GB2555113A

GB2555113A - Cable termination assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2555113A
Application number: GB1617623.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Featherstone Jeremy; Allan Ward Philip
Original assignee: JDR Cable Systems Ltd
Current assignee: JDR Cable Systems Ltd
Priority date: 2016-10-18
Filing date: 2016-10-18
Publication date: 2018-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-18
Also published as: GB201617623D0; GB2555113B; WO2018073580A1

Abstract

A cable termination assembly for a cable containing an armour layer 3 and at least one core element comprises a rigid support tube 8 which goes inside the armour, a body 4 with a tapered inner surface and a gripper collet 6. When the collet is pushed into the body, eg by locking element 9, it clamps the armour against the support tube but does not apply a force to the core elements inside it. A pulling apparatus (20, Fig 5) comprises an interface (21) to connect to the cable termination assembly, a strength layer (24) and a swage collar (27). The interface may screw into the same screw thread 17 as the locking element. The cable termination assembly may be mounted on a hang-off assembly (40, Fig 8A).

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

JDR Cable Systems Ltd Littleport Innovation Park, 177 Wisbech Road, Littleport, ELY, Cambridgeshire, CB6 1RA, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Jeremy Featherstone Philip Allan Ward (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

CSY St Albans

Grosvenor Road, ST ALBANS, Hertfordshire, AL1 3AW, United Kingdom (51) INT CL:

H02G 15/007 (2006.01) G02B 6/44 (2006.01) H02G 1/08 (2006.01) H02G 15/06 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2253526 A (58) Field of Search:

UK CL (Edition X) H2E

INT CL G02B, H02G Other: Online: WPI, EPODOC (54) Title of the Invention: Cable termination assembly

Abstract Title: Cable termination assembly, puller and hang-off assembly (57) A cable termination assembly for a cable containing an armour layer 3 and at least one core element comprises a rigid support tube 8 which goes inside the armour, a body 4 with a tapered inner surface and a gripper collet 6. When the collet is pushed into the body, eg by locking element 9, it clamps the armour against the support tube but does not apply a force to the core elements inside it. A pulling apparatus (20, Fig 5) comprises an interface (21) to connect to the cable termination assembly, a strength layer (24) and a swage collar (27). The interface may screw into the same screw thread 17 as the locking element. The cable termination assembly may be mounted on a hangoff assembly (40, Fig 8A).

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CABLE TERMINATION ASSEMBLY

This application relates to a cable termination assembly. In particular, it relates to a cable termination assembly for application to a length of cable including at least one core element and an armour layer.

Background of the Invention

Cables typically comprise a core element, such as a conductive wire or a fibre optic tube for carrying electrical currents or electromagnetic signals. The core element is usually enclosed in one or more layers which are arranged to protect the core element. For instance, a cable may include an armour layer circumferentially surrounding one or more insulated conductive wires to try to minimise damage (e.g. impact damage) to the conductive wire; one or more rovings or sheath layers to try to minimise contact of substances such as water or dirt with the core element and the armour layer, as this may affect the core element’s abilities to carry currents/signals; and one or more other layers which may assist with the above or may serve other purposes.

During installation and connection of such a cable, the cable may need to be manoeuvred into a particular position, e.g. so that the core element can be connected to an electrical terminal of an apparatus and/or so that the cable is held in a particular orientation or arrangement. An example is when an off-shore wind turbine is to be connected using a cable to a network of other off-shore wind turbines and/or to an on-shore substation. Manoeuvring a cable into position for connecting to an electrical terminal of a wind turbine may require application of a large axial pulling force to the cable, especially as the cable is likely to be long so that it can extend between wind turbines and reach the top of the foundation structure of the wind turbine. Moreover, such cables typically include multiple core elements and multiple protective layers, making the cable heavy. Additionally, if the cable is to be suspended from a fixing point near the top of the foundation structure of the wind turbine, a large axial tensioning force may be required to support the weight of the cable hanging from the fixing point.

To apply a large pulling or tensioning force to the cable, a suitably strong gripping force needs to be applied to the cable so that whatever grips the cable does not slip on the outer surface of the cable. However, a strong radial gripping force risks crushing or otherwise damaging the core element(s) and/or other components of the cable.

The present invention aims to go at least some way towards ameliorating or solving these and/or other problems.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, in a first embodiment of the invention, there is provided a cable termination assembly, for application to a length of cable including at least one core element and an armour layer, the cable termination assembly comprising: a body having a taper section with an axially tapered inner profile; a gripper collet for positioning radially inwardly of the body, the gripper collet having a corresponding taper section with an axially tapered external profile; and a support tube for positioning radially inwardly of the body, the gripper collet and the armour layer of the cable, wherein the cable termination assembly is arranged to apply a radially inward force to the armour layer between the support tube and the gripper collet.

Advantageously, this arrangement may make it possible for an axial pulling or tensioning force to be applied to the cable with minimal (optimally zero) radially inward forces applied to the at least one core element of the cable. The support tube may provide a reaction force to counteract inward force exerted by the body and the gripper collet.

Preferably, application of axial tension to the cable relative to the body promotes increased radially inward force on the armour layer between the support tube and the gripper collet. Application of axial tension to the cable relative to the body may promote relative movement of the body and the gripper collet towards each other. Application of axial tension to the cable relative to the body may promote engagement of a radially larger part of the axially tapered external profile and a radially smaller part of the axially tapered inner profile.

Advantageously, therefore, axial tension applied to the cable may tend to increase the strength of the grip exerted by the gripper collet and the support tube on the armour layer. This may help minimise slippage of the armour layer between the gripper collet and the support tube when an axial pulling force is applied to the cable.

Preferably, the cable termination assembly includes a locking element arranged to constrain relative axial movement of the collet and the body away from each other. Optionally, the locking element includes a threaded surface for engagement with a corresponding threaded surface of the body. Preferably, the locking element is arranged to be positioned radially inwardly of the body and radially outwardly of the armour layer. This may help maintain engagement between the body and the collet and therefore maintain grip on the armour layer between the collet and the support tube.

Optionally, the cable termination assembly may include a spacer sleeve arranged for positioning between the locking element and the gripper collet. The cable termination assembly may include a seal arranged for positioning between the locking element and the spacer sleeve or between the spacer sleeve and the gripper collet. The locking element, the spacer sleeve and/or the seal may be arranged to inhibit ingress of substances into the cable.

Preferably, the cable termination assembly includes a tube provided around at least part of the cable termination assembly and at least part of the cable, wherein the tube is arranged to inhibit ingress of substances into the cable.

In some embodiments, the gripper collet includes a slit arranged to allow the gripper collet to deform. Advantageously, this may help the gripper collet grip the armour layer and/or adapt to variations in the shape of the cable and/or variations in the shape of the body.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided a pulling apparatus, for use with a cable termination assembly, the pulling apparatus comprising: a cable termination assembly interface on at least one end of the pulling apparatus, including a section arranged for engagement with a body of a cable termination assembly; a strength layer positioned radially outwardly of the cable termination assembly interface; and a swage collar, wherein the swage collar is arranged to constrain relative axial movement of the cable termination assembly interface and the strength layer.

Advantageously, the pulling apparatus may allow a pulling or axial tensioning force to be applied to a cable via a cable termination assembly with application of minimal radial force to core element(s) of the cable. It may also enable a pulling/axial tensioning force to be applied without direct contact with the cable itself.

Preferably, the pulling apparatus includes a hollow pipe, positioned radially inwardly of the strength layer, and arranged to protect parts of the cable termination assembly and/or other components placed inside the hollow pipe.

Optionally, the pulling apparatus includes a sheath positioned radially outwardly of the strength layer to help prevent ingress of substances into the pulling apparatus.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a gripper collet for use with a cable termination assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a cable hang-off assembly, for supporting a cable termination assembly, the cable hang-off assembly comprising: a hang-off flange arranged for positioning around a cable termination assembly, and having a support surface to support the cable termination assembly; and fixing means for fastening the hang-off flange in place around the cable termination assembly.

According to a further embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of installing a cable in a cable hang-off assembly using a cable termination assembly, the method comprising the steps of: applying the cable termination assembly to the cable; applying a pulling force to the cable termination assembly to manoeuvre the cable into a desired position; and fixing a hang-off flange of the hang-off assembly in place around the cable termination assembly such that the hang-off flange provides a reaction force against the axial tension in the cable.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described in detail by reference to examples, in which:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a cable termination assembly in cross section, applied to a length of cable shown in partial cross section;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates the cable termination assembly and length of cable illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates, partly in cross section and partly in side view, the cable termination assembly and length of cable illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4A schematically illustrates a gripper collet of the cable termination assembly illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 3;

Figure 4B schematically illustrates an inner surface of the gripper collet illustrated in Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates in cross section a first end of a puller for attachment to a cable termination assembly such as the cable termination assembly illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 3;

Figure 6A schematically illustrates in perspective view the first end of the puller illustrated in Figure 5;

Figure 6B schematically illustrates in perspective view a second end of the puller illustrated in Figure 5 and Figure 6A;

Figure 7 schematically illustrates in cross section a first end of an alternative puller for attachment to a cable termination assembly such as the cable termination assembly illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 3;

Figure 8A schematically illustrates in partial cross section a hang-off assembly suitable for use with a cable termination assembly such as the cable termination assembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3;

Figure 8B schematically illustrates the hang-off assembly of Figure 8A in a perspective view;

Figure 9 schematically illustrates in partial cross section a cable termination assembly according to an alternative embodiment of the invention applied to a cable;

Figure 10A schematically illustrates in side view an alternative hang-off assembly suitable for use with a cable termination assembly such as the cable termination assembly illustrated in Figure 1,2, 3 and 9; and

Figure 10B schematically illustrates in partial cross section the hang-off assembly of Figure 10A.

Detailed Description

The present embodiments represent the best ways currently known to the applicant of putting the invention into practice, but they are not the only ways in which this can be achieved. They are illustrated, and they will now be described, by way of example only.

The cable termination assembly 1 illustrated in Figure 1 has been applied to a length of cable 2 including core elements (not illustrated in Figure 1) and an armour layer 3. The upper half of the cable termination assembly 1 and part of the length of cable 2 are illustrated in Figure 1, with the direction of increasing radial distance rfrom the centre of the cable 2 indicated on the left-hand side of the figure and the orientation A of the cable axis indicated in the lower part of the figure. The cable termination assembly 1 has been applied to cable 2 close to an end of the cable 2 at which the core elements of the cable 2 are exposed for connection to an apparatus or a further cable, as will be described in more detail below and as illustrated in Figure 3.

The core elements of the cable 2 may for example include one or more wires, wire bundles, fibre optic tubes, hoses, pipes and/or other conduits for carrying electrical currents, electromagnetic signals, fluids and/or solids.

In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the armour layer 3 comprises one or more wires which have been wound around the core elements and an intervening layer 10. In other examples, the armour layer 3 may take a different form, such as composite/carbon fibre or plastic rods or a braided layer of material wound around or otherwise applied to the core elements and any intervening layers.

The layer 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is positioned between the armour layer 3 and the core elements. The layer 10 may be referred to as an inner roving 10 or inner sheath 10. In the illustrated example, the inner roving 10 is a yarn rope or extruded polymer layer. However, in other examples, it may be made of alternative materials. The inner roving 10 is intended to protect the core elements. For example, the inner roving 10 may be arranged to hinder or prevent substances such as water or dirt from coming into contact with the core elements.

The cable termination assembly 1 includes a body 4. In the illustrated example, the body 4 is hollow and approximately takes the form of an open-ended, hollow cylinder of variable wall thickness. The body 4 can be slid onto an end of a cable such as the cable 2 illustrated in Figure 1 and down the cable 2.

Along part of its length, the body 4 has an axially tapered inner profile 5. The taper means that the internal diameter of the body 4 varies along that axial length of the body 4, i.e. in a direction parallel to the axis of the body 4. The outer diameter might also vary (e.g. by tapering or having one or more steps in outer diameter) along the internally-tapering length, or might remain constant along that length. In the illustrated example, both the inner shape and the external shape of the body 4 in cross section are approximately circular. However, in other examples, one or both of the inner shape and the external shape may be different, e.g. triangular, rectangular or another shape. The inner and external shapes may or may not be the same as each other. The edge of the inner shape and/or the edge of the external shape may in some examples include deviations from the overall shape. The illustrated body 4 completely circumferentially encloses the length of cable 2 along the length of the body 4.

The body 4 includes a portion 12 (see right-hand end of body 4 in Figure 1) which is of narrower outer diameter than other portions of the body 4. The change in outer diameter of the body 4 creates a face 51. In the illustrated embodiment, the face 51 is approximately orthogonal to the axis of the body 4 but may be at an angle having an orthogonal component. The face 51 may be used as a load-bearing face 51, as will be described in more detail below. The inner diameter of the body portion 12 may be similar to or the same as the inner diameter of the narrower end of the internally-tapered length (the right-hand end of the internally-tapered length illustrated in Figure 1), or may be different. The body portion 12 extends along part of the length of cable 2, away from the point at which the body 4 and a gripper collet 6 of the cable termination assembly 1 (described in greater detail below) engage along their axially tapered inner and external profiles 5 and 7, respectively. As will be described in more detail below, the body portion 12 may be used to help seal the length of cable 2 when the cable termination assembly 1 has been applied to the cable 2.

