FI69721C - ANGLE FOER FYLLNING AV KABLAR OMFATTANDE FLERA KAERNENHETER MED FLUIDISERAT PULVER - Google Patents

Description

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Patent breast 10 03 1020 (51) Kv.lk.4 / lnt.CI.4 H 01 B 13/22 g y | ^^ p | | ^ | Q (21) Patent application - Patentansökning 792381 (22) Application date - Ansökningsdag 30-07.79 (23) Starting date - Giltighetsdag 30.07.79

(41) Made public - Blivit offentllg gi q £ gQ

Patent and Registration Office ...... .... . . .....

’/ 44] Date of dispatch and of publication of the publication— oq ii or

Patent-och registerstyrelsen '' Ansökan utlagd och utl.skriften publicerad 11.05 (32) (33) (31) Privilege claimed - Begärd priority 31 .07.78 Canada (CA) 308 * 09 Verified-Styrkt (71) Northern Telecom Limited, 1600 Dorchester Boulevard West, Montreal,

Quebec, Canada (CA) (72) John Nicholas Garner, Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada (CA) (7 * 0 Berggren Oy Ab (5 * 0 Apparatus for filling multi-core cables with fluid powder - Anordning för fyllning av kablar This invention relates to an apparatus for filling cables comprising a plurality of core units with a fluidized powder, and more particularly to an opening device for opening a cable into separate core units for filling.

Finnish Patent Application No. 791920 describes filling a cable core with a fluidized powder by passing the cable core through a fluidized bed in a substantially closed state. The core of the cable, which can be effectively filled, appears to have a size limit. In a long-distance cable with a core consisting of several pairs of conductors, the appropriate maximum unit size is 50 pairs of conductors.

In cables with a larger number of conductors, the core is "opened" to form a plurality of core units, each of which is in a substantially closed state as it passes through the fluidized bed. The core of the cable can be opened before or after entering the fluidized bed and reclosed in the bed.

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In its broadest sense, the invention relates to an opening device for opening a cable core into a plurality of core units, the individual units being filled with powder in a substantially closed state. The opening device can be placed inside or outside the fluidized bed before the cable core passes through the bed.

The device comprises an opening member located freely on the core of the cable and supported on the support member by means of an air bearing arrangement.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description of some exemplary embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-section through a filling layer having an opening device; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of two basic parts of the device shown separately; the line III-III through the apparatus is in use, Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal section of the filling layer through the opening device being located outside the bed prior to the cable core inputs, Figure 5 shows a front view of the opening device in Figure 4 seen from the direction of the arrow in Figure 4 A in Figure 6 is the line VI-VI cross-section of Figure 5 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the inner surface of the inlet wall of the layer and shows the air tank, Fig. 8 is a cross-section through an alternative form of cable opening device along the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 9, Fig. 9o the front view direction of the arrow A of Figure 8 viewed in the direction to some hidden parts shown in dotted lines, and Figure 10 shows a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X 8 along the perimeter of the structure of the rotating member.

As shown in Figure 1, the fluidized powder filling layer is generally designated 10, with the powder located in a main portion 11 having a perforated bottom portion 12 below which is an air reservoir 13 having an air inlet 14. The main body is covered by a lid 15 and dust removed at 16 The layer can be filled with powder either by removing the lid or by using an inlet. A typical 69721 layer form is disclosed in the aforementioned patent application.

The core 17 of the cable enters through the inlet nozzle 18, after which the core is opened as the core units pass through the opening device 19. After passing through the opening device, the core units retract together, as shown in point 20, and then exit through the discharge nozzle 21. After passing through the discharge nozzle, the core can be coated, for example, with a strip coating device 22 and a strip 23. The opening device can be supported in a layer by a support plate 24 extending over the main part 11.

The opening device 19 is shown in more detail in Figures 2 and 3. The device comprises a support member 25 attached to the support plate 24 and an opening member 26 surrounding a cable core 17 which opens into a plurality of core units 27. The support member 25 is annular in shape and has an annular channel 28 is formed on the back surface. The rear surface of the support member is held tightly against the support plate 22, e.g. by screws 29, and compressed air is supplied to the duct 28 through the inlet opening 30. A plurality of small holes 31 are formed in the front surface of the support member 25 which communicate with the channel 28. During use, as the opening member 26 extends over the core of the cable, resistance to the opening member holds it against the support member 25, and the opening member is also aligned. High pressure air is supplied through the openings 31, and the air keeps the opening member 26 at a short distance from the support member, allowing a relatively frictional relative movement. The air also prevents the fluidized powder from penetrating between the two members. Through holes 32 are formed in the opening member 26 through which the core units pass.

At start-up, the core of the cable is divided into the desired number of core units after the core has passed through the inlet nozzle 18. Although seven units are shown in Figures 2 and 3, there may be a smaller or larger number thereof. For large cable cores, the opening member may have more than one set of holes 32. The separate core units are then passed through the holes 32, then through the center of the support member 25 and then through the outlet nozzle 21. Usually, the traction member is attached to the end of the cable core to guide it to any subsequent steps and further to the take-up reel. The bed is then sealed, air is introduced into the air tank 13 and the powder is fluidized. The core of the cable is pulled through the layer, whereupon the core opens to pass through the opening member 26 and closes again after it 4 69721. The powder fills the gaps between the conductors of each core unit before the core of the cable closes. There is some rotation in the core units about the longitudinal axis of the heart, and the opening member 26 can rotate relative to the support member 25 quite easily.

Fig. 4 schematically shows an alternative arrangement in which the opening member 19 is mounted outside the layer 10 at the inlet of the filling part. In Figures 4 and 5 and 6, the same reference numerals for the same parts as in Figures 1-3 have been used, where applicable. The core of the cable is opened into units before it enters the fluidized bed, whereupon the core closes again at point 20 of the bed.

Figures 5 and 6 show in more detail the opening device 19 of Figure 4. In this example, the support member 40 is attached to the inlet end wall 41 of the layer main body 11. The support member 40 is tubular and has a conical support surface 42 and an annular wall 43 projecting from the outer circumference of the chamber. An annular duct 44 is formed in the rear of the support member, and compressed air is supplied to this duct through an inlet 45 connected to the duct 46.

The small holes 47 extend from the support surface 42 through the channel 44.

An opening member 50 is disposed within the support member 40. The opening member has a conical front surface 51 located opposite the surface 42. The periphery of the opening member is also a free-moving adapter inside the wall 43. An annular chamber 52 is formed in the circumference of the opening member, and compressed air is supplied to this chamber through the inlet 53. From the chamber 52, air is supplied through small diameter holes 54 to holes 55 and 55a which extend through the opening member and through which the core units pass. The air supply holes 54 are explained in more detail below.

The rear surface 56 of the opening member 50 is recessed around the circumference so as to form a rear support surface 57, and the retaining member 58 is disposed in the recess. The retaining member has a radial flange 59 which engages the radial flange 60 of the support member 40, and the screws 61 connect the two flanges to each other. The seal 62 can be placed between the flanges. The retaining member has an annular cavity 63 closed by a cover plate 64 with a seal 65. Small holes 66 connect the cavity 63 to the front surface 67 of the retaining member. Compressed air is supplied to the cavity 63 through an inlet (not shown).

During operation, after the cable core is first opened and the core units have passed through holes 55 and 55a through the layer 10, out through the nozzle 21 and further to the receiving coil, air is supplied to the air tank 13 to fluid the powder and also to the duct 44, chamber 52 and cavity 63.

Compressed air supplied to the passage 44 and the cavity 63 flows through the holes 47 and 66 and forms an air bearing between the support member and the opening member. Thus, there is almost no friction between the support member and the opening member. Air also flows between the outer circumference of the opening member and the inner surface of the wall 43.

