US3789099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods of manufacturing waterproof cable
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1971-11-09
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-11-09
Abstract
Abstract Successive sections of a cable core having twisted pairs of insulated conductors stranded together are moved axially longitudinally through a series of in-line chambers having interconnecting dies of an apparatus with facilities for the pressure application of a heated waterproofing compound having a jelly-like consistency into the interstices between the stranded pairs of conductors. The apparatus is designed to direct the compound inwardly radially of the core after which a flow path of the compound is established into an upstream direction relatively longitudinally of the advancing cable core to more completely fill the interstices of the completed core. Provisions are made for cooling the cable core both prior to the filling thereof to limit the movement upstream of the compound and subsequent to the filling of the core to solidify and render self-sealing the compound. Subsequently, the successive sections of the compound filled core are advanced through various stations whereat a core wrap and sheath are applied thereto together with additional applications of the waterproofing compound. A plastic jacket is extruded about the sheath and cooled prior to taking up of the successive sections of the jacketed cable onto a take-up reel.
Inventors
- 👤 C Garrett
- 👤 W Kinsley
- 👤 L Moody
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B13/00; H01B13/32; H01B13/322; H01B13/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of filling substantially the interstices of an already stranded core of a communications cable with a waterproofing compound, which includes the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded core along a predetermined path; through a laterally confined pressure relief chamber and then through a filling chamber; directing a plurality of streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally radially inwardly of the longitudinal axes of the successive sections of the stranded core in the filling chamber at a velocity and pressure sufficient to cause the compound to displace the air within the interstices of the core and to fill the interstices thereof, while creating a pressure differential between the filling chamber and the pressure relief chamber to establish a flow path of the compound which has been moved in engagement with the core longitudinally along the core and move portions of the compound from the filling chamber within the stranded core to the pressure relief chamber to cause the interstices of the core to become filled substantially; and providing a cooling chamber along the path downstream of the filling chamber and through which the core is advanced to cool the core and the compound associated with the successive sections of the core in the interstices and on the surface thereof to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate the retention of the compound with the core independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
236 words
A method of filling substantially the interstices of an already stranded core of a communications cable with a waterproofing compound, which includes the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded core along a predetermined path; through a laterally confined pressure relief chamber and then through a filling chamber; directing a plurality of streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally radially inwardly of the longitudinal axes of the successive sections of the stranded core in the filling chamber at a velocity and pressure sufficient to cause the compound to displace the air within the interstices of the core and to fill the interstices thereof, while creating a pressure differential between the filling chamber and the pressure relief chamber to establish a flow path of the compound which has been moved in engagement with the core longitudinally along the core and move portions of the compound from the filling chamber within the stranded core to the pressure relief chamber to cause the interstices of the core to become filled substantially; and providing a cooling chamber along the path downstream of the filling chamber and through which the core is advanced to cool the core and the compound associated with the successive sections of the core in the interstices and on the surface thereof to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate the retention of the compound with the core independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of streams of compounds are arranged in a single plane transverse of the axes of the successive sections of the core.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of streams of compound are spaced along the longitudinal axes of the successive sections of the core.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of applying a compound to a stranded core of a communications cable, which comprises the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded core along a path of travel; directing streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally inwardly of the successive sections of the stranded core; establishing a flow path of the compound longitudinally along the advancing successive sections of the stranded core in a direction opposite to the path of travel; the velocity of the streams and the flow paths and the pressure of the compound being sufficient to cause the compound to displace the air within the interstices of the stranded core and to fill the interstices of the stranded core; cooling the successive sections of the stranded core prior to the entry of the sections into the flow path of the compound to place in a jelly-like state any portions of the compound which are drawn from the flow path in a direction opposite that of the path of travel to preclude further movement of the compound along the path of travel; and conditioning the compound associated with the stranded core to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to limit the flow path and to facilitate the retention of the compound with the stranded core independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
217 words
A method of applying a compound to a stranded core of a communications cable, which comprises the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded core along a path of travel; directing streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally inwardly of the successive sections of the stranded core; establishing a flow path of the compound longitudinally along the advancing successive sections of the stranded core in a direction opposite to the path of travel; the velocity of the streams and the flow paths and the pressure of the compound being sufficient to cause the compound to displace the air within the interstices of the stranded core and to fill the interstices of the stranded core; cooling the successive sections of the stranded core prior to the entry of the sections into the flow path of the compound to place in a jelly-like state any portions of the compound which are drawn from the flow path in a direction opposite that of the path of travel to preclude further movement of the compound along the path of travel; and conditioning the compound associated with the stranded core to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to limit the flow path and to facilitate the retention of the compound with the stranded core independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: moving successive sections of the stranded article along a path of travel successively through a cooling chamber, a pressure-relief chamber and compound-filling chamber; directing a plurality of streams of compound in a semifluid state into the compound-filling chamber and into engagement with the successive sections of the stranded article at a pressure sufficient to move the compound into the interstices of the successive sections of the stranded article; establishing a flow path of the compound from the filling chamber in a direction opposite to the path of travel of the successive sections of the stranded article to move the compound from the filling chamber along and within the stranded article into the pressure-relief chamber; the cooling chamber being effective to preclude further movement of the filling compound in the direction opposite to the path of travel; and conditioning the compound associated with the stranded article to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate the retention of the compound with the stranded article independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
184 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: moving successive sections of the stranded article along a path of travel successively through a cooling chamber, a pressure-relief chamber and compound-filling chamber; directing a plurality of streams of compound in a semifluid state into the compound-filling chamber and into engagement with the successive sections of the stranded article at a pressure sufficient to move the compound into the interstices of the successive sections of the stranded article; establishing a flow path of the compound from the filling chamber in a direction opposite to the path of travel of the successive sections of the stranded article to move the compound from the filling chamber along and within the stranded article into the pressure-relief chamber; the cooling chamber being effective to preclude further movement of the filling compound in the direction opposite to the path of travel; and conditioning the compound associated with the stranded article to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate the retention of the compound with the stranded article independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: moving successive sections of the stranded article through a compound-applying chamber; moving amounts of the compound in a semifluid state into the compound-applying chamber and into contact with the successive sections of the stranded article at a pressure sufficiently high to displace the air in interstices of the stranded article with compound; then moving the compound relatively generally longitudinally of the movement of the successive sections of the stranded article, the moving of the compound into contact with the article and then relatively generally longitudinally thereof causing the compound to be moved first into the interstices and then along the article to facilitate the displacement of the air within the interstices throughout the cross-sectional area of the stranded article to insure that substantially all the interstices are filled with the compound; moving the compound-filled stranded article through an environment whereat the semifluid compound is conditioned to place the compound in a jelly-like state so that the compound is non-flowable and is retained within the interstices and on the surface of the stranded article independently of any other supporting structure; and cooling the successive sections of the stranded article prior to the entry of the portions into the flow path of the compound to place in a jelly-like state any portions of the compound which are drawn from the compound-applying chamber along the flow path to preclude further movement of the compound.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
247 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: moving successive sections of the stranded article through a compound-applying chamber; moving amounts of the compound in a semifluid state into the compound-applying chamber and into contact with the successive sections of the stranded article at a pressure sufficiently high to displace the air in interstices of the stranded article with compound; then moving the compound relatively generally longitudinally of the movement of the successive sections of the stranded article, the moving of the compound into contact with the article and then relatively generally longitudinally thereof causing the compound to be moved first into the interstices and then along the article to facilitate the displacement of the air within the interstices throughout the cross-sectional area of the stranded article to insure that substantially all the interstices are filled with the compound; moving the compound-filled stranded article through an environment whereat the semifluid compound is conditioned to place the compound in a jelly-like state so that the compound is non-flowable and is retained within the interstices and on the surface of the stranded article independently of any other supporting structure; and cooling the successive sections of the stranded article prior to the entry of the portions into the flow path of the compound to place in a jelly-like state any portions of the compound which are drawn from the compound-applying chamber along the flow path to preclude further movement of the compound.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded article in a first direction along a path of travel; cooling initially the successive sections of the stranded article; and then directing streams of the compound in a smeifluid state generally radially inwardly of the successive sections of the stranded article; establishing a flow of the compound relatively longitudinally of the stranded article in a second direction opposite to the first direction; tHe pressure of the compound and the flow paths of the compound being sufficient to displace the air from the interstices of the stranded article and to fill the interstices with the compound; the cooling of the successive sections prior to the application of the compound being sufficient to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to seal the stranded article and preclude further longitudinal movement of the compound; and cooling the successive sections of the article subsequent to the directing of the compound into engagement therewith to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate retention of the compound with the stranded article independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
200 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded article in a first direction along a path of travel; cooling initially the successive sections of the stranded article; and then directing streams of the compound in a smeifluid state generally radially inwardly of the successive sections of the stranded article; establishing a flow of the compound relatively longitudinally of the stranded article in a second direction opposite to the first direction; tHe pressure of the compound and the flow paths of the compound being sufficient to displace the air from the interstices of the stranded article and to fill the interstices with the compound; the cooling of the successive sections prior to the application of the compound being sufficient to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to seal the stranded article and preclude further longitudinal movement of the compound; and cooling the successive sections of the article subsequent to the directing of the compound into engagement therewith to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate retention of the compound with the stranded article independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the directing of the streams and the longitudinal flow of the compound is caused to occur in an enclosed environment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7, which further includes: heating the compound to a predetermined temperature prior to the directing of the streams thereof into engagement with the successive portions of the stranded article.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded article in a first direction along a path of travel; cooling initially the successive sections of the stranded article; and then directing streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally radially inwardly of the successive sections of the stranded article; establishing a flow of the compound relatively longitudinally of the stranded article in a second direction opposite to the first direction which includes the steps of; reducing the pressure intermediate the directing of the streams and the cooling initially of the successive sections of the stranded article; and moving compound in excess of that required to fill the interstices and to cover the surface of the stranded article out of engagement with the stranded article; the pressure of the compound and the flow paths of the compound being sufficient to displace the air from the interstices of the stranded article and to fill the interstices with the compound; the cooling of the successive sections prior to the application of the compound being sufficient to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to seal the stranded article and preclude further longitudinal movement of the compound; and cooling the successive sections of the article subsequent to the directing of the compound into engagement therewith to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate retention of the compound with the stranded article independently of any supporting structure.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises the steps of: advancing successive sections of the stranded article in a first direction along a path of travel; cooling initially the successive sections of the stranded article; and then directing streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally radially inwardly of the successive sections of the stranded article; establishing a flow of the compound relatively longitudinally of the stranded article in a second direction opposite to the first direction which includes the steps of; reducing the pressure intermediate the directing of the streams and the cooling initially of the successive sections of the stranded article; and moving compound in excess of that required to fill the interstices and to cover the surface of the stranded article out of engagement with the stranded article; the pressure of the compound and the flow paths of the compound being sufficient to displace the air from the interstices of the stranded article and to fill the interstices with the compound; the cooling of the successive sections prior to the application of the compound being sufficient to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to seal the stranded article and preclude further longitudinal movement of the compound; and cooling the successive sections of the article subsequent to the directing of the compound into engagement therewith to condition the compound to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate retention of the compound with the stranded article independently of any supporting structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |