EP0918338A1 - Einbettzusammensetzung für gespleisstes Kabel - Google Patents
Einbettzusammensetzung für gespleisstes Kabel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0918338A1 EP0918338A1 EP98309194A EP98309194A EP0918338A1 EP 0918338 A1 EP0918338 A1 EP 0918338A1 EP 98309194 A EP98309194 A EP 98309194A EP 98309194 A EP98309194 A EP 98309194A EP 0918338 A1 EP0918338 A1 EP 0918338A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- encapsulating material
- encapsulating
- styrene
- microbe
- block copolymer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
- H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
- H01B7/28—Protection against damage caused by moisture, corrosion, chemical attack or weather
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
- H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
- H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
- H01B7/28—Protection against damage caused by moisture, corrosion, chemical attack or weather
- H01B7/282—Preventing penetration of fluid, e.g. water or humidity, into conductor or cable
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to cable connectors, and more particularly, to cable connectors including encapsulating compositions that protect spliced connections from moisture.
- trunk cables typically transmit hundreds of telephone and/or data communications to individual customer lines.
- Cable connectors splice the individual customer lines to the trunk cables. Substantial portions of the trunk cables and individual customer lines are buried beneath the ground. However, the spliced cable connectors are in enclosures located at or near ground level.
- signal leakage a voltage drop potentially occurs at the spliced cable connections.
- the signal leakage disrupts signals transmitted through the cable connector and causes noise (e. g., static, cross-talk) on the customer lines.
- noise e. g., static, cross-talk
- the intrusion of water onto the cable connectors also fosters corrosion of the spliced cable connections, affecting their durability.
- the cable connectors have an encapsulating material thereon.
- the encapsulating material prevents the intrusion of water on the spliced cable connections.
- Many considerations are important to the selection of a suitable encapsulating material such as cost, toxicity, dielectric properties, handling characteristics, its stability over time, the hydrophobic nature of the material, its performance at low temperatures (below about 20 °F), and its resistance to flow at warm temperatures (above about 90 °F).
- petroleum jelly-polyethylene materials provide good water-blocking capability, the handling characteristics of such materials are undesirable.
- petroleum jelly-polyethylene materials typically have a consistency of a grease-like substance.
- removing the petroleum jelly-polyethylene material from the spliced connections is time consuming and messy. Since telephone installation and repair is labor intensive and therefore costly, there is a desire to make splicing tasks as fast and easy as possible.
- U. S. Patent 4,259,540 issued March 31, 1981 in the name of R. A. Sabia discusses encapsulating materials that have better handling characteristics than the petroleum jelly-polyethylene materials.
- the Sabia patent describes a water-blocking material that is a mixture of a styrene-rubber block copolymer and a low molecular weight (less than about 500) hydrocarbon compound.
- the styrene-rubber block copolymer mixture forms an encapsulating material that has the consistency of a gum eraser.
- Encapsulating materials having the consistency of a gum eraser provide handling characteristics that are suitable for reducing the costs associated with performing splicing tasks.
- block copolymer refers to a polymer made of at least two polymeric units, arranged in sequences (blocks) where one polymeric unit alternates with sequences of another polymeric unit.
- the styrene-rubber block copolymer is made of styrene polymeric units and rubber polymeric units, arranged in sequences wherein the styrene polymeric units alternate with the rubber polymeric units.
- insects e. g., ants, spiders, and beetles
- cable connectors are in enclosures located at or near ground level, they are susceptible to debris transported by insects.
- insects transport debris found in soils such as microorganisms (e. g., fungi and bacteria) and chemical elements (e. g., potassium, sodium and magnesium) on their bodies.
- Insect debris when transported onto many encapsulating materials, has the potential to disrupt signals transmitted through the spliced connections in a variety of ways.
- many encapsulating materials include hydrocarbon compounds having straight chain configurations. Hydrocarbon compounds having straight chain configurations are capable of assimilation (absorption as food) by microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Thus, encapsulating materials having hydrocarbon compounds with straight chain configurations are potentially removed by the microorganisms, leaving the cable connectors unprotected.
