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US4849579A
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Articles comprising a mineral-oil-free encapsulant
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1987-11-06
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2007-11-06
Abstract
Abstract A mineral oil-free cured cable splice encapsulant comprises between about 20% and about 60% polyurethane, by weight of the cured encapsulant, the balance comprising diluent(s) and/or plasticizers, and typically has a cure and typically has a cure time of at least 50 minutes at 25 DEG C. The relatively long cure time, together with other properties of the material, including a viscosity typically between 150 and 1500 centipose, and relatively good "bonding" to plastic-insulated conductors, results in improved water-intrusion resistance of splices enveloped in the novel encapsulant.
Inventors
- 👤 John T. Chapin
- 👤 Raffaele A. Sabia
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 07:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01B; H01B3/00; H01B3/18; H01B3/30; H01B3/302; C; C08; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/01; C08K5/04; C08K5/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/294; Y10T428/2942; Y10T428/2947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
In combination: (a) at least a first cable comprising a tubular dielectric sheath enveloping a multiplicity of elongate metal bodies, at least some of the metal bodies extending longitudinally beyond an end of the tubular sheath; and (b) a mineral-oil-free cured encapsulant enveloping at least a part of the metal bodies extending beyond the end of the sheath, the encapsulant consisting essentially of (i) 20-60% by weight of a polyurethane formed from at least one isocyanate and at least one polyol, with the balance consisting of ester plasticizer; or (ii) 20-60% by weight of a polyurethane formed from at least one isocyanate and at least one polyol, with the balance consisting of ester plasticizer and an additive selected from the group consisting of catalysts, fungicides, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
In combination: (a) at least a first cable comprising a tubular dielectric sheath enveloping a multiplicity of elongate metal bodies, at least some of the metal bodies extending longitudinally beyond an end of the tubular sheath; and (b) a mineral-oil-free cured encapsulant enveloping at least a part of the metal bodies extending beyond the end of the sheath, the encapsulant consisting essentially of (i) 20-60% by weight of a polyurethane formed from at least one isocyanate and at least one polyol, with the balance consisting of ester plasticizer; or (ii) 20-60% by weight of a polyurethane formed from at least one isocyanate and at least one polyol, with the balance consisting of ester plasticizer and an additive selected from the group consisting of catalysts, fungicides, antioxidants, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant comprises 25-75% by weight plasticizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Combination of claim 2 further comprising at least a second cable and a splice between the first and the second cable, the splice enveloped in the encapsulant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein the encapsulant has a cure time of at least about 50 minutes at 25° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein the encapsulant is formed by mixing together at least two previously prepared parts, one of the parts comprising an isocyanate prepolymer formed by reacting the isocyanate with a portion of the polyol, and the other of the parts comprising the remainder of the polyol, the uncured encapsulant having a viscosity at completion of mixing of the at least two parts, this viscosity to be referred to as the "initial mixed viscosity", the initial mixed viscosity being between about 150 centipoise (cps) and about 1500 cps at 25° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Combination of claim 5, wherein the uncured encapsulant has an initial mixed viscosity greater than about 400 cps at 25° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein the encapsulant has a pull-out strength, for plastic-insulated 22 AWG wire coated with oil-extended thermoplastic rubber, of at least about 4 lbs, as determined by embedding a 4.5 inch length of substantially straight wire in a mass of the uncured encapsulant, curing the encapsulant, and pulling the embedded wire from the cured encapsulant at a pull rate of 50 mm/minute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein the encapsulant has a pull-out strength, for plastic-insulated 22 AWG wire coated with petroleum jelly, of at least about 2 lbs, as determined by embedding a 4.5 inch length of substantially straight wire in a mass of the uncured encapsulant, curing the encapsulant, and pulling the embedded wire from the cured encapsulant at a pull rate of 50 mm/minute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Combination of claim 2 wherein the ester plasticizer is chosen from the group consisting of trimellitates, phthalates, and combinations thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein the combination forms part of a cable termination.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Combination of claim 2 wherein the combination further comprises a cable stub spliced to the first cable.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein the at least one isocyanate is selected from the group consisting of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polymeric MDI, and derivatives of MDI, and the at least one polyol is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl-terminated polyisoprene, polyether, and castor oil, and the ester plasticizer has a viscosity of at most 500 cps at 25° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Combination of claim 2, wherein the encapsulant comprises ester plasticizer chosen from the group consisting of trimellitates, phthalates, azelates, succinates, high molecular weight adipates, and combinations thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
Combination of claim 12, wherein the encapsulant comprises ester plasticizer chosen from the group consisting of 6-10 trimellitate, ditridecyl phthalate, dioctyl adipate, and combinations thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein the at least one isocyanate is selected from the group consisting of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polymeric MDI, and derivatives of MDI, and wherein the at least one polyol is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, hydroxyl-terminated polyisoprene, polyether, and castor oil, and the ester plasticizer has a viscosity of at most 500 cps at 25° C.
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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) | 1992-07-17 | 1993-01-16 | 1993-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-17 | 1997-01-16 | 1997-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-17 | 2001-01-16 | 2001-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |