Seal actuator with actuation level indicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9753237-B2
Application number	US-201314412386-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 27, 2013
Priority date	Jul 2, 2012
Publication date	Sep 5, 2017
Grant date	Sep 5, 2017

Abstract

An enclosure ( 20 ) includes a sealing unit ( 28, 128, 228, 428 ) including a sealant arrangement ( 32, 132, 232, 432 ) for defining and sealing cable ports ( 30, 430 ) and for providing a peripheral seal between a housing ( 22 ) and the sealing unit ( 28, 128, 228, 428 ). An actuation arrangement ( 31, 131, 231 ) pressurizes the sealant arrangement ( 32, 132, 232, 432 ). An indicator arrangement ( 40, 140, 240, 440 ) indicates to a user that an actuator ( 35 a, 35 b, 235, 235, 435 ) has been sufficiently moved to fully actuate the sealant arrangement ( 32, 132, 232, 432 ). Example indicator arrangements ( 40, 140, 240, 440 ) include indicia visible through viewing windows ( 45 a, 45 b, 433 ) and/or aligning structures ( 171, 138, 239, 273 ). Example indicator arrangements can include structure for accounting for sealant shrinkage over time.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An enclosure comprising:
a housing having an end defining a sealing unit opening;
a sealing unit that fits within the sealing unit opening, the sealing unit defining a plurality of cable ports, the sealing unit including a sealant arrangement for defining and sealing the cable ports and for providing a peripheral seal between the housing and the sealing unit;
an actuation arrangement for pressurizing the sealant arrangement within the sealing unit opening, the actuation arrangement including inner and outer pressurization structures between which the sealant arrangement is positioned, the actuation arrangement also including at least one actuator that is movable between a non-actuated position and an actuated position, the at least one actuator including a handle threaded to a shaft, the actuator generates seal pressurization force that presses the sealant arrangement between the inner and outer pressurization structures when the at least one actuator is moved towards the actuated position; and
an indicator arrangement configured to indicate to a user that the at least one actuator is sufficiently moved to fully actuate the sealant arrangement, the indicator arrangement including at least one indicium disposed at an indicia region located on a cylindrical surface of the outer pressurization structure;
wherein the handle defines a window through which the indicia region may be visible;
wherein the indicia region includes a first indicia region that is visible through the window when the sealant arrangement is not actuated;
wherein the indicia region includes a second indicia region that is visible through the window when the sealant arrangement is fully actuated; and
wherein the indicator arrangement includes a first indicator structure that moves with the outer pressurization structure, and the indicator arrangement also includes a second indicator structure that moves relative to the first indicator structure during actuation of the actuation arrangement and that moves with the first indicator structure when the outer pressurization structure moves in response to shrinkage of the sealant over time.

2. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator includes a cap disposed between the handle and a spring.

3. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the indicium includes color.

4. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the indicium includes a symbol.

5. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the indicia region is not visible through the window when the sealant arrangement is fully actuated.

6. The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the first indicator structure includes an indicium indicative of an actuation level of the at least one actuator, and wherein the second indicator structure covers or exposes the indicium as the actuation arrangement is actuated.

Assignees

• Tyco Electronics Raychem Bvba
• CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA

Inventors

• Coenegracht Philippe

Classifications

• H02G3/22

  Installations of cables or lines through walls, floors or ceilings, e.g. into buildings · CPC title

• H02G15/013

  Sealing means for cable inlets (inlets for cables filled with, or surrounded by, gas or oil H02G15/32) · CPC title

• H02G3/088

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets · CPC title

• G02B6/4444 Primary

  Seals · CPC title

• F16J15/028

  the packing being mechanically expanded against the sealing surface · CPC title