Abstract: A reenterable splice closure and method of making and applying the same is disclosed having a pair of mating housings with an internal rigid telescoping support collar located at the seam between the two housings, and a first heat shrinkable sleeve surrounding and sealably shrunk down over the mating ends of the housings sealing the seam and extending the end of one housing for heat shrinking down onto cables leading from a splice enclosed in the housing. The enclosure can be reopened by cutting the splice along a line over the seam, and after the closure has been reassembled with the housings again in mating position, a new heat shrinkable sleeve is applied down over the cut in the first shrinkable sleeve.

Abstract: A latent curing fibre is produced by coating a glass fibre with an (optional) thermoplastic (polyamide) adhesion-promoting layer, a (preferably brittle) curing agent layer (e.g. styrene/maleic anhydride), and a flexible curable layer of epoxy plus curable polyester. Composites of this fibre with non-reactive glass braids consolidate and cure exceptionally well under a heat-shrink sleeve to provide Class F electrical insulation.

Abstract: A sleeve formed of shrinkable material has a longitudinal closure formed of projections and corresponding cut-outs along two longitudinal edges of the closure. The projections of the two longitudinal edges are offset relative to one another and have at least a partially clearly defined reinforcement in relation to the encasing component. When the projections have been fitted together, a retaining element is applied at least periodically to the reinforcements which have been fitted together in series.

Abstract: A closure for a cable splice is disclosed which comprises a main sleeve and two end structures. One end structure is secured to the sleeve by means of a locking ring screwed onto a cap of the end structure. The sleeve has an internal flange and the cap has an external flange which lies adjacent the flange of the sleeve. Engagement between the flanges prevents the end structure being withdrawn from the sleeve. The end structure is connected to the sleeve by means of a split clamping ring which is held in place by a tightening ring. Once the ring has been loosened and slid back, and the clamping ring and tightening ring removed, the sleeve can be slid back over the cable to provide access to the splice.

Abstract: A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink aobut the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.

Abstract: A recoverable polymeric material is coated with discrete regions of a sealant, such as a mastic, and of a heat-activatable adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive. The coated material forms a sleeve which may be of tubular or wrap-around configuration. The sleeve may be used to cover weld joints in polyethylene coated steel pipes. The sealant ensures a flexible water-proof seal around the weld and the adhesive provides a second seal and prevents any long range movement between the sleeve and the pipe.

Abstract: A sleeve for enclosing a cable connection, comprising a bendable sheet adapted to be laid around the cable connection. The sheet has a series of equally spaced longitudinal cuts in at least one marginal portion to be arranged transversely of the longitudinal direction of the cable connection. The cuts subdivide the marginal portion into tongues so that as the sheet is laid around the cable connection, the tongues can be laid with a partial overlap tapering down onto the cable sheath at the end of the cable connection. The longitudinal cuts are formed by cutting lines which extend in a direction deivating from the longitudinal direction so that the free ends of the tongues are offset with respect to the base portions of the tongues in a direction transversely of the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A shrinkable cable sleeve which is composed of a shrinkable envelope having a meltable inside layer and an inner cable insert. The inner cable insert is composed of a plurality of layers, wherein one layer is activatable by the application of heat, and the plurality of layers includes a basic foil layer and reinforcing elements which may be in a separate layer or embedded in the activatable layer. During assembly, a pressure tight cable sleeve will be produced by fusing the two activatable layers together.

Abstract: A sleeve, which finds particular application in the environmental sealing of joints between insulated pipes, comprises heat-recoverable polymeric sheet material provided at separate regions of a principle surface thereof with a layer of a heat-activatable adhesive for bonding the sheet to the pipe insulation, and a layer of a sealant to accommodate flexibility in the joint. A layer of a sealing material, having an elongation modulus greater than that of the sealant, overlies at least part of the sealant layer, to improve the pressure retention properties of the sleeve.

Abstract: Curable compositions which are useful for encapsulating electrical connections and for joining metals to metals, and which comprise a mixture of high and low molecular weight fluorocarbon elastomers. Preferred compositions comprise a mixture of three fluorocarbon elastomers, the first having a Mooney viscosity at 121.degree. C. of at least 120, the second a Mooney viscosity at 121.degree. C. of 80 to 110, and the third a Brookfield viscosity at 100.degree. C. of 1,000 to 4,000 centipoises, in amounts 5 to 50%, 25 to 70% and 5 to 50% respectively, based on the weight of the polymeric component. The compositions can be easily molded under heat and pressure, and after they have been cured, they have remarkable resistance to degradation by hot liquids, even under pressure. Consequently, the compositions are very useful in the manufacture of self-regulating heaters for use in heating the production tubes of oil wells.

Abstract: A terminal assembly or part for closing a conduit opening in a fitting, conduit socket or conduit includes a shrink tube having one end shrunk onto the conduit opening and the opposite end closed by an end part which may include a supporting element. In one embodiment, additional supporting elements are provided besides the supporting element of the end part. If an elongated object is to be inserted into the opening, at least a portion of the end part is removed to enable insertion of the elongated object such as a cable with the removal being accomplished without damaging any of the shrink tube so that a subsequent heat-shrinking of the tube onto the inserted elongated object will form a sealing closure with the object as the remains of the end part are expelled from the assembly.

Abstract: The invention involves a heat-shrinkable connection comprising a longitudinal channel and a cooperating element thickened at its end. The channel is composed of lateral leg parts which are dimensionally stable under the application of heat, and of at least one shrink region adaptable to the cooperating element in positively locking fashion under the application of heat. The shrink region in the connecting region thereby facilitates the joining of the connecting elements along the formed parts to be connected or along the longitudinal edges of an envelope.

Abstract: A longitudinally divided sleeve of shrinkable material has a lock closure along longitudinal edges. One of the longitudinal edges includes a closure element having a locking groove formed by two longitudinally extending leg portions, a second longitudinal edge being provided with a locking element having a longitudinally extending hook part having a resilient projection which is received in the locking groove to form the lock closure. The resilient projection prevents the accidental removal of the hook part from the locking groove and preferably the material forming the two elements has a higher cross-linking than the remaining portions of the heat-shrinkable sleeve.

Abstract: A longitudinally divided cable sleeve has a U-shaped clamp element which coacts with a flexible sheet of heat shrinkable material having a closure element formed along one longitudinal edge. The closure element has a base connected by a neck portion to a longitudinally extending bead around which a portion of the flexible sheet opposite the closure element is wrapped and held by assembling the clamping element thereon. Since the closure element coacts with any portion of the flexible material, the diameter of the sleeve can be matched to the diameter of the article being enveloped in the sleeve.

Abstract: An article comprising a magnetic shielding thermoplastic polymeric material containing a powdery ferrite and a heat shrinkable thermoplastic polymeric material layer. Due to its specific structure, this article is excellent in applicability over any electrical component, and may provide over the component a cover having excellent magnetic shielding and mechanical strength properties. It may also bring about a substantial increase in inductance of the component.

Abstract: A connection insulator for a dynamoelectric machine having a magnetic core and at least one winding arranged thereon comprising a plurality of coils of wire conductors with end turns thereof projecting beyond side faces of the core and being subject to pressure forces during compacting and forming and with lead wires extending therefrom. The insulator is formed of a flexible heat-shrinkable electrical insulating material and comprises a tubular portion with an open end adapted to receive an electrical connection joining at least one of the lead wires with another wire and a closed end with an integral flat tab portion extending axially therefrom at a junction with the tubular portion. A substantial part of the tab portion spaced from the junction is adapted to be grippingly engaged by the end turns of one of the coils and a substantial part of the tubular portion spaced from the junction is adapted to be grippingly engaged by the end turns of an adjoining coil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a termination device which includes a dimensionally heat-unstable tubular member and a dimensionally heat-unstable insert. The insert is positioned within the tubular member and is in abutting relationship therewith. The termination device may further include a fusible insert or inserts which may be thermoplastic polymeric materials or solder or both. The dimensionally heat-unstable insert is recoverable and the fusible insert or inserts, if present, are meltable at a temperature used to recover the dimensionally heat-unstable tubular member.

