GB1248908A - Cable joints - Google Patents

Abstract

1,248,908. Cable joints. RAYCHEM Ltd. 31 Dec., 1968 [30 Nov., 1967], No. 54504/67. Heading H2E. A method of joining electrical cables comprises the steps of: (a) positioning an assembled unit comprising a bridging sleeve and terminal sleeves, of which at least portions are heatshrinkable, on one of the cables; (b) making a joint between the conductors; (c) moving the assembled unit so that the bridging sleeve is positioned over the joint and so that each cable is surrounded by one of the terminal sleeves; and (d) heating the terminal sleeves to shrink them on to the individual cables. As shown; the bridging sleeve 9 is screwed on to a non-shrinkable portion 8 of each terminal sleeve 5, 5 which also comprises an optionally heat-shrinkable frusto-conical portion 7 and a heat-shrinkable end portion 6. The bridging sleeve can be screwed off (Fig. 4) for inspection and maintenance. The screw-threads may be sealed with a heat-sensitive tape or film of sealant, or the sleeves may have matching sealing faces or be designed to accommodate "O" rings. In another embodiment (Fig. 5, not shown), the bridging sleeve (20) abuts against a shoulder (21) on one (19<SP>1</SP>) of the terminal sleeves, and fits over the other terminal sleeve (19) so that it may be removed by sliding it over the sleeve (19). This non-threaded sleeve may be secured by adhesive tape or small heat-shrinkable sleeves or a sealant-coated split sleeve. The terminal sleeves may be made of cross-linked polyethylene with suitable additives; and the bridging sleeve may be made of metal or hard rubber, or high density polyethylene with the usual additives. It is stated that the bridging sleeve may be in more than one part, and that more than two cables may be joined by this method, using branched sleeves.