EP0189240A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Splice case
Assignee: Raychem Corp
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Filing: 1986-01-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-01-06
Abstract
Abstract @ A splice case for encapsulating a substrate includes first and second containers (2, 4) each of which contains a gel (8, 101 having a cone penetration between 100 and 350 (10 -1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least 200%, the gel in each container having an exposed surface, one exposed surface (12) having a cross-sectional area larger than the cross-sectional area of the other exposed surface (14), the first and second containers being adapted for telescopic engagement. The substrate is located on one of the exposed surfaces of the gel, and the containers are arranged such that the exposed surfaces of the gel of the first and second containers contact each other and are maintained in compressive contact by a spring (16, 18) capable of maintaining a sufficiently large spring force to repel environmental contamination (for example, water) regardless of the engagement of the containers in response to the biasing force of the spring, substrate volume, or other external factors such as expansions and contractions caused by, for example, temperature changes. Additionally, the splice case may contain means for enhancing the encapsulation of the substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Jervis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B13/00; H01B13/22; G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/25; G01N21/31; G01N21/35; G01N21/3554; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/44; G02B6/4439; G02B6/444; G02B6/4441; G02B6/4446; G02B6/4447; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/52; H01R13/5216; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/10; H02G15/117
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A splice case for encapsulating a substrate comprising: a) first and second open containers, each containing a gel which has a cone penetration value from approximately 100 to 350 (10- 1 mm), preferably from 270 to 300 (10- 1 mm), and an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%, an exposed surface of the gel in the first container having a cross-sectional area which exceeds the cross-sectional area of an exposed surface of the gel in the second container, the first and second containers being arranged so as to be capable of mating such that at least part of the said surfaces are in contact; and b) biassing means for maintaining the said surfaces biased towards one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A splice case for encapsulating a substrate comprising: a) first and second open containers, each containing a gel which has a cone penetration value from approximately 100 to 350 (10- 1 mm), preferably from 270 to 300 (10- 1 mm), and an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%, an exposed surface of the gel in the first container having a cross-sectional area which exceeds the cross-sectional area of an exposed surface of the gel in the second container, the first and second containers being arranged so as to be capable of mating such that at least part of the said surfaces are in contact; and b) biassing means for maintaining the said surfaces biased towards one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A splice case as claimed in claim 1, in which the substrate comprises at least a first and a second conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A splice case as claimed in claim 2, which further comprises means for holding the conductors in a predetermined position in one of the containers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A splice case as claimd in claim 3, in which the holding means comprises a double ended split nut and bolt assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A splice case as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, which further comprises means for organising the conductors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A splice case as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, which further comprises a terminal block for terminating the conductors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A splice case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in'which the cohesive strength of each of the gels in the containers exceeds the adhesive strength between the first and second gel surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A splice case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the biassing means are releasable so as to allow the first and second containers to be separated from one another.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A splice case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second containers are arranged so as to be capable of mating telescopically.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
A substrate at least partially encapsulated by a splice case as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the encapsulated substrate being positioned at the interface between the surfaces of the gel in the first and second containers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A substrate as claimed in claim 10, which comprises at least one splice between at least two electrical conductors.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of encapsulating a substrate which comprises: positioning the substrate between exposed surfaces of a gel which has a cone penetration of from approximately 100 to 350 (10- 1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%, the gel being contained in respective first and second containers; mating the first container with the second container such that at least part of the said surfaces are in contact; and applying means for biassing the first and second containers towards one another.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of encapsulating a substrate which comprises: positioning the substrate between exposed surfaces of a gel which has a cone penetration of from approximately 100 to 350 (10- 1 mm) and an ultimate elongation of at least approximately 200%, the gel being contained in respective first and second containers; mating the first container with the second container such that at least part of the said surfaces are in contact; and applying means for biassing the first and second containers towards one another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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