A length of cable 2 to which a cable termination assembly 1 is to be applied may initially include an outer roving 19 (see right-hand sides of Figures 2 and 3). The outer roving 19 may protect the armour layer 3, the core elements, and other layers or components positioned radially inwardly of the outer roving 19. For example, the outer roving 19 may be arranged to reduce or prevent ingress of substances into the cable 2. To prepare a length of cable 2 for application of the cable termination assembly 1, the outer roving 19 may be removed at one end of the length of cable 2 to expose the armour layer 3 along the length of cable 2 to which the cable termination assembly 1 is to be applied. Part of the outer roving 19 of the cable 2 shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 has been removed, as can be seen clearly in Figure 3 (see the right-hand side of the figure, where the outer roving 19 overlaps with shrink tube 11, which will be discussed in more detail below).

As part of the application of the cable termination assembly 1 to the cable 2, a support tube 8 of the cable termination assembly 1 is inserted between the armour layer 3 and the inner roving 10. The support tube 8 provides a robust and substantially rigid component between the inner roving 10 and the armour layer 3. The support tube 8 may for example be made of metal with a high compressive strength and/or collapse resistance. For instance, the support tube 8 may comprise a metallic or composite material. The inner diameter of the support tube 8 is similar to but slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner roving 10. These respective dimensions allow the support tube 8 to be inserted between the armour layer 3 and the inner roving 10.

To make inserting the support tube 8 between the armour layer 3 and the inner roving 10 easier, the support tube 8 may be provided with a tapered end (as illustrated at the righthand end of the support tube 8 in Figure 1) to help part the armour layer 3 and the inner roving 10. In other examples, the support tube 8 may have a different end profile, such as a rounded or square profile.

The cable termination assembly 1 also includes a gripper collet 6. The gripper collet 6 has an axially tapered external profile 7 corresponding to the axially tapered inner profile 5 of the body 4. The axially tapered external profile 7 of the gripper collet 6 and the axially tapered internal profile 5 of the body 4 are arranged to engage one another. For example, the angles of taper of the axially tapered internal profile 5 and the axially tapered external profile 7 may be approximately equivalent to one another. This may maximise the lengths of the axially tapered internal profile 5 of the body 4 and of the axially tapered external profile 7 of the gripper collet 6 along which the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 can engage. The gripper collet 6 is substantially frustoconical. At least along the section that includes the axially tapered inner profile 5, the body 4 has a corresponding frustoconical portion.

During application of the cable termination assembly 1 to a length of cable 2, the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 are each slid onto and down the cable 2 from the end of the cable 2 until they are adjacent to the length of the cable 2 where the armour layer 3 has been exposed and to which the cable termination assembly 1 should be applied. One or both of the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 is then slid towards the other so that the gripper collet 6 is received into the gap between the tapered inner profile 5 of the body 4 and the armour layer 3.

The materials of the axially tapered inner profile 5 of the body 4 and the axially tapered external profile 7 of the gripper collet 6 may be chosen to achieve a predetermined coefficient of friction between the body 4 and the gripper collet 6. The illustrated inner profile 5 and external profile 7 are both smooth to allow the body 4 and the gripper 6 to slide relative to each other. However, in other embodiments, it may be preferable for one or both of the profiles 5 and 7 to comprise a grooved, ribbed, saw-toothed, knurled, studded or threaded surface, so as to be able to grip each other. For example, if both the inner profile 5 and the external profile 7 included ribbed or stepped surfaces, the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 may be able to engage each other in ratchet-like steps as the gripper collet 6 is urged further into the gap between the body 4 and the armour layer 3. This might for example be advantageous to help prevent the gripper collet 6 from slipping out of the gap between the body 4 and the armour layer 3.

The inner profile 15 of the gripper collet 6 may comprise a high-friction surface, such as a grooved, ribbed, saw-toothed, knurled, studded or threaded surface, so as to be able to grip the armour layer 3 when the gripper collet 6 is in the position described below with respect to the body 4 and the armour layer 3 (see for example the inner profile 15 of the gripper collet 6 illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B).

When the gripper collet 6 has been positioned in the gap between the axially tapered inner profile 5 of the body 4 and the armour layer 3, a locking element 9 may be inserted between the body 4 and the armour layer 3. The locking element 9 may help ensure that relative movement of the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 is constrained. It may also help ensure that the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 engage each other as much as possible along their respective axially tapered inner and external profiles 5 and 7. To assist with these functions, the locking element 9 may include a threaded external surface 16 which can be screwed into a corresponding threaded internal surface 17 of the body 4. Screwing the locking element 9 into the end of the body 4 may cause the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 to move relative to one another so that the gripper collet 6 enters further inside the gap between the body 4 and the armour layer 3. It may also constrain relative movement of the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 so that the gripper collet 6 stays within the gap between the axially tapered inner profile 5 and the armour layer 3.

The locking element 9 may alternatively be made of a compressible material and have a slightly larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the end section of the body 4 into which the locking element 9 is to be inserted. The locking element 9 may then have an interference fit in the end of the body 4 and constrain relative movement of the body 4 and the gripper collet 6.

Another possibility is that the locking element 9 may be spring loaded such that a spring acts to urge at least part of the locking element 9 axially into the end section of the body 4. This may urge the gripper collet 6 further inside the body 4.

The locking element 9 may be referred to as a locking ring 9.

When the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 are engaged along the axially tapered inner profile 5 and the axially tapered external profile 7, the body 4 will exert an at least partially radially inward force on the gripper collet 6, which will cause the gripper collet 6 to exert an at least partially radially inward force on the armour layer 3. The support tube 8 will provide a reaction force to counteract the inward force exerted by the body 4 and the gripper collet 6. The armour layer 3 will therefore be gripped between the gripper collet 6 and the support tube 8.

The fact that the support tube 8 provides a reaction force to counteract the inward force exerted by the body 4 and the gripper collet 6 means that the inward force exerted on the core elements of the cable 2 will be minimised, optimally to zero. This helps to ensure that the core elements of the cable 2 are not damaged when a gripping force needs to be applied to the cable 2 to install the cable 2. The gripping of the armour layer 3 by the body 4, the gripper collet 6 and the support tube 8 means that an axial tensioning or pulling force can be applied to the cable 2 via the armour layer 3 with minimal (preferably zero) crushing force on the core elements of the cable 2. The cable 2 can then be manoeuvred by applying a pulling force to the cable termination assembly 1.

Advantageously, with this arrangement, axial tension applied to the cable 2 can be supported by the body 4. Such tension should increase engagement between the axially tapered inner profile 5 of the body 4 and the axially tapered external profile 7 of the gripper collet 6. In fact, axial tension applied to the cable 2 should increase the axial force between the profiles 5 and 7 such that the body 4 and/or the gripper collet 6 will tend to be moved towards each other such that the radial force on the gripper collet 6 is increased. As a consequence, axial tension applied to the cable 2 may tend to increase the strength of the grip exerted by the gripper collet 6 on the armour layer 3.