- the spliced connections are potentially affected by water and/or the chemical elements transported on the bodies of insects. For example, as the microorganisms assimilate the encapsulating material, they form paths through such material to the spliced connections. Under moist conditions, water and/or chemical elements seep into the paths to the spliced connections, disrupting signals transmitted through the cable connector.
- the present invention is directed to an encapsulating material not assimilated by microorganisms.
- the encapsulating material is a mixture of a styrene-rubber block copolymer and a microbe-resistant extender material.
- microbe-resistant refers to a material with a growth rate for microorganisms of zero (see ASTM Method G21-1996).
- extender material refers to a material which solvates and/or gels with the block copolymer. Extender materials that are microbe resistant as well as hydrophobic include branched hydrocarbon compounds and silicon compounds.
- the encapsulating material is about 70 % to about 98 % by weight of the microbe-resistant extender material and about 1 % to about 15 % by weight of the block copolymer.
- Encapsulating materials with such compositions have viscosities of about 33 centipoise to about 44 centipoise at a temperature of about 110 °C (ASTM Method D2669). Such materials have the handling consistency of a gum eraser at ambient temperatures.
- microbe-resistant extender material it is desirable for the microbe-resistant extender material to have a molecular weight greater than about 200. Microbe-resistant extender materials having molecular weights less than about 200 are undesirable because encapsulating materials made therefrom do not have viscosities within the prescribed range.
- Block copolymers suitable for forming the encapsulating material of the present invention optionally include di-block copolymers, tri-block copolymers, or mixtures of di-block copolymers and tri-block copolymers.
- di-block copolymer refers to a polymer which has sequences with two polymeric units.
- tri-block copolymer refers to a polymer which has sequences with three polymeric units. Examples of di-block copolymers and tri-block copolymers include styrene-ethylene butylene (S-EB) di-block copolymers and styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) tri-block copolymers.
- S-EB styrene-ethylene butylene
- S-EB-S styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cable connector with the encapsulating material of the present invention thereon.
- the present invention is directed to an encapsulating material for use on cable connectors.
- the encapsulating material protects the spliced connections on the cable connectors from signal disruptions attributable to both moisture and microorganisms (e. g., bacteria and fungi).
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a cable connector 100 .
- Cable connector 100 has a multi-component structure.
- the multi-component structure includes a top section 102 and a bottom section 103 , connected one to the other.
- Cable connector 100 has pairs of conductive pads 105 positioned at the interface between the top section 102 and the bottom section 103 .
- the top section 102 and the bottom section 103 of cable connector 100 are made from a plastic material such as polycarbonate.
- the pairs of conductive pads 105 are made from a metal such as aluminum.
- Cable connector 100 forms spliced connections between a first transmissive medium 115 (e. g., trunk cables) and a second transmissive medium 120 (e. g., individual customer lines) using the pairs of conductive pads 105 .
- An encapsulating material 125 applied on the spliced connections at the pairs of conductive pads, protects the spliced connections from moisture.
- the encapsulating material 125 prevents signal disruptions attributable to debris transported onto the cable connector 100 by insects.
- cable connectors such as cable connector 100 are in enclosures located at or near ground level. Since the cable connectors are at ground level, they are susceptible to debris transported by insects. For example, insects transport debris found in soils such as microorganisms (e. g., fungi and bacteria) and chemical elements (e. g., potassium, sodium and magnesium) on their bodies.
- Insect debris when transported onto many encapsulating materials, has the potential to disrupt signals transmitted through the spliced connections.
- many encapsulating materials include hydrocarbon compounds having straight chain configurations. Hydrocarbon compounds having straight chain configurations are capable of assimilation by microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria. Thus, encapsulating materials having hydrocarbon compounds with straight chain configurations are undesirable, since such materials are also capable of assimilation by microorganisms. When microorganisms assimilate the encapsulating material, it is removed and the spliced connections are exposed to water or other environmental factors.
- the encapsulating material of the present invention has a composition not assimilated by microorganisms.
- the encapsulating material of the present invention is a mixture of a microbe-resistant extender material and a styrene-rubber block copolymer.
- extender material refers to a material which solvates and/or gels with the block copolymer.
- microbe-resistant refers to a material with a growth rate for microorganisms of zero (see ASTM Method G21-1996).
- Extender materials that are microbe-resistant and which are also hydrophobic include branched hydrocarbon compounds and silicon compounds. (See, Potts, J. E. et al., "The Biodegradability of Synthetic Polymers", ACS Polymer Preprints, vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 629-633, (1972)).
- branched hydrocarbon compound refers to a carbon-based compound having a linear series of carbon atoms with at least one subordinate chain of one or more carbon atoms.
- isobutane is a branched hydrocarbon compound.
- Branched hydrocarbon compounds are saturated or unsaturated.
- Branched hydrocarbon compounds suitable for use as the microbe-resistant extender material include hydrocarbon oils.
- Hydrocarbon oils are mixtures of one or more branched hydrocarbon compounds.
- Suitable hydrocarbon oils having branched hydrocarbon compounds include polyalphaolefins, polypropylenes, polypropylene glycols, polybutenes, polyisobutylenes, and polyolefins (e.g., polydecenes, polyoctenes, polydodecenes, and mixtures thereof).
- Examples of commercially available branched hydrocarbon oils include the SHF and Supersyn series of oils made by Mobile Chemical Company.
- Suitable silicon compounds are compounds with a linear series of alternating silicon atoms and oxygen atoms.
- the silicon atoms are substituted or unsubstituted.
- suitable silicon compounds include polysilanes, polysiloxanes, polysiloalkenes, and polysiloarylenes.
- microbe-resistant extender material it is desirable for the microbe-resistant extender material to have an average molecular weight greater than about 200.
- Microbe-resistant extender materials having average molecular weights less than about 200 are undesirable because encapsulating materials made therefrom do not have viscosities of about 33 centipoise to about 44 centipoise at a temperature of about 110 °C. Viscosities within the prescribed range provide encapsulating materials having the handling consistency of a gum eraser.
- the block copolymers suitable for forming the encapsulating material optionally include di-block copolymers, tri-block copolymers, or mixtures of di-block copolymers and tri-block copolymers.
- di-block copolymers and tri-block copolymers include styrene-ethylene butylene (S-EB) di-block copolymers and styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) tri-block copolymers.
- the styrene-rubber ratio is preferably about 0.2 to about 0.5.
- the term styrene-rubber ratio as used in this disclosure refers to the weight ratio of the styrene block to the rubber block in the polymer.
- Such a styrene-rubber ratio is desirable since encapsulating materials made therewith typically have an elastic memory.
- Encapsulating materials with elastic memories have the ability to return to their original configuration after elongation. For example, encapsulating materials deform when electrical wires are inserted therein. Upon the removal of the electrical wires, the encapsulating material with elastic memory returns to its original shape, filling the voids resulting from the removal of the wires.
- the encapsulating material of the present invention has a composition which includes about 70 % to about 98 % by weight of the microbe-resistant extender material and about 1 % to about 15 % by weight of the block copolymer. Encapsulating materials with such compositions have viscosities of about 33 centipoise to about 44 centipoise at a temperature of about 110 °C (ASTM Method D2669). Such materials have the handling consistency of a gum eraser at ambient temperatures.
- the composition of the encapsulating material optionally includes about 1 % to about 15 % by weight polyethylene.
- Polyethylene increases the flow resistance of the encapsulating material from a temperature of about 90 °C to a temperature between about 110 °C to about 130 °C, without affecting its viscosity.
- Some polyethylene polymers are low molecular weight (i. e., about 200-600) hydrocarbon compounds with straight chain configurations capable of assimilation by microorganisms.
- encapsulating materials having compositions within the specified range of weight percents for polyethylene remain resistant to such assimilation.
- composition of the encapsulating material optionally includes additives such as antioxidants, copper deactivators, and colorants.
- Drakeol 35 About 91 % by weight of a straight chain hydrocarbon oil, Drakeol 35, was heated to a temperature of about 130 °C.
- the Drakeol 35 was obtained from Penreco Company.
- Kraton G 1650 is a styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene (S-EB-S) tri-block copolymer.
- S-EB-S styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene
- the Kraton G 1650 was obtained from Shell Chemical Company.
- about 6 % by weight polyethylene, AC9A, and about 0.002 % by weight of a dye, oil blue A were added to the extender-block copolymer mixture.
- the AC9A was obtained from Allied Chemical Company and the oil blue A was obtained from the Keystone Aniline Chemical Company. The oil blue A was added so the encapsulating material has a blue color.
- the encapsulating mixture was stirred until a homogenous mixture free of agglomerates was obtained. Thereafter, an encapsulating gel was formed by maintaining the encapsulating mixture at a temperature of about 150 °C for 1-2 hours, in a N 2 gas atmosphere.
- a one-inch glass tube was filled with the blue-colored encapsulating gel.
- Ant debris was placed in the glass tube on the encapsulating gel.
- the glass tube with the encapsulating gel and ant debris was maintained at a temperature of about 80 °F and stored in an atmosphere with a relative humidity of about 85 % for 30 days. After 30 days, the color of the encapsulating gel changed from blue to a greenish-brown color. Additionally, the volume of the encapsulating material in the glass tube was reduced by about 15 %. Such a color change for the encapsulating material as well as the reduction in volume are indicative of the assimilation of such material by microorganisms.
- SHF-82 a branched hydrocarbon oil
- the SHF-82 was obtained from Mobile Chemical Company. Thereafter, an encapsulating gel was formed using the same conditions as well as the same weight percents for the antioxidant, the copper deactivator, the tri-block copolymer, the polyethylene, and the dye that were specified in Example 1.
- a one inch glass tube was filled with the blue-colored encapsulating gel and ant debris as described in Example 1.
- the glass tube and the encapsulating gel were maintained at the same temperature and relative humidity as in Example 1.
- the blue color of the encapsulating gel as well as the volume of material in the glass tube remained unchanged after 90 days, which is indicative of the microbe-resistance of the encapsulating gel.
- About 90.5 % by weight SHF-82 was mixed with about 0.5 % by weight Irganox 1035.
- the microbe-resistant extender mixture was heated in a nitrogen atmosphere to about 150 °C. While maintaining the microbe-resistant extender mixture at 150 °C, about 3 % by weight Kraton G 1650 and about 6 % by weight AC9A were added, followed by about 0.05 % by weight Irganox 1024 and about 0.002 % by weight oil blue A.
- a one inch glass tube was filled with the blue-colored encapsulating gel and ant debris as described in Example 1.
- the glass tube and the encapsulating gel was maintained at the same temperature and relative humidity as in Example 1.
- the blue-color of the encapsulating gel as well as the volume of material in the glass tube remained unchanged after 90 days, which is indicative of the microbe-resistance of the encapsulating gel.
Landscapes
- Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US97413897A | 1997-11-19 | 1997-11-19 | |
US974138 | 1997-11-19 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0918338A1 true EP0918338A1 (de) | 1999-05-26 |
EP0918338B1 EP0918338B1 (de) | 2000-03-29 |
Family
ID=25521638
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19980309194 Expired - Lifetime EP0918338B1 (de) | 1997-11-19 | 1998-11-10 | Einbettzusammensetzung für gespleisstes Kabel |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0918338B1 (de) |
JP (1) | JPH11256054A (de) |
DE (1) | DE69800110T2 (de) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP7365119B2 (ja) * | 2019-01-08 | 2023-10-19 | 大阪瓦斯株式会社 | 生物忌避剤およびその用途 |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4535197A (en) * | 1984-04-06 | 1985-08-13 | Butler David O | Unitary cable closure |
EP0749128A2 (de) * | 1995-06-12 | 1996-12-18 | AT&T IPM Corp. | Füllmasse für Kabel und Stecker für gespleisstes Kabel |
JPH10172358A (ja) * | 1996-12-09 | 1998-06-26 | Fukuoka Cloth Kogyo Kk | 電力ケーブル用止水テープ、並びにそれを用いたゴム・プラスチック絶縁電力ケーブル |
-
1998
- 1998-11-10 DE DE1998600110 patent/DE69800110T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-10 EP EP19980309194 patent/EP0918338B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-11-19 JP JP32872298A patent/JPH11256054A/ja active Pending
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4535197A (en) * | 1984-04-06 | 1985-08-13 | Butler David O | Unitary cable closure |
EP0749128A2 (de) * | 1995-06-12 | 1996-12-18 | AT&T IPM Corp. | Füllmasse für Kabel und Stecker für gespleisstes Kabel |
JPH10172358A (ja) * | 1996-12-09 | 1998-06-26 | Fukuoka Cloth Kogyo Kk | 電力ケーブル用止水テープ、並びにそれを用いたゴム・プラスチック絶縁電力ケーブル |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 098, no. 011 30 September 1998 (1998-09-30) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH11256054A (ja) | 1999-09-21 |
DE69800110D1 (de) | 2000-05-04 |
EP0918338B1 (de) | 2000-03-29 |
DE69800110T2 (de) | 2000-11-16 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA1131009A (en) | Filled electrical cable | |
US4176240A (en) | Filled electrical cable | |
JP2912135B2 (ja) | 遮水ケーブル | |
TW209299B (de) | ||
US4351913A (en) | Filling materials for electrical and light waveguide communications cables | |
US4324453A (en) | Filling materials for electrical and light waveguide communications cables | |
CA2626131C (en) | Energy cable comprising a dielectric fluid and a mixture of thermoplastic polymers | |
US4689362A (en) | Stabilized olefin polymer insulating compositions | |
US4105619A (en) | Cable filler | |
CA1273415A (en) | Filled cables | |
ES2166144T3 (es) | Cables telefonicos. | |
US5574257A (en) | Telecommunications articles containing gelled oil compositions | |
US5453322A (en) | Telephone cables | |
CA2112543C (en) | Telephone cables | |
KR100271686B1 (ko) | 트리(워터트리) 내성 케이블 | |
US4870117A (en) | Filled cables | |
EP0918338B1 (de) | Einbettzusammensetzung für gespleisstes Kabel | |
US4218577A (en) | Telephone service wire with ester-based filling compound | |
CA1301976C (en) | Insulating material for telephone cords and telephone cords incorporatingsame | |
US5766761A (en) | Telephone cables | |
US6697555B2 (en) | Silicone waterblocking gel for low temperature fiber optic cables | |
NO159891B (no) | Oljebestandig kabel. | |
CN101883816A (zh) | 包含作为填料的被包覆的氢氧化铝的阻燃性聚合物组合物 | |
RU2377677C1 (ru) | Силовой кабель, включающий в себя диэлектрическую жидкость и смесь термопластичных полимеров | |
EP0317245A2 (de) | Wasserfeste Splissungsvorrichtung |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19981126 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19990720 |
|
GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Free format text: DE FR GB |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 69800110 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20000504 |
|
ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed | ||
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: IF02 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: 732E Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20131031 AND 20131106 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: CD Owner name: ALCATEL-LUCENT USA INC. Effective date: 20131122 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: GC Effective date: 20140410 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: RG Effective date: 20141015 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20151118 Year of fee payment: 18 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20151119 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20151119 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R119 Ref document number: 69800110 Country of ref document: DE |
|
GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20161110 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST Effective date: 20170731 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20161130 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170601 Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20161110 |