US3688397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of jointing and terminating electric cables
Assignee: Balfour Beatty PLC
•
Filing: 1969-04-04
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Granted: 1972-09-05
•
Expires: 1989-04-04
Abstract
Abstract In a method of jointing or terminating an electric cable having at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass the stranded conductor is bonded to a terminal or to another conductor by application in the molten state of an adherent body of metal to substantially the whole of the cut end face of the stranded conductor or between the cut end face of the stranded conductor and the end of the terminal or of the other conductor. During the process a mandrel is inserted in the end of the bore of the conductor and passage of impregnant from the bore to an end portion of the strand is inhibited, by said mandrel or otherwise, a heat sink is formed so as to surround the end of the stranded conductor and liquid impregnant is removed from the interstices between the wires of the stranded conductor in the end portion thereof by applying vacuum thereto. The bonding process is preferably an MIG (metal/inert gas) or other welding process. Preferably oil flows through radial passages formed in the wall of the strand. In the case of a joint, these radial passages are preferably interconnected by longitudinal passages formed in a ferrule.
Inventors
- 👤 John Stephen Cleaver
- 👤 Peter Guilford
- 👤 Frederick James Kimpton
- 👤 Thomas John Page
- 👤 Norman Richard Steinberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/20; H02G15/24; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/02; H01R4/029; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49174; Y10T29/49179; Y10T29/49194; Y10T29/49195; Y10T29/49197; Y10T29/49718; Y10T29/49746
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of making a connection between an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for cable dielectric can pass and at least one other conductive member, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the end thereof, ii. closing the bore of an end portion of the conductor by inserting a mandrel therein, iii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in adjacent relation to the said other conductive member and forming a heat sink surrounding the cut end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor and iv. bonding the stranded conductor to said other conductive member by applying in the molten state an adherent body of metal to the whole of the cut end face of the stranded conductor and to said other conductive member whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the stranded conductor in a region removed from the said cut end face to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the conductor and leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of making a connection between an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for cable dielectric can pass and at least one other conductive member, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the end thereof, ii. closing the bore of an end portion of the conductor by inserting a mandrel therein, iii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in adjacent relation to the said other conductive member and forming a heat sink surrounding the cut end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor and iv. bonding the stranded conductor to said other conductive member by applying in the molten state an adherent body of metal to the whole of the cut end face of the stranded conductor and to said other conductive member whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the stranded conductor in a region removed from the said cut end face to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the conductor and leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the said bonding process is a welding process is a welding process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 in which at least part of the heat sink becomes bonded to the weld.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
110 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the bonding process is a welding process in which the adherent body of metal is built up by a two-stage process comprising a first stage in which a thin layer of metal is applied to the cut end of the stranded conductor to seal it, while the conductor end is surrounded by a first heat sink and vacuum is applied to it, followed by a second stage in which a larger quantity of metal is applied to the stranded conductor end while it is surrounded by a second heat sink and vacuum is again applied to it to complete the connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which vacuum is applied to the stranded conductor end by a surrounding manifold in the form of an annular groove in the inner wall of the or each heat sink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 comprising washing the end of the stranded conductor with a solvent for the liquid impregnant prior to bonding.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 6 in which the washing is carried out whilst vacuum is applied to the conductor end.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of making a connection between an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass and at least one other conductive member, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the end thereof, ii. closing the bore of an end portion of the conductor by inserting a mandrel therein, iii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in adjacent relation to said other conductive member and surrounding the end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor and the other conductive member with a heat sink comprising a metal sleeve contiguous with the stranded conductor and extending along the conductor beyond the position of the said radial passage and having a wall which is apertured for the application of vacuum during jointing and for the eventual passage of impregnant, and iv. bonding the stranded conductor to the sleeve and to said other conductive member contiguous therewith by applying in the molten sTate an adherent body of metal between the cut end face of the stranded conductor, the end of the said other conductor and the wall of the sleeve whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the said conductor in a region removed from the said cut end to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the conductor and leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of making a connection between an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass and at least one other conductive member, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the end thereof, ii. closing the bore of an end portion of the conductor by inserting a mandrel therein, iii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in adjacent relation to said other conductive member and surrounding the end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor and the other conductive member with a heat sink comprising a metal sleeve contiguous with the stranded conductor and extending along the conductor beyond the position of the said radial passage and having a wall which is apertured for the application of vacuum during jointing and for the eventual passage of impregnant, and iv. bonding the stranded conductor to the sleeve and to said other conductive member contiguous therewith by applying in the molten sTate an adherent body of metal between the cut end face of the stranded conductor, the end of the said other conductor and the wall of the sleeve whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the said conductor in a region removed from the said cut end to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the conductor and leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the external surface of the sleeve is shaped to provide at least one longitudinal passage for impregnant which communicates with the two jointed conductors by way of apertures through the wall of the sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which the bonding process is a welding process in which the adherent body of metal is built up by a two-stage process comprising a first stage in which a thin layer of metal is applied to the cut end of the stranded conductor to seal it, while the conductor end is surrounded by a first heat sink and vacuum is applied to it followed by a second stage in which a larger quantity of metal is applied to the stranded conductor end while it is surrounded by a second heat sink and vacuum is again applied to it to complete the connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 in which vacuum is applied to the stranded conductor end by a surrounding manifold in the form of an annular groove in the inner wall of the heat sink.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
300 words
A method of making a connection between an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass and at least one other conductive member, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the end thereof and closing the bore of an end portion of the strand by means of a mandrel which has a head having a maximum cross-sectional area greater than that of the bore of the conductor and a neck having a cross-sectional area less than that of the head, the head of the mandrel having a bore which is open, at least at the end of the head opposite to the neck and at least one passage extending through the wall of the head to the external surface of the head, the mandrel being forced head-first into the bore of the conductor to expand the conductor and the conductor being contracted onto the neck of the mandrel, ii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in adjacent relation to said other conductive member and forming a heat sink surrounding the end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor, and iii. bonding the stranded conductor to said other conductive member by applying in the molten state an adherent body of metal to the whole of the cut end face of the stranded conductor and to the other conductive member whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the stranded conductor in a region removed from the said cut end thereof to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the conductor and leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
300 words
A method of making a connection between an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass and at least one other conductive member, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the end thereof and closing the bore of an end portion of the strand by means of a mandrel which has a head having a maximum cross-sectional area greater than that of the bore of the conductor and a neck having a cross-sectional area less than that of the head, the head of the mandrel having a bore which is open, at least at the end of the head opposite to the neck and at least one passage extending through the wall of the head to the external surface of the head, the mandrel being forced head-first into the bore of the conductor to expand the conductor and the conductor being contracted onto the neck of the mandrel, ii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in adjacent relation to said other conductive member and forming a heat sink surrounding the end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor, and iii. bonding the stranded conductor to said other conductive member by applying in the molten state an adherent body of metal to the whole of the cut end face of the stranded conductor and to the other conductive member whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the stranded conductor in a region removed from the said cut end thereof to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the conductor and leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the cross-sectional shape and size of the neck of the mandrel is substantially the same as the original size and shape of the bore of the conductor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 in which the head of the mandrel is so shaped as to provide a right cylindrical center part tapering down, both towards the neck of the mandrel and towards the opposite end of the head, to a cross-section substantially equal to the original cross-section of the bore of the conductor.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
336 words
A method of jointing an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the End thereof and closing the bore of an end portion of the strand by means of a mandrel which has a head having a maximum cross-sectional area greater than that of the bore of the conductor and a neck having a cross-sectional area less that that of the head, the head of the mandrel having a bore which is open, at least at the end of the head opposite to the neck and at least one passage extending through the wall of the head to the external surface of the head, the mandrel being forced head-first into the bore of the conductor to expand the conductor and the conductor being contracted onto the neck of the mandrel, ii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in contiguous relation with another conductor and surrounding the end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor with a heat sink comprising a metal sleeve contiguous with the stranded conductor and extending along the conductor beyond the position of the said radial passage and having a wall which is apertured for the application of vacuum during jointing and for the eventual passage of impregnant, and iii. bonding the stranded conductor to the sleeve and to said other conductor by applying in the molten state an adherent body of metal between the cut end face of the stranded conductor, the end of the other conductor and the wall of the sleeve whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the stranded conductor in a region removed from said end to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the stranded conductor and to leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
336 words
A method of jointing an electric cable comprising an outer sheath, a liquid-impregnated dielectric and at least one conductor in the form of a hollow strand through the bore and the interstices of which liquid impregnant for the cable dielectric can pass, comprising i. forming at least one passage for impregnant through the wall of the bore at a place adjacent to the End thereof and closing the bore of an end portion of the strand by means of a mandrel which has a head having a maximum cross-sectional area greater than that of the bore of the conductor and a neck having a cross-sectional area less that that of the head, the head of the mandrel having a bore which is open, at least at the end of the head opposite to the neck and at least one passage extending through the wall of the head to the external surface of the head, the mandrel being forced head-first into the bore of the conductor to expand the conductor and the conductor being contracted onto the neck of the mandrel, ii. placing the end of the stranded conductor in contiguous relation with another conductor and surrounding the end of the impregnant - containing stranded conductor with a heat sink comprising a metal sleeve contiguous with the stranded conductor and extending along the conductor beyond the position of the said radial passage and having a wall which is apertured for the application of vacuum during jointing and for the eventual passage of impregnant, and iii. bonding the stranded conductor to the sleeve and to said other conductor by applying in the molten state an adherent body of metal between the cut end face of the stranded conductor, the end of the other conductor and the wall of the sleeve whilst contemporaneously applying vacuum to the stranded conductor in a region removed from said end to remove liquid impregnant from the interstices of the stranded conductor and to leave said cut end face substantially free of said impregnant.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the cross-sectional shape and size of the neck of the mandrel is substantially the same as the original size and shape of the bore of the conductor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the head of the mandrel is so shaped as to provide a right cylindrical center part tapering down, both towards the neck of the mandrel and towards the opposite end of the head, to a cross-section substantially equal to the original cross-section of the bore of the conductor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the external surface of the sleeve is shaped to provide at least one longitudinal passage for impregnant which communicates with the two jointed conductors by way of apertures through the wall of the sleeve.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the bonding process is a welding process in which the adherent body of metal is built up by a two-stage process comprising a fist stage in which a thin layer of metal is applied to the cut end of the stranded conductor to seal it, while the conductor end, is surrounded by a first heat sink and vacuum is applied to it followed by a second stage in which a larger quantity of metal is applied to the stranded conductor while it is surrounded by a second heat sink and vacuum is again applied to it to complete the connection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which vacuum is applied to the stranded conductor end by a surrounding manifold in the form of an annular groove in the inner wall of the heat sink.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 15 in which the bonding process comprises a metal/inert gas welding process.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |