Patent Application
20170125986
The present invention relates to a tool for removing a cable accessory from a power cable used in the field of power distribution.
Cable accessories are used in underground and overhead electrical distribution networks to connect sections of power cables. Generally, such cable accessories are composed of relatively inelastic materials of various types (i.e., rubber and silicone). Some types of rubber cable accessories are installed by pushing the cable accessory over a cable and securing it with an interference fit. As a result, such cable accessories can be easily removed by sliding the cable accessory off the section of the cable.
Cable accessories composed of flexible elastic materials are becoming increasingly common in the industry. Cold shrink cable accessories utilize a support core to keep the cable accessory in an expanded state that is greater than the diameter of the section of cable that the cable accessory connects to. The cable accessory is first placed over the section of cable, and then the support core is removed. The removal of the support core shrinks the elastic housing of the cable accessory over the section of cable to form a tight seal and protect the electrical connection. The elastic housing of the cold shrink cable accessory will continue to tighten over the cable over time based on the inherent physical properties of the elastic material in response to environmental conditions. As a result, it can be difficult to remove cold shrink cable accessories as compared to traditional inelastic cable accessories, due to the tighter fit between the cable accessory housing and the section of cable.
Like cold shrink cable accessories, heat shrink cable accessories are placed over the section of cable in much the same manner as described above. However, in this application, a linesperson applies heat to the heat shrink cable accessory to shrink the housing of the heat shrink cable accessory around the section of cable to create a tighter fit.
Typically, a linesperson will need to reuse terminated pieces of a cable, due to a lack of slack in the cable to create a new termination. As a result, it is common for a linesperson to remove a cable accessory and install a new cable accessory over the same section of the cable. Therefore, it is critical during installations that the linesperson remove cable accessories without damaging the cable to allow for a clean installation.
Typically, cable accessories (i.e. cold shrink, heat shrink, etc.), which are utilized to terminate sections of power cables, are removed by cutting through the housing of the cable accessory. A linesperson commonly utilizes a cutting member comprising a blade and a handle. The process begins with the linesperson holding the handle of the cutting member at a downward angle. Next, the linesperson applies a sufficient downward force to insert the blade of the cutting member through the housing of the cable accessory. Thereafter, the linesperson applies a force generally along the length of the housing of the cable accessory to cut. A disadvantage of using a heat or cold shrink cable accessory is that they are designed to be permanently installed. Therefore, when installing a new cable accessory as described above, the process of removing a heat or cold shrink cable accessory may lead to several issues. First, a linesperson can inadvertently damage or destroy the cable accessory, generally by cutting the accessory with a blade. Such installations allow for error in the field as the linesperson may inadvertently damage the cable by cutting too deep. In addition to damaging the cable, the linesperson can inadvertently injure himself or herself by mishandling the cutting member while cutting along the length of the cable accessory.
Therefore, a need exists in the field for a tool to remove cable accessories without causing damage to the cable or injury to the linesperson.
The current disclosure provides for a cable accessory removal tool and method to protect the cable from damage. The tool is designed to also protect the linesperson from injury during removal of a cable accessory.
The disclosed tool comprises two handles, one that allows the linesperson to push a cutting member between the cable accessory and cable, and a second handle that allows the linesperson to rotate the cutting member upward to cut through the cable accessory. The cutting member can be spring loaded, in order to return the cutting member to a first position. In addition, the tool includes a guard member to prevent the cutting member from contacting the cable during the removal process.
The disclosed cable accessory removal tool can be utilized for removing cable accessories, including but not limited to, cold shrink, heat shrink, and conventional push on (interference fit) cable accessories.
The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein:
Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure and the combination of parts, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
A detailed illustrative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. However, techniques, methods, processes, systems, and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiment for purposes of disclosure.
None of the terms used herein, including “member,” “tool,” “cable,” and “cable accessory” are meant to limit the application of the invention. The terms merely explain the invention disclosed by illustrating the preferred embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Similarly, the use of these terms is not meant to limit the scope or application of the invention, as the invention is versatile and can be utilized in many applications, as will be apparent in light of the disclosure set forth herein.
Referring initially to
Tool 100 further includes cutting member 112. Cutting member 112 comprises second handle 110 and blade 108. While a hook shape is depicted for blade 108, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that other shapes could be employed such as a triangular shape. Cutting member 112 rotates about pivot point 106. As shown in
Turning now to
Referring to
As shown, cable accessory 300 comprises a housing 302 that covers a portion of the outer jacket (not shown), neutral wires 206, extruded shield 204, cable insulation 202, and the cable conductor (not shown) of prepared cable 200. The thickness of housing 302 can vary between section A to section B, and between section B to section C of housing 302 depending on the particular cable accessory. In
In
Referring now to
While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, which has been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary and is not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention. It should be appreciated that the present invention is capable of being embodied in other forms without departing from its essential characteristics.
