Sheathing, Cable Or Wire Patents (Class 228/148)
  • Patent number: 11561358
    Abstract: A method for the continuous production of a thin-walled, perforated metal hollow profile with one or more fibre waveguides mounted therein. The method includes supplying of a flat metal strip at a first supply rate to a deforming device, which continuously deforms the metal strip into a metal hollow profile with a slot running in a longitudinal direction. Two opposite edges of the metal strip deformed into the metal hollow profile that lie flush against one another in a contact region extending in the longitudinal direction of the metal hollow profile are continuously welded to one another, drawn off from the welding region and perforated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Ralf Egerer, Steven Dinkel, Nico Lange, Olaf Petersen
  • Patent number: 10960469
    Abstract: A method of processing finely divided reactive particulates (RParticulate) and forming a product comprising: providing a composite material comprising finely divided reactive particulates (RParticulate) dispersed in a protective matrix; at least partially exposing the finely divided reactive particulates (RParticulate); and forming the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Coogee Titanium Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Jewell, Peter Duxson
  • Patent number: 9281637
    Abstract: A cable connector comprising a connector body, a compression member operably connected to a second end of the connector body, the compression member including a compression portion having a forward facing surface, wherein the compression portion protrudes from an inner surface of the compression member, wherein, when the compression member is slidably axially compressed within the connector body, the compression portion of the compression member compresses an inner sleeve into crimping engagement with a coaxial cable is provided. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall A. Holliday, Jimmy Yao
  • Patent number: 9104008
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for cables having one or more fibers that may function as a sensing device within a wellbore, wherein the fibers do not adhere to each other or to an inner wall of the cable during a high temperature operation, such as in a thermal recovery operation that may last over 30 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Edward M. Dowd, John J. Grunbeck, Domino Tavemer
  • Patent number: 8716624
    Abstract: A roll former for forming a sheet into a continuous multi-tubular reinforcement beam. The roll former includes a first set of rollers that are configured to bend the sheet to form a common center wall in generally perpendicular orientation relative to first and second lateral portions of the sheet that extend in opposing directions from respective first and second radiused ends of the common center wall. The first set of rollers also form radiused edges on the first and second lateral portions. A second set of rollers is configured to form a channel rib longitudinally along each of the first and second lateral portions. A third set of rollers is configured to bend the first and second lateral portions simultaneously and equally to abut the first and second radiused edges with the respective first and second radiused ends of the common center wall to define adjacent tubes of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Shape Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas Johnson, Doug Witte, Daniel Gatti, Brian Oxley, Brian Malkowski
  • Patent number: 8440264
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for preparing a brazed surface to receive a coating is disclosed. The method includes providing a brazed surface having a flux layer including a conversion coating and a powder component; and applying an aqueous solution containing a flux-removing agent to the surface to at least partially remove the powder component of the flux layer to obtain a treated brazed surface that is suitable for receiving a subsequent coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kimberly Lazarz, Timothy V. Evans
  • Publication number: 20110036900
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a conducting wire terminal includes the steps of: preparing a strip tube of a predetermined length; boring both ends of the strip tube separately, such that a body is formed between both ends of the strip tube and has a diameter smaller than both ends of the strip tube, and the copper sleeve is accommodated in the body; and compressing an intersection of both ends of the strip tube and the body, such that a circular tapered neck is formed at the intersection of both ends of the strip tube and the body, and a circular slanting guide surface is formed separately on opposite internal surface of each tapered neck of the strip tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: UTA AUTO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yung-Chou Chen
  • Patent number: 7127806
    Abstract: A jumper coaxial cable assembly includes a jumper coaxial cable and at least one solder-type connector secured thereto. The cable may include an outer conductor, which, in turn, includes aluminum with a tin layer thereon. The tin layer permits an aluminum outer conductor to be used, yet facilitates soldering of the solder-type connector onto the outer conductor. The tin layer may be a tin alloy, such as a tin/lead alloy, for example. The outer conductor may have a continuous, non-braided, tubular shape, and the tin layer may extend continuously along an entire length of the outer conductor. The tin layer may be readily formed by tin plating during manufacturing of the jumper coaxial cable. The jumper coaxial cable assembly may be joined to a main coaxial cable and/or to electronic equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Commscope Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Larry W. Nelson, Ronald A. Vaccaro, Bruce W. Cardwell
  • Patent number: 7025246
    Abstract: A coaxial cable structure includes an outer cable conductor, and an angle connector, for example a 90° elbow connector, disposed on one cable end. The elbow connector is implemented by encapsulating the one cable end with thermoplastic material and including a metal sleeve which is placed in contact with the outer cable conductor to define an outer conductor of the elbow connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Spinner GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Wild, Peter Böhmer
  • Patent number: 6915564
    Abstract: A method of making a coaxial cable includes forming a conductive tube and setting a settable material therein to define an inner conductor. Forming may include advancing a conductive strip and bending it into a tube having a longitudinal seam. The settable material may be dispensed onto the conductive strip continuously with the forming. Alternately, the settable material may be dispensed onto the conductive strip prior to advancing. The dispensing may use a puller cord as the settable material or carrying some or all of the settable material. The method may further include forming a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and forming an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Commscope Properties LLC
    Inventor: Scott M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20030054192
    Abstract: A lacquer-coated wire having a noncircular cross-section with a long cross-sectional axis and a short cross-sectional axis, wherein the long cross-sectional axis and the short cross-sectional axis extend perpendicularly to each other. The lacquer-coated wire includes a metal wire and a lacquer coating having insulating and baked lacquer properties and is intended particularly for manufacturing electrical coils. The lacquer coating has on sides to be assigned to the longer cross-sectional axis a smaller thickness than on the sides to be assigned to the shorter cross-sectional axis. A method of manufacturing a wire includes pressing a lacquer-coated wire having a round cross-section into a wire having a long cross-sectional axis and a short cross-sectional axis, wherein the ratio of the axes is at most 3:1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: AKG Acoustics GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Fidi, Hugo Lenhard-Backhaus
  • Publication number: 20030029905
    Abstract: A method of making a face mask including the steps of providing a plurality of lengths of Grade 2, commercially pure titanium wire, having a diameter of from about 0.21 to about 0.24 inches; forming each length at room temperature to a desired bend angle by bending the member at room temperature using rotary bending apparatus to a first bend angle that is from about 1.25 to about 1.35 times greater than the desired bend angle; and welding each of the thus formed lengths to at least one other of the lengths in an ambient, oxygen containing environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: P. David Halstead, Garry W. McNabb, David E. Wright
  • Patent number: 6367332
    Abstract: Triboelectric sensors which generate electrical signals in response to mechanical disturbances creating relative motion of conducting and dielectric components of the sensor are fabricated from thin metal foil which is plastic-coated on one side and which can be formed into elongated, cable-like sensors having a variety of other shapes and sizes. The foil encloses one or more wire-like inner electrical conductors which, may be sealed within the envelope formed by the outer foil by heat-sealing the plastic-coated foil. A technique similar to welding may be used in which electrodes are placed in contact with opposing faces of the metal foil and an electrical current is passed though the foil. Local heating of the foil and of the plastic coating near the point of contact of one or both electrodes can cause the plastic to melt and the opposing plastic faces to bond together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventors: Joseph R. Fisher, William C. Booth, Francis E. McInnis
  • Patent number: 6250536
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode wire for an electrical discharge machining apparatus, which is composed of a core wire formed of Cu or Cu-alloy and a covering layer formed of brass. A brass tape is longitudinally applied around a core wire to provide a pipe, a seam formed by butting longitudinal edges of the brass tape is continuously welded to provide a composite wire, area-reduction process of reduction rate less than 65% is applied to the brass pipe by means of a squeezing die, a heat treatment at a temperature higher a recrystallization one of brass is applied to the composite pipe, and thereafter the composite wire is processed to be reduced in area through plural reducing dies step by step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Shimojima, Seigi Aoyama, Hideo Kawano, Koichi Tamura, Takahiro Sato, Takamitsu Kimura, Masato Watabe
  • Patent number: 6223407
    Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber cable that includes a metal tube (3) in which at least one optical fiber (2) is arranged in a viscous plastic mass, which apparatus includes a device continuously forming a metal strip (5) into a slit tube, a welding device (7), and a charging tool with at least one tube (22b) whose one end projects into the slit tube (22b), whereby the tube introduces the optical fibers (2) into the metal tube (3), the one tube (22b) has an indentation (22d) on its surface facing the welding device (7), which is covered toward the top and thus forms a channel (22f), and a coolant gas or protective gas is directed through this channel (22f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Harry Staschewski, Klaus Porcher, Hans-Joachim Arntz, Friedrich Harten
  • Patent number: 6119922
    Abstract: A method for making mineral insulated cables in which a mineral powder is purified to remove magnetic particles. The purified mineral powder and at least one wire are fed into a seam-welded metal sheath as it is being formed to produce the mineral insulated cable. The mineral insulated cable may then be drawn and annealed to reduce the diameter of the cable to the desired size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hoskins Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bertie Forrest Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6027011
    Abstract: During the production of long metal tubes with small diameters, where a metal tape is drawn from an annular coil, is gradually formed into a tube with a longitudinal slot and the longitudinal slot is welded, the internally and externally located metal tape ends of a number of annular coils are interconnected by welding, and the annular coils are horizontally positioned on tension rings which are attached to a rotatable take-up drum. The metal tape with the welded ends is drawn off without interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Harry Staschewski
  • Patent number: 6023831
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process and apparatus for producing metal-sheathed strands, especially glass fiber cables, from a metal strip that is first formed into a U-shaped profile and then, after the placement therein of a non-ductile or slightly ductile core material, is closed to form a split tube carrying and/or protecting the core material, which split tube, after the welding of its longitudinal seam, is reduced in a subsequent deformation step. In the process of the invention, the metal-sheathed strand with the welded longitudinal seam is cold-formed in a stretch-reducing fashion in multiple continuous sequential steps. In the apparatus for implementing the process, multiple speed-controlled roll stands of a stretch-reducing cold rolling mill with declining caliber cross-sections are arranged one behind the other directly after the longitudinal seam welding machine for the split tube for the reductive deformation of the metal sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Horst Stinnertz
  • Patent number: 5975404
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber cable, a metal band is gradually shaped into a lengthwise slotted tube, the optical fibers are introduced into the still open slotted tube, the lengthwise slot of the tube is welded and the outside diameter of the welded tube is reduced. The welded tube with the reduced outside diameter is wound at least once around a take-up reel. A force provided on the reduced outside diameter welded tube as it is wound on the take-up reel causes an elastic strain of 0.1 to 0.6% on the tube. The strain is released on the take-up reel to produce an overlength of the optical fibers relative to the reduced outside diameter welded tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel Kabel AG & Co
    Inventors: Gerhard Ziemek, Harry Staschewski, Klaus Porcher
  • Patent number: 5924194
    Abstract: A method of producing an overhead contact wire for supplying power to electrically driven vehicles is proposed which comprises a copper-clad steel wire and a copper wire that is metallically joined to the copper-clad steel wire. The method includes the following steps: a) heating a steel wire to a temperature about 950.degree. C.; b) joining first and second metal band sections to a surface of the steel wire by means of rolling at a temperature of about 950.degree. C. under protective gas atmosphere to produce a combined element; c) reducing the cross-section of the combined element by at least 20%; d) heating a copper wire to a temperature about 950.degree. C.; e) joining the heated copper wire to the reduced diameter combined element in the area covered by the first band section by rolling at about 950.degree. C. under protective gas to produce a prepared wire; and f) reducing the cross-section of the prepared wire to produce an overhead contact wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Gerhard Ziemek
  • Patent number: 5857255
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a metallic tube having at least one light waveguide, wherein the tube is rolled for cross sectional shaping after welding of the edges of the band forming the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Wichmann
  • Patent number: 5768762
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber cable, a metal band is gradually shaped into a lengthwise slotted tube, the optical fibers are introduced into the still open slotted tube, the lengthwise slot of the tube is welded and the outside diameter of the welded tube is reduced. The welded tube with the reduced outside diameter is wound at least once around a take-up reel. A force provided on the reduced outside diameter welded tube as it is wound on the take-up reel causes an elastic strain of 0.1 to 0.6% on the tube. The strain is released on the take-up reel to produce an overlength of the optical fibers relative to the reduced outside diameter welded tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Kabel AG & Co.
    Inventors: Gerhard Ziemek, Harry Staschewski, Klaus Porcher
  • Patent number: 5759454
    Abstract: A method of injecting a filler in controlled manner into a protective tube for protecting optical fibers, the method consisting in regulating the delivery rate of the filler being injected as the closed tube advances. In the method, the delivery rate is regulated by detecting the position of the front of the filler contained in the protective tube relative to at least one detection point on the line for advancing the closed protective tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Submarcom
    Inventors: Renaud Le Gac, Jean-Francois Libert
  • Patent number: 5732875
    Abstract: A method for producing a sector conductor for electric power cables is introduced, whereby a number of metal wires are joined closely together into a core (8) with a sector-shaped cross section. A lengthwise running metal strip is formed around the core (8) and its longitudinally abutting edges are welded into a tube (9), whose dimensions are reduced so that it lies closely against the core (8) and surrounds it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Alcatel Kabel AG & Co.
    Inventors: Gerhard Ziemek, Michael Meyer
  • Patent number: 5704537
    Abstract: In a method for sheathing a plastic tube with a metal sheathing, a metallic band (20) is laid around a plastic tube (14), the metallic band (20) comprising longitudinal edges (32) bent to a common side thereof, which are, when the metallic band (20) is laid around the plastic tube (14), in abutment and extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plastic tube (14) and are welded together. The volume of the bent longitudinal edges (32) and the welding energy are chosen such that the metallic band (20) welded together at its longitudinal edges comprises, in the region of the longitudinal seam (46), an outer surface (50) lying substantially within the outer peripheral surface (48) of the metal sheathing after welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Hewing GmbH
    Inventor: Emil Heinrich Friedrich
  • Patent number: 5689875
    Abstract: Large amounts of stabilizing copper may be added to a superconducting core using an economical cladding process. One or more cladding strips of copper are bonded directly to the core without the use of a bonding agent. The copper cladding is fused to the core at a late stage in the fabrication of the superconductor by the simultaneous application of heat and pressure using conventional rolling apparatus. Multiple cladding layers may be sequentially applied to further increase the volume of copper present in the superconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: IGC Advanced Superconductors
    Inventor: Hem C. Kanithi
  • Patent number: 5653898
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber cable covered with a metal pipe forms a metal pipe by abutting two sides of a metal strip to be pulled, introduces an optical fiber or an optical fiber bundle into the metal pipe, and seals the opening of the metal pipe by laser welding. A squeeze shoe is arranged immediately before a welding position. The inner circumferential surface of the squeeze shoe is brought into contact with the metal pipe, and the section of this inner circumferential surface conforms to the outer circumferential surface of the metal pipe. The squeeze shoe is vertically divided into halves. Since the squeeze shoe is provided immediately before the welding position, the opening of the metal pipe can have a predetermined width and be welded. The opening width is adjusted in accordance with at least one of a diameter, thickness and composition of the metal strip and in accordance with at least one of a welding rate, laser beam power and laser beam focus shift amount of the laser welder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Yoshie, Takashi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 5613631
    Abstract: In a method for producing a lengthwise welded metal tube with an outside diameter of 1 to 6 mm, whereby a metal band is shaped into a lengthwise slotted tube by a forming tool, and the lengthwise slot of the tube is welded by a laser welding installation, the tube to be welded passes immediately before and immediately after the welding point area through a guide that guides the surface of the tube to keep the edges of the band in contact with each other and keeps the welded seam stress-free. The jaws of a clamping tool grip the welded tube immediately downstream of the guide to keep it from twisting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Alcatel Kabel AG & Co
    Inventors: Gerhard Ziemek, Harry Staschewski, Klaus Porcher
  • Patent number: 5582748
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a metal pipe-covered optical fiber cable perform extra length control of the metal pipe with respect to the optical fiber in accordance with length adjustment by reducing the diameter of the metal pipe while applying minimum tension or without applying any tension for extra length control to the optical fiber by means of a pair of rollers, so that a crack in the optical fiber is avoided and the service life of the optical fiber is prolonged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Yoshie, Takashi Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 5560536
    Abstract: An apparatus for making cable including an elongate core and a surrounding longitudinally welded tube includes one or more pairs of opposing tube forming rolls which form a tape into a generally tubular shape surrounding the advancing core. A pair of tube forming rolls define exit tube forming rolls mounted to have an adjustable spacing therebetween. A first sensor generates an exit roll spacing signal which is one parameter that may be displayed to the operator or used to directly to control the spacing. Downstream from an induction welding coil, a pair of opposing weld rolls are mounted to have an adjustable spacing therebetween for permitting setting of a desired pressure between the heated opposing longitudinal edges of the advancing tape. A second sensor generates a weld roll spacing signal which may also be displayed or used to directly control the spacing within a desired range. An associated method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan N. Moe
  • Patent number: 5346116
    Abstract: A machine for continuously producing metal tubing from a flat metal strip in which the welder, weld closing rolls, and seam guide are attached to a base plate slidably attached to a support structure. The base plate is displaceable relative to the support structure between an operating position and a start position. The base plate may be displaced by a manually operated actuator or by an electromechanical mechanism. The base plate is placed in the start position when the machine is stopped and is slowly displaced to the operating position when the machine is restarted. During displacement of the base plate to the operation position, the welder overwelds a portion of the seam previously welded. The seam weld during a restart transition of the base plate from the start to the operating position produces a defect-free seam weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Bertie F. Hall, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5318215
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal pipe clad cable having a fiber with an excess length housed therein, comprises the steps of preparing a metal pipe clad cable comprising a metal pipe and a fiber housed in the metal pipe, and passing said metal pipe clad cable through a plurality of sets of bending rolls. The metal pipe is repeatedly bent when passing through the plural sets of said bending rolls so as to generate a plastic deformation within the metal pipe and, thus, to impart an excess length to the fiber within the metal pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignees: Hitachi Cable Ltd., NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Toya, Tatsuo Teraoka, Yoshiyuki Hiramoto, Yasunori Yoshie
  • Patent number: 5263239
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing an optical fiber cable element having plurality of optical fibers which are arranged with excess length inside a pressure-tight metal tube. Means are provided inside the metal tube for protecting the optical fibers and for longitudinal sealing. The optical fibers are first embedded in a soft or compressible compound to form a cable element core. The outside, diameter of the cable element core generally corresponds to the inside diameter of the metal tube in the finished cable and the optical fibers being present with excess length in the cable element core. A metal band is subsequently continuously formed into a slotted tube surrounding the cable element core. A distance remains between the cable element core and the tube. The slotted tube is welded together and the tube is drawn down onto the cable element core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Kabelmetal Electro GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Ziemek
  • Patent number: 5249731
    Abstract: A process for producing an aluminum coated metallic material comprises drawing an aluminum band having a significantly larger inside diameter than cross sectional diameter of the material concurrently with the material so as to form an open seam tube around the elongated metallic material. The seam of the open tube is welded so as to close the seam. An atmosphere or protective gas or reducing gas is maintained in an annular gap between the elongated metallic material and the aluminum tube. The diameter of the aluminum tube is drawn so as to reduce it by at least 20%. It is then drawn down a second time so as to coat the elongated metallic material. Finally, the cross section of the aluminum coated metallic material is reduced by at least 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Kabelmetal Electro GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Ziemek
  • Patent number: 5238172
    Abstract: The method and the corresponding installation detect sealing faults in metal protective tubes for protecting cables having electrical and/or optical conductors, referred to as "protected components", embedded in a sealing material filling the tube. The method consists in priming said sealing material with a detectable "test" gas either prior to or during injection of said material into said tube in a first station for enclosing the protected components inside the tube, and in causing said tube, filled in this way and optionally heated, to advance continuously past a detector, or inside a detection chamber of a second station containing the detector, either directly after the tube has been filled or at a subsequent stage. Application: land or under-sea cables, in particular for monitoring fluid-tight protective microtubes for protecting optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Alcatel Cable
    Inventor: Louis Le Davay
  • Patent number: 5210391
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a metal tube covered optical fiber cable comprises an assembly of a plurality of roller pairs for forming a metal strip into a metal tube so that both side edge portions abut against each other, a laser (7) for welding the abutment portions with a laser beam to obtain a sealed metal tube (1c), an optical fiber guide for guiding an optical fiber (5) into the formed metal tube (1a), and a traction apparatus including a tension variable elements for continuously drawing a sealed metal tube (1d). The optical fiber guide is elastically urged against an inner wall opposite to an irradiated surface of the metal tube so that the optical fiber is protected even when the focal point of the laser beam is positioned below the abutment portions of the metal tube. In one embodiment a leaf spring mechanism is used to elastically urge the optical fiber guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Yoshie, Takashi Tsukui
  • Patent number: 5143274
    Abstract: For the continuous manufacture of optical modules incorporating optical fibres placed within a metal tube and embedded in a sealing product, the fibres (F) are introduced into a rectilinear guide tube (10) and the metal tube (T) is progressively formed around said guide tube from a tape or ribbon (R). The metal tube is then welded along the joint line slightly upstream of the front end of the guide tube (10). In order to permanently check the length ratio between the fibres and the metal tube in the thus obtained optical module, the fibres are introduced into the guide tube at a speed determined in real time on the basis of the measured values of the tensile force exerted on the welded tube, the speed of movement and the temperature of said tube. The sealing product (G) is injected into the welded tube slightly downstream of the front end of the guide tube (10) at a controlled flow rate so as to ensure a complete and non-excessive filling of the metal tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Societe Foptica S.A. & Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Laupretre, Franck Chapelet, Dominique Bretheau
  • Patent number: 5129571
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming metal tubes is shown in which a metal strip 2 is passed through the apparatus and is formed by a combination of rollers 17, 17', 19, and dies 15, 24 into a shape defining a tube. Prior to the completion of the formation of the metal strip 2 into a shape defining a tube, a brazing wire 1 is supplied through rollers 8 onto the metal strip 2 between two edge portions thereof to be bonded together. The edge portions are bonded together by means of a frictional wheel 27 rotating at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Pirelli General plc
    Inventors: Jack Clark, Patrick B. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5121872
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a coiled tubing/electrical cable assembly wherein a strip of metal and electrical cable are simultaneously withdrawn from storage reels and are moved through a manufacturing station where the metal strip is formed about the cable and welded to define coiled tubing. The electrical cable is guided into the tubing by a cable placement tube that also serves to conduct coolant such as air, water, etc. along the electrical cable to prevent its temperature degradation during the manufacturing process. The cable placement tube is of sufficient length to extend past the welding apparatus and through a heat treating furnace assembly and to provide an outlet for discharge of the coolant medium into the coiled tubing cable at a location downstream of the heat treating furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Hydrolex, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry H. Legget
  • Patent number: 5119984
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming metal tubes is shown in which a metal strip 2' having a brazing wire 1 bonded to an edge portion thereof passes through the apparatus and is formed by a combination of rollers 17, 17', 19, 19' and dies 15, 24 into a shape defining a tube. A frictional wheel 27 bonds together the two edge portions of the shape defining a tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: Pirelli General plc
    Inventors: Jack Clark, Patrick B. Ryan
  • Patent number: 5072870
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for forming a metallic sheath about a conductor element comprised of a plurality of optical fibers whose length within the sheath is uniformly greater than that of the encompassing sheath. Such forming is achieved by continuously drawing a metallic strip and a conductor element into a forming apparatus, while heating a portion of the metallic strip for temporarily lengthening it as it is being formed about the conductor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1991
    Assignee: Kabelmetal Electro GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Ziemek
  • Patent number: 5007703
    Abstract: A one-shot method of making an optical fiber package (FIG. 1) for a submarine cable. A plurality of fibers (1) are fed into a space delimited by one or more elongate elements from which a tubular structure (3) can be formed, for example a C-section. A liquid filling material, such as a two-part exothermic curing polyurethne, mixed by static mixer (16), is injected into the C-section which is then closed by a die (17). The filling material rapidly cures to a resilient solid (2) in which the fibers are embedded before hauler (18) is reached. The fibers are spaced apart from one another and the tubular structure by means including a guide structure (14,15) as they enter the C-section and this is maintained in the cured material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Assignee: STC plc
    Inventors: Peter G. Hale, John N. Russell
  • Patent number: 4949894
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fabricating an optical fiber cable core assembly having at least one optical fiber encapsulated with an ultra-small diameter metallic tube are described. The optical fiber cable core assembly is formed by passing a metal or metal alloy strip through at least one die to form the ultra-small diameter tube, inserting at least one optical fiber or fibers into the tube during the tube formation operation and passing the assembly through a sealing station to seal the tube and provide a hermetic core assembly. To reduce the likelihood of breaking the tube and damaging the optical fiber or fibers therein, the deformation energy for forming the strip into the tube is provided by wrapping the assembly about a tensioning device positioned between the tube forming station and the tube sealing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Winter, Michael J. Pryor
  • Patent number: 4852790
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously manufacturing optical fiber cable in which optical fiber is encased by an hermetically sealed homogeneous metal tube formed from flat metal strips. A first assembly of mating rollers having successively different shapes forms the flat metal strip into a partially formed tube having a longitudinal gap. Optical fiber is guided through the gap to lie within the partially formed tube. The tube is then closed by a second assembly of mating rollers having successively different shapes. A laser beam is used to weld the seam closed without filler metal and without heat shielding between the seam and the optical fiber. The finished tubing with optical fiber therein is sunk by being drawn through wire dies to reduce the diameter. A wheel draws the tubing through the apparatus at constant speed to effect a uniform weld line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: K-Tube Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert E. Karlinski
  • Patent number: 4811888
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for manufacturing a small diameter, thick walled, cable sheath by controllably driving a metal strip in a longitudinal direction while it is trimmed and formed into a hollow tubular member; continuously welding the longitudinal abutting edges of the hollow tubular member in association with cooling the tubular member in the vicinity of the welding by surrounding at least 60% of its circumference with a coolant, while maintaining the resulting longitudinal welded seam free of the coolant; and continuously drawing the cooled hollow tubular member in the same direction as the metal strip is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Kabellmetal Electro GmbH
    Inventors: Gerhard Ziemek, Harry Staschewski, Ewald Gunia
  • Patent number: 4811889
    Abstract: In a method for the continuous manufacture of powder-filled steel tube from steel strip, wherein the strip is moved along a path in which successively the moving strip is formed into an open channel, powder is introduced into the open channel, and the channel is shaped into a tube by further deformation and closure of the strip edges together. To avoid the disturbance of the powder by air currents caused by the strip movement and by the closure of the strip, such air currents arising in the vicinity of the moving strip are removed by suction extraction at the location where the powder is introduced into the open channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Rijnstaal B.V.
    Inventors: Arnold J. G. Dackus, Cornelis G. J. Brasser
  • Patent number: 4759487
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously manufacturing optical fiber cable in which optical fiber is encased by an hermetically sealed homogeneous metal tube formed from flat metal strip. A first assembly of mating rollers having successively different shapes forms the flat metal strip into a partially formed tube having a longitudinal gap. Optical fiber is guided through the gap to lie within the partially formed tube. The tube is then closed by a second assembly of mating rollers having successively different shapes. A laser beam is used to weld the seam closed without filler metal and without heat shielding between the seam and the optical fiber. The finished tubing with optical fiber therein is sunk by being drawn through wire dies to reduce the diameter. A wheel draws the tubing through the apparatus at constant speed to effect a uniform weld line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: K-Tube Corporation
    Inventor: Herbert E. Karlinski
  • Patent number: 4759486
    Abstract: A method of cladding a nonaluminum core with at least one aluminum cladding strip by preheating both the core rod and the strip with the former being preheated to about 1000.degree. F. to 1300.degree. F. and the latter being heated to about 600.degree. F. to 1000.degree. F. Cleaning the core rod and the strip and passing them through a controlled environment chamber containing a reducing or neutral gas. Lubricating the bonding roll grooves to provide a substantially continuous coating of lubricant thereon. Galling of the aluminum strip or strips to the bonding rolls is resisted as a result of this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Copperweld Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Malone, Malcolm J. Fraser
  • Patent number: 4741470
    Abstract: An optical fiber communication cable and a process for making it comprise providing at least one optical fiber and surrounding the optical fiber with a high strength drawn copper alloy tube having a generally longitudinally extending seam. The edges of the tube which define the seam are substantially nonlinear deformed edges whose length from the outside of the tube to the inside thereof exceeds the thickness of the tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Olin Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Winter, Michael J. Pryor
  • Patent number: 4738389
    Abstract: A method for welding metal composite materials, including metal-ceramic composites, whereby a weld or filler material is prepared by the in-situ precipitation of ceramic in a metallic matrix. The filler material may comprise boride, carbide, oxide, nitride, silicide, etc., while the matrix metal may constitute a alloy or intermetallic of two or more metals. A strong bond is achieved when welding two conventional metals, a conventional metal and a metal-ceramic composite, or two metal-ceramic composites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Moshier, Dennis C. Nagle, John M. Brupbacher, Leontios Christodoulou