The gripper collet 6 may include one or more slits 38 extending part-way along the axial length of the gripper collet 6. The slits 38 are arranged to allow the gripper collet 6 to deform, to grip the armour layer 3 and/or adapt to variations in the shape of the cable 2 and/or variations in the shape of the body 4. Advantageously, this may provide improved contact between the gripper collet 6 and the armour layer 3, and/or between the gripper collet 6 and the body 4. It may reduce the need for machine manufacturing precision. It may make the gripper collet 6 self-adjusting. The gripper collet 6 may be biased into a particular position but may be able to flex away from the biased position to accommodate the shape of an armour layer 3 of a cable 2 and/or a body 4 of a cable termination assembly 1.

The gripper collet 6 may in some embodiments include several parts. For example, the gripper collet 6 may include two parts, each having an approximately semi-circular cross section. The two parts may during application of the cable termination assembly 1 to a cable 2 be aligned so that they extend along approximately the same axial length of cable 2 as one another, on opposite sides of the cable 2, between the body 4 and the armour layer 3. Similarly, the gripper collet 6 may instead include three or more parts which can be aligned as required between the internally tapered axial profile 5 of body 4 and the armour layer 3 to effect gripping of the armour layer 3.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a shrink tube 11 can be applied to part of the body portion 12 of the body 4. The shrink tube 11 extends from the body portion 12 along the cable 2 as far as and slightly beyond the point at which the outer roving 19 was removed so that there is overlap between the shrink tube 11 and the body portion 12 and between the shrink tube 11 and the outer roving 19 (see Figures 2 and 3). The shrink tube 11 may therefore be able to help form a seal at some parts of the cable 2 where the outer roving was removed and the armour layer 3 was exposed in order to apply the cable termination assembly 1 to the length of cable 2.

To help ensure that the shrink tube 11 seals more effectively around the body portion 12, a clip 14 such as a jubilee clip or another type of clip may be fastened around the shrink tube 11 and the body portion 12.

The illustrated shrink tube 11 comprises a material which deforms when heated and contracts (shrinks) to form a tightly wrapped seal around the cable termination assembly 1 and the cable 2. The shrink tube 11 may also help gather and/or fix in place loose parts of the outer roving 19. Although the shrink tube 11 is preferably made of material which deforms and contracts when heated, it may alternatively be a cold shrink tube, wound tape, a resin or another material. It may be applied by immersion of the cable termination assembly 1 and cable 2 in a fluid form of the material, spraying, brushing, pasting or otherwise depositing the material on the cable termination assembly 1 and the cable 2.

In the illustrated example, a projection 13 protrudes from the body portion 12. The projection 13 may assist sealing by providing a surface against which an end of the shrink tube 11 can abut. This may serve one or more purposes: it may help a user applying the shrink tube 11 to the cable termination assembly 1 determine where along the axis of the cable termination assembly 1 and the cable 2 the shrink tube 11 should begin, to ensure that there is adequate overlap of the shrink tube 11 and the body portion 12; and/or it may inhibit solid or fluid ingress along the body portion 12 and under the shrink tube 11. In the illustrated example, the projection 13 protrudes radially outwardly from the body portion 12. In other examples, the projection 13 may protrude in a different direction with a radially outward component from the body portion 12. It may for example be advantageous for the projection 13 to protrude partly away from the main part of the body 4 (i.e. both radially outwardly and to the right in Figure 1, e.g. at 45°) to form a nook which solids or fluids will be less able to access and which the shrink tube 11 can occupy.

Figure 2 illustrates the cable termination assembly 1 and length of cable 2 of Figure 1, with the outer roving 19 discussed above visible on the right-hand side of the figure. Prior to application of the cable termination assembly 1 to the length of cable 2, the shrink tube 11 is slid onto the cable 2. Some of the outer roving 19 is removed to expose the armour layer 3 of the cable 2. The cable termination assembly 1 can then be applied to the length of cable 2 as discussed above. Once the body 4, gripper collet 6 and support tube 8 of the cable termination assembly 1 have been applied to the length of cable 2 where the outer roving 19 has been removed, the shrink tube 11 can be applied to the cable termination assembly 1 to help seal the cable 2 against ingress of substances such as water and dirt. In particular, the shrink tube 11 will be slid along the cable 2 so that the shrink tube 11 overlaps both the narrow outer diameter portion 12 of the body 4 and the outer roving 19 to the right of the cable termination assembly 1, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The clip 14 is then applied to help improve the seal of the shrink tube 11 around the body portion 12. Further clips may be applied if desired to help improve the quality of the seal.

To the left of the cable termination assembly 1 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 (i.e. further to the left along the axis of the cable 2), the inner roving 10 of the cable 2 may end and the core elements of the cable 2 may be accessible so that they can be terminated, e.g. connected to connectors of an apparatus. For instance, if the core elements include wires or wire bundles, one or more of those wires or wire bundles, to the left of the cable termination assembly 1 illustrated in Figure 1, may be soldered, welded or otherwise connected to terminals of an apparatus or to further wires, so that the wires or wire bundles of the cable 2 can conduct electrical currents to or from the apparatus or further wires.

Figure 3 shows the cable termination assembly 1 and cable 2 of Figures 1 and 2 with the top half of the cable termination assembly 1 in cross section and the lower half of the cable termination assembly 1 in side view. In that example, the cable 2 includes a plurality of core elements which are helically intertwined along the axis of the cable 2. The inner roving 10 ends slightly to the left of the cable termination assembly 1, revealing the helically intertwined core elements.

A cable termination assembly 1 may be applied to a cable 2 in the ways shown in Figures 1,2 and 3 when the cable 2 is not yet at its point of installation (termination), e.g. as an additional part of the manufacturing process of the cable 2 or by an installer of the cable 2 before the cable 2 is taken to its place of installation. This may be particularly advantageous if the cable 2 is intended to be terminated in places where installation space is limited or there are other restrictions which will make installation difficult. For example, if the cable 2 is to be used in an off-shore and/or submarine application, e.g. to connect off-shore wind turbines to one another and/or to an on-shore apparatus, manoeuvring the cable 2 to a point of installation may be difficult. It might involve pulling an end of the cable 2 through a narrow aperture such as an aperture in a side wall of a wind turbine tower, pulling the end of the cable 2 up the height of the wind turbine tower, and fixing the cable 2 in place near the top of the wind turbine tower so that the core elements of the cable 2 can be connected to terminals of the wind turbine. The end of the cable 2 may need to be passed through a cable protection system. One or more of these steps may need to be performed underwater. The cable termination assembly 1 may advantageously be designed such that it has a slender overall diameter so as to be able to pass through the apertures and/or the cable protection systems mentioned above.

Figure 4A illustrates the gripper collet 6 separately from the length of cable 2 and other components. The axial slits 38 in the gripper collet 6 which allow the shape of the gripper collet 6 to change, e.g. to optimise contact between the gripper collet 6 and the body 4 and/or between the gripper collet 6 and the armour layer 3 of a length of cable 2, can be seen extending along the gripper collet 6 (i.e. parallel or with a component parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gripper collet 6). One or more slits 54 may extend along the entire length of the gripper collet 6. Advantageously, a slit 54 which extends along the entire length of the gripper collet 6 allows a closing action to be provided, i.e. a reduction in gripper collet 6 inner diameter, along the entire length of the gripper collet 6. Such a slit 54 provides freedom for the gripper collet 6 to compress inwards and thereby to engage the outer surface of the armour layer 3.

Figure 4B illustrates an example of an inner surface 15 of a gripper collet 6. In Figure 4B the inner surface 15 comprises a high-friction surface approximately taking a saw-toothed form. However, as noted above, the inner surface 15 may comprise various different types of surface, such as a grooved, ribbed, knurled, studded or threaded surface. It may also comprise a smooth surface, or be coated with another material to aid gripping.

Figures 5 and 7 illustrate two different embodiments of a puller 20, 20’ for use with a cable termination assembly 1, 1’. The puller 20 illustrated in Figure 5 includes a strength layer 24 which is preferably made of a polymeric, braided material, such as a synthetic fibre material, and which is wrapped around a ring 26 and swaged into place with a swage collar 27. The puller 20’ illustrated in Figure 7 includes a strength layer 24 made of a metallic or composite material which is not wrapped around a ring 26 but which is swaged into place with a swage collar 27. The different pullers 20, 20’ will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs.

Figure 5 illustrates one end of a puller 20 for attachment to a cable termination assembly such as the cable termination assembly 1 illustrated in Figures 1,2 and 3. When attached to a cable termination assembly, the puller 20 can be used to apply an axial pulling force to the cable termination assembly. In combination with the cable termination assembly 1 according to embodiments of the invention, the puller 20 therefore allows an axial pulling force to be applied to a length of cable 2 to which the cable termination assembly 1 has been applied. More particularly, the puller 20 and the cable termination assembly 1 allow an axial pulling force to be applied to a length of cable 2 in such a way that radially inward forces on core elements of the cable 2 are minimised (preferably to zero).

The puller 20 illustrated in Figure 5 includes a cable termination assembly interface 21 for engaging with a cable termination assembly such as the cable termination assembly 1 illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The cable termination assembly interface 21 may for instance include a threaded outer section 22 which is arranged such that it can be screwed into the threaded internal surface 17 of the body 4 of the cable termination assembly 1 illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. Alternatively, other forms of interface may be provided, such as an interference fit interface, a lug-and-groove interface in which one or more lugs on the body 4 of the cable termination assembly 1 is engageable with one or more corresponding holes or grooves in the puller 20 or vice versa, or another interface.

As well as enabling an axial pulling force to be applied to the cable termination assembly 1, the puller 20 may act to gather and/or protect exposed core elements, exposed armour layer 3 and/or exposed inner roving 10 of a cable 2. The puller 20 may include a pipe 23 such as a polyethylene pipe, which can be slid, with the cable termination assembly interface 21, around exposed core elements of a cable 2 so that the core elements are enclosed within the pipe 23 and the interface 21 meets a cable termination assembly 1 to which the puller 20 will then be attached by means of the interface 21. The pipe 23 may serve to protect the exposed core elements of the cable 2.

The puller 20 illustrated in Figure 5 additionally includes a strength layer 24 which may help protect the pipe 23 and/or something within the pipe 23 from impact damage and/or crushing. The strength layer 24 may also serve to transfer axial pulling force to the cable termination assembly interface 21 and therefore to a cable termination assembly 1 and cable 2 to which the interface 21 is connected, as will be explained in more detail below. The strength layer 24 may be formed from a synthetic fibre braid; metallic wires, braids or strands; composite fibres; plastic materials, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; other types of material; or a combination of the above. Additionally, a torsional balance tape may be provided to balance torsion in the strength layer 24. The tape may be wound in the opposite direction to the strength layer 24 to provide the torque balance. A synthetic braid is used for the strength layer 24 illustrated in Figure 5, while a metallic (e.g. steel) armouring layer is used for the strength layer 24 illustrated in Figure 7 (discussed in more detail below). The strength layer 24 may also be referred to as a strength member 24.

A sheath 25, such as a polyethylene sheath, surrounds the strength layer 24 and the pipe 23. The sheath 25 may help reduce or prevent ingress of substances such as water or dirt into the puller 20 from outside. The material of the sheath 25 may be chosen to minimise friction experienced by the puller 20 as the puller 20 is drawn through water or another substance to pull a cable 2 to an installation location.

In the illustrated example, the pipe 23, the strength layer 24 and the sheath 25 are held in axial position relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21 by a ring 26 and a swage collar or ferrule 27. During assembly of the puller 20, a section of the strength layer 24 is laid in a groove 28 of the cable termination assembly interface 21. The ring 26 is then placed around the strength layer 24 in the groove 28. The strength layer 24 is then folded around the ring 26. Advantageously, this arrangement may increase the holding force experienced by the strength layer 24, due to the Capstan effect. Preferably, the folded-over length of strength layer 24 extends sufficiently far that it contacts itself to form a closed loop around the ring 26, as illustrated in Figure 5. The swage collar 27 is then placed around the cable termination assembly interface 21 such that the swage collar 27 contacts the material of the strength layer 24 in the vicinity of the ring 26 and contacts the sheath 25 axially further along the cable termination assembly interface 21 from the ring 26. The swage collar 27 is then swaged in place using a swaging tool. This causes the swage collar 27 to apply a radially inward force. The cable termination assembly interface 21 applies a reaction force in opposition to the radially inward force applied by the swage collar 27. The pipe 23, the strength layer 24, the sheath 25 and the ring 26 are therefore held in place axially with respect to the cable termination assembly interface 21.

The ring 26 may be made of a soft material which can deform when the strength layer 24 is folded around the ring 26. This may prevent the strength layer 24 from cutting or crushing the ring 26. The ring may be made of a composite material.

To help with alignment of the swage collar 27 during installation and/or to help constrain movement of the swage collar 27, a projection 29 may be provided on the swage collar 27 and a recess 30 may be provided in the cable termination assembly interface 21. The projection 29 and the recess 30 may be sized and positioned such that the projection 29 fits inside the recess 30 and constrains or prevents movement of the swage collar 27 in an axial direction relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21 when the projection 29 is inside the recess 30. This arrangement may also help constrain or prevent rotational or torsional movement of the swage collar 27 relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21. In some embodiments, the swage collar 27 may comprise multiple parts which are swaged in place together.

