[go: up one dir, main page]
More Web Proxy on the site http://driver.im/

US20100071678A1 - Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100071678A1
US20100071678A1 US12/284,266 US28426608A US2010071678A1 US 20100071678 A1 US20100071678 A1 US 20100071678A1 US 28426608 A US28426608 A US 28426608A US 2010071678 A1 US2010071678 A1 US 2010071678A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
projectile
cable
conduit
body member
item
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/284,266
Inventor
Jerry L. Allen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Wesco Distribution Inc
Original Assignee
TVC Communications LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TVC Communications LLC filed Critical TVC Communications LLC
Priority to US12/284,266 priority Critical patent/US20100071678A1/en
Assigned to TVC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC reassignment TVC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ALLEN, JERRY L.
Publication of US20100071678A1 publication Critical patent/US20100071678A1/en
Assigned to WESCO DISTRIBUTION, INC. reassignment WESCO DISTRIBUTION, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TVC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02GINSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES
    • H02G1/00Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines
    • H02G1/06Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle
    • H02G1/08Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling
    • H02G1/086Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines for laying cables, e.g. laying apparatus on vehicle through tubing or conduit, e.g. rod or draw wire for pushing or pulling using fluid as pulling means, e.g. liquid, pressurised gas or suction means
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/46Processes or apparatus adapted for installing or repairing optical fibres or optical cables
    • G02B6/50Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts
    • G02B6/52Underground or underwater installation; Installation through tubing, conduits or ducts using fluid, e.g. air

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the introduction of items, such as cables, pull tapes, innerducts or the like, into an underground conduit. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and associated apparatus for introducing such an item into a conduit that already has a cable in it.
  • a second cable cannot be readily positioned in the conduit by the same pushing/air blowing procedure. Rather, a pulling mechanism, usually in the form of a tape, must be positioned in the conduit. Then the second cable is attached to the pull tape which is then used to attempt to pull the second cable into the conduit.
  • While the pull tape is somewhat easier to insert, because of its flexibility compared to a cable, such still represents a somewhat complex procedure.
  • the first cable in the conduit is relatively straight, with only minimal undulations, it may be possible to use the air blowing process to insert the tape.
  • the existing cable is undulating in the conduit rendering it more difficult to insert the tape.
  • the tape can be successfully inserted by conventional means, it is often wrapped several times around the existing cable making it difficult, if not impossible, to use the tape to pull another cable into the conduit.
  • a rodder system may be utilized.
  • a relative rigid rod is inserted and finds it way through the cable(s) to the other end of the conduit. Then the pull tape is attached to the rod and the rod is pulled back.
  • the method of introducing an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein includes the steps of placing a portion of the cable in a projectile, attaching the item to the projectile, and introducing air under pressure into the conduit. The air under pressure pushes the projectile along the cable and at the same time positions the item in the conduit.
  • the projectile for introducing an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein includes a body member having a longitudinal opening therethrough.
  • the body member is longitudinally split so that the cable may be received in the opening.
  • the body member carriers means which are adapted to attach the item to the body member.
  • FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention shown in a sectioned conduit.
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 2 taken substantially along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 .
  • FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 7 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 5 taken substantially along line 7 - 7 of FIG. 5 .
  • FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic unassembled elevational view of another embodiment of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic view of the projectile of FIG. 8 shown in a sectioned conduit.
  • FIG. 2 A projectile made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 and is indicated generally by the numeral 10 .
  • Projectile 10 is preferably made of a resilient rubber or synthetic rubber material such as neoprene, polyurethane or the like, and includes a longitudinally extending body member 11 .
  • Body member 11 is provided with an aperture or opening 12 extending longitudinally therethrough.
  • a plurality of circumferential disks 13 are formed on the outside of body member 11 , with three such disks 13 being shown, one at each longitudinal end of body member 11 and one generally centrally of body member 11 .
  • Body member 11 and disks 13 are provided with a longitudinal split or slit 14 which extends the entire length of body member 11 thereby splitting body member 11 .
  • the slit 14 extends into opening 12 thereby giving radical access to opening 12 merely by flexing the split portions of body member 11 on each side of slit 14 away from each other.
  • body member 11 is provided with a plurality of circumferential ribs 15 which extend into opening 12 .
  • a bore 16 may extend longitudinally through body member 11 generally adjacent to, and paralleling opening 12 .
  • FIG. 1 shows projectile 10 in use in a conduit 17 having a cable 18 , such as a telecommunications cable, positioned therein.
  • Conduit 17 is typically buried underground and carries a live or working cable 18 for several thousand feet between manhole or other access openings at which point the conduit 17 may be interrupted to provide access to the existing working cable 18 .
  • cable 18 somewhat inherently or typically undulates as it extends through conduit 17 which creates the problems previously described when attempting to insert another item 19 into the conduit 17 .
  • Examples of other items 19 might include another cable, a pull tape to be used later to pull another cable into the conduit 17 , or a multi-cell inner duct insert such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,201.
  • Item 19 is attached to projectile 10 in any suitable fashion such as by means of an eyebolt 20 attached to projectile 10 by being received in bore 16 .
  • Projectile 10 operates to introduce item 19 into conduit 17 in the following manner. With access to a live working cable 18 at a manhole or the like, by virtue of its resilience, body portion 11 of projectile 10 may be spread at split 14 allowing access to opening 12 . Opening 12 is preferably designed to be just slightly larger than the diameter of cable 18 , and while body portion 11 is spread open at split 14 , cable 18 is inserted therein. Body portion 11 is then allowed to resiliently close around cable 18 to its original condition. Item 19 is then attached to eyebolt 20 , and projectile 10 is positioned in conduit 17 . At that time air under pressure, as from a blower schematically shown at 21 , can be introduced into conduit 10 .
  • Projectile 30 includes a longitudinally extending body member 31 which is preferably made of a metallic material.
  • Body member 31 is provided with an aperture or opening 32 extending longitudinally therethrough and carries a plurality (two shown) of circumferential disks or cups 33 and 34 .
  • cup 33 is carried near one end of body member 31 and cup 34 is carried at the other end of body member 31 .
  • Cups 33 and 34 are preferably formed from a rubber or synthetic rubber material.
  • body member 31 The ends of body member 31 are threaded so that cups 33 , 34 may be attached to body member 31 .
  • longitudinally outer castellated nuts 35 one shown
  • inner castellated nuts 36 one shown
  • Doughnut shaped end caps 37 are also threaded into the ends of body member 31 and they engage nuts 35 .
  • Body member 31 , cups 33 , 34 , nuts 35 , 36 and end caps 37 are provided with a split 38 that extends longitudinally along body member 31 and through cups 33 , 34 , nuts 35 , 36 , and end caps 37 .
  • each of these components is provided in two halves or portions which are attachable to each other to provide the assembled projectile 30 , and which are detachable from each other to provide radical access to opening 32 .
  • Each half of body member 31 is provided with diametrically opposed flanges 39 at the location of split 38 .
  • Flanges 39 of each half of body member are positioned adjacent to each other and are connected by suitable fasteners 40 . Similar attachment mechanisms (not shown) may be employed for nuts 35 , 36 and end caps 37 .
  • the split 38 in cups 33 and 34 need not be attached because they are formed of the resilient material.
  • Projectile 30 operates in much the same manner as projectile 10 to introduce an item 19 into conduit 17 .
  • the cable 18 is laid into opening 32 which is designed to be approximately the same size (only slightly larger) than cable 18 .
  • Body member 31 is then closed and locked in place via fasteners 40 .
  • Cups 33 and 34 are then secured in place, as previously described.
  • An item 19 to be inserted into conduit 17 may be attached to projectile 30 in any suitable fashion, and the projectile 30 may be inserted into conduit 17 to be moved, by air under pressure from blower 21 , through conduit 17 .
  • cup 33 which has a diameter slightly larger than the inside of conduit 17 so as to provide an air seal therebetween. If air would leak past cup 33 , cup 34 acts as a second air receiving seal. The air pressure against cups 33 and 34 thus propels projectile 30 through conduit 37 , with cable 18 moving through opening 32 . Cable 18 will thus be straightened and moved out of the way of item 19 .
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 An additional embodiment of a projectile according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and is indicated generally by the numeral 50 .
  • Projectile 50 consists of a body member formed from a sheet of sturdy fabric material and as shown in FIG. 9 is in the shape of a truncated cone having a longitudinal opening 51 therein.
  • Projectile 50 is slit or split, as at edges 52 shown in FIG. 8 where projectile 50 is shown in an unassembled condition.
  • edges 52 may be attached by any suitable means such as adhesive or by mating VELCRO® strips 55 positioned on edges 52 and 53 .
  • Projectile 50 operates much like projectiles 10 and 30 to introduce an item 19 into conduit 17 .
  • fabric projectile 50 is wrapped around cable 18 and edges 52 are attached to each other.
  • the top edge 53 of fabric projectile 50 is generally of a size equal to or slightly smaller than the circumference of cable 18 such that projectile 50 , at the mouth of opening 51 , rather tightly engages cable 18 .
  • the bottom edge 54 of projectile 50 is generally of a size slightly larger than the inner circumference of conduit 17 such that when inflated by air under pressure from blower 21 , as shown in FIG. 9 , the edge 54 engages the inside of conduit 17 .
  • Item 19 may be attached to projectile 50 , as by a ring 56 , and thus as projectile 50 is propelled through conduit 17 , item 19 is inserted next to cable 18 , which passes through the center of projectile 50 as it is propelled. While it is possible a slight amount of air under pressure may leak between the mouth of opening 51 at projectile edge 53 and cable 18 , the large surface area provided by the inside of projectile 50 will provide sufficient force to propel projectile 50 under most circumstances.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
  • Electric Cable Installation (AREA)

