US3876487A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for manufacturing waterproof cable
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1973-08-15
•
Granted: 1975-04-08
•
Expires: 1993-08-15
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 cooler prior to taking up of the successive sections of the jacketed cable onto a take-up reel.
Inventors
- 👤 Carl Eugene Garrett
- 👤 Jr William Henry Kinsley
- 👤 Larry Dean Moody
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B13/00; H01B13/32; H01B13/322; H01B13/323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for applying a compound to a stranded article, which comprises: means for directing streams of the compound generally inwardly of successive sections of the stranded article into the interstices thereof; means for causing relative movement between successive sections of the stranded article and the compound longitudinally axially of the stranded article; the directing of the streams inwardly and the relative movement being sufficient to displace the air within the interstices of the stranded article and to fill the interstices with the compound; and means for 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
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for applying a compound to a stranded article, which comprises: means for directing streams of the compound generally inwardly of successive sections of the stranded article into the interstices thereof; means for causing relative movement between successive sections of the stranded article and the compound longitudinally axially of the stranded article; the directing of the streams inwardly and the relative movement being sufficient to displace the air within the interstices of the stranded article and to fill the interstices with the compound; and means for 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
Claim 3
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for applying a compound to a stranded core of a communications cable, which comprises: means for advancing a stranded core along a predetermined path; means for directing at least one plurality of streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally radially inwardly of the longitudinal axis of the core along one portion of the path 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 of the core; means for creating a pressure differential longitudinally along the core to establish a flow path of compound longitudinally of the core between the one portion of the path and other portions of the path and to cooperate with the inward movement of the compound to fill completely the interstices of the core; and means for conditioning the compound associated with the core to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate the retention of
Claim 4
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for applying a compound to a stranded core of a communications cable, which comprises: means for advancing a stranded core along a predetermined path; means for directing at least one plurality of streams of the compound in a semifluid state generally radially inwardly of the longitudinal axis of the core along one portion of the path 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 of the core; means for creating a pressure differential longitudinally along the core to establish a flow path of compound longitudinally of the core between the one portion of the path and other portions of the path and to cooperate with the inward movement of the compound to fill completely the interstices of the core; and means for conditioning the compound associated with the core to a consistency having a viscosity sufficient to facilitate the retention of
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one plurality of streams are arranged in a single plane transverse of the axes of the successive
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the streams are spaced along the
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pressure differential is created between the directing means and a point spaced therefrom and in a
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The aparatus of claim 2, wherein the directing means also includes means for heating the compound to a predetermined temperature and the means for conditioning of the compound includes cooling the core to a temperature below that at which the compound becomes sufficiently viscous to be
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 2, which further comprises: means prior to the entry of the core into the flow path for cooling the core 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
Claim 10
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises: a first cooling chamber; a pressure-relief chamber connected to the first cooling chamber; a compound filling chamber connected to the pressure-relief chamber; means for moving successive sections of the stranded article along a path of travel successively through the first cooling chamber, the pressure-relief chamber and the filling chamber; means for directing a plurality of streams of the 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; means for 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 first cooling chamber being effective to preclude further movement of the filling compound in the direction opposite to the path of travel; and a second cooling chamber connected to the compound filling chamber for 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
Claim 11
Independent Claim
223 words
An apparatus for applying a compound to an elongated stranded article, which comprises: a first cooling chamber; a pressure-relief chamber connected to the first cooling chamber; a compound filling chamber connected to the pressure-relief chamber; means for moving successive sections of the stranded article along a path of travel successively through the first cooling chamber, the pressure-relief chamber and the filling chamber; means for directing a plurality of streams of the 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; means for 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 first cooling chamber being effective to preclude further movement of the filling compound in the direction opposite to the path of travel; and a second cooling chamber connected to the compound filling chamber for 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
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the directing means further includes: means for heating the compound to a predetermined temperature prior to the directing of the streams thereof into engagement with the successive
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the directing means includes a plurality of pressure-filling devices spaced along the chamber, each of the devices including a plurality of openings for directing the compound
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the openings in each of the pressure-filling devices are arranged in a plane transverse of the axes of
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the openings in each of the pressure-filling devices are spaced along the axes of the successive
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 10, which also includes: means for reducing the pressure in the relief portion of the chamber between the directing means and the portion whereat the successive sections are cooled initially to pull the compound in the second direction from the directing means into the relief portion; and means for moving compound in excess of that required to fill the interstices and to cover the surface of the stranded article from the
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of the cooling chambers includes: an outer sleeve; an inner tube positioned concentrically within the sleeve to permit passage of the successive sections of the stranded article therethrough; a chamber being formed between the outer sleeve and the inner tube; means for connecting the inner tube to the outer sleeve and for sealing the ends of the chamber; and means for circulating a cooling medium through the chamber to cool the
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the inner tube is removable to permit the replacement thereof with other inner tubes of different sizes to facilitate the passage of stranded article of different sizes therethrough.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |