Patent Application
20070267210
Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and the manner in which it can be made and used, can be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:
Note that the conductors could also be located in an underground vault 200, which may be generally accessible through a manhole 118. As discussed above, the underground vault 200 is often susceptible to external elements and even flooding. Accordingly, its contents are also susceptible to external elements such as water. Faulted circuit indicators 206 attached to the underground conductors are wired to a radio interface unit 400. The electronic components of the radio interface unit 400 are encapsulated by an encapsulate material such as potting material.
As discussed above, some electronic components must extend from inside the encapsulate material to the external environment to facilitate communication with external electronic apparatuses. For example, as illustrated in
Referring to
As discussed above, the encapsulate material often deteriorates due to aging and its own exposure to the elements. In effect, the encapsulate material begins to pull away from the cable over time, which exposes the internal electronic components connected thereto to external elements such as water.
In order to prevent this exposure, a sealing member 422 is disposed between a portion of the encapsulate material and the cable before the encapsulate material cures. In order to effect a seal, the sealing member 422 is positioned such that it engages the housing 402 near the opening 454 for receiving the cable. After the encapsulate material cures, a compression member 424 is further provided to exert a force onto the sealing member 422 such that the sealing member 422 engages a portion of the encapsulate material to provide a sealing engagement therebetween. The compression member 424 may further include at least one coupling opening 460 which corresponds to and engages with latch 458 to secure the compression member 424 onto the housing 402.
The engagement among the housing 402, sealing member 422 and compression member 424 are specifically detailed in
As discussed above, the encapsulate material often deteriorates due to aging and its own exposure to the elements. In effect, the encapsulate material begins to pull away from various areas of the sealing member, cable, and the housing over time. In order to prevent such deterioration, the compression member 424 is placed such that it engages both the sealing member 422 and the housing 402, after the encapsulate material cures. More specifically, the compression member 424 is placed such that its septum wall 425b is placed within the gap 430c formed by the first inner sealing wall 430a and second inner sealing wall 430b of the sealing member 422. The septum wall 425b has a width ‘b’ greater than the width ‘c’ of the gap 430c. Accordingly, when the compression member 424 engages the sealing member 422, the septum wall 425b exerts a lateral force at 434d and 434e. This lateral force prevents the encapsulate material from pulling away from the housing at 434c and the cable at 434f during aging.
The compression member 424 may further provide the added benefit of providing a lateral force at 434a. This provides for a better sealing engagement between the sealing member 422 and the collar wall 426 of the housing 402.
In yet another embodiment, the compression member 424 may further provide the added benefit of providing a longitudinal force. This provides for a better sealing engagement between the sealing member 422 and the upper shoulder 452 of the housing 402 at 434g, the lower shoulder 456 of the housing 402 at 434h, and the encapsulate material near the bottom portion of the gap 430c at 434i.
The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.
This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application entitled “AN APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A SEAL FOR AN ENCAPSULATED DEVICE,” filed on May 19, 2006, having Ser. No. 60/802,143, naming James R. Kesler and Laurence Virgil Feight as inventors, the complete disclosure thereof being incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60802143 | May 2006 | US |
