Apparatus and Method for Heating an Infrared-Initiated Splice Seal

Abstract

An apparatus for heating a splice seal includes structural members defining a heating area that receives a splice seal. At least one of the structural members is moveable between an open position and a closed position. At least one heat source is arranged in the heating area. The heat source directs infrared radiation toward the splice seal when the structural member is in the closed position. At least one cooling device cools the heating area when the structural member is in the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an infrared initiated splice seal according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view a heating apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the heating apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

Claims

1. An apparatus for heating a splice seal, comprising: structural members defining a heating area that receives a splice seal, at least one of the structural members being moveable between an open position and a closed position;at least one heat source arranged in the heating area that directs infrared radiation toward the splice seal when the structural member is in the closed position; andat least one cooling device that cools the heating area when the structural member is in the closed position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a water-cooled heat sink.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device includes at least one heat-conducting tube in conducting contact with at least one of the structural members.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a reflector mounted in the heating area that directs the infrared radiation toward the seal splice.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cooling device is a fan.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the infrared radiation is in a wavelength range of approximately 1.3-1.7 microns.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source is a lamp.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one switch that selectively switches the heat source on and off according to a switching sequence corresponding to desired heating period.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat source is an infrared emitter having a filament temperature of approximately 1500° C. and a peak wavelength of approximately 1.6-1.7 microns.

10. A method for heating a splice seal, comprising: providing structural members that define a heating area;supporting the splice seal in the heating area;directing infrared radiation toward the splice seal; andcooling the heating area with a cooling device simultaneously with directing the infrared radiation toward the splice seal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cooling device is a water-cooled heat sink.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the cooling device includes at least one heat-conducting tube in conducting contact with at least one of the structural members.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising reflecting the infrared radiation toward the seal splice with a reflector.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the cooling device is a fan.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the infrared radiation is in a wavelength range of approximately 1.3-1.7 microns.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat source is a lamp.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising switching the heat source on and off according to a switching sequence corresponding to desired heating period.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the heat source is an infrared emitter having a filament temperature of approximately 1500° C. and a peak wavelength of approximately 1.6-1.7 microns.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the splice seal includes a heat-shrinkable outer liner and an inner liner with an adhesive.