FR2755577A1 - CORDS, STRIPS AND CABLES OF ELECTRIC FENCE, AS WELL AS PROCESS FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

Electric fence cords, bands and cables are formed of non-conductive fibers, in particular plastic fibers, and one or more conductive yarns which are integrated by braiding, knitting, weaving, winding, or in any other way, in non-conductive fibers. To produce cords, bands or fencing cables with a single type of conductor wire, and in which the drawbacks of the particularly high electrical resistance of stainless steel are overcome, without reducing the mechanical resistance of the wire with respect to traction, and without reducing the resistance of the wire to corrosion, it is expected that the electrically conductive wires are made of non-alloy steel and have an electrically conductive and corrosion resistant coating.

Description

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  The invention relates to cords, bands and cables for electric fences, which consist respectively of non-conductive fibers, in particular plastic fibers of polyamide, polyester, polypropylene or the like, and one or more conductive wires, which are interwoven, knitted, woven, wound or otherwise introduced into the non-conductive fibers, and it

  relates to a process for their manufacture.

  Cords, bands and cables for electric fencing are used to fence pastures. Modern and humane farming techniques make it more and more necessary to quickly close pasture areas and erect their fences and dismantle them again in the shortest possible time and with the lowest possible costs. The delimitation of grazing areas must on the one hand represent a secure fence against destruction, but it must not represent a risk of injury to animals. Since fences are constantly exposed to considerable environmental influences, they must be relatively insensitive to corrosion. However, this should range from

  combined with the lowest possible operating costs.

  The electric fences currently available fulfill these objectives in a differently satisfactory manner. Electric fences can be classified according to their structure in four categories: On the one hand, there are single cords with a round section of insulating plastic material, such as for example polyamide, in particular nylon, polyethylene and polypropylene, around which are wound one or more electrically conductive wires, iron,

copper or the like.

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  A second group comprises braids of round cords made with insulating plastic cords, in which one or more electrically conductive wires, of copper, are braided.

stainless steel, or the like.

  A third group comprises several individual plastics cords around which one or more conductive wires of steel and / or copper are respectively wound separately, these cords being then brought together again to form a common complete fence cable or cord. Such a cord or

  such a fence cable are known from document EP 0 256 841 B1.

  The fourth group consists of wide fencing strips, which are woven or produced by means of several warp and weft cords made of plastic. Depending on the width of the strip, we weave, knit or integrate into the strip several copper or steel wires

  stainless in the form of chain threads next to each other.

  The metal wires are used here on the one hand to collect the tensile stresses of the strip, of the cord or of the highly tensioned fence cable, and on the other hand to transmit the electric voltage. For the operation of the electric fence, we usually use a transportable battery or accumulator device, which has a corresponding power, or a battery or a power supply device connected to the network, which are connected to a source of

current installed at a fixed station.

  As it can be removed from document EP 0 256 841 B1, it has already been proposed, in order to satisfy the above-described requirements concerning metallic wires, to use two different wires which have

  respectively the mechanical and electrical properties required.

  One of the wires serves here to collect the corresponding tensile or elongation forces, while the other wire must have good electrical conductivity. For the traction wires, we use

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  in particular stainless steel wires, that is to say non-corrosion-sensitive steel, which are insensitive to corrosion caused by most substances existing in nature, such as acids, detergents, fertilizers and animal droppings, such as solid droppings and urine. These stainless steel wires are generally highly alloyed steels which resist corrosion and acids, with several alloying elements, for example C, Si, Mn, P, S, Cr, Mo, Ni, V. For pasture fences preferably use a high-alloyed stainless steel wire X 5 Cr

Neither 189.

  However, since these corrosion-resistant and acid-resistant stainless steel wires have a relatively high specific electrical resistance and therefore a relatively low electrical conductivity, an electric fence produced exclusively with these metallic wires would also need a voltage source. powerful, depending on the length of the fence, so that you can also see at the end of a particularly long fence still an electric "shock" still noticeable when touching the wire. In the subject of document EP 0 256 841 B1, the electrical line is then provided by an additional wire made of a particularly conductive material, such as copper. Thus, these copper wires certainly have a low electrical resistance, but due to the fact that the necessary diameter is small, they are not suitable for tensile stresses

high mechanical.

  The objective of the invention therefore to produce cords, strips and fencing cables of the kind indicated at the beginning, so as to be able to be satisfied with a single type of conductive wires, and in which the disadvantages of the relatively high electrical resistance of stainless steel, without reducing the high mechanical tensile strength of the wire, and without reducing the resistance of the wire to corrosion.

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  This objective is achieved in accordance with the invention by the fact that the electrically conductive wires are made of non-alloy steel, and that they have a corrosion-resistant and conductive coating.

electricity.

  Unalloyed steel wire has a significantly higher electrical conductivity than stainless steel wire used so far for electric fencing. The corrosion resistance required for use as a fence wire is given to unalloyed steel wire by means of an electrically conductive coating. Thanks to this, the conductive wires according to the invention have the necessary mechanical properties as well as the electrical properties necessary for electric fencing. Since only one kind of wire is needed to produce fencing cords, tapes and cables, manufacturing is very simplified. By replacing expensive, high-alloy steel and copper wires, costs can also be kept low enough. In addition, there is no longer a risk that the copper wire, which is not particularly resistant against external mechanical influences, breaks and that the power supply is thus interrupted. This technical problem had to be solved in accordance with document EP 0 274 454 B 1, by connecting the various conducting wires.

  by continuous bridging conductors by forming sections.

  This additional complexity disappears thanks to the present

invention.

  According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive wires, the surface of which is treated, consist of a non-alloy steel low in carbon, in particular a steel conforming to standard DIN 17111. Such wires steel present, compared to the stainless steel wires in accordance with DIN 17440 that have been used until now for electric fences, which are highly alloyed and resistant to corrosion and acids, for example steel X 5 Cr Ni 189, a specific electrical resistance approximately 5 to 6 times lower, and by

  therefore a higher electrical conductivity of 5 to 6 times.

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  It has been found that even conductive wires treated on the surface and made of carbon-enriched non-alloy steel, as described for example in standard DIN 17140, have corresponding properties. The high-quality non-alloy steel which is used in accordance with the invention is advantageously provided with an electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant coating. According to the invention, it consists of one or more of the elements that are the

  copper, nickel, zinc, chromium, tin and the tin / lead alloy.

  According to a development of this idea of the invention, it is provided that the electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant coating is applied by an electrolytic galvanizing process. The electrically conductive coating can however also be advantageously applied by a hot-dip galvanizing process or a process.

hot tinning.

  Another possibility of use according to the invention of these high steels

  Unalloyed quality involves using copper-plated steel wire.

  In this case, a copper strip is applied around the entire circumference in the longitudinal direction, by a mechanical process such as for example roller burnishing, around a thick steel core and during a continuous passage of the wire. the soda at the longitudinal joint. Together with the inner steel core, these steel wires

  copper clad are then drawn to any diameter.

  The corrosion protection of these high-quality unalloyed steels consists of the closed copper casing, which however oxidizes when exposed to nature, and consequently has a lower conductivity at the surface. and takes on a dark color. According to the invention, the copper-plated steel wires are therefore still provided with a surface coating.

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  conductive, by an electrolytic galvanizing process, by a hot galvanizing or hot tinning process. This surface coating is formed, in accordance with the invention, with the elements

  that are zinc, tin, nickel, chromium or the tin / lead alloy.

  In a use according to the invention for cords, strips and fence cables, the copper-plated and possibly still surface-treated steel wires still have the significant advantage that these copper-plated steel wires have a specific electrical resistance approximately 10 to 17 times lower, depending on the thickness of the copper shell, and consequently a higher electrical conductivity 10 to 17 times than the steels used so far resistant to

  corrosion and acids, according to DIN 17440.

  Other characteristics, advantages and possibilities of application of

  the invention will emerge from the following description of modes of

  realization, and drawings. Here, all the characteristics described and / or illustrated in the drawings form the subject of the invention, whether taken in isolation or in any combination, independently of their grouping in the present patent application. The figures show: FIG. 1 a round section bead of insulating plastic material, with two electrically conductive wires in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 a braid of round section cords made of insulating plastic cords, also with two electrically conductive wires according to the invention; Figure 3 several individual plastic cords each having electrically conductive son according to the invention and wound at the periphery, these cords being combined to form a rope or a common fence cable; and figure 4 a fence strip with several stainless wires

according to the invention.

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  The fencing cords, bands and cables illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 are respectively made up of fibers of non-conductive plastic material, for example polyamide (nylon), polyethylene or polypropylene. In these are integrated, by braiding, knitting, weaving, winding, or in any other way, one or more electrically conductive wires of non-alloy steel with a

  electrically conductive coating 14 corrosion resistant.

  The single bead 1 shown in FIG. 1 is constituted by a single plastic bead 2 with a round section of nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene or the like, and in the embodiment illustrated, it is wound with two wires 3 of non-steel alloy and low carbon, surface treated, which serve as current conductors and present

low electrical resistance.

  The cords or the fencing cable according to FIG. 2 are constituted by a braid of cords of round section formed from cords of insulating plastic material 5 in the form of monofilaments or strips, also made of polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon or the like. In the braid of cords are braided several electrically conductive wires 6 treated on the surface made of unalloyed and lean steel

carbon.

