This invention relates to a method and apparatus for effecting sealing of cable splice closures and can be used in both pressurised and non-pressurised cable networks.

Such splice closures are used for jointing cables and for the distribution of branch cables. The closure effects environmental protection and sealing of joints or terminations in various cables such as telecommunications and optical fibre cables.

The conventional method off sealing a splice closure to ensure a high degree of performance is to heat a slug of polymer e.g. polyethylene until it is close to its melt temperature, then to apply a compressive force to extrude the molten polymer through an orifice and runner system around the faces to be sealed on the clpsure and/or cable. This method has various disadvantages. For example, in order to control the flow of a hot molten material around the faces to be sealed, a suitable clamp ring structure is required that will shape the seal bead, prevent the molten material prematurely chilling the seal bead, ensure that with a relatively high polymer pressure distortion is controlled, and that a degree of cooling is applied to the weld through conduction before the ring structure is removed. Further, the use of this clamp ring structure requires a dedicated size for each cable and joint sleeve or collar configuration within relatively close tolerances typically ±lmm on the outside diameter of cable, sleeve or collar diameter.

Injection welded dedicated clamp ring structures for each cable and collar configuration can require expensive precision tooling and the need to stock several different sizes, presenting difficulties for users of injection welding equipment for both storage and handling. This method also requires considerable care and dexterity on the part of the operator, both to ensure adequate and uniform heating and extrudate

pressure in various climatic conditions and also to avoid overheating or other components in the immediate vicinity. The technique is particularly difficult in cases where a number of such jointing closures are grouped close together.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a method of effecting a seal on a cable splice closure, to seal a peripheral junction between two members of the closure or between a splice closure member and a cable, comprising wrapping a flexible resistance heating tape tightly around the two splice closure members, or around the said member and cable, and over said peripheral junction, then energising the tape long enough to effect melting of its surface to form a fusion bond between that surface of the tape and the surfaces of the two splice closure members, or between that surface of the tape and the surfaces of the said member and cable.

The heating tape then forms part of the completed jointing closure. However it can be re-energised for removal, re-entry to the closure internal components, or replacement of an existing cable.

Also in accordance with this invention, there is provided an apparatus for effecting sealing of a cable splice closure, comprising a flexible electrical resistance heating tape for wrapping tightly over a peripheral junction between two splice closure members or between a splice closure member and a cable, and a device for attaching to the tape ends to supply electrical current to the tape for heating the tape to effect melting of a surface of the tape to form a fusion bond between itself and the surfaces of the underlying splice closure members or splice closure member and cable.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a jointing closure heating weld tape in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section of the jointing

closure heating weld tape of Figure 1 in a flattened condition;

FIGURE 3 to 6, 8 and 9 illustrate some further forms of heating tapes in accordance with the invention;

FIGURES 7A and 7B are a part longitudinal section and an end view of a cable splice closure in which seals are made in accordance with this invention; and

FIGURES 10 and 11 show alternative ways of joining the ends of the tape of this invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a flexible weld tape 1, the main heating portion of the tape having a uniform flat cross-sectional shape. It may instead have any appropriate cross-sectional profile to suit different abutments and examples of these are shown in Figures 3 to 6. The tape may be supplied in pre-cut lengths for specific applications or in reel form for measurement and cutting to length on site, to allow flexibility of jointing dimensions to be used.

In construction the tape comprises three parts; the main body 3 with bonding material, the heater element 10, and a reinforcing element 4. The heater element may typically comprise a metal construction giving mechanical strength at elevated temperatures and may also serve as a reinforcing strength member for ensuring a degree of pre-tensioned pressure for producing an adequate fusion weld.

The main body 3 of the flexible heater weld tape is formed by a carrier of adhesive backed PTFE coated glass cloth carrying the heater element 10, which may comprise one or more electrical resistance heating elements running along the length of the tape 1 to provide a desired distribution of its heating effect. These elements may, for example, be zoned by closer packing of a number _. of individual elements adjacent the extreme edge of the overall zone than in the centre region where less heat is required to melt the fusion polymer or hot melt adhesive backing uniformily, as shown in Figure 8 by the position of elements 10. The re-inforcing member 4 may comprise a braided material glass fibre or metal wire, formed as an

integral part of the carrier 3 or bonded to the surface as shown at Figure 9 as external braid 18.

Figure 1 further shows a device which allows the joining of both ends of the tape and the connection of terminals for the passage of electricity to effect heating. This device comprises a body 5 typically of a thermoset material able to withstand high temperatures during the welding operation. Slots are provided in the ends and one side of the body 5 as a simple means of receiving the projecting ends 9,9 of the heating element 10 as an interference fit. The use of the slots further provides a means of pretensioning the heating element conductor if used as a strength member. Electrical connection to the ends 9, 9 of the heating element 10 are made via terminals 6 to electrodes 7, 7 within the slots at the ends of the body 5.

Other means of joining the heater tape and fitting terminals can be used in accordance with this invention, particularly on small cable diameters. These would include rivets and compression clamps of a metallic nature, shown respectively in Figures 10 and 11.

Figures 7A and 7B show a joint closure which comprises a sleeve 14 disposed around a cable joint, and an end member 15 closing one end of the sleeve 14 but having individual cables passing through it into the joint closure. In accordance with this invention, a tape 11 is wrapped tightly around the end of the sleeve 14 to seal the peripheral join between the sleeve

14 and end member 15.

A device 13 (such as the device shown in Figure 1) is used to join the ends of the tape, whereafter electricity is supplied via its terminals 6 to generate heat within the tape to soften the adhesive on the inner face of the tape. On cooling, a seal results from the fusion bond of the tape to the sleeve 14 and to the end member 15. Tapes 12 are similarly applied around the outer ends of tubular ports of the end member

15 and around the cables to seal the peripheral junction between

these tubular ports and the respective cables.

The tape may be energised from a 16 volt supply to give typically 100 watts and a temperature of 55-260°C. The heating and cooling cycle will usually take between 5 and 25 minutes. The adhesive is preferably a hot-melt or thermoplastic adhesive.