and comprises a plurality of interconnected segments which lie within the interstices of the matrix. The matrix and the impregnant are such that, when the article is stretched, the matrix reaches its ultimate elongation before the impregnant reaches its ultimate elongation.

Abstract: A method and arrangement are provided to generate an environmental seal around a connection such as an electrical junction. The arrangement comprises a pad arrangement having a substrate and a sealant pad associated therewith. The sealant pad comprises a highly viscous sealant which, under pressure, can be forced into areas between adjacent wires, to provide effective moisture seals. According to preferred methods of the present invention a substrate having sealant thereon is folded around a junction to be sealed, such that the substrate retains the sealant against the electrical junction. In a step of the preferred method, pressure is applied to the enclosed sealant pad, generating hydraulic forces contained in such a manner as to the direct sealant between adjacent wires, spreading same apart. In preferred applications, preferred direction of sealant is facilitated by a preferred pressure die arrangement.

Abstract: A splice case for a telecommunications cable splice comprises first and second parts that are held together by springs that function also to deform surfaces of the parts to put a sealing material therein under compression. The splice case may contain a conductor organizer.

Abstract: This invention provides new heat transfer materials comprising gels and particulate fillers and having a composite heat transfer coefficient greater than 2 watts/m-.degree. K. and preferably greater than 15. The materials are easily conformable to irregularly shaped surfaces and have low TO-3 thermal impedance values, e.g., less than 0.5 at 300 psi mounting pressure.

Abstract: An environmental closure and method are provided, for use in generating an environmental seal about wire splices or the like. The preferred closure comprises a unitary construction having an outer, openable, shell with an internal biasing mechanism. In use, viscous sealant material is positioned within the closure such that the biasing mechanism generally forces sealant material around a junction to be sealed and, in particular, between adjacent wires in such junctions. In one application relatively highly viscous sealant material is utilized in association with junctions in a manner according to the present invention. In another general application, a relatively low viscosity sealant is used; the low viscosity sealant being generally bordered by high viscosity sealant, to inhibit leakage outwardly from a closure during use.

Abstract: A waterproof electrical splice enclosure for receiving an electrical connector connecting the ends of a plurality of insulated electrical conductors extending out of the connector in the same direction and parallel to one another. The enclosure comprises an elongate hollow tube having one open end and one closed end and having a cross-section slightly larger than the connector. A connector retainer is provided to retain the electrical connector adjacent the closed end of the tube with the insulated electrical conductors extending out of the open end of the tube, and the tube contains a waterproofing fluid which will not flow out of the tube but which will flow around the connector as it is slid into the tube to provide a waterproof seal around the connector and around and between the insulated conductors. A cap is connected to the tube at its open end by a hinge and has a bulbous protrusion to fit into and close the open end of the tube, and a latch retains the cap in the closed position.

Abstract: A connector having a housing with a number of cavities that receive connector pins is conformally coated. A thixotropic, curable material is used to seal-off the cavities at the end where the contact tails for the connector pins emerge from the housing. The sealing material seals off the cavities from the environment but does not extend so far into the cavities that electrically insulates the connector portion of the connector pins. The sealing material is preferably both ultravioletly-curable for rapid curing and heat-curable to cure the material in shadow areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing a splice joining at least first and second cable segments prevents water from entering the splice. The apparatus includes a flexible reservoir sealingly attachable to a sealing surface of an end plate assembly. The end plate assembly is sealingly attachable to the cable segments. The pressurized splice closure sections sealingly engage one another and the end plates. The method includes forming a reservoir about the splice, sealing the reservoir to the first and second conductor segments or to the end plates, forming an opening in the reservoir, pouring a curable encapsulant into the reservoir, working the encapsulant into intersitices between the conductors in the cable segments, sealing the reservoir, enclosing the reservoir in a splice closure and pressurizing the splice closure. This method combines a curable encapsulant such as a two-part polyurethane with a pressurized closure such as a 2-type, gas pressurized closure.

Abstract: A connection system for electrical conductors is disclosed. The system involves an outer sheath manufactured from a material transparent to ultraviolet light. A tubular, deformable crimp ferrule is inserted within the sheath. Thereafter, a portion of ultraviolet-curable adhesive is placed within the ends of the sheath, which are covered with cap members to retain the adhesive inside. To connect the conductors (e.g. insulated wires or cables) the ends thereof are pushed through the cap members, through the ultraviolet-curable adhesive, and into the crimp ferrule. The crimp ferrule is then deformed to securely engage the ends of the conductors. Ultraviolet light is subsequently applied which passes through the sheath, causing the adhesive to solidify. The foregoing process produces a strong and secure bond between the conductors, and is readily adaptable to large-scale, mass production manufacturing conditions using a minimal amount of time and labor.

