AU641980B2

AU641980B2 - Divided sealing ring for seal members in cable fittings

Info

Publication number: AU641980B2
Application number: AU71309/91A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Martin Greisinger
Original assignee: RXS Schrumpftechnik Garnituren GmbH
Current assignee: RXS Schrumpftechnik Garnituren GmbH
Priority date: 1990-02-23
Filing date: 1991-02-22
Publication date: 1993-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2011-02-22
Also published as: AU7130991A; EP0443118A1; EP0443118B1; ES2066943T3; GR3015353T3; DE59008363D1; ATE117850T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a divided sealing ring (1) of hose-shaped cross-section for cable fittings. A connecting element (8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, 21-22, 28-30, 32-32) is used for bridging the contact plane (4). The individual coupling elements (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 30, 32) are arranged fixedly inside (2) the sealing ring (1), the mutual coupling taking place in a latching manner. In consequence, optimum sealing characteristics are obtained, which are maintained even in the case of mechanical or thermal stresses in the sealing region. <IMAGE>

Description

641980 S F Ref: 143426 FORM COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE: Class Int Class Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name and Address of Applicant: RXS Schrumpftechnik-Garnituren GmbH Profilstr. 4 5800 Hagen 1 FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Address for Service: Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33 St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia Complete Specification for the invention entitled: Divided Sealing Ring for Seal Members in Cable Fittings The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us 5845/6 BBTRACT OF TIM DISCLOSURE A divided sealing ring is provided for cable sleeves and the like is a hose-shaped sealing ring with cut ends joined by a connector element which bridges the contacting plane of the divided ring. Individual coupling elements are firmly mounted in the inside of the sealing ring and are mutually couplable to one another in an engaging fashion. As a result, optimum sealing conditions are created which are preserved even under mechanical or thermal stresses in the region of the seal.

SPECIFICATION

TITLE

IDIVIDED SEALING RING FOR SEAL MEMBERS IN CABLE FITTINGS" BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention is related generally to a divided sealing ring for seal members and cable fittings wherein the seal ring is composed of an elastomeric hose having a connecting element that connects ends of the hose.

Description of the Related Art A cable fitting or sleeve, such as to cover a splice in the cable, is generally composed of two end face seal members in which ports are provided for the introduction of the cables as well as an outer cylindrical sleeve member which is wrapped around the two end face members and extends therebetween to form an enclosure.

The cylindrical sleeve is sealed to prevent the entry of water, for example, or gases. Among other things, an effective seal is needed between the outer circumference of the end face seal members and the inside wall of the cylindrical sleeve portion. Closed round seals, or 0-rings, are generally used here.

However, when the sleeve is to be placed ever an uncut cable or over a cable splice which has already been produced, the application of a closed sealing ring or o-ring is not possible.

Thus, the sealing ring must be cut open and only then can be placed over the cable and, ultimately, on to the end face seal member.

The seal ring must then be rejoined at its cut location to form an effective seal. Up tb now, such a connection of the cut ends of the seal is performed by gluing the ends together in a centering form or device. The sealing ring is generally composed of a silicon rubber wh'ch is extremely well suited for sealing purposes.

However, gluing the ends of such sealing ring produces a particularly unsatisfactory result since the curing time for such 'lue takes several hours.

A known divided round seal for sealing members is formed of a thick walled elastic hose which has been transversely divided or cut. A connecting pin is then introduced into the inside of the ends of the hose at the cut location for the purpose of bridging the cut ends.

Disadvantages arise even when the surfaces of the connecting pin are appropriately shaped or roughened since the cut location may become leaky when the cable sleeve is subjected to mechanical stresses or to temperature fluctuations. Thus, the ineffectiveness of the seal at the cut location leads to problems.

Figure 1 illustrates a problem which can occur in the hitherto used seal rings 1. In particular, cut ends 4 of the seal ring 1 separate to leave a wedge-shaped gap 3 when the seal ring 1 is mounted on a circular body of relatively small radius. The surfaces 4 lies at an angle 5 to a radius of the circular body, which gives rise yields to stresses so that the gap 3 arises.

In Figure 2, the cut ring is mounted on a body of a relatively larger radius and, thus, a wide gap is not as likely to occur. However, even though the gap becomes smaller at larger diameters, a small gap is possible. The width of the gap 3 is thereby dependent on the radius of curvature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

There is disclosed herein a divided sealing ring for seal members in cable fittings, comprising: a sealing ring comprising an elastic hose of an elastomeric material with a cut location defining a contacting plane between two opposite end surfaces of said hose, said opposite end surfaces of said seal ring each being concavely formed; and a connector bridging said cut location, said connector including at leas-t two coupling elements comprising at least one sleeve having a groovedAsurface in at least one end of the sealing ring and a coupling element bridging said contacting plane; said sleeve being firmly mounted within a respective end of said sealing ring and said bridging coupling element is formed with a correspondingly profiled outer surface and is 'N engaged in said sleeve, wherein at least one of said coupling elements is LF/04031 set back inside an end said sealing ring to such an extent such that engagement of said two coupling elements to one another compresses said elastomeric material of said sealing ring at said ends and results in said ends of said sealing ring pressing elastically against one another.

An advantage of the present invention is mainly comprised in holding together the ends of the sealing ring at the parting location with an engaged connector element. The individual coupling elements are arranged within the hollow, hose-like sealing ring such that the parting surfaces or cut surfaces of the sealing ring are pressed against one another even after the engagement of the coupling elements. An adequate pressing power or force that keeps the cut location or parting location of the sealing ring tight even under mechanical and thermal stresses is guaranteed in this way.

It is also expedient to arrange the parting surfaces at the ends of the sealing ring obliquely opposite one another, such that the common contacting surface of the two parting surfaces lies in a radial plane after engagement. This uniformly distributes the pressing power or force of the ends over the entire end surface. This also prevents an outwardly spread wedge shaped gap 3 from being formed at the contacting surfaces 4 when the ct ature of the sealing ring is in accordance with the diameter of the end face seal member, as was hitherto the case as shown in Figure 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 10, 11 and 13 of the accompanying drawings, the other Figures shown merely for reference, wherein: Figure 1 shows a cut location in a sealing ring of the prior art which is mounted at a small radius of curvature; Figure 2 shows a cut location of a sealing ring of the prior art mounted at a larger radius of curvature; Figure 3 shows a portion of a sealing ring with the ends at the parting or cut location;

ELI

RLFT04031 RLF/04031 Figure 4 shows a portion of a seal ring at a small radius of curvature after the ends are joined; Figure 5 is an enlarged cross section in the region of the joining plane of a seal ring showing the parting surfaces having a concave form: Figure 6 is an enlarged cross section of a portion of a seal ring at the joining plane showing connector elements composed of a sleeve and of a continuation that bridges the parting location wherein the connector elements are shown in an assembled condition; Figure 7 is an enlarged cross section of connector elements including a sleeve and a bridging connection in a seal ring wherein the connector elements are shown in an exploded view not yet connected; Figure 8 is an enlarged cross section, also in an exploded view, of a connector composed of two sleeves and a bridging continuation in a seal ring; Figure 9 is an enlarged cross section in exploded view of a connector in a seal ring which includes a sleeve and a bridging continuation; Figure 10 is an enlarged side view of coupling elements shown prior to connection and without the seal ring wherein the coupling elements include a catch tongue and catch groove; Figure 11 likewise is an enlarged side view of only the coupling elements prior to connection showing another form of a catch tongue and a catch groove; Figure 12 is an enlarged cross section of longitudinally divided coupling elements mounted in the ends of the hollow seal ring, the coupling elements being engagable inside the sealing ring overlapping one another; and RLF/04031 Figure 13 is an end view of an end face seal member mounted on a cable with a cable sleeve mounted around the end face seal member and a sealing ring mounted therebetween.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As already mentioned, Figures 1 and 2 show the conditions of a sealing ring 1 of the prior art. The risk that is present in such sealing rings is that leaks will occur due to the formation of a gap 3 in the common connecting plane 4. The size of the gap 3 which results is essentially dependent upon the radius of curvature of the sealing ring 1 and thus on the diameter of the seal member on which it is mounted.

In Figure 3 is shown an approach for considerably improving the sealing conditions at the contacting plane 4 in conformity with the principles of the present invention. Dividing surfaces, or cut surfaces, 7 at each end of the sealing ring 1 are angled off at an angle 6 to an axis of the cylindrical sealing ring which depends upon the radius of curvature of the mounted sealing ring 1. The two dividing surfaces 7 are thus inclined toward one another when the ends of the sealing ring 1 are aligned in a straight line.

As shown in Figure 4, the sealing ring 1 with the angled dividing surfaces has its ends joined in a common contacting plane 4 in the assembled condition even when curved about a relatively small radius. These ends are slanted or angled in accordance with the conditions shown in Figure 3. By forming the ends at an angle, the entire contacting plane 4 is subject to substantially equal forces and spacing so that a gap can no longer form when the ring is placed around a circular end face member.

Figure 4 also shows a connector element 11 embedded in the inside of the hollow sealing ring 1, the connector element 11 having a continuation extending through the contacting plane 4.

As initially described, simple connector elements are already known. The known type, however, is not adequate to be able to guarantee a reliable seal in the contacting plane 4. When subject to mechanical and/or thermal stresses on the cable sleeve, the ends of the sealing ring 1 may slide on this simple, connector element 11 to leave a gap so that leaks at the parting surface 4 may arise as a result thereof, and may even slide off the connector element 11.

