Flexible cable with structurally enhanced outer sheath
View Patent ↗A flexible cable including an outer sheath having an inner surface, the inner surface forming a channel to receive at least one conductor and a support member. At least one conductor and support member are positioned within the channel to substantially resist deformation of the outer sheath.
1. A flexible cable comprising:
an outer sheath having an inner surface, the inner surface forming a channel to receive at least one conductor and at least one pressurized bladder to substantially resist deformation of the outer sheath; and
a depressurization mechanism comprising a barbed component to deflate the pressurized bladder.
2. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a metal armor.
3. The flexible cable of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spaced apart pressurized bladders to resist deformation of the outer sheath.
4. The flexible cable of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart pressurized bladders form a pressure chamber therebetween.
5. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductor and the at least one pressurized bladder, when de-pressurized, fill a predetermined portion of the cross- sectional area of the channel.
6. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one conductor and the pressurized bladder, when de-pressurized, fill about forty percent (40%) of the cross-sectional area of the channel.
7. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the channel is sized to facilitate removal of the at least one conductor and the at least one pressurized bladder and insertion of a new at least one conductor.
8. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressurized bladder comprises a pressurized bladder disposed on respective ends of the flexible cable.
9. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressurized bladder is inflatable so as to contact an inner surface of the channel to provide support thereto.
10. The flexible cable of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressurized bladder comprises a lubricating material.
11. A flexible cable comprising:
an outer sheath having an inner surface, the inner surface forming a channel to receive at least one conductor and at least one pressurized bladder to substantially resist deformation of the outer sheath; and
a depressurization mechanism comprising an electrically conductive wire to deflate the pressurized bladder.
12. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the outer sheath comprises a metal armor.
13. The flexible cable of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of spaced apart pressurized bladders to resist deformation of the outer sheath.
14. The flexible cable of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart pressurized bladders form a pressure chamber therebetween.
15. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the at least one conductor and the at least one pressurized bladder, when de-pressurized, fill a predetermined portion of the cross- sectional area of the channel.
16. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the at least one conductor and the pressurized bladder, when de-pressurized, fill about forty percent (40%) of the cross-sectional area of the channel.
17. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the channel is sized to facilitate removal of the at least one conductor and the at least one pressurized bladder and insertion of a new at least one conductor.
18. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressurized bladder comprises a pressurized bladder disposed on respective ends of the flexible cable.
19. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressurized bladder is inflatable so as to contact an inner surface of the channel to provide support thereto.
20. The flexible cable of claim 11 , wherein the at least one pressurized bladder comprises a lubricating material.