Abstract

A projectile is utilized to introduce an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein. The projectile includes a body member having a longitudinal opening therethrough. The body member is longitudinally split so that the cable may be received in the opening. The item is attached to the body member. When the projectile with a portion of the cable received therein is put into a conduit and air under pressure is introduced into the conduit, the projectile is pushed along the cable and if the cable is undulating in the conduit, it is straightened and positioned out of the way of the item being introduced.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • This invention relates to the introduction of items, such as cables, pull tapes, innerducts or the like, into an underground conduit. More particularly, this invention relates to a method and associated apparatus for introducing such an item into a conduit that already has a cable in it.
  • BACKGROUND ART
  • The efficient introduction of cables into an underground conduit, which may extend for several thousand feet, has long been a problem. Such conduits are often designed to hold a plurality of cables such as for use in the telecommunications industry. The placing of the first cable in the conduit is the is least problematic. Traditionally, the cable is inserted by means of a pushing device, and the insertion may be assisted by a flow of air which is blown into the conduit.
  • Because the first cable will generally undulate within the conduit, a second cable cannot be readily positioned in the conduit by the same pushing/air blowing procedure. Rather, a pulling mechanism, usually in the form of a tape, must be positioned in the conduit. Then the second cable is attached to the pull tape which is then used to attempt to pull the second cable into the conduit.
  • While the pull tape is somewhat easier to insert, because of its flexibility compared to a cable, such still represents a somewhat complex procedure. In some instances where the first cable in the conduit is relatively straight, with only minimal undulations, it may be possible to use the air blowing process to insert the tape. However, in the usual situation, the existing cable is undulating in the conduit rendering it more difficult to insert the tape. Moreover, if the tape can be successfully inserted by conventional means, it is often wrapped several times around the existing cable making it difficult, if not impossible, to use the tape to pull another cable into the conduit.
  • As an alternative to blowing in the pull tape, a rodder system may be utilized. In this system, a relative rigid rod is inserted and finds it way through the cable(s) to the other end of the conduit. Then the pull tape is attached to the rod and the rod is pulled back. These systems are quite expensive to employ as they require multiple, labor intensive, time consuming passes through the conduit using expensive equipment, and even then these systems are normally only effective over short distances.
  • The need exists, therefore, for a viable alternative to the existing systems when attempting to install an item into a conduit which is already carrying an undulating cable.
  • DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
  • It is thus an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a method of introducing an item into a conduit which is already carrying a potentially undulating cable.
  • It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide the method, as above, which utilizes a projectile to straighten the cable as the item is being introduced into the conduit.
  • These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
  • In general, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the method of introducing an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein includes the steps of placing a portion of the cable in a projectile, attaching the item to the projectile, and introducing air under pressure into the conduit. The air under pressure pushes the projectile along the cable and at the same time positions the item in the conduit.
  • In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the projectile for introducing an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein includes a body member having a longitudinal opening therethrough. The body member is longitudinally split so that the cable may be received in the opening. The body member carriers means which are adapted to attach the item to the body member.
  • Preferred exemplary devices to perform the method of the present invention are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic view of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention shown in a sectioned conduit.
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 2 taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is an elevational view of another embodiment of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is an end view of the projectile of FIG. 5 taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 8 is a somewhat schematic unassembled elevational view of another embodiment of a projectile made in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a somewhat schematic view of the projectile of FIG. 8 shown in a sectioned conduit.
  • PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
  • A projectile made in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2 and is indicated generally by the numeral 10.
  • Projectile 10 is preferably made of a resilient rubber or synthetic rubber material such as neoprene, polyurethane or the like, and includes a longitudinally extending body member 11. Body member 11 is provided with an aperture or opening 12 extending longitudinally therethrough. A plurality of circumferential disks 13 are formed on the outside of body member 11, with three such disks 13 being shown, one at each longitudinal end of body member 11 and one generally centrally of body member 11. Body member 11 and disks 13 are provided with a longitudinal split or slit 14 which extends the entire length of body member 11 thereby splitting body member 11. The slit 14 extends into opening 12 thereby giving radical access to opening 12 merely by flexing the split portions of body member 11 on each side of slit 14 away from each other. As shown in FIG. 4, internally, body member 11 is provided with a plurality of circumferential ribs 15 which extend into opening 12. In addition, a bore 16 may extend longitudinally through body member 11 generally adjacent to, and paralleling opening 12.
  • FIG. 1 shows projectile 10 in use in a conduit 17 having a cable 18, such as a telecommunications cable, positioned therein. Conduit 17 is typically buried underground and carries a live or working cable 18 for several thousand feet between manhole or other access openings at which point the conduit 17 may be interrupted to provide access to the existing working cable 18. As shown in FIG. 1, cable 18 somewhat inherently or typically undulates as it extends through conduit 17 which creates the problems previously described when attempting to insert another item 19 into the conduit 17. Examples of other items 19 might include another cable, a pull tape to be used later to pull another cable into the conduit 17, or a multi-cell inner duct insert such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,201. Item 19 is attached to projectile 10 in any suitable fashion such as by means of an eyebolt 20 attached to projectile 10 by being received in bore 16.
