JP2879011B2 - Method and apparatus for sealing an elongated splice of an electrical cable - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for sealingly enclosing a length of cable splice. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing an elongate cable splice enclosure that contains injected encapsulant to seal a cable splice.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, electric cables, particularly communication cables, are provided outdoors and suspended in the air or buried underground. In order to repair individual wires or conductors in a cable, or to make connections to such wires, it is necessary to destroy the integrity of the cable. After the repair or connection has been completed,
The exposed area of the cable, called the cable splice, needs to be resealed or resealed to protect the conductor from the outdoor environment.

[0003] Many techniques are currently known for sealingly covering a cable splice. One technique that is particularly effective is to use cable splice closures,
The cable splice closure includes an enclosure filled with an encapsulating material that completely surrounds the splice and protects the splice from the ingress of moisture that is prevalent in outdoor environments. Such encapsulation materials are typically prepared in a semi-fluid state and injected into an enclosure around a cable splice. The encapsulant can be placed under pressure into the enclosure, such that the encapsulant completely surrounds the cable splice and fills the void between each conductor. The encapsulant then hardens and integrates into a gel, effectively sealing or sealing the splice.

Prior to curing, both ends of the enclosure must be sealed to keep the encapsulant under pressure. Generally, there are two types of end seals. A first type of end seal that can be used in combination with a splice enclosure is a rigid end seal. Such end seals are hermetically clamped at spaced locations in the cable on either side of the splice. Next, a splice enclosure is sealingly secured to each end of the end seal. This type of rigid end seal sealingly closes both ends of the splice enclosure to resist moisture ingress and retain the encapsulant material contained within the enclosure. Provide effective technology. Examples of rigid end seals used in combination with a cable splice enclosure are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,245,133 and 5,251,373. While such a rigid end seal is extremely effective, it is a multi-element device and requires assembly techniques.

A second method is to use a seal collar or seal dam around the cable on each side of the splice. Each seal dam is, for example, wrapping a mastic tape around the cable to form a mastic around which the ends of the enclosure can be located. Such mastics provide good sealing contact between the cable as well as the enclosure. The mastic tape has sufficient viscosity so that it can be positioned around the cable, but exhibits some fluidity. This creates a good compression engagement, but does not secure the cover around the dam.
Make it more difficult. The enclosure can generally be secured around the seal dam and at other locations by applying compression straps to the enclosure. However, compression of such straps tends to cause mastic movement. Also, as the encapsulant is placed into the enclosure, the mastic seal dam tends to exit the enclosure due to the internal pressure provided by the encapsulant. To eliminate such a tendency, the operator needs to secure the seal dam to both ends of the enclosure. Such fixation is generally accomplished by wrapping the cable at both ends of the enclosure and adjacent the seal dam with seal tape. As can be appreciated, doing so requires additional steps as well as additional materials that need to be performed by the personnel. Also, the integrity of such taped assemblies is highly dependent on the skill of the operator and it is difficult to construct long cable splices.

[0006]

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a splice enclosure that can be easily installed and used to enclose a long area of a cable splice.

[0007]

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for sealingly surrounding an elongated cable splice.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of enclosure shells and end seals that support the shell around a splice and contain a curable encapsulant. To provide a cable splice closure.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cable splice enclosure that allows for the use of a pair of spaced enclosure shells to enclose an elongated cable splice.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method for sealingly enclosing an elongated area of a splice in an electrical cable.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To efficiently achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for sealing an elongated splice of an electrical cable. The central area of the splice is surrounded by a generally cylindrical enclosure tube, on both sides of which an exposed lateral area of the splice is formed. Seal dams are configured around the cables on both sides of the elongated splice, as well as around both ends of the tube. An elongated cylindrical splice enclosing shell is provided around the lateral extent of each of the splices. The splice surrounding shell has opposing open ends. The open end of each shell is sealingly attached to the seal dam to hermetically surround the splice.

As will be described in more detail using the preferred embodiment, the splice enclosing shell is filled with a curable encapsulant for sealingly encapsulating the splice. The shell also has a plurality of elongated fingers extending from each end thereof. Such fingers at the end of the shell may be secured outwardly adjacent each of the seal dams. cable·
A compressible securing member, such as a tie, may be mounted around the finger to secure the finger adjacent to the seal dam. The ends of the shell located above the cylindrical enclosure tube can be overlapped and secured by a single cable tie.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG.
It is shown. The cable 10 includes a plurality of individually insulated wires 12 that extend through an insulated outer sheath or cable jacket 13 of the cable. The wire is shown schematically, having the usual structure, formed by copper and the surrounding plastic insulation. Generally, a portion of the cable jacket 13 is cut away to form an exposed area 14. The exposed area allows access to the wires 12 for repair or maintenance or to connect another wire thereto in a manner well known in the art.
The exposed region 14 is formed by cutting off a part of the jacket 13. The exposed area 14, and the repairs or connections made thereto, are commonly referred to as cable splices or cable splice locations, and such terms are used interchangeably to describe the exposed area of the cable 10. Can be used. After repairing or connecting to the cable, it is necessary to cover and protect the cable splice 14. The preferred method and apparatus of the present invention for sealingly covering a cable splice 14 is described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention employs a stabilizer bar (stabilizing bar) 16. The stabilizer bar is configured to be long enough to traverse the splice 14 in the longitudinal direction. The stabilizer bar 16 is made of a material having sufficient rigidity, such as metal, and is fixed to the cable jacket 13 on both sides of the splice 14. Compression clamp 18
Or, using another compression fixing member, the stabilizer bar 1
6 is fixed to the jacket 13 of the cable 10. The stabilizer bar 16 provides structural stability to the splice 14 and prevents sharp bends that can adversely affect connections or repairs made to the splice 14. In some cases, the stabilizer bar 14
It can also function as an earth strap for ensuring continuity of electrical grounding before and after the splice 14. The splice 14 of the wire 12 can be repaired, maintained, or connected before or after the stabilizer bar 16 is installed. Such repairs or connections can be made in a manner well known in the art.

As shown in FIG. 3, the splice 14 is covered by a spacer web 20. This web 2
0 is generally a mesh member that is wrapped around the splice 14 and secured to the splice using a cable tie 22 or other securing member. As will be described in more detail below, the spacer web 20 allows the splice 14 to be effectively wrapped with a curable encapsulating material. The spacer web 20 is described in “Methods and Apparatus for Providing Spacers to Cable Splices (“ Method and A ”).
pparatus for Providing a
Spacer a Cable Split
e ")", published on August 11, 1987,
It is of the type shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,891.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the construction of the end seal or seal dam 24 (FIG. 6) will be described. Since the seal dam 24 is formed around the cable jacket 13 in the same manner on both sides of the splice 14, only the method of forming one seal dam 24
This will be described below with reference to FIGS. The seal dam 24 is initially constructed with a closed cell foam 26 that can be rolled. Foam 26 generally has a closed, compressible cellular structure. The foam 26 may have an adhesive back surface on one or both of its longitudinal flat surfaces 26a, so that the foam may be adhesively wrapped around the cable jacket 13. The adhesive surface 26a, which can be exposed by removing the liner (not shown), secures the foam 26 to the cable with an adhesive when the cable is wrapped in foam, and also allows such foams to be bonded together. It is possible to fix with an adhesive. In a preferred construction, the foam is expanded until the diameter formed by the foam wrap is greater than the diameter of the splice 14.
It is wound around the cable jacket 13.

After the foam 26 has been properly applied around the cable jacket 13 as shown in FIG. 5, a mastic tape 28 is wrapped therearound. The mastic tape 28 is formed entirely of compressible tacky mastic and is supplied in the form of a rolled tape. The mastic tape 28 is a foam 2
6 to further increase the circumference of the seal dam 24. As shown in FIG. 5, a composite of foam wrap and mastic wrap forms a seal dam 24. Although the above composite is shown as a preferred structure, other structures can be formed. Structures such as a series of alternating wraps of tape and foam may also be employed. The present invention also contemplates the use of foam 26 or mastic tape 28 alone to form seal dam 24. However, as will be described in greater detail below, the composite of mastic tape 28 wrapped over the first layer of foam 26 provides excellent edge sealing and provides structural integrity. I know.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a cable surrounding shell 30 of the present invention. The shell 30 is an elongated flat plastic sheet having flexibility. The shell 30 is generally rectangular in shape and has opposing longitudinal edges or edges 32 and opposing lateral edges or side edges 3.
Four. The distance between the edges 32 is
Crosses cable splice 14 (FIG. 3),
It has been done. In use, the shell 30 is rolled into a cylindrical shape, the side edges 34 of which overlap each other to form a divided, elongated, unitary cylindrical structure (FIG. 7), and the rolled longitudinal direction. Have opposing open ends 32a formed by the edges or edges 32 of the front end.

