System and method for direct cable expansion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10338334-B2
Application number	US-201715669467-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2017
Priority date	Aug 5, 2016
Publication date	Jul 2, 2019
Grant date	Jul 2, 2019

Abstract

Novel tools and techniques for direct cable expansion are provided. A system includes a pump, a probe, and a coupler. The pump is coupled to a reservoir holding a fluid. The probe is in fluid communication with the pump, and is configured to introduce the fluid into a cable such that a channel is created, by the fluid, between an outer sheath of the cable and a core of the cable. The coupler is configured to attach to a cable, receive the probe, and position the probe at an interface between the outer sheath and an inner material of the cable adjacent to the outer sheath.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a pump, coupled to a reservoir holding a fluid, configured to pump the fluid; and
a probe, in fluid communication with the pump, configured to introduce the fluid into a cable such that a channel is created, by the fluid, between an outer sheath of the cable and a core of the cable;
a coupler configured to attach to the cable at a first end, receive the probe, and position the probe at an interface between the outer sheath and an inner material of the cable adjacent to the outer sheath.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the probe is configured to traverse the cable longitudinally, within the channel as the channel is created.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pump is one of a pneumatic pump or compressor configured to pump gas.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pump is one of a hydraulic pump or compressor configured to pump liquid lubricant.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is configured to dissolve at least part of the inner material, wherein the inner material surrounds the core.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the probe is configured to pull a second cable through the channel.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the attachment is further configured to create the channel circumferentially between the outer sheath and the core, wherein the channel allows the core to be removed from the outer sheath.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second coupler configured to attach the cable at a second end.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the probe further comprises a nozzle configured to direct the fluid.

10. An apparatus comprising:
a probe, in fluid communication with a pump, configured to introduce a fluid into a cable such that a channel is created, by the fluid, between an outer sheath of the cable and a core of the cable; and
a coupler configured to attach to the cable, receive the probe, and position the probe at an interface between the outer sheath and an inner material of the cable adjacent to the outer sheath.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the probe is configured to traverse the cable longitudinally, within the channel as the channel is created.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the fluid is configured to dissolve at least part of the inner material, wherein the inner material surrounds the core.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the probe is configured to pull a second cable through the channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the probe is further configured to create the channel circumferentially between the outer sheath and the core, wherein the channel is configured to allow the core to be removed from the outer sheath.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the probe further comprises a nozzle configured to direct the fluid.

16. A method comprising:
attaching a coupler to a cable;
receiving, via the coupler, a probe;
positioning, via the coupler, the probe at an interface between the outer sheath and an inner material of the cable adjacent to the outer sheath; and
introducing, via one of the coupler or the probe, fluid into the interface between the outer sheath and the inner material, wherein a channel is created by the fluid, between the outer sheath and a core within the cable.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
traversing, with the probe, the cable longitudinally, within the channel as the channel is created.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
directing, via the probe, fluid through an outlet of the probe; and
dissolving, with the fluid, at least part of the inner material, wherein the inner material surrounds the core.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:
pulling, with the probe, a second cable through the channel.

20. The method of claim 16 , wherein the channel is created circumferentially, and further comprising:
removing the core from the outer sheath.

Assignees

• Centurylink Ip Llc

Inventors

• Elford Michael L
• Kawamoto Pete A
• Unser Diana L

Classifications

• G02B6/4465

  Physics · mapped topic

• G02B6/4495

  Physics · mapped topic

• G02B6/4483

  Injection or filling devices · CPC title

• G02B6/4416

  Heterogeneous cables · CPC title

• H02G1/00

  Methods or apparatus specially adapted for installing, maintaining, repairing or dismantling electric cables or lines · CPC title