  • Projectile 10 operates to introduce item 19 into conduit 17 in the following manner. With access to a live working cable 18 at a manhole or the like, by virtue of its resilience, body portion 11 of projectile 10 may be spread at split 14 allowing access to opening 12. Opening 12 is preferably designed to be just slightly larger than the diameter of cable 18, and while body portion 11 is spread open at split 14, cable 18 is inserted therein. Body portion 11 is then allowed to resiliently close around cable 18 to its original condition. Item 19 is then attached to eyebolt 20, and projectile 10 is positioned in conduit 17. At that time air under pressure, as from a blower schematically shown at 21, can be introduced into conduit 10. This air acts against the end disk 13 to propel projectile 10 and item 19 through conduit 17. For this purpose, the diameter of disks 13 approximates, and is slightly larger than the inside diameter of conduit 17 so as to provide an air seal therebetween. As projectile 10 moves through conduit 17, cable 18 is forced to straighten as it moves through the opening 12 at the center of projectile 10. As such, cable 18 does not interfere with the item 19 being introduced as shown in FIG. 1.
  • This system has been found to vary efficiently and easily insert an item 19 for more than two thousand feet through a conduit 17. If any air would happen to leak around the first disk 13, it will encounter the second disk 13, and then possibly the third disk 13. But such leakage would be so minimal as to not adversely effect the efficiency of the system. Moreover, the ribs 15 on the inside of cable opening 12 act against cable 18 to form a seal to prevent air from leaking through opening 12. When projectile 10 has moved through conduit 17 the desired extent, it is removed from cable 12 at another access area, and item 19 is properly in place.
  • Another embodiment of a projectile according to the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 30 and is shown in FIGS. 5-8. Projectile 30 includes a longitudinally extending body member 31 which is preferably made of a metallic material. Body member 31 is provided with an aperture or opening 32 extending longitudinally therethrough and carries a plurality (two shown) of circumferential disks or cups 33 and 34. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, cup 33 is carried near one end of body member 31 and cup 34 is carried at the other end of body member 31. Cups 33 and 34 are preferably formed from a rubber or synthetic rubber material.
  • The ends of body member 31 are threaded so that cups 33, 34 may be attached to body member 31. To that end, longitudinally outer castellated nuts 35 (one shown) and inner castellated nuts 36 (one shown) are provided to thread onto body member 31, with the cups 33, 34 being sandwiched between nuts 35 and 36. Doughnut shaped end caps 37 are also threaded into the ends of body member 31 and they engage nuts 35. As a result, cups 33 and 34 are firmly held in place in body member 31.
  • Body member 31, cups 33, 34, nuts 35, 36 and end caps 37 are provided with a split 38 that extends longitudinally along body member 31 and through cups 33, 34, nuts 35, 36, and end caps 37. Thus, each of these components is provided in two halves or portions which are attachable to each other to provide the assembled projectile 30, and which are detachable from each other to provide radical access to opening 32. Each half of body member 31 is provided with diametrically opposed flanges 39 at the location of split 38. Flanges 39 of each half of body member are positioned adjacent to each other and are connected by suitable fasteners 40. Similar attachment mechanisms (not shown) may be employed for nuts 35, 36 and end caps 37. However, the split 38 in cups 33 and 34 need not be attached because they are formed of the resilient material.
  • Projectile 30 operates in much the same manner as projectile 10 to introduce an item 19 into conduit 17. Thus, with access to a working cable 18, and with split body member 31 and its associated elements open, the cable 18, is laid into opening 32 which is designed to be approximately the same size (only slightly larger) than cable 18. Body member 31 is then closed and locked in place via fasteners 40. Cups 33 and 34 are then secured in place, as previously described. An item 19 to be inserted into conduit 17 may be attached to projectile 30 in any suitable fashion, and the projectile 30 may be inserted into conduit 17 to be moved, by air under pressure from blower 21, through conduit 17. Specifically, that air is received by cup 33 which has a diameter slightly larger than the inside of conduit 17 so as to provide an air seal therebetween. If air would leak past cup 33, cup 34 acts as a second air receiving seal. The air pressure against cups 33 and 34 thus propels projectile 30 through conduit 37, with cable 18 moving through opening 32. Cable 18 will thus be straightened and moved out of the way of item 19.
  • An additional embodiment of a projectile according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and is indicated generally by the numeral 50. Projectile 50 consists of a body member formed from a sheet of sturdy fabric material and as shown in FIG. 9 is in the shape of a truncated cone having a longitudinal opening 51 therein. Projectile 50 is slit or split, as at edges 52 shown in FIG. 8 where projectile 50 is shown in an unassembled condition. As such, when laying flat, the fabric sheet of projectile 50 takes on the shape of a trapezoid having parallel top and bottom edges 53 and 54, respectively, and side split edges 52. To assembly projectile 50, edges 52 may be attached by any suitable means such as adhesive or by mating VELCRO® strips 55 positioned on edges 52 and 53.
  • Projectile 50 operates much like projectiles 10 and 30 to introduce an item 19 into conduit 17. Thus, with access to a working cable 18 and with projectile edges 52 unattached, fabric projectile 50 is wrapped around cable 18 and edges 52 are attached to each other. As shown in FIG. 9, the top edge 53 of fabric projectile 50 is generally of a size equal to or slightly smaller than the circumference of cable 18 such that projectile 50, at the mouth of opening 51, rather tightly engages cable 18. The bottom edge 54 of projectile 50 is generally of a size slightly larger than the inner circumference of conduit 17 such that when inflated by air under pressure from blower 21, as shown in FIG. 9, the edge 54 engages the inside of conduit 17. Item 19 may be attached to projectile 50, as by a ring 56, and thus as projectile 50 is propelled through conduit 17, item 19 is inserted next to cable 18, which passes through the center of projectile 50 as it is propelled. While it is possible a slight amount of air under pressure may leak between the mouth of opening 51 at projectile edge 53 and cable 18, the large surface area provided by the inside of projectile 50 will provide sufficient force to propel projectile 50 under most circumstances.
  • In view of the foregoing, it should be evident that any of the projectiles described herein will accomplish the objects of the invention and otherwise substantially improve the art.

Claims (24)

1. A method of introducing an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein comprising the steps of placing a portion of the cable in a projectile, attaching the item to the projectile, and introducing air under pressure into the conduit thereby pushing the projectile along the cable and at the same time positioning the item in the conduit.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of sealing the interface of the cable and the projectile.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of sealing the interface of the conduit and the projectile.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the projectile is provided with a split and the step of placing includes the step of opening the projectile at the split.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of providing the projectile with a plurality of disks with the air under pressure acting on the disks to push the projectile along the cable, and utilizing the disks to seal the interface between the conduit and the projectile.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of providing the projectile with a plurality of cups with the air under pressure acting on the cups to push the projectile along the cable, and utilizing the cups to seal the interface between the conduit and the projectile.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of providing the projectile with a plurality of ribs and utilizing the ribs to seal the interface between the cable and the projectile.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of pushing includes the step of straightening the cable.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching including the step of attaching a eyebolt to the projectile and attaching the item to the eyebolt.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of attaching including the step of attaching a ring to the projectile and attaching the item to the ring.
11. A projectile for introducing an item into a conduit which already has a cable therein comprising a body member having a longitudinal opening therethrough, said body member being longitudinally split so that the cable may be received in said opening, and means carried by said body member adapted to attach the item to the body member.
12. The projectile of claim 11 further comprising means carried by said body member to engage the conduit.
13. The projectile of claim 12 wherein said means is in the form of a plurality of disks carried by said body member.
14. The projectile of claim 12 wherein said means is in the form of a plurality of cups carried by said body member.
15. The projectile of claim 14 wherein the ends of said body member are threaded to receive said cup.
16. The projectile of claim 15 further comprising means to hold said cups on said threaded ends.
17. The projectile of claim 16 wherein said cups and said means to hold are split.
18. The projectile of claim 11 further comprising ribs formed on said body member and extending into said opening, said ribs being adapted to engage the cable.
19. The projectile of claim 11 wherein said body member is made of a resilient material and is slit to form said split.
20. The projectile of claim 11 wherein said means is an eyebolt attached to said body member.
21. The projectile of claim 11 wherein said body member is made of a metallic material and is split into two portions, and further comprising means to attach said two portions together.
22. The projectile of claim 11 wherein said body member is in the form of a sheet of fabric material having longitudinally split edges, and further comprising means to attach said split edges.
23. The projectile of claim 22 wherein another edge of said fabric material is of a length approximately the circumference of the cable.
24. The projectile of claim 23 wherein an additional edge of said fabric material is of a length approximately the inside circumference of the conduit.
US12/284,266 2008-09-22 2008-09-22 Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit Abandoned US20100071678A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/284,266 US20100071678A1 (en) 2008-09-22 2008-09-22 Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/284,266 US20100071678A1 (en) 2008-09-22 2008-09-22 Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100071678A1 true US20100071678A1 (en) 2010-03-25

Family

ID=41581171

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/284,266 Abandoned US20100071678A1 (en) 2008-09-22 2008-09-22 Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20100071678A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110227011A1 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Tvc Communications, L.L.C. Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit
CN110474257A (en) * 2019-07-23 2019-11-19 河南帝禾建设工程有限公司 Pipeline inner cable laying method
US11073363B2 (en) * 2017-06-24 2021-07-27 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Entangling projectiles and systems for their use
US11287226B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2022-03-29 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for non-lethal, near-range detainment of subjects
US11555673B2 (en) 2021-02-18 2023-01-17 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Projectile launching systems with anchors having dissimilar flight characteristics
US11761737B2 (en) 2021-02-18 2023-09-19 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Projectile launching systems with anchors having dissimilar flight characteristics
US11835320B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2023-12-05 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for non-lethal, near-range detainment of subjects

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4185809A (en) * 1978-01-27 1980-01-29 Nelson Jonnes Method and apparatus for pulling lightweight cable
US5587115A (en) * 1994-03-22 1996-12-24 Vikimatic Sales, Inc. Method of manufacturing a conduit assembly with a floating divider
US5922995A (en) * 1992-07-02 1999-07-13 Vikimatic Sales, Inc. Partitioning device for a tubular conduit and method of installation thereof
US6170804B1 (en) * 1998-01-15 2001-01-09 Tvc Communications, Inc. Method and apparatus for introducing a cable into a conduit
US6932323B2 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-08-23 Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc. Drogue having biased end opening
US7100274B2 (en) * 2001-11-02 2006-09-05 Neptco Incorporated Apparatus for applying media to a conduit

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4185809A (en) * 1978-01-27 1980-01-29 Nelson Jonnes Method and apparatus for pulling lightweight cable
US5922995A (en) * 1992-07-02 1999-07-13 Vikimatic Sales, Inc. Partitioning device for a tubular conduit and method of installation thereof
US5587115A (en) * 1994-03-22 1996-12-24 Vikimatic Sales, Inc. Method of manufacturing a conduit assembly with a floating divider
US6170804B1 (en) * 1998-01-15 2001-01-09 Tvc Communications, Inc. Method and apparatus for introducing a cable into a conduit
US7100274B2 (en) * 2001-11-02 2006-09-05 Neptco Incorporated Apparatus for applying media to a conduit
US6932323B2 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-08-23 Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc. Drogue having biased end opening

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110227011A1 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Tvc Communications, L.L.C. Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit
WO2011115657A1 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Tvc Communications, L.L.C. Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit
US8870162B2 (en) 2010-03-18 2014-10-28 Wesco Distribution, Inc. Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit
US11073363B2 (en) * 2017-06-24 2021-07-27 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Entangling projectiles and systems for their use
US11408713B2 (en) * 2017-06-24 2022-08-09 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Entangling projectiles and systems for their use
US11287226B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2022-03-29 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for non-lethal, near-range detainment of subjects
US11835320B2 (en) 2018-09-11 2023-12-05 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Systems and methods for non-lethal, near-range detainment of subjects
CN110474257A (en) * 2019-07-23 2019-11-19 河南帝禾建设工程有限公司 Pipeline inner cable laying method
US11555673B2 (en) 2021-02-18 2023-01-17 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Projectile launching systems with anchors having dissimilar flight characteristics
US11761737B2 (en) 2021-02-18 2023-09-19 Wrap Technologies, Inc. Projectile launching systems with anchors having dissimilar flight characteristics

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20100071678A1 (en) Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit
US8459611B2 (en) System for the simultaneous introduction of two items into a conduit
US11728632B2 (en) Communications cable with fabric sleeve
US20090057628A1 (en) System for the simultaneous introduction of two items into a conduit
US9249902B2 (en) Sealing system
US20090130891A1 (en) Plug Unit for a Cable Entry
US9897241B2 (en) Liner assembly for pipeline repair or reinforcement and method of installing the same
US8870162B2 (en) Method and apparatus for introducing an item into a conduit
CA1319507C (en) Pipe inspection method and device
US10177546B2 (en) Conduit divider in the form of a cable with fabric sleeve
US10302226B2 (en) Device designed to attach at least one cable along a pipe, and method of implementing such a device
GB2152621A (en) A method of threading an elongate flexible element through an elongate passage
US20030165307A1 (en) Transportation protection for optical cables
CN113302811A (en) Attachment of fabric liner to communication cable
JP2001275220A (en) High-density multi-hole spacer
AU2013200598A1 (en) Connector for Air-Conditioning Duct
US20070015639A1 (en) Securement of elastic tubing
JP2005318771A (en) Pipeline order wire laying device and pipeline order wire laying method

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: TVC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC,PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ALLEN, JERRY L.;REEL/FRAME:021645/0319

Effective date: 20080912

AS Assignment

Owner name: WESCO DISTRIBUTION, INC., PENNSYLVANIA

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TVC COMMUNICATIONS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:027671/0245

Effective date: 20120206

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION