MXPA01007461A - End seal assembly for a splice case - Google Patents

Abstract

An end seal assembly is adapted to seal the space between at least one cable and a closure to restrict fluid transfer through the seal. The end seal assembly includes an end seal having a body formed from an elastic, flexible material.The body includes a core portion (20) and an extended tail portion (22). The core portion has an outer peripheral surface, spaced ends, and a wall forming at least one cylindrical opening (24) through the core portion. The cylindrical opening extends between the spaced ends. The wall has two edges communicating with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion to define between the two edges an entrance slot (21) to the at least one of the cylindrical openings (24). The extended tail portion is integral with and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the core portion (20). Moreover, the tail portion (22) has a surface tangential to the wall forming the at least one opening. In addition, the tail portion has sufficient length to wrap about the outer peripheral surface of the core portion to form a wrapped end seal such that the tail portion covers the entrance slot (21) of the at least one opening and a cable to be placed therein. The assembly further includes a rigid collar having first and second collar portions (90, 91) that are pivotably interconnected. The first and second portions have inner surfaces that conform to and enclose the wrapped end seal to form an inner cavity between the wrapped end seal and the first and second portions of the collar. The collar also has an outer surface adapted to sealingly abut an end of the closure. Furthermore, the assembly provides for injection of a sealant composition to fill the inner cavity and to bond together the wrapped end seal, the cable (which is placed in the opening), and the rigid collar.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF HERMETIC END CLOSURE FOR A JUNCTION BOX FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general, to an adjustable, sealing element assembly for cables entering a junction box, and in particular to a sealing element assembly, which is easily installed and removed, to while restricting the migration of fluids in and out of the junction box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Frequently, in the telecommunications industry, it is desirable to splice two or more cables together, either to extend a cable or to derive it in another cable. The formation of a joint involves removing the outer shell and other layers of the cable, to expose the individual optical fibers or conductors, which are then connected individually to the conductors or fibers of another cable or cables. After the joint is formed, it should be protected from water and other vapors, to prevent corrosion or short circuit. For this purpose, the area REF .: 131196 splice is often enclosed in a junction box that is formed of two half-shells, with plates, or sealing elements, ends, separated. Different sealing elements are used to accommodate cables of different diameters and junction boxes of different dimensions. An example of that limb sealing element is described in US Patent No. 5,258,578 (Smith et al). This end seal element is adapted to seal the space between the cables and the junction box, to restrict the transfer of fluids through the sealing element. The sealing element is formed of a body of a resilient, flexible material, such as a gel having self-adhesive properties. The body comprises a core portion and a tail portion. The core portion has a shape corresponding to the ends of the junction box and includes cylindrical holes through which the cables extend. The holes are exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the core. The body of the sealing element also includes a portion of glue that forms a single piece with the surface of the core portion and extends therefrom. The tail portion is of sufficient length to wrap around the outer peripheral surface of the core, to cover all cylindrical orifices. The holes are generally smaller than the diameter of the cables that are to be placed therein, so that the elastic core must expand so that the holes accommodate the cables. When wrapped around the core, the tail seals the portion of the cable between the core and the inner surface of the ends of the junction box. As a result of its elastic properties, the limiting seal element, previously described, is capable of sealing a variety of cables of different diameters. The diameter of the end seal is determined by the number of cables extending through the core, the diameter of the cables, and the length of the tail portion. As a consequence, the diameter of the end seal member is easily changed. This feature allows the end seal to be used in junction boxes of different diameters. One limitation of this end seal element is that, each time it is removed from a junction box, the seals formed between the core and the cables extending through the holes in the core are disturbed, and therefore the cables must be replaced when the end sealing element is reinstalled. In addition, although the diameter of the extremity sealing element can be varied, this feature is unnecessarily problematic in situations where standardized sized junction boxes are to be used. In particular, because the end seal is not standardized for any particular junction box, additional parts, such as gaskets or washers, are sometimes required to properly insert the end seal into the box . In some cases it is necessary to even cut the end sealing element in such a way that it fits into the box. Therefore, there is thus a need in the art for an end-seal assembly in which the cables remain fixed in the core even when the box assembly is removed, and which can be made compatible with many cables and boxes different, with minimal effort. An additional problem encountered with some assemblies of existing end seal elements, particularly those that can be wrapped (eg, end seal members of the core and glue variety) or having a layered configuration, concerns to the telescopic movement. In an end seal member of the core and glue type, for example, the glue portion is often wrapped somewhat loosely around the inserted cable, as it is placed inside the assembly. As a result, a sealant or adhesive that is injected into the end seal member has a tendency to squeeze through any gaps that lie between the overlapped sections of the end seal member. In addition, if a longitudinal force is applied to the inserted wire, before the sealant or adhesive has hardened sufficiently, the end sealing element will tend to move telescopically inward or outward of the box, thereby destroying integrity and mechanical resistance of the sealing element. In this way there is then a need in the art for a wraparound end sealing element which can resist telescopic movement and which minimizes the loss of sealant or adhesive through the interstices in the element. of hermetic end closure.

These and other needs are met by the present invention, as described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an end-seal assembly for use in sealing the area at the end of a terminal or junction box, through which the cables are placed, thereby restricting moisture entry to box. The end seal assembly preferably includes an end seal member of the core and tail type, wherein the end seal member has an integral core, with a portion of wraparound glue, which is extends tangentially from it. In some embodiments, the end seal member is enclosed in a rigid collar having an outer surface that provides a standard configuration that fits within a correspondingly configured junction box, regardless of the precise dimensions of the sealing element. of extremity itself. Accordingly, the end seal assembly does not require cutting or additional pieces, when placed in the box. A cavity formed between the end sealing element and the collar can be filled with an expandable sealing material or other sealant or adhesive, in order to provide a seal and to join in an integral unit, the end sealing element. , wrapped, a cable inserted through the core of the end sealing element, and the rigid collar. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an end seal assembly is adapted to seal the space between at least one cable and a box, to restrict the transfer of fluid through the sealing element. The end seal assembly includes an end seal member having a body formed from a resilient, flexible material. The body includes a core portion that typically has an outer peripheral surface, spaced apart ends, and a wall that forms at least one cylindrical hole through the core portion, cylindrical bore extending between the spaced ends. The wall has two edges that communicate with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion to define between the two edges an inlet groove to the cylindrical orifice. An extended tail portion is formed integrally with the surface of the core portion, and extends therefrom. The tail portion, which has a surface tangential to the wall that forms the cylindrical orifice, is of sufficient length to wrap around the peripheral surface of the core portion, to form a wrapped, tip-tight sealing element so such that the tail portion covers the inlet slot of the hole and a cable that is to be placed therein. The end seal assembly further comprises a rigid collar having first and second collar portions that are interconnected by pivot. The first and second portions have interior surfaces that conform to and enclose the sealed end closure member to form an interior cavity between the wrapped end seal member and the first and second collar portions. . The collar also has an outer surface adapted to abut, in a sealed manner, to one end of the box. A sealing composition fills the inner cavity to join together the sealing end, wrapped, the cable to be placed in the cylindrical hole, and the rigid collar.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a limb seal assembly, of a cable splice box, wherein the end seal element has a core portion with a tail portion extending tangentially therefrom. The glue portion is provided with a mesh on the surface thereof, which is adapted to closely adhere to a sealant or adhesive composition, and which is particularly useful with an expandable foam sealant composition. In a related embodiment, the tail portion comprises two substantially parallel rails, which are connected to each other by a plurality of transverse members to form a ladder-like configuration. The glue portion in any of these embodiments can be constructed with a tongue and groove configuration, such that the overlapping portions of the glue (when the glue is wound around the core) coincide with each other. The construction of these end seal elements allows a sealant or adhesive to be injected into the end seal member to join the overlapping portions together, thereby forming an integral, strongly bonded unit that resists movement. telescopic. The tongue and groove feature that can be incorporated in these embodiments aids proper alignment of the glue portion and also provides additional security against telescopic movement by providing a preliminary sealing element while the sealant or adhesive hardens. In still another aspect, the present invention provides a sealing plug that can be used with an end-seal member assembly of the core and glue type, to provide future access to the cables within the assembly, without disturbing the sealing elements. of existing cables. The plug comprises a hollow shaft terminating on one end in a removable sealing element. During use, the plug is placed in one of the openings within the end sealing element (with the sealed end extending from the end sealing element) at the time the sealing element assembly is attached. of extremity. When access is required for additional cables, the terminal portion of the plug is removed, the cable is inserted through the shaft and placed as desired in the end seal assembly, and the shaft is filled with a material sealer The plug may be provided with one or more openings to facilitate the introduction of a sealing material into the shaft and / or to allow removal of excess sealing material from the shaft, and may also be provided with a fluted lip, a brittle neck , or other means that facilitate the removal of the terminal portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be further described, hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary first end closure element that can used in the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of an example of a second end seal, with the tail portion partially removed for illustration, which may be employed in the present invention; Figure 3 is a side view of a third end seal member, which may be employed in the present invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a fourth end seal member, which may be employed in the present invention; Figure 5 is a front view of the end seal member of Figure 1, with the tail portion wrapped around the core portion and three cables; Figures 6a and 6b are perspective views of a fifth end sealing element, which can be employed in the present invention, which is illustrated with a cable and two plugs