  The fencing rope shown in Figure 3, or the fencing cable 7 is made up of several individual cords 8 in the form of monofilaments or plastic strips, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon or the like, around which are wound one or more electrically conductive wires 9 respectively,

  surface treated, made of low carbon non-alloy steel.

  As can be seen in the figure, the individual cords 8 are

  gathered together to form a single fencing rope or cable 7.

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  The fencing strip 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 is woven by means of several warp threads 11 and several weft threads 12 made of plastic fibers, in particular polyethylene, polyamide (nylon) or the like. Depending on the width of the strip, several electrically conductive wires 13 treated on the surface have been integrated by weaving, knitting or in another way, in the form of warp threads.

side of the others in the band.

  As can be seen from the following table, the specific electrical resistance of low-carbon non-alloy steel wire is approximately five to 6 times lower than the specific electrical resistance of X 5 CrNi type stainless steel wire 189 which has preferably been used so far for electric fences. Correspondingly, the electrical conductivity is therefore 5 to 6 times higher than that of the stainless steel wires used up to now. In the case of steel wires wrapped in copper, the electrical resistance is even 10 to 17 times lower than that of stainless steel wires according to the DIN standard.

17440.

  Resistance to the Conductivity Resistance Electric traction electric electric resistance (average hardness) specific p specific X R Rm [N / mm2]. mm2 m [/ m] m here. mm2 Acid-resistant stainless steel e.g. 800 0.718 1.39 10.3 X5CrNi 189 * 30 mm Low carbon non-alloy steel according to DIN 17111 or 800 0.130 7.69 2.05 according to DIN 17140, Material D6-2 28mm Unalloyed steel according to DIN 17111 or according to DIN 17140;

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  copper plated according to 800 0.057 17.54 0.80

ASTM-B 452

Conductivity 30% IACS 4 30mm

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Claims (14)

Claims   1. Fencing cords, bands and cables, made respectively of non-conductive fibers, in particular plastic fibers of polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene or the like, and of one or more conductive threads, which are integrated by braiding, knitting, weaving, winding, or in any other way in non-conductive fibers, characterized in that the electrically conductive wires (3; 6; 9; 13) are made of non-alloy steel, and have a coating   electrically conductive (14) corrosion resistant.   2. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive wires and treated in   surface (3; 6; 9; 13) are made of low-carbon non-alloy steel.   3. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 2, characterized in that the non-alloy steel wires low in carbon, surface treated, have an electrical resistance 5 to 6 times lower and therefore an electrical conductivity 5 to 6 times higher than all acid-resistant stainless steel wire used   so far and in accordance with DIN 17440.   4. Fence cords, bands and cables according to any one of   Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the wires are electrically   conductors and surface treated (3; 6; 9; 13) are made of non-alloy steel   low in carbon according to DIN 171 1 1.   5. Fence cords, bands and cables according to one or other of the   Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the wires are electrically   conductors and surface treated (3; 6; 9; 13) are made of non-alloy steel and enriched in carbon.   il 2755577 6. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 5, characterized in that the electrically conductive and surface-treated wires (3; 6; 9; 13) are made of non-alloy quality steel according to the standard. DIN 17140.   7. Fence cords, strips and cables according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrically conductive and corrosion resistant coating (14) is formed from one or more of the elements   that are copper, nickel, zinc, chromium, tin and the tin / lead alloy.   8. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant coating is applied by electrolytic galvanizing process.   9. Fencing cords, bands and cables according to one of claims 1   to 8, characterized in that the electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant coating is applied by hot-dip galvanizing process.   10. Fencing cords, bands and cables according to one of claims   1 to 7, characterized in that the electrically conductive coating   and corrosion resistant is applied by hot tinning process.   11. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 7, in which the coating is made of copper, characterized in that the coating of electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant copper is applied by mechanical copper plating process, or by burnishing.   12. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 11, characterized in that on the surface of the copper clad wire is applied another electrically conductive and resistant coating. 12 2755577   corrosion, of one or more of the elements that are nickel, zinc,   chrome, tin or the tin / lead alloy.   13. Fencing cords, strips and cables according to claim 12, characterized in that the electrically conductive and corrosion resistant coating of the copper clad wires is applied by an electrolytic galvanizing process, a galvanizing process using   hot or hot tinning process.   14. Method for manufacturing conductive wires intended for use in fencing cords, strips or cables according to one of the   Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that one applies around a   thick steel core and during a continuous passage of the wire a continuous copper strip all around in the longitudinal direction, and it is welded along the longitudinal joint, and in that these steel wires clad with copper are then stretched together with the inner steel core   up to a predetermined diameter.