Figure 7 shows an example of an alternative puller 20’ in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this example, no ring 26 is provided - the strength layer 24 is not wound around any components of the puller 20’. The strength layer 24 is swaged in place with a swage collar 27 as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5. Additionally, part of the swage collar 27 is welded to part of the cable termination assembly interface 21. In other examples, part of the swage collar 27 may instead be glued or otherwise affixed to part of the cable termination assembly interface 21. In Figure 7, a weld 37 is visible on the right-hand side of the figure, connecting the swage collar 27 and the cable termination assembly interface 21. Such a weld may help minimise movement of the swage collar 27 relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21 and therefore minimise movement of the pipe 23, the strength member 24, the sheath 25 and the ring 26 relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21. It may also help reduce the number of locations where substances such as water or dirt can get inside the puller 20. Because of the other materials used in the puller, it may be optimal to use a cold welding process to form the weld 37. Possible examples of welding mechanisms include cold steel welding, MIG brazing and cold metal transfer welding.

To help minimise slippage of the pipe 23 relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21, a section 34 of the cable termination assembly interface 21 may be provided with a grooved, ribbed, saw-toothed, knurled, studded or threaded surface, to try to improve friction between the pipe 23 and the cable termination assembly interface 21.

To help minimise slippage of the sheath 25 relative to the swage collar 27, a section 35 of the swage collar 27 may be provided with a grooved, ribbed, saw-toothed, knurled, studded or threaded surface, to try to improve friction between the sheath 25 and the swage collar 27. A further section 36 of the swage collar 27 may also be provided with a grooved, ribbed, saw-toothed, knurled, studded or threaded surface, to try to improve friction between the strength member 24 and the swage collar 27. The sections 35, 36 may have different types of surface and/or variations in the same type of surface. For instance, both sections 35, 36 may include a grooved or threaded surface but having different pitches, diameters and/or groove depths from each other. In the illustrated embodiments, the swage collar 27 includes protrusions 57 along sections 35 and 36. The protrusions 57 are arranged such that they protrude into the material of the strength layer 24 and the sheath 25 where the swage collar 27 contacts the strength layer 24 and the sheath 25. This may improve the ability of the swage collar 27 to constrain axial movement of the pipe 23, the strength layer 24, the sheath 25 and/or the ring 26 relative to the cable termination assembly interface 21. In other embodiments, the swage collar 27 may not have such protrusions.

In some embodiments of the puller 20, there may not be a ring 26. In such embodiments, the swage collar 27 may clamp the strength layer 24 directly into the groove 28 without any folding or wrapping of the strength layer 24. An example of this is illustrated in Figure 7. In such embodiments, the section of the swage collar 27 which will engage the strength layer 24 may be designed to be radially thicker and/or axially longer than in the illustrated embodiment. It may have deeper grooves or other surface features to help improve the friction between the strength layer 24 and the swage collar 27.

In some embodiments, the pipe 23 may include internal threading at at least one end and the section 34 of the cable termination assembly interface 21 may include corresponding external threading, so that the pipe 23 and the cable termination assembly interface 21 can be screwed together.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate opposite ends of an embodiment of a puller 20. Figure 6A illustrates a cable termination assembly interface end of the puller 20 (the end illustrated in Figures 5 and 7). Figure 6B illustrates a pulling end of the puller 20. The construction and/or arrangement of the cable termination assembly interface end and the construction and/or arrangement of the pulling end may be similar. For example, the pulling end may include a similar arrangement of pipe 23, strength layer 24, sheath 25, (optional) ring 26, swage collar 27 and groove 28. However, instead of a cable termination assembly interface 21 including a threaded outer section 22 arranged to screw into a threaded internal surface 17 of a body 4, the pulling end may have a pulling interface 32 including a pull hole 33 arranged to receive a rope, a chain, a hook or another connector suitable for applying a pulling force to the pulling interface 32. In other embodiments, the pulling interface 32 may take a different form. For example, the pulling interface 32 may resemble (or be the same as) the cable termination assembly interface 21, such that the pulling interface 32 can engage with a connector having an appropriate screw thread, or may include alternative means for connection to a further apparatus.

Applying an at least partially axial pulling force to the pulling interface 32 applies an axial pulling force to the strength layer 24 by virtue of the clamping force exerted on the strength layer 24 by the swage collar, the (optional) holding ring and the pulling interface 32. This in turn applies an axial pulling force to the cable termination assembly interface 21 by virtue of the corresponding clamping force exerted on the strength layer 24 by the swage collar 27, the (optional) ring 26 and the cable termination assembly interface 21. The cable termination assembly interface 21 then applies an axial pulling force to the cable termination assembly 1 by virtue of the engagement of the threaded outer section 22 of the interface 21 and the threaded internal surface 17 of the body 4 of cable termination assembly 1. The cable termination assembly 1 then applies an axial pulling force to the cable 2 by virtue of the gripping force exerted on the armour layer 3 by the body 4, the gripper collet 6 and the support tube 8.

With this arrangement, an axial pulling force can be applied to cable 2 while minimising risk of damage to core elements of the cable 2 along the length of the cable 2 between the cable termination assembly 1 and the pulling interface 32. The cable termination assembly 1 achieves gripping of the armour layer 3 of the cable 2 in a way which minimises clamping forces applied to the core elements. The outer roving 19, the shrink tube 11, the cable termination assembly 1, the inner roving 10, the cable termination assembly interface 21, the swage collars 27, the pipe 23, the strength layer 24, the sheath 25 and the pulling interface 32 cooperate to minimise ingress of substances such as water or dirt into the cable 2 and among the core elements.

The puller 20 is preferably assembled before application of the puller 20 to a cable termination assembly 1. The entire puller 20 (including the cable termination assembly interface 21, the puller interface 32 and the intervening components) can then be slid over an end of a cable 2 to which a cable termination assembly 1 has been applied and which is ready for termination of its exposed core elements. The core elements and the exposed inner roving 10 and armour layer 3 will then be within and protected from mechanical damage and/or substance ingress by the pipe 23, the strength layer 24, the sheath layer 25 and the other components of the puller 20. The puller 20 is then engaged with the cable termination assembly 1 as described above such that axial forces can be exerted on the cable termination assembly 1 by the puller 20. The puller 20 can then be used to pull the cable 2 into position for termination. This could involve pulling the cable 2 through water or other substances, from which it would be protected by the puller 20.

When the cable 2 is in approximately the right position for termination, it can be fixed using the cable termination assembly 1. For example, the cable termination assembly 1 can be secured to a hanging assembly by means of flanges or a rim on which the body 4 or another part of the cable termination assembly 1 can be supported and fasteners which hold the body 4 (or other part of the cable termination assembly 1) in position such that the cable termination assembly’s movement (displacement, rotation and/or pivoting relative to the flanges supporting the cable termination assembly 1) is restricted. Alternatively, the cable termination assembly 1 may be held in place by a clamp means. Advantageously, fixing the cable 2 in position using the cable termination assembly 1 means that any axial tension is being supported through the armour layer 3 of the cable 2 and should result in minimal radially inward forces being applied to the core elements of the cable 2.

At a convenient point in time (before or after fixing the cable 2 in position using the cable termination assembly 1, depending on the circumstances), the puller 20 can be disconnected and removed from the cable termination assembly 1, revealing the core elements so that they can be connected as required.

The puller 20, 20’ may be designed to be compact. For example, the puller may have a minimised outer diameter and/or a minimised length suitable for a predetermined length of cable 2 that has had its outer roving 10, armour layer 3 and inner roving 10 removed. This may make it easier for a user to pull the puller through narrow apertures such as apertures in the sides of wind turbine towers, and/or so that it can fit through cable protection systems.

The inner bore of the puller may be smooth to prevent damage to exposed core elements and/or other components of a cable 2 which is at least partly within the puller. The inner bore may include a soft material intended to absorb shocks and minimise damage to the exposed core elements within.

The materials of the puller, including the materials of the pipe 23, the strength layer 24 and the sheath 25 may be chosen for their high compressive strength and/or collapse resistance.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a hang-off assembly 40 supporting a cable 2 to which a cable termination assembly 1 has been applied. In the figures, the main body of the cable 2 descends from the hang-off assembly 40 through a protective tube 46. The protective tube 46 may be referred to as an I- or J-tube and may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic, metal, fabric or other materials, depending on the context. The length of cable 2 to which the cable termination assembly 1 has been applied is substantially inside the hang-off assembly 40. The exposed core elements of the cable 2 protrude from the top of the hang-off assembly 40. The core elements can then be connected to an apparatus, e.g. to terminals of a wind turbine.

To support the cable 2 hanging from the hang-off assembly 40, the hang-off assembly 40 includes a hang-off flange 42. The hang-off flange 42 may include two or more parts which can be placed around the cable termination assembly 1 as indicated in the figure and fastened in place, e.g. using bolts 47 or another suitable fixing means. The hang-off flange 42 provides a support surface 55 arranged to contact the face 51 of the body 4. The support surface 55 of the hang-off flange 42 provides a reaction force against the body 4 via the face 51. In the illustrated example, the hang-off flange 42 surrounds the cable termination assembly 1 around the portion 12 of the body 4. In other examples, the hang-off flange 42 may surround a different part of the cable termination assembly 1. The hang-off flange 42 may then provide a reaction force against (for example) the weight of the cable termination assembly 1 and the cable 2 to which the cable termination assembly 1 has been applied.

In the illustrated example, the bolts 47 also connect the protective tube 46 and the hangoff assembly 40. An intervening gasket 43 or other part may be provided, e.g. to help improve the seal between the hang-off assembly 40 and the protective tube 46.

The illustrated hang-off assembly 40 also includes an armour clamp 44 which has been fitted around the body 4. More particularly, ends of the armour layer 3 which protruded from the body 4 have been bent over a deformer assembly placed at or forming part of the top of the body 4 to promote bending of the armour layer 3 around the top of the body 4.

The armour layer 3 has then been clamped around the outside of the body 4 using the armour clamp 44. The armour clamp 44 may provide an additional or alternative mechanism for supporting the weight of the cable 2 from the hang-off assembly 40. The armour clamp 44 may for example provide a useful supplementary cable support arrangement in dynamic applications where the hang-off assembly 40 and the cable termination assembly 1 with cable 2 are likely to move relative to each other after installation.

In some embodiments, a sealing material 45 may be inserted into the hang-off assembly 40. For example, a resin may be poured into the hang-off assembly 40 when the cable termination assembly 1 and cable 2 have been fixed in place in the hang-off assembly 40. The sealing material may fill some or all of the remaining space between the cable termination assembly 1, the cable 2 and the outer casing 41 of the hang-off assembly 40. This may help inhibit or prevent ingress of fluids or solids into the cable 2.

The hang-off assembly 40 may be mounted in a static position, e.g. affixed to a wall or platform of a wind turbine tower, or mounted in a dynamic way, e.g. on a moving platform to allow for rise and fall of the cable 2 due to water waves or other forces.

Figure 9 illustrates an alternative cable termination assembly T. The cable termination assembly T includes an axially shorter locking element 9’ than the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. A spacer sleeve 50 is positioned between the locking element 9’ and the gripper collet 6. A seal 56 may be positioned between the locking element 9’ and the spacer sleeve 50 or between the spacer sleeve 50 and the gripper collet 6 to inhibit or prevent ingress of substances such as water or dirt beneath the gripper collet 6 and into the cable 2. Under compression from the locking element 9, the seal 56 may form a seal between the body 4 and the support tube 8’. The locking element 9’ and the spacer sleeve 50 (and the seal 56, if present) act to constrain relative movement of the gripper collet 6 and the body 4. As described above in the context of Figures 1 to 3, the locking element 9 may be threaded such that it engages with a corresponding thread on the body 4. Alternatively it may have an interference fit with the body 4 or be spring loaded.

The cable termination assembly 1’ (and other embodiments) may also include an axially longer support tube 8’ than the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The support tube 8’ extends to the left of the body 4, i.e. towards the exposed ends of the core elements of the cable 2 to which the cable termination assembly 1 ’ illustrated in Figure 9 has been applied. The support tube 8’ provides a cylinder into which sealing material 45 such as a resin or resin-based compound can be inserted (e.g. by pouring) to help inhibit or prevent fluid or solid ingress into the cable 2 from the exposed end of the cable 2. This may help reduce or prevent air flow within the cable 2, e.g. air flow in interstices or gaps between the core elements or other components of the cable 2. A hole may be provided in the wall of the support tube 8’ to allow the sealing material 45 to be inserted. Alternatively, it may be possible to insert the sealing material 45 from the exposed end of the cable 2. A temporary sealing device 52 may be provided in some embodiments. For example, if a pourable substance is to be used as the sealing material 45, the temporary sealing device 52 may be used to hold the pourable sealing material 45 inside the cable 2 until the sealing material 45 has dried and set.

Figures 10A and 10B illustrate a hang-off assembly 40’ for use with a cable termination assembly 1 as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 or preferably a cable termination assembly T as illustrated in Figure 9. Like the hang-off assembly 40 illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B, the hang-off assembly 40’ includes a hang-off flange 42 which is positioned around the body 4 of a cable termination assembly 1 or cable termination assembly 1 ’ to support the cable termination assembly and the cable 2 to which the cable termination assembly has been applied. The hang-off assembly 40’ can also be affixed to a protective tube 46.

The hang-off assembly 40’ also includes a compression seal 48. The compression seal 48 may be a split seal or may, like the hang-off flange 42, include two or more parts which can be placed around the cable termination assembly 1 as indicated in the figure. The compression seal 48 may be held between the hang-off flange 42 and a clamp plate 49. Like the compression seal 48, the clamp plate 49 may be a split plate or may include two or more parts which can be placed around the cable termination assembly 1 as indicated in the figure. The hang-off assembly 40’ may include seal compression bolts 53 or other suitable fixing means to secure the seal between the hang-off plate 42 and the protective tube 46.

The illustrated example shows a cable termination assembly 1 ’ as per Figure 9. The cable termination assembly 1 ’ includes a support tube 8’ which extends out of the top end of the body 4 of the cable termination assembly T. As described above, a sealing material 45 can be inserted (e.g. by pouring) into the support tube 8’. This may optimally be done when the cable termination assembly has been secured in the hang-off assembly. Such an arrangement may be used instead of or in addition to the arrangement of the outer casing 41 and sealing material 45 illustrated in Figure 8.

Although in the illustrated embodiments the cables 2 include one armour layer 3, in one or more other embodiments, two or more armour layers may be provided. In such cases, support tube 8, 8’ may be provided with a textured inner surface arranged to grip an inner layer of armour, i.e. a layer of armour provided radially inwardly of the armour layer 3 and radially inwardly of the support tube 8, 8’ illustrated in the figures. Having two or more armour layers may advantageously increase protection from radial crushing for the core elements of the cable 2 and/or increase the axial tension the cable 2 that can be applied to the cable 2.

Claims

1. A cable termination assembly (1, 1’), for application to a length of cable (2) including at least one core element and an armour layer (3), the cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) comprising:

a body (4) having a taper section with an axially tapered inner profile (5); a gripper collet (6) for positioning radially inwardly of the body (4), the gripper collet (6) having a corresponding taper section with an axially tapered external profile (7); and a support tube (8, 8’) for positioning radially inwardly of the body (4), the gripper collet (6) and the armour layer (3) of the cable (2), wherein the cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) is arranged to apply a radially inward force to the armour layer (3) between the support tube (8, 8j and the gripper collet (6).

2. A cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) as claimed in claim 1, wherein application of axial tension to the cable (2) relative to the body (4) promotes increased radially inward force on the armour layer (3) between the support tube (8, 8’) and the gripper collet (6).

3. A cable termination assembly (1, 1’) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including a locking element (9, 9’) arranged to constrain relative axial movement of the collet (6) and the body (4) away from each other.

4. A cable termination assembly (1,1’) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking element (9,9’) includes a threaded surface (16) for engagement with a corresponding threaded surface (17) of the body (4).

5. A cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the locking element (9, 9’) is arranged to be positioned radially inwardly of the body (4) and radially outwardly of the armour layer (3).

6. A cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, comprising a spacer sleeve (50) arranged for positioning between the locking element (9’) and the gripper collet (6).

7. A cable termination assembly (1, 1’) as claimed in claim 6, comprising a seal arranged for positioning between the locking element (9’) and the spacer sleeve (50) or between the spacer sleeve (50) and the gripper collet (6), wherein the seal is arranged to inhibit ingress of substances into the cable (2).

8. A cable termination assembly (1, 1’) as claimed in any preceding claim, including a tube (11) provided around at least part of the cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) and at least part of the cable (2), wherein the tube (11) is arranged to inhibit ingress of substances into the cable (2).

9. A cable termination assembly (1,1’) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the gripper collet (6) includes a slit (38, 54) arranged to allow the gripper collet 6 to deform.

10. A cable termination assembly (1,1 ’) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an inner profile 15 of the gripper collet 6 comprises a high-friction surface.

11. A cable termination assembly (1,1’) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support tube (8, 8’) extends axially beyond an end of the body (4).

12. A pulling apparatus (20, 20’), for use with a cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’), the pulling apparatus (20, 20’) comprising:

a cable termination assembly interface (21) on at least one end of the pulling apparatus (20, 20’), including a section (22) arranged for engagement with a body (4) of a cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’);

a strength layer (24) positioned radially outwardly of the cable termination assembly interface (21); and a swage collar (27), wherein the swage collar (27) is arranged to constrain relative axial movement of the cable termination assembly interface (21) and the strength layer (24).

13. A pulling apparatus (20, 20’) as claimed in claim 12, comprising a hollow pipe (23), positioned radially inwardly of the strength layer (24), and arranged to protect parts of the cable termination assembly (1, 1’) and/or other components placed inside the hollow pipe (23).

14. A pulling apparatus (20, 20’) as claimed in claim 12 or 13, comprising a sheath (25) positioned radially outwardly of the strength layer (24) to help prevent ingress of substances into the pulling apparatus (20, 20’).

15. A pulling apparatus (20) as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, comprising a ring (26) around which part of the strength layer (24) is wrapped, wherein the swage collar (27) is arranged to constrain movement of the strength layer (24) relative to the ring (26).

16. A pulling apparatus (20, 20’) as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the cable termination assembly interface (21) includes a recess (30) and the swage collar (27) includes a corresponding projection (29), wherein the projection (29) and the recess (30) are sized and positioned such that the projection (29) fits inside the recess (30) and constrains movement of the swage collar (27) in an axial direction relative to the cable termination assembly interface (21) when the projection (29) is inside the recess (30).

17. A pulling apparatus (20, 20’) as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16, comprising a pulling interface (32) including means (33) for connection to a further apparatus.

18. A gripper collet (6) for use with a cable termination assembly (1, 1’) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11.

19. A cable hang-off assembly (40,40’), for supporting a cable termination assembly (1, 1’) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, the cable hang-off assembly (40, 40’) comprising:

a hang-off flange (42) arranged for positioning around a cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’), and having a support surface (55) to support the cable termination assembly (1, 1’); and fixing means (47) for fastening the hang-off flange (42) in place around the cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’).

20. A cable hang-off assembly (40, 40’) as claimed in claim 19, comprising a protective tube (46), wherein the protective tube (46) and the hang-off flange (42) are connected using the fixing means (47).

21. A cable hang-off assembly (40, 40’) as claimed in claim 20, comprising a seal or sealing material (43, 45) arranged to inhibit ingress of substances into the protective tube (46).

22. A cable hang-off assembly (40, 40’) as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21, comprising an armour clamp (44) arranged to clamp an armour layer (3) of a cable (2) supported via the hang-off assembly (40, 40’) and said cable termination assembly (1, 1’).

23. A method of installing a cable (2) in a cable hang-off assembly (40, 40’) using a cable termination assembly (1, 1’) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising the steps of:

applying the cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) to the cable (2); applying a pulling force to the cable termination assembly (1,1’) to manoeuvre the cable (2) into a desired position; and fixing a hang-off flange (42) of the hang-off assembly (40, 40’) in place around the cable termination assembly (1, 1’) such that the hang-off flange (42) provides a reaction force against the axial tension in the cable (2).

24. A method of installing a cable (2) as claimed in claim 23, comprising the step of applying a pulling apparatus (20, 20’) to the cable termination assembly (1, 1 ’) and using the pulling apparatus (20, 20’) to apply the pulling force to the cable termination assembly 1.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1617623.2