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EP0133371A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Cable joint

Assignee: Raychem Ltd
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Filing: 1984-08-03
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-08-03
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Abstract

Abstract An arrangement for forming a joint between electrical cables comprises a connector arrangement, e.g. a crimp connector, a fusible block capable of being positioned to enclose the connector and a heat-shrinkable sleeve having a recovery temperature at least 10 DEG C above the melting point of the fusible block. Preferably the fusible block is formed from a number of interlocking component parts. The arrangement is particularly suitable for forming joints between submarine cables, and may include a tubular shield portion for connecting the shields and shielded cables.

Inventors

  • 👤 Anthony Ronald Leslie Fitch
  • 👤 Evan Jarrett

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 09:12
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H01R4/72; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/10; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 110 words
An arrangement for forming a joint between a plurality of electrical cables each of which comprises one or more electrical wires enclosed by a cable jacket, which arrangement comprises: (a) a connector arrangement for forming electrical connections between wires of the cables; (b) a fusible block formed from a thermoplastic polymer which is capable of being positioned about the connector arrangement substantially to enclose the connector arrangement and connected wires; and (c) a heat-shrinkable sleeve which can be positioned around the fusible block and proximate ends of the cables and recovered thereon, the sleeve having a recovery temperature of at least 10°C above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 110 words
An arrangement for forming a joint between a plurality of electrical cables each of which comprises one or more electrical wires enclosed by a cable jacket, which arrangement comprises: (a) a connector arrangement for forming electrical connections between wires of the cables; (b) a fusible block formed from a thermoplastic polymer which is capable of being positioned about the connector arrangement substantially to enclose the connector arrangement and connected wires; and (c) a heat-shrinkable sleeve which can be positioned around the fusible block and proximate ends of the cables and recovered thereon, the sleeve having a recovery temperature of at least 10°C above the melting point of the thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fusible block comprises a plurality of shaped component blocks which can be assembled together about the connector arrangement and connected wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein the component blocks have configurations such that, when they are assembled together about the connector arrangement and the connected wires, the fusible block so formed has substantially no internal voids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the connector arrangement comprises a plurality of connectors that are set in a supporting block formed from the same polymer as the fusible block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polymer forming the fusible block is substantially transparent at least above its melting point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heat-shrinkable sleeve is capable of exerting a maximum radial force on the fusible block of at least 6 MPa during or after recovery.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat-shrinkable sleeve is substantially transparent at least above its recovery temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
An arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the heat-shrinkable sleeve comprises nylon 12.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 44 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 for forming a joint between a plurality of shielded cables, which includes a tubular shield portion that is capable of being positioned about the connector arrangement and of being connected to each cable shield.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 50 words
An arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the fusible blocks is capable of being positioned about the connector arrangement and inside the tubular shield portion, and at least one of the fusible blocks is capable of being positioned on the exterior of the shield portion.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 28 words
A method of forming a joint between a plurality of electrical cables each of which comprises one or more electrical wires enclosed by a cable jacket, which comprises
Claim 13
Independent Claim 28 words
A method of forming a joint between a plurality of electrical cables each of which comprises one or more electrical wires enclosed by a cable jacket, which comprises
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 87 words
(a) forming an electrical connection between wires of the cables; (b) positioning a fusible block formed from a thermoplastic polymer about the connected wires to enclose the connected wires and the proximate ends of the cable jackets; (c) positioning a heat-shrinkable sleeve around the fusible block and the proximate ends of the cables, heting the sleeve and fusible block to cause the sleeve to recover about the fusible block and to cause the fusible block to melt, and then allowing the sleeve and fusible block to cool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 87 words
(a) forming an electrical connection between wires of the cables; (b) positioning a fusible block formed from a thermoplastic polymer about the connected wires to enclose the connected wires and the proximate ends of the cable jackets; (c) positioning a heat-shrinkable sleeve around the fusible block and the proximate ends of the cables, heting the sleeve and fusible block to cause the sleeve to recover about the fusible block and to cause the fusible block to melt, and then allowing the sleeve and fusible block to cool.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 21 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cable jackets comprise sub stantially the same polymer as the fusible block.

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