Abstract: A waterproof housing which is intended to be buried in the ground, and which serves to protect the splices of buried electrical cables such as are used, for example, in irrigation control systems. The housing is formed of two identical half-sections configured to snap together around the crimped splice of two or more cables. Each half-section is pre-filled with a plastic insulating gel which becomes adhesively attached to the crimping sleeve of the splice and which forms a perimeter seal around the splice. Troughs are provided at one end of each section as a means of entry for wires to be spliced. Thin frangible dams are molded onto the outer ends of the troughs to maintain the gel in the half-sections during filling, and which are crushed by the cables when the two half-sections are pressed together.

Abstract: A two-component settable liquid is mixed in a tube to start the setting of the liquid. A pair of electrical cables are separately fed through a retaining cap and a splice is made between the cables. The splice is inserted into the mixed settable liquid and the retaining cap is secured on the tube to hold the splice in the mixed settable liquid while the liquid sets to form a seal about the splice. Various structure is also shown to pressurize the contents of the tube to force the settable liquid into and around the splice.

Abstract: A wire entrance fitting for eliminating leakage through a side wall of a tank has a tubular member which is externally threaded at opposed ends. Plural, threaded members are received in the tubular member and extend through an encapsulating, generally inert material. A first end of the threaded members receives an exposed wire from a cathodic protection system positioned in the tank for inhibiting corrosion, is crimped thereto, and sealingly encapsulated by a resinous material. A second end of the threaded members extends outwardly from the tank for connection to an external power supply. A flange is disposed along the tubular member and extends outwardly therefrom. The flange facilitates receipt of a junction box in one arrangement and positions an elastomeric seal member along an inner face of the tank side wall in a second arrangement.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of providing an injection molding heated nozzle with an improved electrical terminal. A plug is seated in a radial opening in the collar portion with heating element extending through it and the rear end of the heating element projecting a minimum distance from the front surface of the plug. The insulation and casing are stripped from the projecting portion and the exposed resistance wire is welded to a flat surface on a larger diameter threaded conductive stud. A sleeve having a threaded and broached inner surface is mounted over the stud with the outer end of the stud projecting beyond the outer end of the sleeve. The plug and sleeve are integrally brazed in place during the brazing step forming the rest of the nozzle. A liquid ceramic insulating material is poured to fill the space between the stud and the surrounding sleeve.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cable closure which includes a central closure body and a pair of end caps preferably made from structural foam situated at each end of the closure body. There is also disclosed a cable block which includes void filling material selectively inserted among the insulated conductors of the cable and a directional control device which consists of a conduit also selectively inserted among the insulated conductors of the cable. Together the cable closure, cable block and directional control device make up the splice closure system. There may also be provided a heat recoverable seal adhesively attached to the cable closure in which case there will also be provided means for preventing milk-off of the seal from the cable closure. finally, there is disclosed a method for forming the cable block.

Abstract: A closure and method for protecting a splice connecting at least two cables. The closure includes a flexible reservoir positioned around the splice, a curable liquid sealant introduced into the reservoir, a means applied to the reservoir for increasing the pressure therein and a pressure measuring tube communicating between the inside and outside of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for sealing a port in a wall through which an element is passed, comprising the steps of combining a water based fire-resistant liquid sealing material and a solid water absorbing means which will swell to prevent shrinkage to form a mixture that seals, and introducing the mixture into the port to seal the port. Materials and compositions for carrying out the method are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides articles and methods for surface protection which comprises a layer of a gel material having a cone penetration of about 100 to about 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 100% and a covering layer of a flexible material which is flexible when installed on the surface to be protected and is hardenable or curable so that after installation the covering layer hardens to hold the gel layer in position and protect the gel layer from mechanical and other environmental conditions. This invention is particularly suitable for providing surface protection for underwater structures by applying the gel layer to displace the water from the surface which is underwater and providing a water curable covering layer which, after being applied to the surface, cures underwater to provide the required mechanical protection for the gel layer.

Abstract: An electrical medium voltage cable connection enclosure for an oil-filled, paper-insulated cable has a spacer body arranged between a core connection area and a shielding enclosure. The spacer body is a prefabricated, resilient, open-pore foam material body which has an air-free filler of electricity insulating, flowable, impregnating compound and is longitudinally split and put under a resilient pressing force by the shielding enclosure.

Abstract: A cable connection head is disclosed, in which a well logging cable is inserted through an upper head housing of a head housing consisting of a lower head housing coupled to an upper portion of a measuring instrument housing and the upper head housing coupled to an upper portion of the lower head housing, armoring wires of the well logging cable secured to the upper head housing, and core wires of the well logging cable are connected to a connector which is fittedly secured to the lower head housing. A metal covered cable of the well logging cable is constructed by accommodating a plurality of core wires and filling with an electric insulating material in a metal tube. The lower head housing and metal covered cable are reliably sealed to each other such as to be able to withstand high temperature by inserting the metal tube of the metal covered cable through the lower head housing and securing the metal tube by means of welding around the entire outer periphery to the top of the lower head housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article for sealing the exposed portion an electrical connection, especially motor connections, of two or more cables comprising an envelope, having an opening at one end, of a material having a flexural modulus of at least 1,000 psi at 23.degree. C. The envelope contains a polymeric gel having a cone penetration value of about 30 to about 400 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an elongation of from about 25% to about 850% and further comprises a retaining means for retaining the polymeric gel and envelope on the electrical connection.

Abstract: A connection between a junction box and an optical fiber cable having an axial strength member, said strength member being constituted by braided fibers or by a composite material including fibers, e.g. a guard cable for a high tension line. The fibers of the axial strength member (2) are splayed out into a tuft (4) at the end (3) of the cable and are held fast in a cold-polymerized resin (5) which fills a cavity in a receptacle (6) which is fixed to said box.

Abstract: A cable closure includes two spaced end plugs (110-110) through which cable nd portions extend and two cover portions (60-60) which are mated together along tongue and groove portions and held together by C-shaped clamps that engage the tongue and groove portions. Conductors of the cables are spliced together and enclosed in a membranous container (40) which subsequently is caused to be filled with an encapsulant. The cover portions, which in a preferred embodiment are identical, include internally disposed plates each having spaced end strap portions which secure the cable end portions extending through the end plugs into the closure at locations external to the membranous container and prevent unintended lateral, longitudinal and torsional movement of the splice work relative to the encapsulant.

Abstract: A splice between two multiconductor cables is protected from ingress of water by a closure which contains a pressure means such as a bladder inside the closure capable of pressurizing a sealant present inside the closure to a pressure sufficient to force the sealant into the interstices of the splice and the interstices between the conductors in the cable, and maintaining the pressure until the sealant cures or hardens. The pressure means may also interact with seals at the end of the closure to seal the closure to the cable jacket.

Abstract: A cast cable connection comprising cables having their conductors interconnected and surrounding the conductors a housing containing a cured filler resin therein, said housing comprising bound, flexible, ceramic particles.

Abstract: An integral safety-grade pressurizer heater power supply connector assembly which can withstand severe environmental conditions such as a loss of coolant accident and main steam-line break while providing uninterrupted power to a pressurizer heater in a pressurized water nuclear reactor system.

Abstract: An end cap for protecting a substrate includes an outer band disposed around a gel container in a vicinity of a crimp ring, the outer band protecting the container from being pierced by a crimping tool, and keeping a material of the container deformed subsequent to crimping the crimp ring so as to prevent separation between the container and the crimp ring due to relaxation.

Abstract: A termination closure (20) for buried or underground service cable splice locations includes molded stepped end blocks (40--40) and a cover (100) which comprises a sheet adapted to be wrapped about service cables (28--28) having conductors (26--26) which are spliced to conductors (24--24) of a distribution cable (22) and secured by clamps. The closure also includes a pivotally mounted organizer (80) which is perforated to allow an encapsulant to be flowed therethrough into engagement with an enclosing bladder (90). The organizer effectively isolates splice connections from the distribution cable core (23). The bladder which is wrapped about the organizer is adapted to receive encapsulant from a tube which extends through one of the end blocks to allow it to be flowed into the interstices among the spliced conductors and distribution cable core. Air in the closure is pushed from one end of the closure and evacuated through a relief valve (59) in the other end block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for protection of a substrate, e.g. an electrical contact. The apparatus comprises a support member and an encapsulant which has a cone penetration value of 100 to 350 (10.sup.-1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, and preferably an elastic modulus of less than 10.sup.7 dynes/cm.sup.2. The encapsulant and the substrate are pressed together so that the encapsulant is deformed into close and conforming contact with the substrate. Preferably at least part of the deformation is elastic deformation.

Abstract: A submergible motor pump assembly with easy access to any part of the assembly by dismantling minimum elements, i.e. without requiring disassembly of the whole and without requiring discharge of lubricating oil for a mechanical seal. Also, plural balance holes are provided in the main plate of the impeller, and a liner ring is disposed between the main plate and the top wall of the impeller chamber, to establish the flow passage from the tip of the impeller blades through the gap between the main plate and the top wall of the chamber to the balance holes, with flow zones restricted by the liner ring. The five part input power connector includes a tapered rubber boot clamped to a plastic cap in which the terminals are further sealed in place by a resin fill.

Abstract: An armored submarine cable joint comprising a tubular housing with internally tapered end portions closely fitting the outer sheath of the submarine cable wherein the armoring wires or tapes adjacent each cable end are splayed and deformed within each tapered end portion. The housing is fabricated from glass filament wound epoxy resin material. The completed joint is potted with a filled epoxy resin system.