Abstract: An electronic circuit board, together with the components, circuits, and wiring patterns thereon, is encapsulated by a single heat-shrink tubing layer, or the like for insulation from environmental factors. A method for the encapsulation is disclosed, as well as products incorporating the inventive approach.

Abstract: A cable sleeve for covering a cable splice. An enveloping hose of heat shrinkable material is on its inside provided with a hot melt adhesive coating. A device designed cross-shaped in cross-section for support of the cable ends is inserted between the cables. The device is of hot melt adhesive whose fusion point is below that of the material of the hot melt adhesive coating.

Abstract: A branch-off between telecommunications cables (5) may be sealed by means of an electrically heat-recoverable sleeve (1) and a branch-off clip (2) which holds together circumferentially spaced portions of the sleeve (1) between the branching cables (5). The clip (2) has an inner leg of heat-activatable sealing material which in use is positioned in the sleeve (1) between the cables (5). The sealing material is activated by the heat generated in the sleeve (1) during recovery.

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 seal between an object such as a cable, cable splice or branch-off, and a surface such as a recoverable sleeve by means of a flexible envelope containing a void-filling composition. The void-filling composition undergoes a change from a low viscosity on installation, which allows the flexible envelope to conform to the object, to a high viscosity after installation, which gives mechanical strength to the seal. Deformation of the flexible envelope on installation may be brought about by installation of the recoverable sleeve or other surrounding surface.

Abstract: Voltage stress control cones for high voltage cable terminations are produced by premolding and radially expanding to mechanically prestress. The mechanically prestressed premolded cone is slipped over the insulation of a cable end and heat relaxed to shrink tightly over the cable. The cone is fabricated from cross-linkable polyethylene or other cross-linkable polymeric material having substantially the same electrical and thermal characteristics as the cross-linked polymeric insulation of the cable. A semiconductive layer of cross-linked polymeric material provides the transition between the insulation of the cone and the semiconductive insulation shield of the cable.

Abstract: A heater for heating a heat shrinkable tube fitted over an elongated member includes a base having an elongated support plate of a thermally conductive material for supporting the heat shrinkable tube on one surface thereof. The support plate has a heating portion at a central portion thereof. The heat shrinkable tube is adapted to be placed on the support plate along a length thereof with the opposite end portions of the tube disposed outwardly of the opposite ends of the heating portion, respectively. A heating element is disposed in contact with the other surface of the support portion and disposed in registry with the heating portion. The heating element is operable to first heat the heating portion and then the opposite end portions of the support portion extending outwardly from the opposite ends of the heating portion through heat transfer, so that the heat shrinkable tube is heat shrunk from its central portion toward the opposite ends thereof.

Abstract: A branch-off region at an end of a sleeve (2), enclosing for example a branch in a telecommunications cable, is sealed by a method which includes positioning at the end of the sleeve (2) some means for example a clip (1) or a filling piece that forms terminal conduits (3), positioning a heat-activatable adhesive (5) in the end, and activating the adhesive by a heating means such as an electrical heater.

Abstract: An electrical boot for the bus bar joints of electrical metal-clad switchgear is taught. The boot is formed by taking a piece of heat shrinkable material, disposing it over a joint or similar construction, heating and shrinking the material so that it shrinks to the shape of the joint or construction in question while at the same time, providing on two opened edges thereof a clamped chill bar which does not allow those portions to cohere to each other so that the boot may be removed after the formation process and easily disposed upon a bus bar joint located within the tight confines of a metal-clad switchgear cabinet. The process may be utilized to form metal-clad switchgear having bus bars with a heat-shrunk insulating boot on the joints thereof. Furthermore during the production process, a bolt envelope simulating template or jig may be utilized to fill out the area on the finalized boot which roughly corresponds to the outer dimensions of the bolt and nut arrangement.

