The present disclosure is generally related to preventing damage to cables and hoses, and more particularly is related to a cable having a thin film material and methods of preventing discoloration damage to a cable with a thin film material.
Structures, such as cables, wires, and similar structures, are often subjected to environments prone to discoloring the exterior of the structure. For example, cables may be used in devices that are painted or in environments where discoloration is likely, such as environments with high levels of grease, dirt, or dyes. When a plurality of cables are used, it is often imperative for the cable to be identified based on exterior visual indicators, such as textual markings or colors, such that the cables are not confused with one another. However when the exterior of the cables are discolored, identification of the cable is difficult, if not impossible. The inability to identify a cable may create complications, but misidentification of the cable or cables can result in serious malfunctions and errors with functionality and maintenance of the devices and systems that utilize the cables. These malfunctions and errors can lead to costly down time of the devices and systems, or worse, human injury.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a cable apparatus and method of preventing discoloration damage to a cable. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. The cable apparatus includes a conductor. An exterior layer surrounds the conductor. A thin film material is removably positioned over an exterior surface of the exterior layer. At least one film removal area is formed within the thin film material, wherein the at least one film removal area is positioned along a length of the exterior layer.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as a painted apparatus. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. The painted apparatus includes a mechanical device. A conductor is positioned in use with the mechanical device. An exterior layer surrounds the conductor. A thin film material is removably positioned over an exterior surface of the exterior layer. At least one film removal area is formed within the thin film material, wherein the at least one film removal area is positioned along a length of the exterior layer. At least one layer of paint is applied to an exterior of the mechanical device, wherein a portion of the layer of paint is adhered to the thin film material.
The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing methods of preventing discoloration damage to a cable. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: applying a thin film material over an exterior surface of an exterior layer of a conductor, wherein the thin film material has at least one film removal area formed therein and positioned along a length of the exterior layer; subjecting the conductor and exterior layer having the thin film material to a discoloration material, wherein the discoloration material adheres to the thin film material; and removing the thin film material with discoloration material adhered to the exterior surface of the exterior layer, thereby exposing the exterior surface of the exterior layer, wherein the exposed exterior surface is free from discoloration.
Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The apparatus 10 may be used to prevent discoloration damage often seen in conventional cables, including various types of cables, wires, hoses, pipes, and other cables. Discoloration damage can occur when the cable is subjected to painting or other discoloration processes, on purpose and inadvertently. For example, a device may utilize a plurality of cables therein, and when the device is painted, the cables therein may be coated with paint. This may present problems with identifying the specific cable, especially when a number of cables are included within the device. Other forms of discoloration may be created via other means, or through other processes, such as when cables are exposed to solvents, dirty environments, harsh environments, or any other environments that can alter the visual appearance of the color of the cable.
The apparatus 10 may include any type of cable, wire, transmission line, hose, or similar structure that may be used for various signal, energy, or material transmission purposes. For example, the apparatus 10 may be used for transmitting communication signals within a vehicle. Accordingly, the conductor 20 may be any type of material that conducts a communication signal, quantity of light, or any type of electrical signal. For example, the conductor 20 may be a metallic or fiber optic material capable of facilitating movement of electric charges, light or any other communication medium, such as copper, aluminum, alloys, fiber electric hybrid materials, fiber optical material or any other material known within the industry. Thus, the conductor 20 may be capable of facilitating movement of energy capable of powering a device or facilitating a communication or control signal between devices. Any number of conductors 20 may be used, and the conductor 20 may be located at substantially the center of the apparatus 10, but may also be located off-center or in another position as well. Other configurations or orientations of the conductor(s) 20 may be included, such as three conductors 20 bound together.
The exterior layer 30 may include any type of jacketing materials or other exteriorly-positioned materials. For example, the exterior layer 30 may be constructed from plastics, rubbers, synthetic materials, metallic materials, and the like. The exterior layer 30 may be a hardened material that prevents exposure of the conductor 20 to the surrounding atmosphere, and prevents physical damage to the apparatus 10, such as from a foreign object. For example, the exterior layer 30 may be a durable jacket that prevents sharp objects from piercing through the exterior layer 30 and contacting the conductor. The durable jacket may include armored or metal-sheathed jackets.
The thin film material 40 is removably formed over an exterior surface 32 (shown in
The thin film material 40 may be constructed from a number of different materials, including thermoset or thermoplastic, filled or unfilled materials, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene ethyl acrylate (EEA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic rubber (TPR), thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE), urethane, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polyether imide (PEI), polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polysulfone (PSU), polyarylsulphones (PPSU), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), polyimide, polyamide, ethylene-propylene elastomer (EPR), ethylene-octene (EO), electron beam (EB), polyolefin, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), linear high-density polyethylene (LHDPE), linear low-density polypropolyene (LLDPP), linear high-density polypropolyene (LHDPP), or perfluoro methyl alkoxy (MFA), or any combination thereof.
The thin film material 40 may be considered a sacrificial layer of material that is applied to the exterior of the exterior layer 30 to prevent paint, solvents, and other materials from adhering to the exterior of the exterior layer 30. When paint, solvents, or other materials do adhere to the thin film material 40, such as when the apparatus 10 is subjected to a painting process, the thin film material 40 may be removed to expose the exterior surface of the exterior layer 30. The thin film material 40 may be formed as a solid or foamed on the exterior of the exterior layer 30, and retained on the exterior layer 30 with or without an adhesive material. For example, the thin film material 40 may be applied to the exterior layer 30 with a variety of manufacturing processes, including pellet extrusion, ram extrusion, concentric, or longitudinally applied tape. The thin film material 40 may have a thickness that is less than the thickness of the exterior layer 30, such as, for example, approximately 1.0 mm or less, although the thickness of the thin film material 40 may vary depending on the specific application and use of the apparatus 10.
The film removal area 50 may be any structure, area, or component formed in or positioned on the thin film material 40 that allows for removal of the thin film material 40 from the exterior surface 32 of the exterior layer 30. For example, as is shown in
A variety of other designs and configurations of the film removal area 50 are disclosed relative to
As is shown in
It may be desirable for the thin film material 540 to be substantially translucent, semi translucent, or opaque, thereby allowing one to visually determine the color of the exterior layer 530 while the thin film material 540 is still applied to the exterior layer 530. Accordingly, the thin film material 540 may be formed to allow a color or a textual marking 580 on the exterior surface 532 to be visually identifiable when viewed through the substantially translucent thin film material. As is shown in
The mechanical device 600 may include any type of machine, apparatus, or other device that utilizes the apparatus 610 therein. Commonly, the apparatus 610 may be used as a component within the mechanical device 600 and partially exposed to a paintable surface on the mechanical device 600. When the paintable surface of the mechanical device 600 is painted, the paint applied may adhere to any exposed surface of the mechanical device 600 and inadvertently to the apparatus 610. The paint 660 or other discoloration material may adhere to the thin film material 640 during the painting process and dry thereon afterwards. Once the paint 660 has dried, the thin film material 640 may be removed to expose the original and true color of the exterior layer 630. Of course, the thin film material 640 may be used in the same manner but for the purpose of preventing any textual message or depiction on the exterior layer 630 from being covered due to discoloration.
As is shown by block 702, a thin film material is applied over an exterior surface of an exterior layer of a conductor, wherein the thin film material has at least one film removal area formed therein and positioned along a length of the exterior layer. The conductor and exterior layer having the thin film material are subjected to a discoloration material, wherein the discoloration material adheres to the thin film material (block 704). The thin film material with discoloration material is removed from the exterior surface of the exterior layer, thereby exposing the exterior surface of the exterior layer, wherein the exposed exterior surface is free from discoloration (block 706).
The method may further include any number of additional steps or processes, including any of the steps, processes, or functions described with respect to any embodiment of this disclosure. For example, the thin film material may be formed on the exterior surface of the exterior layer with at least one of a pellet extrusion process and a ram extrusion process. The film removal area may be formed within the thin film material after the at least one film removal area is applied over the exterior surface of the exterior layer of the conductor. The discoloration material may include paint, particulate-based discoloration substance, and/or solvent, which may be applied to the thin film material during a manufacturing process of a mechanical apparatus.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claims.
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/671,361 entitled, “Cable having a thin film material and methods of preventing discoloration damage to a cable having a thin film material” filed Jul. 13, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
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61671361 | Jul 2012 | US |