Various embodiments of the present invention which prevent the problems described above are disclosed herein below.

Figure 5 shows a partial region of a sealing ring 1, wherein the parting surfaces 7' have been modified to a concave form in addition to being cut at a slant or angle so that the outside regions of the parting surfaces 7' are more highly stressed than an inside region 37. This provides the advantage that the parting surfaces 7' are joined with a greater pressing force at the outside edges when the ends of the sealing ring are pressed together. This adds further reliability to the seal with the unequal stressing at the contacting surface 4.

A connector element 11 having a grooved surface as is known in the prior art is shown in Figure 5 in the inside 2 of the sealing ring 1. Since the inside wall of the sealing ring 1, however, is smooth, the ends of the sealing ring 1 can nonetheless slide along the connector element 11 so that the pressing force decreases at the contacting plane. Despite the described improvement of forming the parting surfaces 7' as shown, an absolute reliability of the seal is not yet always established and the concave formation of the dividing surfaces 7' provides only a slight improvement over the prior art. Decisively better sealing conditions with a greater reliability derive when connector elements of the present invention are used, however.

A first exemplary embodiment of a connector in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figure 6. This connector guarantees that the sealing conditions, once produced, are preserved even when the sealing ring 1 is subject to stresses. A connector formed of connector elements 10 and 11' shown in Figure 6 include a bridging coupling element 11', having, for example, a grooved surface and extending through the contacting plane 4 into the ends of the sealing ring 1. The bridging coupling element 11' is engaged into a second coupling element 10 fashioned as a sleeve having a grooved surface corresponding to the grooves on the bridging element 11'. The sleeve 10 is firmly engaged within one end of thd sealing ring 1 and the second coupling element 11', formed as a continuation extending beyond the end in which it is mounted, is firmly engaged into the other end, for example, by gluing, clamping, or bracing. In Figure 6, glue 50 holds the bridging element 11' in the hollow end of the seal ring 1, while a bracing 52 in the form of a conical flange secures the sleeve in the other hollow end of the sealing ring 1.

The sleeve 10 is set back from the dividing plane 4 into the inside 2 of the sealing ring 1 to such an extent that the elasticity of the material of the sealing ring 1 is used to initially resiliently engaged the connecting members. In other words, the material at the ends of the seal ring 1 is compressed against one another to engage the connector elements and remains compressed after the engagement. Subsequently, a pressing force is produced by the elasticity of the sealing ring material in the contacting plane 4 so that sealing conditions there are promoted.

As a consequence of the engagement of the coupling elements 10 and 11' with each other, it is no longer possible for the ends of the sealing ring 1 to slide along or even off the connector so that leaks that result from mechanical or thermal stresses at the sealing region no longer arise.

With reference now to Figure 7, the ends of the sealing ring are provided with a connector element 8 and 9 composed of a sleeve 9 set back into the inside of the tube from the end, as well as a coupling element having a continuation 8 that bridges the contacting plane. The continuation 8 is longitudinally slotted at 8a and has barbs 8b at the end which spread open in a hooking fashion into grooves 9a in the sleeve 9 after introduction into the sleeve 9. Due to the set-back of the sleeve 9 from the end of the sealing ring, the clasticity of the material of the sealing ring 1 is again exploited so that, corresponding to the set-back distances, the necessary pressing forces are achieved at the contacting plane to maintain an effective seal. In Figure 7, the sleeve 9 is molded into the inner wall of the sealing ring rather than being a separate sleeve element as shown in Figure 6.

In Figure 8 is shown an exemplary embodiment of a connector element 10" and 11" comprising a profiled sleeve 10" in each end of the sealing ring 1. A continuation 11" formed with a correspondingly profiled outer surface is provided as the bridging element through the contacting plane 4. The continuation 11" is pressed and hooked into both sleeves 10" in an engaging fashion.

Such engagement thus secures the connecting location in a sealed relationship at the ends of the sealing ring 1.

Yet another embodiment is shown in Figure 9, including connector elements 12 and 13 of the invention which have a firmly mounted sleeve 12 in the inside 2 of one end of the sealing ring i. A continuation 13 which is formed resiliently with a longitudinal slot (not visible in the side view) is introduced into the sleeve 12 as the coupling element. The continuation 13 has a profiled surface which mates with the sleeve 12 so that a reliable seating of the ends of the sealing ring against one another is also guararnteed here.

For the sake of clarity, the connector elements 14 2%nd 15 are shown enlarged in Figure 10 without the hollow sealing ring. The coupling elements are to be firmly introduced into the inside 2 of the sealing ring 1 when used. In Figure 10, one coupling element 14 is formed with a catch tongue 16 having a resilient catch element or projection 20, the tongue being insertable in engaging fashion into a catch groove 18 of the second coupling element This catch groove 18 is fcrmed by two tabs.17, although other forms are also possible. In the ultimate engaged condition, the catch 1lement 20 engages into a recess 19 in.one side of the groove 18, as a result thereof the ends of the seal ring are again fixed firmly together. Of course, to accomplish this, the coupling elements 14 and 15 are set back from the ends of the seal ring.

In Figure 11 is shown a variation on the embodiment shown in Figure 10. A plurality of the hook-shaped elements 24 are arranged on the catch tongue 23 on both sides, the hook-shaped elements hooking into corresponding cooperating elements or spaces 27 in the catch grooved 26 which is formed by two tabs Referring to Figure 12, an exemplary embodiment of connector elements 28 and 30 comprising a coupling element 28 and a coupling element 30. Each of the coupling elements include a continuation 29 or 31, respectively. The one coupling element 30 has its continuation 31 arranged set back in the inside 2 of the sealing ring so that only the second continuation 29 of the coupling element 28 bridges the contacting plane of the sealing ring 1. The continuation 29 interacts with the continuation 31 by hooking, and the sealing ring 1 acts as a sleeve to retain the two continuations engaged to one another and thus retain the ends of the sealing ring in engaged position.

Figure 13 shows an application of a sealing ring 1 on the -ircumference of a divided end face member 38 of a cable sleeve. The sealing ring 1 serves as the seal element between the end face member 38 ard a socket pipe or sleeve 41. Two of such end face members 38 arranged at the opposite ends of a region to be enclosed, one of the seal rings 1 is mounted on each of the end face members, and the sleeve is mounted over the end face members with the assistance of a closure mechanism 42 to enclose and seal off the region. An imaginary radial plane 43, shown by a broken line, is in line with the contacting plane 4 of the sealing ring 1 of the invention. It should be understood that this contacting plane lies in the imaginary radial plane 43 as a consequence of the oblique cuts at the ends of the sealing ring.

As a further embodiment, particularly for large curvatures, i.e.

small diameters, of end face sealing members, it is recommended that the bridging continuations be likewise bent in conformity with the curvature of the mounted sealing ring. A further matching in this parting region is therebj established.

The connector elements of the present invention are essentially composed of plastic and preferably of polyethylene, although metal may also be used for this purpose. A combination of metal and plastic material may also be used under certain circumstance. The sealing ring is composed of an elastomeric material and preferably of silicone rubber.

As previously mentioned, the parti surfaces are cut surfaces of the sealing ring proceed obliquely at the ends thereof. Even this can be foregone by corresponding sizing of the distances between the coupling elements in combination with the elasticity of the material of which the seal ring is formed. The parting surfaces thus lie parallel to one another and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the sealing ring. Catch elements of the coupling elements may be formed both detachably as well as i ,idetachably so that the connection is either separable or permanent, respectively. The detachable configuration of the coupling elements promotes manipulation for doing repair work, for example.

As in the case of the embodiments shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, or 13, a particular advantage is provided when the coupling elements are secured against turning relative to one another.

As needed, the parting surfaces may also be formed with profiles or labyrinth seals, such as when sealing conditions arecritical.

Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.

Claims

1. A divided sealing ring for seal members In cable fittings, comprising: a sealing ring comprising an elastic hose of an elastomeric material with a cut location defining a contacting plane between two opposite end surfaces of said hose, said opposite end surfaces of said seal ring each being concavely formed; and a connector bridging said cut location, said connector including at least two coupling elements comprising at least one sleeve having a grooved inner surface in at least one end of the sealing ring and a coupling element bridging said contacting plane; said sleeve being firmly mounted within a respective end of said sealing ring and said bridging coupling element is formed with a correspondingly profiled outer surface and is engaged in said sleeve, wherein at least one of said coupling elements is set back inside an end said sealing ring to such an extent such that engagement of said two coupling elements to one another compresses said elastomeric material of ;aid sealing ring at said ends and results in said ends of said sealing ring pressing elastically against one another.

2. A divided sealing comprising: glue affixing at least sealing ring.

3. A divided sealing coupling elements are formed another. ing as claimed in claim 1, further one of said coupling elements in said ring as claimed in claim I, wherein said so as to be non-detachably joinable to one ring as claimed in claim I, wherein said so as to be detachably joinable to one

4. coupling another. coupling

6. A divided sealing elements are formed A divided sealing elements are formed A divided sealing ring as claimed in to resist relative ring as claimed in claim I, turning. claim wherein said wherein said coupling elements are of polyethylene.

7. A divided sealing ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling elements are of metal.

8. A divided sealing ring as claimed in claim I, wherein individual ones of said coupling elements are composed of mutually S different materials. /04031 13

9. A divided sealing ring as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sealing ring is of silicon rubber. A divided sealing ring substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 10, 11 and 13 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this THIRD day of AUGUST 1993 RXS Schrumpftechnik-Garnituren GmbH Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON /04031