Abstract: A shrinkable tubular article comprises a tubular inner elastomeric member held in a radially expanded configuration by a tubular outer restraining means. The restraining means is prepared from a blend of a relatively rigid thermoplastic material and a segmented copolymer having at least one segment compatible with the thermoplastic and at least one segment compatible with the elastomer of the inner member. Optionally, the restraining means contains a tackifier. The inner surface of the outer member and the outer surface of the inner member are directly bonded together (i.e. without an interfacial adhesive). The bond between the members is sufficiently strong to restrain the inner elastomer member from shrinking to, or toward, its unexpanded configuration. In addition, the bond weakens sufficiently on application of solvent to permit the elastomeric member to peel away from the restraining outer member.

Abstract: The present invention involves a cable splice protective insert for cable sleeves. The insert should be of shrinkable material comprising a central part of cylindrical halfshells (1, 2) and deformable side parts (3, 4, 5) for diameter reduction at the cable introduction ends of the faces of the cylinder. The side parts (3, 4, 5) are firmly attached to at least one halfshell (1, 2) and have a corrugation running in the longitudinal direction of the insert. Therefore, a diameter reduction can be obtained in simple manner by applying a radial pressure to the corrugated ends.

Abstract: This invention relates to heat-shrinkable devices for forming solder connections between electrical conductors. The devices each comprise of a hollow, heat-shrinkable sleeve having first and second ends, and contain a quantity of solder. Both ends contain heat-softenable sealing material which seal the ends upon recovery of the article, the sealing material at the second end being less responsive to heat than the sealing material at the first end. The conductors to be connected are inserted into the first end of the sleeve and the sleeve recovered. Because the sealing material at the second end does not seal the second end until after the sealing material at the first end has recovered about the inserted conductors at the first end, any hot gases evolved within the article can exit the article via the second end. The invention enables a reliable connection to be made between electrical conductors that are provided with heat-sensitive insulation.

Abstract: A heat recoverable coupling assembly for substrates having a relatively rigid outer wall, which includes a connector body and a driver member made from a band of heat recoverable material. The connector body includes a mating area for engaging a mating area on the rigid wall of the substrate. The connector body is positioned inside or outside the substrate and the driver member is positioned around the outside member. The driver member has an unrecovered transverse dimension larger than the outside member and a recovered transverse dimension smaller than the outside member. The driver member is positioned around the outside member over at least part of the mating areas. Upon heating the driver member to its recovery temperature, the driver member deforms the outside member and itself plastically deforms to a shape suitable for retaining the substrate and the connector body together. The driver member is made from heat recoverable engineering plastics.

Abstract: A tubular heat recoverable article has two layers in thermal contact, one inside the other. The two layers have appreciably different recovery temperatures. Shrinking of the article on to a substrate is effected by applying heat to the outer layer (1) of higher recovery temperature such that conduction to the inner layer (2) of lower recovery temperature ensures that the inner layer (2) reaches its recovery temperature, and thus becomes elastomeric, before the outer layer begins to recover. The article, which may be used in an electric power cable splice, thus combines good storage life with good recovery time.

Abstract: A branch-off seal between a heat-recoverable sleeve, such as a tubular or wrap-around sleeve made from cross-linked polymeric material, and two or more substrates such as electrical cables is effected by using one or more clips the outer legs of which are positioned over the outer surface of the sleeve so as to form an appropriate number of conduits and applying heat to cause the sleeve to shrink about the substrates positioned within the conduits. The preferred clips are formed as a trident, the central leg of which extends into the heat-recoverable sleeve and is provided with a layer of a hot-melt adhesive or another sealant so as to enhance the seal formed at the branch-off.

Abstract: An article comprising a generally axially extending outer, tubular member, a plurality of generally axially extending cylindrical members, and a heat expandable foam sealing member. The outer tubular member has at least one opening and occupies a predetermined volume. Each of the cylindrical members is received by outer tubular member in an axially extending, parallel fashion such that the cylindrical members occupy a volume that is less than the volume of the outer tubular member. The sealing member, capable of sealing the opening of outer tubular member, occupies a volume that is generally equal to the difference between the volume of the outer tubular member and the volume of the cylindrical members.

Abstract: This invention involves an insert (1) for a shrinkable cable sleeve of heat-resistant and water vapor-impermeable material with a longitudinally split central part (2) and at least one lateral part (10) which has incisions (4, 4a) for the formation of a conical transition. The incisions (4, 4a, 5) in the lateral part (10, 13) are cut obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the insert (1) through an incision angle (EW), so that obliquely projecting strips (3, 7, 8) are formed which, after the insert (1) has been wrapped, for example, around a cable splice, can be turned in spirally to form conically extending transition areas.

Abstract: A recoverable fabric for example a weave having a conductive metal warp and a recoverable polymeric weft may be provided with solder to provide an article for screening electrical components.

Abstract: A tubular wire marker sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve includes a central portion which is flattened by ultrasonic welding to form a releasable bond and end extents which are unflattened facilitating insertion of an electrical wire into the sleeve. Plural sleeves may be assembled on a support card for printing on the sleeve with a conventional typewriter or computer printer.

Abstract: A heat recoverable tubular composite article comprising an inner layer comprising a crosslinked elastomeric polymeric material having a modulus at 100% elongation at 20.degree. C. of about 40 to about 900 pounds per square inch and an outer layer comprising a thermoplastic material having a 2% secant modulus at 20.degree. C. of about 5,000 to about 100,000 pounds per square inch said composite article (1) being formed by coextrusion, (2) having a direct bond between said layers with a peel strength of at least 6 pounds per linear inch, and (3) being in a radically expanded configuration, said thermoplastic outer layer being capable of retaining the elastomeric inner layer in an expanded configuration at ambient temperature and incapable of retaining the elastomeric layer in an expanded configuration at a temperature above a predetermined temperature thereby permitting the composite article to recover to or toward its unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: A heat recoverable article comprises a recoverable fabric and a polymeric layer of at least 0.03 mm thickness, and preferably unstressed. Such an article can be recovered by means of a torch to provide an environmental seal around substrates such as cables and pipes.

Abstract: There is disclosed a strain-relief adapter for relieving strain between a cable or harness and a connector. The strain-relief adapter consists of a flexible, generally tubular body of braided nonmetallic filaments, attachment means on one end of the tubular body for attaching the tubular body to a connector and a blocking sleeve on the other end of the tubular body for attaching the tubular body to a cable or harness. The blocking sleeve includes a heat-shrinkable tube and an adhesive.

Abstract: A recoverable article comprises a recoverable fabric, means for rendering the fabric impervious, and a shaped liner. The assembly can be used to form a pressure resistant splice case for telecommunications cables.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recoverable article for covering objects in which two or more cover pieces are joined together to form the article. The shape and recovery ratios of the cover pieces are chosen such that the amount of recovery does not differ by more than 20% on either side of the join line. This avoids wrinkling.

Abstract: A branch-off article includes a branch-off member having a body portion and at least two tubes extending from the body portion to an interior region of a splice cavity, with individual break-out members extending through the individual ones of the tubes. End portions of individual ones of the tubes are recovered and sealed to individual ones of the break-out members and the body portion is sealingly secured to a member which surrounds the splice region and the tubes.

Abstract: A recoverable article comprising a recoverable fabric having a recovery of at least 40% may be used for providing environmental protection.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sector scanner includes first and second magnetizable stators spaced on a longitudinal axis. First and second rotors are provided in the gaps between the end faces of the first and second stators, respectively. The rotors have tapered surfaces spaced from the end faces of the stators to form gaps therebetween. The gaps between the first rotor and the end face of the first stator decrease as the rotor rotates in a first direction. The gaps between the second rotor and the end faces of the second stator decrease as the rotors rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the rotors and arranged to be rotatable with the rotors. A servo-control system is provided to cause the rotor/transducer assembly to rotate according to a prescribed reference signal.The ultrasonic sector scanner has a cover assembly in which a flexible membrane is provided with ribs which engage grooves in the wall of the housing.

Abstract: An enclosure (1) around a substrate (3) such as a telecommunications cable is made pressure retaining by the provision of re-entrant seals (5), generally V-shaped in cross-section, that are positioned at the region where the enclosure is bonded (4) to the substrate pressure within the enclosure thus tends to open the V rather than put the bond in peel. The re-entrant seals may be cut-to-length in the field and a leak path through the resulting open end (23) avoided by using pressure (P) within the enclosure to close the open end or to balance pressure across it.

Abstract: A protective plastic sleeve device is provided to be wrapped around, and hence to seal, the juncture along a joined series of elongated pipes, cables, conduits or similar members. The sleeve device includes a plastic sheet whose end portions are folded back and attached, to form a pair of passageways. Rods extend through each of the passageways. Apertures are provided along the end portions to communicate with the passageways. Engagement means, advantageously in the form of alternative male and female members, project from the rods through the apertures to interlock the rods together and hence retain the end portions of the sheet in juxtaposed confronting relationship.

Abstract: A sleeve for installation on an electrical conductor for shielding the conductor with respect to the environment in which the conductor resides against electromagnetic interference (EMI). The sleeve is formed of a tubular member made of heat recoverable material and having, in the non-recovered condition, a large central opening through which the wire to be shielded can be passed. The interior of the tubular member is lined with a plurality of conductive leaves or pellicles. One circumferential margin of the pellicles is adhered to the internal surface of the tubular member and the remainder of each pellicle is unattached and remains in overlapping relationship to an adjacent pellicle. When the sleeve is positioned over a conductor to be shielded and energy is applied to the tubular member to effect its recovery, the unattached portions of the pellicles move with respect to one another as the tubular member shrinks to uniformly circumscribe the conductor with an electrically conductive shield.

Abstract: A transversely pleated, longitudinally heat-shrinkable tape is made from a heat-shrinkable polymeric film. One side of the tape may be adhesive-coated, and the other side may be coated with a thermochromic paint. The tape is wrapped around a substrate, and is particularly adapted, by reason of the pleats, to be wrapped around a substrate of non-uniform cross-section, e.g. a splice in a telephone cable. On heating the tape to its recovery temperature, the pleats disappear and the tape shrinks longitudinally to tightly cover the substrate. The tape may additionally comprise integral heating means.

Abstract: A cable branch-off sealing member for use with a heat shrinkable material that is wrapped around two closely spaced parallel cables and pinched together between the cables to one side of the cables to create a loop of heat shrink material between the cables. The cable sealing member has an elongate tongue smoothly tapered at its leading end for insertion into the loop of heat shrinkable sheet material, which tongue has a width greater than the spacing between the cables to bridge between the peripheries of the cables and is bowed centrally of its width along its length to cause the two layers of heat shrink material to bow outward midway between the cables.

Abstract: The conductors of multi-conductor, medium voltage, power cables, at locations where the cable insulation has been removed, are insulated by positioning between the conductors or cores, an insert, at least the surface of which comprises a first void-filling material capable of forming a substantially void-free interface with each conductor, placing a second void-filling material over the conductors and recovering a dimensionally recoverable polymeric sleeve over the resulting assembly. The method is particularly useful to provide insulation between conductors of a joint between two multi-conductor, medium voltage power cables.