GB2538388A

GB2538388A - Collar case 1

Info

Publication number: GB2538388A
Application number: GB1607098.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hudson Gary
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-28
Filing date: 2016-04-25
Publication date: 2016-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2036-04-25
Also published as: GB2538388B; GB201507251D0

Abstract

A cable collar or sheath for use with electrical cables, the collar comprises a body which defines a channel sized to receive a cable, the body including or carrying a thermochromatic material which undergoes a colour change when heated beyond a predetermined temperature. The device may be attached to a cable or conduit via a pair of resiliently deformable legs. Preferably the body includes a transmitter to receive an output from the thermochromatic material, the transmitter also capable of sending a signal to a remote receiver.

Description

Collar case 1.

Background of the Invention

(1) It is well known in the experience of the fire safety industry that electricity is one of the main causes of accidental fires Many of these instances are caused by electrical connections that have become loose and in so doing create high temperature, high electrical resistance connections. These high temperatures dissipate by thermal conduction through the electrical conductors and in some cases can be sufficiently high enough to ignite the conductor insulation or other local combustible materials.

(2) It is well known in the manufacturing industry that conduits are used to transport materials around manufacturing processes and engineering machinery. Many carry heated products and whose set point temperatures are critical to manufacturing and operational processes. The ability to see visually with the naked eye that the temperature of manufacturing and engineering conduits are at the correct temperature would be an advantage to efficient manufacturing production.

(3) It can be seen by the forgoing that a need has arisen to be able to inspect a cable or conduit with the naked eye, and see visually if it has an elevated temperature. This would be advantageous and give indication of a cable fault, if used on cables or, if used on conduits, indication that a manufacturing process or engineering machine temperature was of a normal condition.

(4) Thermo chromatic materials are designed materials that visually show temperature variation by changing colour or by turning transparent.

(5) Thermoelectric materials are designed materials that indicate temperature change by varying electrical potential.

Benefits of the Invention (6) The term "cable" can mean an electrical cable, wire, busbar or conductor. The term "conduit" can mean pipe, hose or tube.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a collar that comprises a thermo chromatic element and which can be physically attached to a cable or conduit. The collar has opposed resiliently defonnable legs to allow the collar to snap fit around a cable or conduit. The legs include outwardly flared distal end portions to allow the collar to be pushed onto the cable or conduit legs initially forced apart and then snap back to their rest configuration.

The collar also has a radially outwardly extending projection to allow simple one-handed application of the collar, especially where space around the cable or conduit is limited.

(7) If the cable or conduit becomes abnormally heated (cable due to electrical fault, overload or high resistance connection, conduit due to internal material temperature error), the heat will thermally conduct into the collar and thermo chromatic element. The thermo chromatic element will indicate visually to the naked eye by colour change if the collar temperature rises above a set point temperature.

(8) This is of benefit to owners, inspection, maintenance and production persons as it gives real time visual indication of any abnormal temperatures associated with the collar. This would then prompt remedial repairs/actions to return the cable or conduit to a normal state.

(9) The collar can also be provided with a thermoelectric element which can indicate real time surface temperature of the thermo chromatic element by electric potential. This thermoelectric element can be used to alert and indicate locally through electrical potential signal adaptor or remotely through electrical signal transmission and receiver adaptor.

Detailed Description of an Embodiment

(10) The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures, in which an embodiment of the invention is shown: (11) Figure 1 shows front, side and plan views of a collar.

(12) Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a collar.

(13) Figure 3 shows an isometric view of a collar applied onto an electrical cable.

Claims

Claims.1. An apparatus comprising a collar for use with electrical cables or conduits, the collar comprising a body which defines therein a channel sized to receive a cable or conduit, the body including or carrying a thermo chromatic material whereby the thermo chromatic material undergoes a colour change when heated beyond a pre-determined temperature; wherein the body defines a pair of opposed, resiliently deformable legs and the legs define the channel; a distal end portion of each leg flares outwards; and wherein the body defines a radially outwardly extending projection.
2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, further including a colour sensitive sensor which is adapted to detect a change in colour of the thennochromatic material; and wherein the colour sensitive sensor generates a local alarm signal and/or transmits an alarm signal to a remote signal receiver in the event of a colour change.
3. An apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the collar further includes a thermo electric material which has a first electrical property at a first temperature and a second electrical property at a second temperature; and wherein the apparatus further includes an electrical sensor adapted to detect the first and second electrical properties.
4. An apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the electrical sensor generates a local alarm signal and/or transmits an alarm signal to a remote signal receiver in the event that the second electrical property is detected.