placed in the cylindrical holes of the core; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a sixth end seal, which may be employed in the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an end seal assembly assembly, including an end seal and a collar, and which is constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an end seal assembly of Figure 8, in which the collar is secured around the end seal member; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a cable splice box, which employs the end seal assembly of Figures 8 and 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The end seal assemblies of the present invention are adapted for use in sealing the end of a box, such as an air junction box, a buried junction box or a pedestal junction box, in order to restrict the entry or escape of fluid from the box. The preferred end seal member for use in the end seal assembly of the present invention is an adjustable end seal, having a core and tail structure. One such limb seal 15 is shown in Figure 15. This particular limb seal, is described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 5,258,578 (Smith et al), which is incorporated herein by reference. as reference. The end seal member is formed of a material that can be emptied or molded to produce a solid body, or that can be extruded and cut to produce separate end seal elements. The end seal element comprises a core portion 20 and a tail portion 22. The core portion is generally cylindrical in shape, with opposite end faces 26, 26 ', of which only the face 26 is shown in FIG. Figure 1. The core portion has a plurality of cylindrical holes 24 defined by curved walls 25, which extend between the end faces 26, 26 '. The semicircular walls begin and end at the outer peripheral surface 30 of the core portion, such that the cylindrical holes are not completely circumferentially surrounded by curved walls. That is, the cylindrical holes each have an inlet slit 21 to allow a wire or endless wire to be inserted into the hole. The tail portion of the limb sealing element, extends from the core, preferably in the vicinity of one of the cylindrical holes. In particular, the inner surface 32 of the glue portion preferably extends from one of the cylindrical holes in a direction generally tangential to the curved wall defining the cylindrical hole. The glue portion has a substantially uniform thickness and cross section along its length, except for the portion near its free end 36, where the thickness of the glue portion begins to decrease or taper to a free edge. , in order to form a smooth transition with respect to the section of the outer surface 34 of the glue portion that is wrapped around the peripheral surface of the core portion and the exposed portion, if any, of a wire or cable placed in each of the cylindrical holes. The end seal elements useful in the end seal assemblies of the present invention may be equipped with a variety of holes that are adapted to receive wires, cables, or plugs of various sizes and shapes. Some of the possibilities are illustrated in Figures 2-4. Figure 2 illustrates an example of an end seal 15a wherein the core portion 20a is formed of a pair of cylindrical holes 24a that are of essentially equal diameter. Figure 3 illustrates an end seal 15b wherein the core portion 20b has holes 24b, 24b 'of different diameters located around the outer peripheral surface 30b. Figure 4 illustrates an end seal element wherein the core portion 20c is equipped with a plurality of holes 24c, 24c 'that are not symmetrical. Still other end closure elements can be used in the end seal assembly of the present invention, which employ core portions having a non-circular cross-sectional shape. For example, in certain cases it may be advantageous if the core portion has a cross-sectional shape that is essentially oblong or essentially polygonal. As previously mentioned, the end seal elements used in the end seal assembly of the present invention preferably have a core and tail structure. The tail portion of that end seal member may have a variety of configurations. Some novel tail configurations, which are especially useful in the practice of the present invention, are presented in this description. However, although the configurations of these tails may vary, it is generally preferred that the tail portion be of sufficient length to wrap around the outer peripheral surface of the core portion, at least once. In other words, the tail portion preferably has a length that is greater than the circumference of the outer periphery of the core portion. Figure 5 illustrates an end seal member of the core and tail type, wherein the tail portion 40 has been wrapped around the core portion 42. In this particular example, the tail portion is sufficiently long, in such a way that it makes more than one wrap around the core portion, and three wires 44 are placed in the cylindrical holes. Figures 6a and 6b show perspective views of yet another end seal member structure, which is useful in the assembly of end seal elements of the -present invention. In this embodiment, the end seal member 50 has a core portion 52 with a tail portion 54 extending tangentially therefrom. The inner surface of the tail portion is equipped with a plastic mesh 56. The mesh is particularly useful when using an open cell foam sealant, because it allows better adhesion of the foam to the tail portion. The end seal member of Figures 6a and 6b is also shown with a cable 57 and two plugs 58, 58 'positioned in the holes 60, 60' of the end seal. Plugs are used to plug holes that are not currently used to hold a cable. Typically one end of the cap terminates in a cover 62 that can be removed to allow access to the interior of the cap, and the other end of the cap (which is positioned within the splice housing) remains open. When an additional cable hole is required, the cover is removed, the additional cable is inserted into the new hole, and the hole is cleared. The plug is advantageous because it allows * an additional cable (or wires) to be introduced into the splice without breaking the sealing element around the existing cables. Various types of plugs and lids are useful in the present invention. Preferably the lid is only a cut-out portion of the plug that can be removed by cutting, when an additional hole is required. This stopper is represented in the commonly assigned, North American Design Patent Application, Serial No., entitled "Stopper Stopper for Cables "and having the attorney's file number 54632USA1A, which is filed on the same date as the present one and is incorporated herein by reference, however, in other embodiments the cover is engaged in a threaded hole, and can be removed by In still other embodiments, the cap is equipped with a spring washer or elastic ring and can be removed by pulling with sufficient force Figure 7 shows another example of an end seal member that can be employed in the present invention. For example, the tail portion 70 is formed of two longitudinal rails 72 and 72 'which are connected to each other by periodically separated transverse elements 74, such that the tail portion has a configuration resembling a ladder. , the core portion 78 is not a solid cylindrical unit as in some of the previously mentioned examples, but is formed of two separate cylindrical members 80 and 80 'that are interconnected by two or more of the transverse elements. Each of the disks extends in a plane that contains one of the longitudinal rails. Each longitudinal rail extends from one of the cylindrical holes 82 and 82 'in its corresponding disk. Each disk may contain a circumferential groove 84 on its outer peripheral surface (this groove may also be incorporated in the embodiment shown in Figures 6a and 6b). When the glue portion is wrapped around the core portion, the longitudinal rails fit within the grooves, facilitating the wrapping process of the glue portion around the core portion. The coupling of the rails and slots also forms an initial sealing element that acts to contain the sealant or adhesive while it cures, and also helps to prevent telescopic movement. The telescopic movement is further prevented by the fact that the sealant or adhesive which is injected into the end sealing element penetrates the spaces between the transverse elements (as it also penetrates the mesh of the embodiment shown in FIGS. Figures 6a and 6b) to form a solid integral unit. Figure 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the end seal assembly, of the present invention. In this embodiment, a rigid collar is placed around the outer circumference of the wrapped, sealed end limb. The collar is preferably made of an appropriately rigid material such as polypropylene. As shown in Figure 8, the collar is formed of two semicircular collar portions 90 and 90 ', which revolve around a hinge 92. The collar portions have dimensions such that their inner surfaces 94 contact and enclose the circumference outer of an end seal member of the core and tail type 96 that is wrapped and placed on the collar. The collar includes a knocker 98 or other mechanism for securing the two collar portions together. As shown in the embodiment of the invention of Figure 8, the knocker is positioned approximately 180 ° from the hinge. Of course, if the collar portions are not symmetrical with respect to each other, then the knocker may be positioned at the point where the two collar portions are removed from the hinge. One or more gaskets 100 that may be formed of a mastic-type material are located between the inner surfaces of the collar portions and the wrapped end-sealing member so as to form a sealing element therebetween. The packages are located in a slot 102 located on the inner surface of one or both collar portions. As seen in Figure 8, an enclosed cavity 104 is defined by the interior walls of the collar portions, the end seal, the cables 106 and 106 ', and the plugs 108 and 108'. Since the cavity can convey water and other vapors through the end seal assembly and into the junction box, the cavity is sealed with an expandable foam or other composition that advantageously resists the passage of gas and vapors and provides a sealing element. In addition to providing a sealing element, the sealing composition also provides stress relief by joining the cables, plugs (if any), the surfaces of the end seal, and the collar portions, in an integral mass. Figure 9 shows a collar of the type shown in Figure 8 secured around the end seal element. An important advantage of the collar is that it provides an outer sealing surface 110 that fits directly inside 'from the end of the junction box. Since the collar is rigid, the configuration of this sealing surface can be used as a standard that fits easily into a series of uniformly dimensioned junction boxes, regardless of the precise dimensions of the end closure member itself. To allow injection of the sealing composition into the cavity, one of the collar portions is equipped with a first injection orifice 112. The sealant may be any of those known in the art, but preferably is of the type that is prepared to from a curable, two-part liquid composition. The parts are mixed before use and the composition is injected into the cavity through the first orifice in an amount at least sufficient to fill the cavity after expanding and curing. A second hole 112 'is used to carry any excess material that is present after the composition expands out of the cavity. An example of a suitable sealant is an isocyanurate foam of substantially closed cells, of the type described in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 4,640,978 (KiLbane et al.). Figure 10 shows a cable junction box, in which the end seal assembly assemblies of the present invention may be employed. The box comprises two semi-cylindrical half shells 114 and 114 'which are joined to one another at the flanges 116, 116' by a suitable fastener. When the covers are joined together, they define opposite circular holes 118, 118 ', each of which receives an end seal assembly. The circular holes each have circumferential surfaces 120, 120 'which are extensions of their respective flanges. The circumferential surfaces contact the sealing surface of the end seal assemblies. The ridges, including the peripheral surfaces, support an elastomeric gasket (not shown) that helps form a sealing element between the flanges of the two half shells and between the half shells and the respective sealing surfaces of the sealing element assemblies. of extremity.

Because the end seal assembly of the present invention consists of a sealed integral unit, it is easily installed and removed from the junction box, without disturbing the cables or the end seal elements themselves. Additionally, the sealing surface provides a standard configuration that fits within the splice case, configured accordingly, regardless of the precise dimensions of the end seal as such. The end seal elements of the present invention can be manufactured from a variety of materials. A preferred class of materials are gels having elongations at the break point of at least 100%, more preferably at least 200%, shore values 00 from about 10 to about 50, and a penetration value of 1/4 cone. from about 10 to about 60. Useful gels include those comprising polyurethanes and polyesters. Preferred gels comprise polyurethanes, polyureas and mixtures thereof, which are derivatives of the reaction of polyisocyanates with polyamines or polyols or liquids or quasi-liquids. Useful organic isocyanate components include any suitable isocyanate having the required functionality, for example, diisocyanates; the term isocyanate also includes the isocyanate-terminated prepolymers. The polyisocyanates can be linear or branched, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic, heterocyclic or aromatic. Examples of these include dimeric acid diisocyanates (DDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), l-isocyanate-3, 3, 5-trimethyl-5-isocyanatomethyl-cyclohexane), 4,4 '-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 4,4'-methylene-bis (cyclohexyl disocyanate) (H_2 MDI) and mixtures thereof. The isocyanate should be present in an amount sufficient to provide an isocyanate index below about 150, preferably below about 100. The equivalents of each component can be calculated by dividing the actual weight in parts of each component, by the equivalent weight . The equivalent weight in the present is calculated based on the number of active hydrogen groups, rather than the number of atoms containing active hydrogen. The Zerewitnoff test used to determine active hydrogen is described in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.49, page 3181 (1927). Polyols useful in the invention are liquid or quasi-liquid polyols, with difunctional or trifunctional polyols having good characteristics. Suitable polyols can be selected from polyether polyols based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, tetrahydrofuran, epichlorohydrin or mixtures thereof, ricinoleic acid derivatives, for example, castor oil, polyester polyols, polyamide or polyesteramide polyols, polyols containing tertiary amine, for example, ethoxylated amides, propoxylated amines or amides, polyalkadiene polyols derived from butadiene polymers or copolymers, and hydrogenated derivatives thereof, polyacetals, polycarbonates containing hydroxyl groups, polyhydroxyl (meth) acrylic resins, polythioether polyols and the like. Also useful are polyhydroxyl compounds containing finely divided organic polymers, in a dispersed or dissolved form, for example a polymeric polyol in dispersion, a graft copolymer polyol, a polymeric polyol in solution, or mixtures thereof. The polymeric polyols may be polyols containing high molecular weight polyadducts such as polyureas or polyhydrazodicarbonamides or polyurethane-ureas known in the art as PIPA or PHD polyols, or copolymeric copolymer polyols which are polyols modified by vinyl polymerization. Suitable polymeric amines contain more than one primary or secondary amino group, capable of reacting with isocyanate groups. Examples include polyoxyalkylene polyamines derived from the amination of polyether polyols, with most hydroxyl groups replaced by amine groups, polyamidoamines, or polyamines derived from dimerized fatty acids, amine terminated polybutadienes, amine terminated polytetrahydrofuran, copolymers of acetonitrile and polybutadiene terminated in amine, polyethers terminated in amine, polyamines containing urea portions, polyoxypropylene ethers terminated in cyanoethylamine, or mixtures thereof. Low-molecular weight chain crosslinking agents or chain extenders (molecular weights from about 50 to about 400) containing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms can also be used in accordance with the present invention. Useful examples include alkanolamines, primary or secondary amines, aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, araliphatic or heterocyclic, polyether polyols initiated with low molecular weight amine, ricinoleic acid derivatives, hydroxyl-containing organophosphates, and the like. The gel compositions used in the present invention may also contain an extension material or a plasticizer. Useful hydrocarbon-based spreading materials include groups such as polyalphaolefins, cyclic polyolefins, petroleum oils, vegetable oils, castor oil, naphthenic oils, paraffinic oils, synthetic oils, hydrogenated terphenyls, pine oil or coal tar. , or other terpene derivatives. You can also use a variety of esters that include adipic, phthalic, trimellitic as well as cyclopentadiene copolymers, with fatty acid esters, polymeric polyesters, rosin esters, acrylate esters, epoxidized fatty materials, ricinoleic derivatives, or phosphate or halogenated phosphate esters and the like. Conventional catalysts used in the preparation of polyurethanes can be employed herein. Representative catalysts include the tertiary amine catalysts, including 1,8-diazabicyclo [5.4.0] undec-7-ene (DBU) and salts thereof, triethylene diamine and the like, and organometallic catalysts of tin, zinc, bismuth , lead, iron and the like. The most commonly preferred is BiCat 8, a mixture of bismuth / zinc neodecanoate. The gel compositions used in the present invention may also contain hollow microspheres. The microspheres can be glass, such as those that are commercially available from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) under the trade name SCOTCHLITEMR; polymeric, such as those commercially available from Nobel Industries under the trade name EXPANCEL ™ 551DE; microballoons, such as those commercially available from Union Carbide Corporation under the trade name UCARMR or Pierce & Stevens Corporation under the trade name of DUALITEMR M6001AE; or ceramics, such as those commercially available from Zeelan Industries under the trade name of Zeeosphere ™ X-40. These microspheres can also be treated with a coupling agent or humectant such as a silane, for example, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, to allow the resin to effectively wet the microspheres. Additional fillers may also be used in the gel compositions used in the present invention. Such fillers may include, for example, glass fibers, graphite fibers, fibrous materials, carbon black, mica, silicates, carbonates, silica recovered from vapor condensation, and the like. Other materials useful in the end seal assembly assemblies of the present invention include elastomers, mastics and closed cell foams. Useful elastomers can be any thermoplastic elastomer that is solid at room temperature, having an elongation from about 150% to about 500% and a shore A hardness of about 10 to about 75. Suitable materials include natural rubber, butyl rubber , EPDM rubber, polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polyester, polyurethane, thermoplastic olefins, chloroprene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymers (random or block), styrene-isoprene copolymers (random or block), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, mixtures thereof and copolymers thereof. The block copolymers can be linear, radial or star configurations and can be two-block (AB) or three-block (ABA) copolymers or mixtures thereof. Commercially available elastomers useful in the present invention include those obtainable under the trade names of KRATON ™, such as KRAT0NMR 1107, KRAT0NMR 1650, KRAT0NMR 1657, and those available under the tradename CARIFLEX ™, both from Shell Chemical Company Also useful are those available from Firestone under the trade name of STEREONMR, those available under the trade name of HYCARMR, and the like. These elastomers can be plasticized to form mastics that are also useful, either combined with other materials or foamed. Examples of such plasticized mastics include those sold under the trade name INSOLITEMR, commercially available from Uniroyal Corporation. Any of the compositions useful in the end closure elements of the invention may also include adjuvants such as solvents, fillers, pigments, antioxidants, flow agents, fungicides, surfactants, carbon black, flame retardants, the flames, and the like. The foregoing description of the present invention is illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be considered only with reference to the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (30)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. An end seal assembly, adapted to seal the space between at least one cable and a box, and to thereby restrict the transfer of fluid through the seal assembly, comprising: a closure element end seal having a body formed from an elastic, flexible material, the body includes (a) a core portion having an outer peripheral surface, spaced ends, and a wall forming at least two cylindrical holes through of each core portion, the cylindrical hole extends between the separated ends, the wall has two edges communicating with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion, to define between the two edges an entry slit to the at least two cylindrical holes, and (b) an extended tail portion, formed in one piece with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion and which extends therefrom, the tail portion has a surface tangential to the wall forming the at least two holes, the tail portion having a length sufficient to wind around the outer peripheral surface of the core portion, to form a sealing element of end, wrapped, so that the tail portion covers the entrance slit of the at least two holes, and a cable that is to be placed therein, characterized in that a rigid collar is provided which has first and second collar portions that are interconnected by pivot, the first and second portions have interior surfaces that fit the enclosing end sealing element, and enclose it, to form an interior cavity between the closure element Hermetic tip, wrapped, and the first and second portions of the collar, the collar also has an outer surface adapted for Airtightly splicing one end of the box, and a sealing composition that fills the inner cavity, to join together the sealing end, wrapped, the cables that are to be placed in the at least two holes, and the collar rigid.

An end seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a free end of the tail portion, remote from the core portion, tapers to an end of reduced thickness.

3. An end seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a package located in a cavity of the inner surface of the collar portions, to form a sealing element with 'the sealing element of extremity, wrapped.

4. An assembly of end sealing element according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a first hole placed in one of the collar portions, for driving the sealing composition towards the interior cavity.

5. An assembly of end sealing element according to claim 4, characterized in that it also comprises a second hole placed in one of the collar portions, to lead out of the inner cavity, the excess sealing composition.

6. An end seal assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the sealant composition is an expandable foam composition.

7. An assembly of end sealing element, according to claim 6, characterized in that the expandable foam composition is an isocyanurate foam of substantially closed cells.

8. An end seal assembly in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a mesh material, which extends above an inner surface of the tail portion.

9. An end seal assembly assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing composition is an open cell foam composition.

An end seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the tail portion includes two longitudinal rails and at least one transverse element that engages the two longitudinal rails.

An end-seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the core portion includes a first and second separated discs, the at least one transverse element engages the first and second discs, the at least two openings Cylindricals extend through the first and second discs.

12. An end seal assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the tail portion includes two longitudinal tails extending respectively from the first and second spaced discs and at least one transverse element that couples the two longitudinal tails.

An end-seal assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the first and second separated discs have outer circumferential surfaces and further comprise a groove located on each of the outer circumferential surfaces, each of the grooves is configured to receive one of the longitudinal rails, when the tail portion is wrapped around the core portion.

14. An assembly of end sealing element according to claim 3, characterized in that the package is formed of a mastic material.

15. An end seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one cylindrical orifice comprises a plurality of cylindrical orifices.

16. An end seal assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that at least two of the cylindrical orifices have a diameter that differs.

17. An end-seal assembly assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that at least two of the cylindrical holes have different arcuate dimensions.

18. An end seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the end seal is formed of a material having an inherent self-adhesive property, such that a high coefficient of friction is created. between the tail portion and the core portion, and between the individual wraps of the tail portion around the core portion.

19. An assembly of end sealing element, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tail portion tapers along its length, such that the width of the tail portion at its free end, it is narrower than its end adjacent to the core portion.

20. An end seal assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the core portion has a circular cross-sectional shape.

21. An end seal assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the core portion has an oblong cross-sectional shape.

22. An assembly of end sealing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the body of the elastic, flexible material is selected from the group consisting of gels, elastomers, mastics and foams.

23. An assembly of end sealing element, according to claim 22, characterized in that the body is a gel having a shore hardness of from about 10 to about 50, an elongation greater than 100% and a lower density than approximately 0.8 g / cc.

24. An end seal assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the gel comprises at least one diisocyanate and at least one isocyanate-reactive material, selected from the group consisting of polyols, polymeric polyols, and polymeric amines. , wherein the gel has an isocyanate index of less than 100.

25. An end seal assembly according to claim 24, characterized in that the gel comprises a polyurethane.

26. An end seal assembly according to claim 24, characterized in that it comprises from about 10 to about 30% of a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene., from about 2 to about 20% of a butadiene-acrylonitrile polymer, difunctional amine-terminated, from about 3 to about 8% of 36-atom dimer acid diisocyanate, from about 25 to about 50% vegetable oil, from about 15 to about 40% polyalphaolefin, from about 0.5 to about 5% silica, from about 0.5 to about 5% antioxidant, from about 0.1 to about 5% zinc catalyst, and from about 5 to about 25% of glass microbubbles.

27. A method for sealing the space between at least one cable and a box, to restrict the transfer of fluid therethrough, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: inserting a cable into an orifice formed in a portion of core, of a body formed from an elastic and flexible material, wrapping around an outer peripheral surface of the core portion, an extended tail portion that is formed in one piece with an outer peripheral surface of the portion of core and extending therefrom, to form an enclosed limb sealing element, to place a rigid collar having an outer surface adapted to seal tightly with one end of the housing, around the closure element hermetic end, wrapped, and fill an interior cavity formed between the rigid collar and the end sealing element, wrapped to, with an expandable sealing composition, through at least one hole provided in the rigid collar, to thereby form a unitary assembly of sealed ends.

An end-seal member, characterized in that it comprises: a core portion equipped with an aperture adapted to receive a cable to be inserted therethrough, and a portion of flexible tail extending from the portion of core, the tail portion has a sufficient length and flexibility to wind around the core portion, in order to cover that opening, characterized in that the tail portion comprises a plurality of longitudinal elements that are connected to each other by a plurality of transversal elements.

29. The end sealing element, according to claim 28, characterized in that the tail portion comprises first and second outer rails that are joined together by a plurality of bars.

30. The end sealing element, according to claim 28, characterized in that the plurality of transverse elements comprises a mesh. ASSEMBLY OF HERMETIC END CLOSURE FOR A JUNCTION BOX SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An end seal assembly is adapted to seal the space between at least one cable and a box, to restrict the transfer of fluid through the sealing element. The end seal assembly includes an end seal member having a body formed from an elastic and flexible material. The body includes a core portion (20) and an extended tail portion (22). The core portion has an outer peripheral surface, spaced ends, and a wall that forms at least one cylindrical hole (24) through the core portion. The cylindrical hole extends between the separated ends. The wall has two edges communicating with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion, so as to define, between the two edges, an inlet groove (21) for the at least one of the cylindrical holes (24). The extended tail portion is formed in one piece with the outer peripheral surface of the core portion (20) and extends therefrom. In addition, the tail portion (22) has a surface tangential to the wall forming the at least one hole. In addition, the glue portion is of sufficient length to wrap around the outer peripheral surface of the core portion, to form a wrapped, sealed end closure element such that the glue portion covers the entry groove ( 21) of at least one hole and a cable that is placed in it. The assembly further includes a rigid collar having first and second collar portions (90,91) that are interconnected by pivot. The first and second portions have interior surfaces that conform to and enclose the sealed end closure member to form an interior cavity between the wrapped end seal member and the first and second portions of the collar. The collar also has an outer surface adapted to seal tightly with one end of the box. In addition, the assembly is provided for the injection of a sealing composition for filling the inner cavity and for joining together the wrapped end seal, the cable (which is placed in the hole), and the rigid collar.