Although the core units pass through the holes 55 and 55a at a relatively high speed, e.g., more than 30 m / min, the powder tends to exit the layer through the holes. By supplying air through the inlet 53, the chamber 52 and the holes 54, a small residual air flow can be obtained in the bed which prevents the powder from flowing out. The flow of this air can be adjusted to prevent powder leakage. Air flowing from the opening 47 between the conical surfaces 42 and 51 flows out between these surfaces at the installation point in the end wall 41. This flow could interfere with the fluidized bed, so that a collection system can be used. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the collector member 68 is attached to the inner surface of the wall 41, the inner circumference of the member 68 being located in a recess 69 at the front end of the opening member 68. The interior of the member 68 is recessed on the side facing the support member 40 and the opening member 50 and forms an annular channel 70 and 51. The annular channel 70 is connected via a channel 71 to an outlet opening 72 which opens to a space above the layer 11. The bed discharge pressure is slightly below atmospheric pressure. Similarly, air can be supplied to the holes in the opening member of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The opening member 50 is thus located freely on the cable core and can rotate freely inside the support member as the cable core passes through the layer. The number of holes 55 may vary depending on the size of the heart and the number of nuclei. There may be more than one set of holes 55 as required. It is also possible to use an opening member with a large number of holes 55 and means for closing those holes which are not in use.

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The arrangement shown in Figure 8 is intended for large cables, whereby the arrangement opens the cable 18 as a unit. The arrangement comprises an opening member or rotor 80 having 18 holes 81 passing axially therethrough. The rotor is supported on a support member or body, generally designated 82, and has a central portion 82 having a larger diameter than the end portions 84 and 85. The body 62 has a central portion 86 and end portions 87 and 88, wherein the inner holes of the portions 86, 87 and 88 are such that the rotor has a tight rotating fit therein.

A plurality of nozzle units 89 and a plurality of outlets 90 are disposed within the center portion 86 of the body 82. In the particular example shown, there are four nozzle units 89 arranged at 90 ° intervals around the center portion 86 and four outlet ports 90 also arranged at 90 ° intervals and between the nozzle units. Air is supplied to the nozzle units 89 through non-shown pipes connected to the threaded inlets 91. Exhaust air is removed through non-shown pipes connected to the threaded outlets 99. The four nozzle units 89 and the outlet 90 are shown in broken lines in Figure 9.

Inside each nozzle unit 89 is a nozzle member 92, shown in cross section in Fig. 10. The circumference of the central portion 83 of the rotor 80 has a plurality of semicircular grooves in line with the nozzle members 92. The circumferential groove 94 runs on either side of the grooves 93.

The grooves 93, together with the nozzle members 92, form an air turbine field. The air supplied to the nozzle unit 89 is sprayed out by the nozzle member so that the air strikes the grooves 93 to apply rotational force to the rotor 80. The nozzle units 89 are mounted in circular housings 95 welded to the body 82. The nozzle units can be housed in the housings in either direction. 180 °. Thus, the nozzle member can be positioned to spray air in one direction or another spaced 180 ° apart, thereby generating rotational and braking forces as needed.

The central portion 86 on each side of the central portion is formed of spaced apart members 96 to form an annular air chamber 97. Small holes 98 extend through the inner members 96 through which air passes to form an air bearing between the periphery of the rotor center and the inner surfaces 96.

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Similarly, the end members 100 and 101 form annular air chambers 102 and 103 with small holes 104 through their inner walls 105. Air flowing through the holes 104 forms air bearings between the end surfaces 120 of the center portion 83 of the rotor 80 and the end members 100 and 101.

Pressurized air is supplied to chambers 102 and 103 through inlets 107 and 108, respectively, and to chambers 97 through one or more inlets 109. Air exiting by flowing down between the end of the central portion 83 of the rotor and the inner wall of the end member 100, on the left in Figure 8, can flow between the circumference of the tapered portion 84 and the end member into the chamber 110 and exit through the outlet 111.

Depending on the size of the cable and the number of units to which the cable is to be divided, the rotor may have different numbers of holes 81. For example, rotors with 2-12 holes may be used. Suitably the dimensions of the rotor are standard dimensions except for the number of holes and possibly the diameter. The rotors can be replaced by removing the end portions of the body 82. The rotor 80 can then be pushed out and replaced by another. The end portion 88 is held in place by pins 112 and cam-operated bolts 113.

In the example shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10, the cable moves through the rotor in the direction of arrow in Figure 8 Ά the direction indicated. The device is mounted on the end wall of the inlet end of the fluidized bed housing, indicated by the number 114 in Fig. 8. Thus, Fig. 8 is in the opposite direction to the arrangement shown in Fig. 6. Although the rotation of the cable units themselves tends to rotate the rotor as the cable passes through the fluidized bed, the size of the rotor when handling larger cables may be such that it develops considerable rotational resistance. The "turbine" effect of the nozzle members 92 and grooves 93 can be used to overcome this rotational resistance. In some cases, however, the rotor may tend to rotate faster than desired due to the rotation of the cable applied to the motor. In these cases, by turning the input members, as explained above, a braking effect can be applied to the rotor. The "turbine" effect can be adjusted by adjusting the air supply to the nozzle units 89. The number of nozzle units used can be varied. As the cable passes, the end load on the rotor or opening member is supported by an end member 100 corresponding to the support member of Figures 2 and 3 and the support member of Figure 6. In the example shown in Figure 8, the rotor or opening member 80 protrudes into a hole in the end wall 114. However, the arrangement of Figures 8, 9 and 10 can be mounted on a slab which in turn is attached to the end wall of the fluidized bed.

As a typical example, the layer may be 1.2 m long. The core units of the cable close at a point that can be located about 15-45 cm from the result wall. The larger the cable, the greater the distance of the closure point from the input wall. The layer can be made shorter, but the size mentioned above is suitable for different cable sizes. It is believed that the width of the layer after the point of closure of the core units smooths the filling, but the bulk of the filling takes place initially before the closure of the core units. The typical air supply pressure is about 0.552 MPa, although this may vary and lower pressures have been used. The airflows are very small. The size of the holes 32 and 55 depends on the size of the cable core units passing through them. As an example of the arrangement shown in Figures 5 and 6, the following table shows typical dimensions of a telecommunication cable with the core of the cable divided so that 12 and 13 pairs of core units pass alternately through holes 55 and 25 pairs pass through holes 55a. Other best quantities per unit can be used with a corresponding adjustment of the hole diameters.

Conductor Holes 55 Holes 55a number diameter diameter 24 9.09 mm 11.89 mm 22 10.08 mm 13.08 mm 26 8.03 mm 10.31 mm 19 13.49 mm 17.86 mm

Claims (28)

Apparatus for filling a multipart core fluidized powder cable comprising an support member (25, 40, 82), a rotatable opening member (19, 50, 80) serving to open the cable for a plurality of core parts, and has a plurality of apertures (22, 55, 55a, 81) extending in an axial direction through the aperture and each arranged for passage of a core portion, characterized by means (28, 30, 31, 44). , 47, 102, 103, 104) for supplying compressed air between the opening means (19, 50, 80) and the supporting means (25, 40, 82) so that at least one air layer is formed between them, the opening means (19, 50, 80) being located free on the cable core (17). 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening means (19, 50, 80) is located adjacent an end surface of the support means. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting means (25) and the opening means (19) are mounted in a fluidized bed (10) of filling powder. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support means (25, 40) and the opening means (19, 50, 80) are mounted at the entrance end of a bed (10) of fluidized filling powder. Apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized by means (52, 54) for supplying compressed air to the openings (55, 55a) through the opening means at places located between the ends of the openings. 6. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by a supply nozzle (18) at the entrance end of the bed (10) and an outlet nozzle (21) at the outlet end of the bed, the inlet and outlet nozzles each being adapted to contain the core of the cable. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a device (22) for coating the core after leaving the bed. 8. Apparatus according to claim 4, which comprises a wall at the entrance end of the bed, characterized in that the opening means (19, 50) is mounted on the outer surface of the wall (41) secured to the wall and that the opening extends through the entrance wall in the same line of the opening means. . Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by a tubular support member (40), which lip-mounted a rear surface adapted to the wall, and an annular wall (43), which protrudes from the rear surface and limits a chamber which receives the opening means. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the inner end of the chamber has a conforated support member (42), the opening means (50) having a conical front surface (51) which is functionally opposite to the conical support surface (42). 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by an annular duct (44), which is attached to the rear surface of the tubular support means (40), means (46) for supplying compressed air into the annular duct, and openings (47). extending from the annular duct to the conical support surface for supplying compressed air between the support member (40) and the opening member (50). 12. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the opening means (50) has a cylindrical part which is freely rotatable in the annular wall, that an annular chamber (52) extends around the periphery of the cylindrical part, that a member (53) ) enters compressed air through the annular wall of the annular chamber (52), and apertures (54) extend from the annular chamber (52) to the apertures (55, 55a) extending through the orifice (50) supply of compressed air to the openings (55, 55a). 69721 16 Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized by an annular retaining member (58), which is attached to the outer end of the grooved wall (43) and extends from this radial mesh, a front surface of the retaining member, a rear supporting surface of the opening means. (50), which is located opposite the front surface of the retaining member, an annular hollow space (63) in the retaining member, and means for supplying compressed air into the annular hollow space and in openings (66) extending from the hollow space to the front surface of the retaining means for supplying compressed air between the front surface and the rear support surface, so that an air layer is formed between them. 14. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized by a collecting means (68) mounted on the inner surface of the wall (41) for collecting the air flowing into the inlet end (46) and the opening means (50), and an outlet opening (72). which is connected to the collecting means. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the outlet opening (72) is connected to the air space above the fluidized bed at a pressure which is slightly below atmospheric pressure. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening means (19, 50) at its center axis has a center shaft (32, 55a) and at least one circle with openings (32, 55a) around the center hole. 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that each opening forms a circle of openings which are inclined inwardly towards the center axis from the entrance surface of the opening means to its outlet surface. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the opening (55a) is larger than the openings forming a circle. 19. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the support means (82) is a tubular body with a 69721 cylindrical center portion (86) and cylindrical end portions (87, 88) on each side of the central portion, the inner diameter of the end portions being less than the inner diameter of the center pair, the one end portion forming a front surface, the opening member (80) being a rotor mounted rotatably on the stoneware and having a center portion (83) and end portions (84, 85) on each side about the center portion, the diameters of the end portions and center portions of the rotor forming a tightly rotating alignment relative to the end portions of the body, respectively, that at the periphery of the center portion of the rotor, there are axial latches (93), and the middle portion of the body has a nozzle member ( 92) and an air inlet member (91) at the nozzle member, the compressed air exiting from the nozzle member actuates the latch to provide a pivotal force on the rotor, end portions have surfaces located opposite the front surfaces of the center portion of the rotor, means (102, 103, 104) supply compressed air between the front walls and surfaces, and means (97, 98) supply compressed air between the periphery of the center portion of the rotor and the inner surface of the body portion. , so that between them at least one air layer is formed. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the axial rafters (93) of their cross-section are semi-circular, the nozzle means having an outlet opening which is inclined in relation to the axes of the rafter. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that each nozzle member (92) is mounted in a nozzle unit (89), and comprises means for attaching the nozzle unit to the body, so that the nozzle unit can be attached to either of the nozzles. two positions are separated by a 180 ° angle of rotation from each other. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the opening means (80) has a plurality of openings (81) formed around the center aperture, the axes of all apertures being parallel. 18 69721 A method of filling a multipart core cable with filler material, wherein the cable core (17) is opened to a plurality of core parts each containing a plurality of conductors and the opening is effected by conducting the core parts through precise openings (35, 55, 55a, 81). an opening member (19, 50, 80) which rotates freely on a support member (25, 40, 82), characterized in that the individual core parts, each interconnected with their conductors, are passed through a fluidized powder bed (10), the core parts are connected to a cable core in the fluidized bed, and that compressed air is applied between the opening means (19, 50, 80) and the supporting means (25, 40, 82) to form an air layer between said means and providing free rotation of the the opening means, preventing the entry of powder from the fluidized bed between the opening means (19, 50, 80) and the supporting means (25, 40, 82). 24. A method according to claim 23, characterized in that compressed air is fed into the openings (55, 55a) of the opening means (40) to prevent powder from escaping from the bed through the openings. 25. A method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that compressed air is supplied from the body (82) surrounding the opening means (80), the air hitting the configurations (93) on the periphery of the opening means for providing a pivoting force on the opening means. 26. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that the rotating force causes the opening means to rotate in the same direction as the rotation caused by the passage of the core portions of the cable. 27. A method according to claim 26, characterized in that the rotational force acts in a direction which is opposed to the rotation of the orifice caused by the passage of the core parts. 28. A method according to any of claims 23-27, characterized in that a band (23) is wrapped around the closed cable core after it has been discharged from the fluidized powder bed.