Other configurations of the shell 30 are also within the scope of the present invention. Rigid shells having upper and lower shell halves, such as those shown in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,245,133 and 5,251,373, can also be used. However, the flexible shell 30 shown here
Is particularly useful because it can be used for cable splices 14 having various diameters.

As the diameter of the splice 14 varies depending on the amount of repair or interconnection performed at the splice, the length of the flat sheet forming the shell 30 also varies. The shell 30 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced, laterally extending cut lines 6 along which the shell 30 can be cut or torn to change the length of the shell. it can. A suitable cutting tool (not shown) can be used to cut or tear the shell 30 along one of the cut lines 36.

For purposes described in more detail below, shell 30 includes a plurality of spaced fingers 40.
The fingers 40 extend outwardly from the longitudinal edge 32. In the preferred embodiment, finger 4
0 is formed integrally with the shell 30. Also, as shown, each finger 40 includes a narrow proximal portion 42 extending from the longitudinal edge 32 and a wide distal portion 44 spaced from the longitudinal edge 32. I have.

The shell 30 further includes an inlet port 46 and a laterally spaced outlet port 48. The ports 46, 48 can be formed integrally with the shell 30 when the shell 30 is formed, or can be provided on the shell 30 after the shell is formed. In the embodiment shown, the integrally formed reinforcing structural member 49 is
It crosses the space between 6,48. Port 46,
How to use 48 will be described later in detail.

As shown in FIG. 7, the shell 30 can be wrapped around the cable splice 14. After cutting the shell 30 to the desired length, the shell 30 is placed around the splice 14 and one flat surface 30a contacts the seal dam 24. Shell is Seal Dam 2
4 is positioned such that it is adjacent the longitudinal edge 32 of the shell 30. When the shell 30 is formed into a cylindrical structure, the seal dam 24 is provided with the open end 32a of the shell.
Is closed. Shell 30 includes opposed lateral edges 34
Are positioned so that they overlap. Gasket material 5
A zero can be interposed between the overlapping edges 34. An appropriate gasket material can be used. In practice, one or both of the foam 26 or mastic tape 28 can be used as a sealing gasket.
When properly overlaid, the shell 30 will
Form a unitary cylindrical enclosure 52 (FIG. 8) around which the seal dam 24 is provided with opposed open ends 32 of the shell.
Close a.

To maintain the shell 30 in a closed cylindrical configuration, a plurality of radially compressible retaining straps 54 may be provided therearound. One or more retaining straps 54a may be provided directly around each seal dam 24. In this way, a tight compression engagement is maintained between the shell 30 and the seal dam 24 adjacent the open end 32a.

The above-described structure of the seal dam 24 is formed of a composite of the closed-cell foam 26 and the mastic tape 28, as described above, and forms an excellent seal at the open end 32a of the shell 30. I do. If the tight compression engagement is maintained between the shell 30 and the seal dam 24, excessive compression by tightening the strap 54a will tend to cause compression flow or movement of the dam 24. is there. The above-described composite of foam 26 and mastic tape 28 provides sufficient stiffness to seal dam 24 to reduce such tendency.

After the enclosure 52 has been formed around the splice 14, the splice 14 can be effectively sealed by introducing an encapsulant 56 into the enclosure 52. Effectively seal the splice 14,
Also, the encapsulation material may be individually insulated wires 12
The encapsulant 56 can be injected under pressure into the enclosure 52 to ensure that the gap between the seals is sealed. A method and apparatus for encapsulating a cable splice under pressure is described in "Moisture Resistant Cable Splices and Their Sealing Structures (" Moisture Re
stableCable Splice and S
eating Structurethereof ""
U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,133, issued Sep. 14, 1993, entitled "Method for Producing Cable Splices," entitled "Method for Pro
tection of Cable Splice ""
No. 5,251,373, issued Oct. 12, 1993, which is hereby incorporated by reference. See these U.S. patents.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the encapsulant 56 is supplied from a suitable container 57 to the inlet port 46.
Through the enclosure 52. The encapsulating material may be injected under pressure, or may be pressurized after injection. The spacer web 20 (FIG. 3) allows the encapsulation material to flow completely around the splice 14. The outlet port 48 allows air to escape so that the enclosure 52 can be filled with the encapsulating material 56. The outlet port also allows some amount of encapsulation material to escape to indicate that the enclosure has been filled. Rather, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,245,133 and 5,25,133
A safety relief valve (not shown) can also be inserted into outlet port 48 in the manner disclosed in US Pat. No. 1,373. As the encapsulant 56 is forced into the heater 52 under pressure, the encapsulant exerts an outward pressure on the seal dam 24, tending to close the open end 32 of the shell 30. Have. Such outward pressure is large enough to allow the seal dam 24 to exit outwardly from the open end 32a of the shell 30. To prevent such outward movement, seal dam 24 is retained by fingers 40.

As shown in FIG. 9, a cable tie 58 or other radially compressible securing member is provided around the cable jacket 13 and the fingers 40 extending circumferentially around the jacket 13. It is wound. The cable tie 58 is tightened so that the tie contacts the tip portion 44 of the finger 40. Each tip portion 44 has an outwardly extending retaining element 60, which preferably has an inverted hook-shaped configuration. A preferred technique for supporting and holding the cable tie 58 is the hook-shaped holding element 60.
Although shown, other techniques can be used. The retaining element 60 serves to support the cable tie 58. The cable tie 58 comprises a hook-shaped holding element 6.
It can be screwed to zero or fitted therein.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cable ties 58 are then tightened around the cable jacket 13 (preferably by hand). This way,
The proximal portion 42 of the finger 40 is positioned along the annular outer surface 24a of the seal dam 24. Holding element 6
A cable tie 58 held by zero secures the finger 40 to the cable jacket 13 adjacent to the outside of the seal dam 24 and prevents its movement. Such engagement prevents movement of the outer wall of seal dam 24 when splice 14 is forcibly encapsulated.

As described in the aforementioned US patent, the encapsulant 56 cures together in a gel-like manner to form a moisture barrier in a relatively short period of time (about one hour). Thus, the fingers 40 need only positionally restrain the seal dam 24 until the encapsulating material has hardened,
No further pressure is applied to the seal dam 24.
After the encapsulant 56 has cured, a plug or cap 62 is inserted into the ports 46, 48 to close the ports.

Next, FIGS. 11 to 15 show another embodiment of the present invention. The methods and apparatus described herein can be used to enclose large lengths of cable splice that exceed the length that can normally be covered using the splice enclosure shown in FIGS.

In particular, FIG. 11 shows a communication cable 10 which is a cable jacket 1.
It has an elongated exposed area or splice 14 'extending between the three cuts. The splice 14 'generally has a length that exceeds the maximum length that can be covered by the envelope shell 30 (FIG. 6) described above, in which situation two or more enclosure shells 30 are provided. Can be used to surround the splice 14 'in the manner described below.

As in the previous embodiment, first the stabilizer bar 16 (FIG. 2) is used to bridge the splice to provide structural stability and to establish an electrical ground across the splice. Ensure continuity. Splice 1
Since 4 'has a large length, the present invention provides an extension member 17'. This extension allows connection of a pair of spaced stabilizer bars 16 of the type described above. The extension member 17 'is a generally U-shaped channel that houses the end 16a of the spaced stabilizer bar 16 therein. Each stabilizer bar 16 is secured to the cable jacket 13 in the manner described above. The adjacent end 16a of the spaced stabilizer bar 16 is bridged by a member 17 '. Appropriate fastening hardware can be used to join each end 16a to maintain structural continuity and ground continuity between the spaced stabilizer bars 16. Also, the position of stabilizer bar 16 within member 17 'can be adjusted linearly to accommodate splices 14' of various lengths. As mentioned above, the stabilizer bar including member 17 'is secured to the cable 10 before and after the splice 14' prior to splicing of the wire or conductor 12, thereby maintaining ground continuity, Protects splicing workers from electrical surges. Stabilizer bar 1
After attaching the member 6 and the member 17 ', the splice 14'
Can be surrounded with a knit 20 of the type described above shown in FIG. 3 before forming the envelope. However, in order to simplify the drawing, the stabilizer bar 16, the member 1
7 'and web 20 are not shown in the remaining figures.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the central region 14a 'of the splice 14' is surrounded by a two-part cylindrical tube 70. Tube 70 is
It has a pair of opposing open ends 70a, 70b, which define a central passage 70c therebetween. The tube 70 may be a rigid plastic member (preferably formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), and the upper and lower semi-cylindrical members 72,7
4 is provided. The members 72, 74 are located in the central area 14a '.
To surround the central area 14 of the splice 14 '
It can be provided around a ′. As shown in FIG. 12, the connection between the upper and lower portions 72, 74 forms a diametrically opposed seam or seam 75. The central portion 75a of such a seam is sealed by a rubber packing or gasket 76.
Each rubber packing 76 includes a flat portion 76a, which extends into the inner surface 7 extending into the seam 75.
6c, a rib 7 located at the center in the longitudinal direction.
6b. Ribs 76b form an effective seal between upper member 72 and lower member 74 along a central location 75a of seam 75. Cable tie 7
8 can be provided around the assembled tube 70 and gasket 76 so that the tube and gasket can be held in place around the central area of the splice 14 '. With the tube 70 in place as shown in FIG. 12, a pair of lateral extents 14b ', 14c' of the exposed splice are formed at its end.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown the construction of an end seal or seal dam, generally designated 24 '. Seal dam 24 'is substantially the same as seal dam 24 described above with respect to FIGS. Each seal dam 24 'can be formed from a composite of closed cell foam 26 and mastic tape 28, or, as described above, seal dam 2
4 'can be formed from only one of foam 26 or mastic tape 28. A first pair of seal dams 24a ', 24b' is formed around the cable jacket 13 adjacent to the splice 14 ', and
Pair of spaced seal dams 24c ', 24d'
It is formed around the tube 70. Seal Dam 2
4c 'and 24d' are seal dams 24a 'and 24b'
Has an outer diameter very close to the diameter of the shell 30 so that the shell 30 can be accommodated therearound. The lateral extent 14b 'of the splice is the seal dam 24a', 24
c ′, while the lateral extent 1 of the splice
4c 'is formed between the seal dams 24b' and 24d '.

The lateral extent 1 of each of the cable splices
4b ', 14c' can be individually covered with an enclosure shell 30 (FIG. 6) in substantially the same manner as described above. One shell 30 is cylindrically wound around a lateral extent 14b ', 14c' at the end of the splice. The opposite open end of the shell 30 is the seal dam 2
4 ′ overlaps the lateral extent 14b ′, 14 of the splice
c 'is individually traversed or cross-linked. The shell can be secured using a retaining strap 54 around it (FIG. 15). The ends of the shell 30 adjacent to the cable jacket 13 can be secured outside of the seal dams 24a ', 24b' in the manner described above with respect to FIG. The ends of the enclosure shell 30 above the seal dams 24c ', 24d' are secured in a manner described below with respect to FIG.

The open end 32a of the spaced shell 30 is
The extending fingers 40 of each shell 30 are positioned so as to overlap the generally aligned hook-shaped retaining elements 60. A cable tie 80 is inserted around the overlapping fingers 40 so that the hook-shaped retaining element 60 houses the cable tie 80. At this point, the cable tie 80 is tightened and the distal end 44 of the finger 40 contacts the tube 70, thereby ensuring that the finger 40 is positioned relative to the tube. Such positioning prevents outward movement of the dams 24c ', 24d'. Such fixation also serves to make the connection of the shells 30 and prevent longitudinal movement therebetween.

In the manner generally described above, the enclosed splice 14 ′ can be encapsulated with a curable encapsulant 56. Opposing open ends 70a, 70b
Have a central passage 70c communicating with each surrounding shell 30. The enclosed splice 14 ′ is formed by injecting the encapsulating material into one of the inlet ports 46 (FIG. 8) of the two shells 30.
It can be encapsulated with an encapsulating material. The inlet port (not shown) of the other shell is properly closed. The outlet ports 48 of both shells can be used to allow air to escape, or alternatively, to provide a safety relief valve. The encapsulation material 56, pressed into one shell 30 under pressure, passes through the tube 70 and into the other shell, completely filling both shells and the interior of the tube. Air escapes through the outlet port (or safety relief valve), allowing the entire splice 14 'to be encapsulated. Rubber packing 7
6 forms a seal between the upper and lower portions 72, 74 of the tube 70 and prevents escape of the encapsulant from between the ends of the shell 30.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the structure described above and shown in the drawings. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

[0040]

According to the splice enclosure of the present invention, a cable price can be easily enclosed over a long range.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of an electrical cable having an exposed central region called a cable splice.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the electrical cable of FIG. 1 with a stabilizing bar or stabilizer bar positioned across the cable splice.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cable of FIG. 1 with a spacer web provided around a cable splice.

FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the electrical cable of FIG. 1 showing one side of a splice around which a foam end seal is provided.

5 shows the cable section of FIG. 4 with mastic tape provided around the end seal of the foam.

FIG. 6 illustrates a splice surrounding shell of the present invention used to cover the cable splice shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 illustrates the splice encircling shell of FIG. 6 partially wound around a cable splice.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the splice enclosing shell of FIG. 6 provided around a cable splice and showing an encapsulant material injected therein.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the splice enclosure of FIG. 8 with shell fingers securable to a cable.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the completed splice enclosure of the present invention secured to an electrical cable.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an electrical cable having opposing elongated central cable splices.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a step of sealingly surrounding a splice of the electric cable of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a step of sealingly surrounding a splice of the electric cable of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cylindrical tube of the type shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 used to surround a central portion of a cable splice.

FIG. 15 is a partial plan view of an assembled cable splice enclosure formed in accordance with the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric cable 12 Electric wire (conductor) 13 Cable jacket 14 Splice (exposed area) 16 Stabilizer bar 18 Clamp 22 Cable tie 24 Seal dam 26 Foam 28 Mastic tape 30 Shell 32a Open end 40 Finger 46 Inlet port 48 outlet port 52 enclosure 56 encapsulation material 58 cable ties 70 tubes 70a, 70b open ends 70c central passage 78 cable ties

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-276618 (JP, A) JP-A-58-46814 (JP, A) JP-A-5-146028 (JP, A) JP-A-58-207812 (JP, A) JP-A-62-193508 (JP, A) JP-A-62-89414 (JP, A) JP-A-58-144518 (JP, A) JP-A-51-145895 (JP, A) 4-10295 (JP, B2) JP 6-83536 (JP, B2) JP 6-507778 (JP, A) JP 61-502371 (JP, A) (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H02G 15/00-15/196

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for sealing an elongate splice of an electrical cable, the method comprising: enclosing a central area of the splice in a generally cylindrical enclosure tube; Forming a defined lateral extent; forming a seal dam around the cable adjacent each end of the cable splice, and around the cable adjacent each end of the tube; Positioning the lateral extent of the splice between a pair of seal dams; covering the lateral extent of the exposed splice with a pair of generally cylindrical elongate splice surrounding shells each having opposing open ends; Communicating the splice surrounding shell and the tube; and sealingly opening the open end of each shell to the seal dam. Attached, the method characterized by comprising the step of surrounding the splice sealingly. 2. The method of claim 1 including the step of introducing a curable encapsulant into one of said shells to fill the interior of the shell. 3. The shell has a plurality of elongated fingers extending from each of the ends, and the step of sealingly attaching further includes the step of connecting the fingers at each end to the outside of each of the seal dams. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of securing adjacent to. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of compressible securing members; attaching the compressible securing members to a periphery of the finger; and positioning the finger outside the seal dam. Fixing adjacently. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the compressible fixing member is an annular cable tie, the finger has a cable tie receiving member at a distal end portion thereof, and the attaching step includes the cable of the finger. 5. The method of claim 4 including the step of securing a tie receiving member with the cable tie. 6. An apparatus for surrounding an exposed splice in an electrical cable having an outer insulating jacket and an exposed elongated splice between spaced ends of the jacket. A pair of laterally exposed splices that can be positioned around a central area of the splice and surround the central area of the splice between an end of the tube and an end of the jacket. An elongate cylindrical tube defining an area; a pair of elongate enclosure shells each enclosing a lateral area of the splice and having opposing open ends for passing the splice; and an end of the tube and the jacket. A seal dam that is positionable about the end of the shell and closes the open end of the shell. A device to mark. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for sealingly securing an end of said shell to said seal dam. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a hardenable encapsulant filling said tube and said enclosure shell. 9. Each of the shells includes a plurality of elongated stationary fingers extending from an end thereof, and wherein the securing means secures the fingers of the shell at a location adjacent to and outside the seal dam. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising: 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said securing means is positionable around an end of said cable jacket and said tube and includes a plurality of cable ties for securing said shell fingers around said tube. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that: