Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
  • H02G3/22—Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L5/00—Devices for use where pipes, cables or protective tubing pass through walls or partitions
  • F16L5/02—Sealing
  • F16L5/08—Sealing by means of axial screws compressing a ring or sleeve
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G15/00—Cable fittings
  • H02G15/013—Sealing means for cable inlets
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16L2201/00—Special arrangements for pipe couplings
  • F16L2201/10—Indicators for correct coupling
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02G—INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
  • H02G3/00—Installations of electric cables or lines or protective tubing therefor in or on buildings, equivalent structures or vehicles
  • H02G3/02—Details
  • H02G3/06—Joints for connecting lengths of protective tubing or channels, to each other or to casings, e.g. to distribution boxes; Ensuring electrical continuity in the joint
  • H02G3/0616—Joints for connecting tubing to casing
  • H02G3/0625—Joints for connecting tubing to casing with means for preventing disengagement of conductors
  • H02G3/0675—Joints for connecting tubing to casing with means for preventing disengagement of conductors with bolts operating in a direction parallel to the conductors

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sealing system, for use in cable entries, pipe penetrations.
• Sealing systems of the above kind are widely used today, for sealing of cables entries, pipe penetrations etc.
• Application areas include cabinets, technical shelters, junction boxes etc in different industrial environments, such as automotive, telecom, power generation etc.
• the sealing systems are adapted to prevent ingress of fluids and moisture, as well as dust or pests, such as rodents and termites.
• the sealing systems may be adapted to receive cables for telecommunication, electricity, or pipes for gas or liquids.
• a sealing system comprising a compressible body, having a diameter being slightly smaller than the diameter of opening in which the system is to be applied, and an axial dimension (length) being greater than the extension (length) of said opening.
• the extension of said opening is generally the thickness of the wall or partition in which the opening is arranged.
• the compressible body has a through hole dimensioned to receive a cable or pipe, or a seal insert adapted to receive a cable or pipe. Fittings surrounds the axial ends of the compressible body and are adapted to transfer and distribute compression from compression means to the compressible body.
• the compressible body also has through holes through which compression means, such as screws, arc led.
• the compression means are used for pulling the fittings towards each other, thereby compressing the compressible body.
• the system is provided with a sleeve with the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of the compressible body, and an axial length such as to provide a sufficient envelope surface for the sealing system to operate properly.
• the sleeve serves two main purposes: providing sufficient envelope surface for ensuring proper function of the sealing systems sealing capabilities, absorb axial loads transferred through the cables/pipes.
• the compressible body, any seal insert, the fittings, and the sleeve are partitioned in an axial direction, generally comprising two parts.
• the two parts of the sleeve are releasable connected to each other.
• each part of the sealing system can be arranged around the cable or pipe without being thread over one end of the cable a pipe, i.e. the cable or pipe can remain connected and operational during the mounting of the inventive sealing system.
• the two parts of the sleeve may have interconnecting tongues and grooves extending in an axial direction, such that the two parts are interconnected by sliding the one into the other.
• the two parts may be identical, each having one tongue and one groove. This construction is efficient during manufacturing and also beneficial for the person doing the assembly, in that there is no need to store more than one type of sleeve (in each size category).
• the sleeve parts may be hingedly connected to each other at one end, and in one or several embodiments one or both ends of each sleeve part may have holes, such that the holes of the sleeve parts overlap in the assembled state. In this way locking pins may be used to effect the assembly.
• the sealing system is adapted for use on thin-walled structures.
• a seal insert may be arranged in the through hole of the compressible body.
• the compressible body may be optimized for its purpose, while the seal insert is optimized for sealing towards the cable/pipe.
• the same sealing system becomes more versatile when various seal inserts can be used for the same compressible body.
• the seal insert may be an insert comprising several peelablc layers of material, such as to be able to conform to various cable/pipe dimensions. This type of seal insert provides the most flexible solution. The function of the seal insert with peelablc layers of material is thoroughly described in several applications. Also, the seal insert does not have to have a circular cross section, and several seal inserts may be used in combination, which in an assembled state takes up the opening in the compressible body.
• the modules used are preferably adaptable to cables of various dimensions, by means of peelable sheets. The sheets are held together by an adhesive effect. The adhesive effect is strong enough to normally keep the sheets together, but not stronger than making it possible to peel off a separate sheet by hand.
• seal inserts For a detailed description of seal inserts please refer to WO04/112211 or WO03/ 104701 where the relevant type of seal insert is disclosed.
• the construction and alternatives described therein, in relation to seal inserts with peelablc layers, is considered as forming a part of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference.
• the inner periphery of the sleeve parts is provided with peelable sheets, such that the inner diameter of the sleeve can be varied to accommodate compressible bodies of various dimensions.
• the invention also relates to a method of mounting said sealing system, according to claim 10. Note that the method steps of claim 10, illustrated in Fig. 10, are not necessarily executed in the stated order.
• Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a sealing system first embodiment of the invention, arranged in an opening in a structure.
• Fig. 2 is a cross section of the sealing system of Fig. 1, in a compressed state.
• Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of a sealing system second embodiment of the invention, arranged in an opening in a structure.
• Fig. 4 is a cross section of the sealing system of Fig. 3, in a compressed state.
• Figs. 5-9 illustrate some embodiments of the sleeve of the inventive sealing system.
• Fig, 10 is a flow chart for an inventive method.
• the sealing system 1 of Fig. 1 comprises a compressible body 2, having a through hole 4 dimensioned to receive a cable or pipe (not shown), or a seal insert 5 adapted to receive a cable or pipe.
• Fittings 6, 8, 10, 12 surrounds the axial ends of the compressible body 2 and are adapted to transfer and distribute compression from compression means 14 to the compressible body 2.
• the compressible body 2, or the seal insert 5 may have one, or several, through holes filled with a rubber core blank instead of with a cable or pipe. If the hole is needed for a cable or pipe at a later time, the blank may be removed. With one exception the reference numbers have only been included in Fig. 1 (of Figs.
• Figs. 2-4 Holes (not shown) extend through the compressible body 2, and the compression means 14, in the form of screws extend through the holes, interconnecting the fittings 6, 10 and 8, 12, respectively. At one end each screw is threaded into the fitting. Tightening of the screws will pull opposing fittings 6-12 towards each other, thereby compressing the compressible body.
• the compression means 14 could also comprise a screw and nut, or any other type of suitable compression means 14
• a sleeve Prior to compressing the compressible body 2 a sleeve, comprising two parts 18, 20 releasabiy interlocked to each other, is arranged tightly around the compressible body 2, see also Figs. 5-9.
• the sleeve is generally adapted to abut one side of the structure 24 with one end surface, and be basically flush with the compressible body with the other end surface.
• Figs. 1-4 illustrate the above system 1 arranged in an opening 22 in a structure having a thin wall 24, "Thin” refers to a comparison with the axial extension, length, of the sealing system 1 ,
• the axial direction refers to a direction along the axis of symmetry of the compressible body 2, and the radial direction is orthogonal to the axial direction.
• the sleeve 18, 20 is arranged on one side of the opening 22 in the thin wall 24, abutting the wall, while the fittings 8, 10 abuts the wall 24 on the opposing side.
• the screws 14 extend into the fittings 12, 14 where they cooperate with an internal thread.
• the internal thread could be replaced by a nut.
• the sleeve 18 and the fittings 8, 10 arc arranged on the same side of the wall 24.
• FIGs. 2 and 4 illustrate the systems of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, after tightening of the screws, i.e. after compression of the compressible body 2.
• the compressible body 2 As the compressible body 2 is compressed axially, it will expand radially, inwards and outwards. This expansion will ensure sealing towards the cable/pipe 26, via the seal insert 5 (when available) and fixation to the opening 22 to which the system is applied.
• the sleeve 18, 20 will ensure that the adequate portion of the compressible body 2 expands.
• the size of the bulge 3 created as the compressible body expands may be exaggerated in Figs. 2 and 4. Further, it is apparent from the embodiment of Fig. 2 that the compressible body will provide a seal of the opening 22, but the same holds for the embodiment of Fig. 4, where the compressible body 2 will bulge to seal the opening 22 adequately.
• the sealing system thus enables the sleeve to be positioned on either side of the wall, relative to one specific position of the sealing system, as described above in relation to Figs. 1-4.
• either or both of the outer circumferential surface of the compressible body, or the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve parts may be provided with a peelable structure, similar to the peelable structure of the seal insert 5.
• the sleeve parts are preferably formed by extrusion and have therefore a form that is suitable for this, including a certain thickness of the material. Also, it is beneficial if the two parts of the sleeve are identical, such that they can be extruded in the same process, cut to the appropriate length, and interconnected. It should be noted that other methods of forming the sleeve parts are contemplated, such as moulding.
• the compressible body is generally made of rubber, or other elastomeric material.
• the compressible body may comprise more than one material, for achieving a specific purpose, such as a metallic mesh for achieving electrical shielding, or a metallic foil to achieve potential equalization.
• the metallic mesh may be formed of conductive rubber.
• the fittings need to be rigid enough to transfer and distribute the compression force from the tightening of the screws to the compressible body 2, examples of materials include steel, aluminium, rigid plastics, rigid composits, etc.
• the scat insert is generally made of rubber or other polymer material. It needs some flexibility to ensure proper sealing properties and it can be tailor-made for a specific purpose, in the same way as the compressible body.
• Figs. 5-9 illustrate various alternatives for the sleeve parts 18, 20, the common feature being that it is possible to arrange the resulting sleeve around a cable without slipping it over an end of the cable.
• Each figure illustrates a front view and a side view of the specific embodiment of the sleeve.
• the sealing system is thus optimized for retrofitting to existing cable entries, pipe penetrations and the like, where disconnection of the cable/pipe is not a desired alternative.
• the sleeve irrespective of embodiment, should be able to withstand the forces exerted by radial expansion of the compressible body 2.
• the sleeve parts are preferably formed in such a way that there is some clearance in the interconnection between the parts.
• the term "thin-walled structure” does not limit the invention to use in walls only, rather it can be used in any partition of a structure, such as a wall, a roof a floor etc.
• the term “thin” in “thin- walled” generally cannot be defined quantitatively. In most foreseeable applications it relates to sheet-metal structures, or similar structures of plastic, but for this application the wall is thin if it does not provide adequate envelope surface for the seal system to operate properly. That is, “thin” is not only dependent on the thickness of the wall, but also the axial length of the sealing system.
• the inventive split sleeve may be used. It should be noted that the amount of contact surface required also depends on the rubber used in the sealing system, the level of sealing etc, which is why it is difficult to mention an exact number.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
• Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=41318923

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (4)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (4)

• 2008
  • 2008-05-14 SE SE0801092A patent/SE532255C2/sv unknown
• 2009
  • 2009-05-13 WO PCT/SE2009/050536 patent/WO2009139713A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (4)

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