Abstract: Forming a metal shield on a cable core in which a frusto-conical forming surface for the shield has a plurality of former sections disposed side-by-side from a downstream end of the former. The sections are removable, in order, from the downstream end to increase the downstream end diameter of the forming surface and may be replaced, in order, so as to decrease the diameter at the downstream end for the purpose of applying shields to cable cores of different diameters.

Abstract: Forming metal shield for cable core in which a metal tape is moved along a passline over a concave forming surface which tapers in a downstream direction. A convex rotating roller lying parallel to an adjacent region of the forming surface urges the tape against the concave surface to form the tape into a laterally curved shape. The tape then moves along the concave surface and through an overlapping die to complete the shape of the shield with the tape wrapped around the core with overlapped edges.

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.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encasing drainage pipes, using fibrous or particulate loose filler material guided onto the drainage pipe by means of a hollow screw and held there with a permeable envelope material preferably wound round with a filament. The pitch or number of threads on the screw, the height thereof and the speed at which the screw rotates determine the amount of filler material applied to the drainage pipe per unit of area. The apparatus comprises a machine consisting of a guide tube carrying an internal hollow screw, the drainage pipe being guided in the interior of the screw, the encasing envelope material being placed externally upon the said guide tube and preferably being wound around with a filament at the end of the screw.

Abstract: A flexible hose suitable for the transportation of biphasic fluids such as crude oil containing hydrogen sulphide is reinforced by steel wires of a kind having a coating of aluminium formed by applying the aluminium to the steel under a high pressure so as to bring the two metals into intimate contact.Preferably the wires are subject to a drawing operation subsequent to cladding.

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.

Abstract: A metallic strip and a cable core are advanced together along a passline through conventional apparatus for wrapping the strip around the core to provide a partially formed shield around the cable. The shield and core continue along the passline through apparatus according to the invention for closing the shield around the core. This closing apparatus includes a support roller for supporting the shield and core on the passline, shield engaging members resiliently urged against the shield to hold flanking regions of the shield against the core as the shield is closed, and edge region guide means for urging edge regions of the shield in overlapping relationship onto the core. The edge region guide means are radially adjustable relative to the passline to accommodate different cable diameters.

Abstract: Electric power is supplied to downhole equipment, such as a submergible pump, by a power cable that is joined to a support cable by a cable carrier as the carrier and cables are fed into a well. The carrier comprises laterally displaced resilient clamping sections that are clamped about respective cables to form a continuous assembly, and the assembly is fed into the well as the equipment is installed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a tube from a flat tape, more particularly for forming a shielding tape around a cable core, is disclosed. The tape is moved longitudinally along a straight path and simultaneously deflected laterally from a flat to a circular configuration around a mandrel, and the center of the tape is stressed over an eccentric ring attached to the outside surface of the mandrel in substantially inverse proportion to the stretch imparted to the tape during forming of the tube.

Abstract: A bonded ASP cable includes a multiconductor core which is filled with a waterproofing material. The core is enclosed by a plastic layer (28) which is flooded with a waterproofing material. Wrapped longitudinally about the plastic layer is a corrugated inner shield (31) having a longitudinal seam (35) and having an outer surface covered with a waterproofing material. The inner shield is enclosed by a corrugated outer shield (36) which has an overlapped longitudinal seam (38) and which has an outer surface coated with a layer of an adhesive material. As the outer shield is being formed, a sealant material is introduced into engagement with the inner shield in the vicinity of the longitudinal edge portions of the outer shield. Then as the longitudinal edge portions of the outer shield are overlapped and engaged with each other, the sealant material is caused to flow into cavities between the two shields adjacent to the seam of the outer shield to form a gasket (66).

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately aligning an information-containing-disc stylus and assembling the stylus to a stylus holder. The apparatus transfers the stylus from a magazine holding a plurality of such styli into a rotary collet which is then rotated by an operator until a laser beam of light is reflected off a known surface of the stylus and impinges on a fixed target. The apparatus then causes the point of the stylus to pierce the stylus holder to a specific depth whereby the stylus is held firmly by the stylus holder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making an armored electrical cable from a plurality of reinforcing struts and a plurality of electrical conductors covered by an armored jacket. The apparatus includes a series of stations along an assembly line that feed, converge, orient, combine, compress and wrap the struts and conductors into the cable configuration. The cross section of the cable so formed is rectangular, although this rectangular shape can be made arcuate by bending.

Abstract: A steel-cored aluminum cable for electric power conduction comprises a steel core including a plurality of steel wires and an aluminum coating disposed therearound in direct contact therewith and formed from an aluminum sheet and a plurality of aluminum staples disposed around the aluminum coating in direct contact with the aluminum coating along the entire innermost circumferential surface of the aluminum staples.

Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of a substantially circular metallic shield (37) about a cable core (32) by wrapping a metallic tape (64) longitudinally about the core with longitudinal edge portions of the tape being overlapped by a forming key (100) to provide a closed seam (38). As the seam is formed, an underlying longitudinal edge portion (48) of the shield is supported while an overlying longitudinal edge portion (45) at the overlap is directed inwardly toward the cable core to preclude its protrusion into a jacket (39) which is subsequently extruded over the shielded cable core. A relatively thin strip (145) of metal attached to an inner surface of the forming key assures formation of the seam before juxtaposing the longitudinal edge portions and the core, and avoids penetration of a priorly formed inner shield by the longitudinal edge of the outer shield to prevent rotation of the inner shield and undesirable alignment of the shield seams.

Abstract: Controlling the bending of an overlapping edge portion of a metal shield of a cable core by supporting one side of an edge portion at a position along its feed path and applying pressure against the edge portion immediately downstream of and in a direction opposite to the support. Bending of the edge portion occurs immediately it has passed the support while the support dampers resiliency in the edge portion to prevent or lessen springback. Apparatus for bending is placed immediately upstream of the overlapping die and preferably includes means to vary the applied pressure. Hence, the desired orientation of the bent edge portion is obtainable by varying the pressure dependent upon the actual orientation as the overlapped shield leaves the die.

Abstract: An assembly of a universal joint member and a shaft formed of fibre reinforced synthetic resin material is made by establishing an adhesive connection between the shaft and a connecting member, and subsequently welding the connecting member to the universal joint member. The connecting member may be adhered to the shaft by incorporating it in the structure of the shaft as the shaft is manufactured.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel rods, especially spent nuclear fuel rods that may show physical distortion, are encased within a metallic enclosing structure by forming a tube about the fuel rod. The tube has previously been rolled to form an overlapping tubular structure and then unrolled and coiled about an axis perpendicular to the tube. The fuel rod is inserted into the tube as the rolled tube is removed from a coiled strip and allowed to reassume its tubular shape about the fuel rod. Rollers support the coiled strip in an open position as the coiled strip is uncoiled and allowed to roll about the fuel rod.

Abstract: A portable hand tool for forming and applying metallic tape as armor on cables. The tool includes a magazine for holding the metallic tape, replaceable roller dies for contouring the tape, a rack and pinion ratchet mechanism for moving the dies over the tape, and a pair of handles for manipulating the rack and pinion and rotating the entire tool about the cable being taped.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a circular helix waveguide comprising a helically wound insulated metallic wire covered with a barrier layer and forming a wound and wrapped structure itself covered by a metallic screen, wherein a metal band is shaped into a tube, the contiguous edges of the said band are welded by a high frequency current in such a way that after welding the internal diameter of the shaped tube is a few millimeters greater than the external diameter of the wound and wrapped structure, the said tube is placed around the said structure, then the said tube is shaped into a cylinder with a circular base on the said structure to constitute the said metallic screen.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of forming cables whether or not all metallic, flexible armored tubes, armored electrical conductors and the like which consists of applying heat to the wires which will form the armor before they are placed around the core and in some cases to all the subsequent layers of a cable having a multiplicity of layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a cable. The cable generally comprises a core sheathed with a metal tape. A plastic jacket, e.g., polyethylene, is extruded over the sheath. The apparatus includes a self-tracking edge forming apparatus which bends the longitudinal edges of the tape. When the tape is overlapped over the core, the bent edges provide intimate control in the overlap area to promote proper sealing to eliminate failure of the cable jacket through a "zippering" effect. The edge forming apparatus may comprise a movable and a fixed forming roller, one of the forming rollers having a surface with flanged ends and the other surface having a surface that facially conforms to the curvatures of the flanged roller, and adjusting means to move the first roller relative to the second roller. The edge forming apparatus is self-tracking because it is mounted on a base comprising apparatus to movably adjust the edge forming apparatus in relation to lateral movement of the metal tape as it is pulled along the tape path.