IP Library Granted Patent US 7,941,917
Granted Patent B2
US 7,941,917 · App. 11/749,481 · Granted May 17, 2011

Methods of assembling cable seals

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,941,917
App. No.
11/749,481
Granted
May 17, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of sealing a cable penetration includes assembling a cable seal and inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration. Assembling the cable seal includes adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of a cable outer jacket, and positioning a secondary elastic seal over the heat-shrinkable tubing. An example of a secondary elastic seal could be O-rings. A cap or other means provides the outer sealing surface.

Claims (19)

1. A method of sealing a cable penetration, said method comprising:

assembling a cable seal, said assembling comprising adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of a cable outer jacket, positioning a cap over the heat-shrinkable tubing, and positioning at least one elastic member over at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable tubing, wherein the elastic member includes at least one O-ring; and

inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of a cable outer jacket comprises positioning the heat-shrinkable tubing over the cable outer jacket by inserting at least one open end of a predetermined length of a multi-layered heat-shrinkable tubing over at least a portion of the cable outer jacket.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of a cable outer jacket further comprises melting a heat-shrinkable tubing inner layer such that it chemically bonds with the cable outer jacket, for increasing the strength of the cable outer jacket and mitigating a potential for cable outer jacket strain and cold flow of at least a portion of the cable outer jacket.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein positioning a cap over the heat-shrinkable tubing comprises inserting a cap open passage over the heat-shrinkable tubing outer surface, for mitigating a potential for cable outer jacket strain and cold flow of at least a portion of the cable outer jacket.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein positioning at least one elastic member over at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable tubing comprises inserting at least one O-ring over a heat-shrinkable tubing outer surface, for seal between at least a portion of an O-ring substantially annular inner surface and at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable tubing outer surface by expanding the O-ring, for mitigating a potential for cable outer jacket strain and cold flow of at least a portion of the cable outer jacket.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration comprises inserting at least a portion of the cable seal through at least a portion of a cable penetration and compressing at least a portion of at least one O-ring against a sealing surface within the cable penetration, for mitigating stress within at least a portion of the cable outer jacket.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration further comprises inserting the cap into the open passage such that a seal between the cable penetration and an external environment is facilitated.

8. A method of sealing a cable penetration, said method comprising:

providing at least one cable that includes an fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP) outer jacket;

assembling a cable seal, said assembling comprising adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket, positioning a cap over the heat-shrinkable tubing, and positioning at least one elastic member over at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable tubing, wherein the elastic member includes at least one O-ring; and

inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket comprises positioning the heat-shrinkable tubing over the FEP outer jacket by inserting at least one open end of a predetermined length of a multi-layered heat-shrinkable tubing over at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket.

10. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein adhering at least a portion of a heat-shrinkable tubing to at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket further comprises melting a heat-shrinkable tubing inner layer such that it chemically bonds with the FEP outer jacket, for increasing the strength of the FEP outer jacket and mitigating a potential for FEP outer jacket strain and cold flow of at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket.

11. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein positioning a cap over the heat-shrinkable tubing comprises inserting a cap open passage over the heat-shrinkable tubing outer surface, for mitigating a potential for FEP outer jacket strain and cold flow of at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket.

12. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein positioning at least one O-ring over at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable tubing comprises inserting at least one O-ring over a heat-shrinkable tubing outer surface, for facilitating a seal between at least a portion of an O-ring substantially annular inner surface and at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable tubing outer surface by expanding the O-ring, for mitigating a potential for FEP outer jacket strain and cold flow of at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration comprises inserting at least a portion of the cable seal through at least a portion of the cable penetration and compressing at least a portion of at least one O-ring against a sealing surface within the cable penetration, for mitigating stress within at least a portion of the FEP outer jacket.

14. A method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein inserting the cable seal into a cable penetration further comprises inserting the cap into the open passage such that a seal between the cable penetration and an external environment is facilitated.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 16, 2020
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
Reel/Frame 051733/0574 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2007
From: SHADEL, BRYAN JAMES; MCMILLEN, CHRISTOPHER CHARLES
To: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019302/0305 →