US4868967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubular article
Assignee: Tyco International Ltd Bermuda
•
Filing: 1987-03-02
•
Granted: 1989-09-26
•
Expires: 2007-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A double-walled article in the form of a tube having a small volume filling of a friction-reducing liquid or solid between its two walls. The article is able to revolve over a substrate by relative sliding motion between its two walls, to provide environmental or electrical protection.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil L. Holt
- 👤 Peter L. Larsson
- 👤 Manoochehr Mohebban
- 👤 Stephen E. Sheehan
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:15
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L5/00; F16L5/02; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L58/00; F16L58/18; F16L58/181; F16L59/00; F16L59/14; F16L59/16; F16L59/18; F16L59/20; H; H01; H01B; H01B17/00; H01B17/26; H01B17/30; H01B17/303; H01B17/306; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/013; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49863; Y10T29/4987; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53657
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 83
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
An article comprising: a double wall; and a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to a substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
An article comprising: a double wall; and a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to a substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the liquid has a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second greater than 10 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
. An article according claim 1, in which the liquid has a viscosity of less than 20,000 centipoise at 20° C. and at a shear rate of greater than 100 reciprocal seconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
An article according to claim 3, in which the liquid has a viscosity of less than 5,000 centipoise at 20° C. and at a shear rate of greater than 500 reciprocal seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the liquid wets an interior surface of one or both walls at a dihedral angle of less than 80°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the liquid exhibits pituity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article according to claim 6, in which the liquid has an Fp value (as herein defined) of at least 1.5 g and/or an E value (as herein defined) of at least 5 g.s.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the friction-reducing means is capable of maintaining lubrication under a pressure gradient of 27 kPa per cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the liquid comprises a dilute solution of a high molecular weight polymer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An article according to claim 9, in which the molecular weight of the polymer is greater than 2 million.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article according to claim 9, in which the concentration of the high molecular weight polymer is less than 5% by weight.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
An article according to claim 9, in which the molecular weight of the polymer is greater than 4 million, and its concentration is less than 1% by weight.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the liquid has a boiling point at 1 bar of at least 130° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article according to claim 1, in which said liquid comprises a continuous phase and a dispersed phase stabilized by a gelling or solubilizing agent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the liquid comprises a polyhydric alcohol, a silicone oil, a hydrocarbon oil, a mineral oil, or a vegetable oil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article according to claim 1, comprising a dispersed phase comprising a polyarylate, a polymethacrylate, a polyacrylamide or a cellulose derivative, and a continuous phase.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the average separation between the two is less than 10 times the average wall thickness.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the double wall comprises an elastomeric material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An article according to claim 1, having the form of a double-walled tube, the double wall defining a closed region between its two walls.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the double wall together with the friction-reducing means has an electrical strength of at least 50 kV per cm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
An article according to claim 1, in which the article is applied to the substrate over an end thereof by engaging one wall of the double wall and the substrate, and applying an axial compressive force between the substrate and the outer wall at a position less than 7 cm from said end of the substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
An article according to claim 18, in which the elastomeric material has a secant modulus at 100% elongation of less than 24.7 Kg per cm 2 (350 psi), and an elongation to break of at least 100%.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article according to claim 18, suitable for providing electrical insulation, in which the elastomeric material has a resistively of greater than 10 10 ohm.cm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
An article according to claim 23, in which the elastomeric material is substantially non-tracking.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
An article according to claim 18, suitable for providing electrical stress grading, in which the elastomeric material has a specific impedance of 10 7 to 10 10 ohm.cm at 60 Hz.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
An article according to claim 18, suitable for providing a conductive layer in a high voltage cable termination or joint, in which the elastomeric material has a resistively of less than 10 4 ohm.cm.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
An article according to claim 18, in which the elastomeric material has a tear resistance of at least 90N per cm (40 lb. per linear inch).
Claim 29
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of covering a substrate, which comprises revolving onto the substrate a double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to said substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of covering a substrate, which comprises revolving onto the substrate a double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to said substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 28, in which the substrate comprises two pipes that are thereby joined by the article.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 28, in which the substrate comprises a cable splice or termination that is thereby environmentally or electrically protected by the article.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of applying a hollow object around a substrate, which comprises interposing between the object and substrate a double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to a substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of applying a hollow object around a substrate, which comprises interposing between the object and substrate a double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to a substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of forming a duct seal between a duct and a substrate that passes therethrough, which comprises revolving along the substrate to a position within the duct an article comprising a double-walled tube that can be continuously revolved along an elongate member by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall, substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the member and the member, the double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to the substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
156 words
A method of forming a duct seal between a duct and a substrate that passes therethrough, which comprises revolving along the substrate to a position within the duct an article comprising a double-walled tube that can be continuously revolved along an elongate member by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall, substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the member and the member, the double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to the substrate by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the substrate and the substrate.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of covering a supply line, which comprises revolving onto the supply line a double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to the supply line by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the supply line and the supply line.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of covering a supply line, which comprises revolving onto the supply line a double wall tubular article comprising (a) a double wall and (b) a friction reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of being applied to the supply line by relative sliding motion between the two walls substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the supply line and the supply line.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the non-newtonian liquid is capable of maintaining lubrication between said two walls under a pressure gradient of 27 kPa per cm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the liquid exhibits pituity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the liquid comprises a dilute solution of a high molecular weight polymer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 33, in which environmental protection, electrical protection, and/or thermal insulation or conductivity is provided at least partly by said article.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 37, in which electrical insulation is provided around a conductor, said article comprising a material having a resistively of greater than 10 13 ohm cm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 37, in which electrical stress-grading is provided around a high voltage conductor splice or termination, said article comprising a material having a specific impedance of 10 7 -10 10 ohm cm at 60 Hz.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 37, in which electrical shielding is provided around a conductor splice or termination, said article comprising a material having a resistively of less than 10 4 ohm cm.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 37, in which electrical protection is provided around a high voltage conductor splice or termination, said article comprising a material having an electrical strength of at least 50 kV per cm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 33, in which environmental protection, electrical protection and/or thermal insulation or conductivity is provided at least partly by an object delivered to the supply line by said article.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 42, in which said object comprises a shed.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 42, in which environmental protection, electrical protection and/or thermal insulation or conductivity is supplemented by a sealing material.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 44, in which said revolving forces the sealing material against the supply line.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the supply line comprises two pipes that are mechanically secured end to end by said article.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 33, in which said article comprises a material having a tear resistance of at least 90 N per cm (40 lb. per linear inch).
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the article comprises a material that is substantially non-tracking.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 33, in which environmental protection is provided around a cable splice or termination, said article comprising a material having a maximum water absorption less than 2% by weight.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 33, in which a high voltage conductor splice or termination is covered by said article, in which the double-wall defines a closed region between the walls, said region containing a liquid having a boiling point at 1 bar of at least 130° C.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 33, in which an environmental seal is provided between said supply line and a duct or bulkhead through which it passes, said article comprising two substantially concentric double walled tubed.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 33, in which environmental protection is provided around a telecommunications cable splice, said method additionally comprising positioning around said splice a liner over which the article is revolved.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the supply line comprises a multi-core cable, said method additionally comprising forming a cable block by delivering a curable composition to the cable core.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the double wall comprises one or more elastomeric materials and is of such a size relative to that of the supply line that said revolving involves stretching the material of the wall adjacent the supply line by an average of 10-150% based on its unstressed dimension.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 33, in which a cable is sealed to an outlet in a housing through which it enters the housing, said article being attached to the outlet, and said revolving being caused by inserting the cable into the outlet.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 33, which additionally comprises causing shear or peel between the two walls in the absence of said revolving, such that each of said walls is caused to lie adjacent the supply line.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 33, in which at least one wall of said double-walls comprises at least two layers having different electrical properties.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 33, in which the article is revolved onto an end of the supply line by engaging one wall of the double wall and said end of the supply line, and applying an axial compressive force between the supply line and the other wall at a position less than 7 cm from said end of the supply line.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of environmentally sealing a substrate, which comprises: forcing a sealing material against the substrate by revolving over the substrate an article comprising a double-walled tube such that tension within a wall of the tube acts on the sealing material; said double-walled tube having a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of continuously revolving along an elongate member by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the member and the member.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of environmentally sealing a substrate, which comprises: forcing a sealing material against the substrate by revolving over the substrate an article comprising a double-walled tube such that tension within a wall of the tube acts on the sealing material; said double-walled tube having a friction-reducing means between the two walls of the double wall and comprising a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds; the article being capable of continuously revolving along an elongate member by relative sliding motion between the two walls of the double wall substantially without relative sliding motion between a wall adjacent the member and the member.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the double wall defines a closed region between its two walls.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 60, in which separating means or friction-reducing means is provided between the walls of the double-wall tube.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the friction-reducing means comprises a liquid capable of maintaining lubrication under a pressure gradient of 27 kPa per cm.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 61, in which the friction-reducing means comprises a non-newtonian liquid having a viscosity at a shear rate of 1 reciprocal second that is greater than 5 times the viscosity at a shear rate of 100 reciprocal seconds.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the liquid exhibits pituity.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 61, in which the liquid comprises a dilute solution of a high molecular weight polymer.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the article is revolved over an end of the substrate by engaging an inner wall of the tube and said end of the substrate, and applying an axial compressive force between the substrate and an outer wall of the tube at a position less than 7 cm from said end of the substrate.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 59, in which said double wall comprises one or more elastomeric materials having a secant modulus at 100% elongation of less than 27.4 Kg per cm 2 (350 p.s.i.) and an elongation to break of at least 100%.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the sealing material comprises a mastic, or a gel, or a curable or pressure-sensitive adhesive.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 68, in which the sealing material comprises a gel having a cone penetration value of 100-350 (MM -1 ).
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 68, in which the sealing material comprises a gel having an ultimate elongation of at least 200%.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the sealing material is applied to the substrate in the form of a tape.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 71, in which the tape comprises a perforate material impregnated with the sealing material.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the sealing material comprises a non-silicone polymer having an olefinic unsaturated content of less than 10 mole per cent and having 0.1-3 cross-links per weight average molecule; a liquid dispersed in the polymer in an amount of 20-95% based on the weight of the liquid and the polymer; and optionally a filler dispersed in the liquid and/or polymer.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the substrate comprises a high voltage conductor splice or termination and the sealing material has a specific impedance of 107-10 10 ohm cm at 60 Hz.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the double walled tube comprises a material having a resistively of greater than 10 10 ohm cm.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the substrate is of non-uniform or non-circular cross-section and said sealing material has a cone penetration of 10-350 (10 -1 MM), said revolving causing the sealing material substantially to conform to the surface of the substrate.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 59, in which the substrate comprises a cable branch, the sealing material being caused substantially to conform to the crutch region between the branching cables.
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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) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |