Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CABLE PASS THROUGH SEALING SYSTEMS
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods
for allowing
cables or other elongated members to pass through a wall or other barrier
while providing
environmental seals around the cables.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electrical cables or other elongated members such as pipes, conduits
or the like,
often need to pass through walls or other barriers. In some situations, any
openings through a
wall must be sealed to prevent water or other materials from passing the
barrier. This may be
typically accomplished by, for example, a worker applying a settable sealant
(such as, e.g.
caulking or the like) around the cables at a worksite. The application of
sealants at a worksite
can be a time consuming and error prone operation, particularly where a large
number of cables
must be sealed.
[0003] The inventor has determined a need for improved apparatus and
methods for
sealing cables or other elongated members as they pass through a wall or other
barrier.
SUMMARY
[0004] The disclosure generally relates to apparatus and methods for
providing
environmental seals around cables or other elongated members as they pass
through a wall or
other barrier. Support blocks are provided with a plurality of pre-formed
areas of compressible
sealing material that cooperate to form seals when installed around members
passing through an
aperture in a seal plate or other barrier material.
[0005] According to one aspect, an apparatus for providing a seal around a
plurality of
elongated members passing through an aperture in a barrier comprises a
plurality of support
blocks for mounting to the barrier and extending across the aperture, each
support block
comprising a block body having a back side facing toward the barrier and
having at least one
interfacial side facing toward an interfacial side of another support block.
Each interfacial side
comprises a plurality of bearing surfaces and a plurality of passage portions
between the bearing
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surfaces, each bearing surface configured to bear against a corresponding
bearing surface on the
interfacial surface of the other support block. A sealant portion covers a
substantial area of each
bearing surface, each of the sealant portions constructed from a compressible
sealing material.
One or more passage strips constructed from the compressible sealing material
extend across
each passage portion between two bearing surfaces on either side of the
passage portion. A wall
seal band on the back side of each block body, constructed from the
compressible sealing
material, extends from the bearing surface on one lateral side of the block
body, around all of the
plurality of passage portions, to the bearing surface on the other lateral
side of the block body.
[0006] Further aspects and details of example embodiments are set forth
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way
of example,
with reference to the attached Figures, in which:
[0008] Figure 1 shows a sealing system according to an example embodiment.
[0009] Figure 2 shows an example support block of the system of Figure I
in isolation.
[0010] Figure 2A is a rear view the block of Figure 2.
[0011] Figure 2B is a top view the block of Figure 2.
[0012] Figure 2C is a side view the block of Figure 2.
[0013] Figure 2D shows another example embodiment of the support block of
Figure 2.
[0014] Figure 3 shows an example insert of the system of Figure 1 in
isolation.
[0015] Figure 3A is a side view of the insert of Figure 3.
[0016] Figure 4 shows an example middle support block of the system of
Figure 1 in
isolation.
[0017] Figure 4A is a rear view of the block of Figure 4.
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[0018] Figure 4B shows another example embodiment of the middle support
block of
Figure 4.
[0019] Figure 5 schematically depicts an example seal plate of the system
of Figure 1 in
isolation.
[0020] Figure 5A shows an example seal plate according to another
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may
be repeated
among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous
details are set
forth to provide an understanding of the embodiments described herein. The
embodiments may
be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and
components have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the
embodiments described.
The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the
embodiments described
herein.
[0022] The disclosure generally relates to an apparatus for providing
environmental seals
around cables or other elongated members as they pass through a wall or other
barrier. Support
blocks are provided with a plurality of pre-formed areas of compressible
sealing material that
cooperate to form seals when installed around members passing through an
aperture, as
described in detail below. In some embodiments, each adjacent pair of blocks
form a plurality of
passages along their interface for securely receiving cables. In other
embodiments, inserts are
provided in the passages for securely receiving cables of different sizes
and/or shapes. The
blocks may have sealing material along a substantial portion or all of the
interfacial surfaces,
may have strips of sealing material along a rear side of each block that abuts
a seal plate in the
wall, and may have strips of sealing material across the body portions forming
the passages. The
inserts may have strips of sealing material on their outer surfaces for
bearing against the strips of
sealing material across the body portions of the blocks forming the passages,
and may have strips
of sealing material on their inner surfaces for bearing against cables of
other elongated members.
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The blocks and inserts may also have various features described in US Patent
Application No.
13/782978.
[0023] Figure 1 shows an example sealing system 100 according to one
embodiment.
The system 100 is configured to sealingly engage a plurality of cables and
allow the cables to
pass through a wall or other barrier. In the illustrated example, a seal plate
110 is provided to
be secured over an opening through the barrier. The seal plate 110 has a
plurality of apertures
112 therethrough. As discussed below, each of the apertures 112 is associated
with a plurality
of cables (which may be referred to as a "course" of cables), and a plurality
of support blocks
200 are mounted across each aperture 112 for supporting the course of cables.
Alternatively, in
some embodiments apertures may be formed directly in the material of a wall or
other barrier.
Brackets 116 may be provided for mounting a cable tray or the like to the seal
plate 110.
[0024] As best seen in Figure 5, the apertures 112 are separated by
bands 114 of
material for mounting the blocks 200. In some embodiments the bands 114 are
formed from
the material of the seal plate 110 or the barrier itself. For example, Figure
5A shows three
apertures 112A cut out from a seal plate 110A, leaving bands 114A.
Alternatively, the bands
114 could be separate elements secured across an opening in the seal plate or
barrier at spaced
apart locations to accommodate the mounting of the blocks 200.
[0025] Returning to Figure 1, in the illustrated example, two support
blocks 200, which
may be referred to as "end" support blocks, and two support blocks 200A, which
may be
referred to as "middle" support blocks are mounted to extend across each
aperture 112. An
example end support block 200 is shown in Figures 2-2C, and an example middle
support block
200A is shown in Figures 4 and 4A, which are discussed further below.
[0026] In the illustrated examples, each end support block 200 has two
passage portions
205 thereon (see Figure 2A) and each middle support block 200A has four
passage portions
205 thereon (two on each side, see Figure 4A). However, it is to be understood
that each end
support block 200 can have more than two passage portions 205, and each middle
support
block 200A can have more than four passage portions 205, in other embodiments.
In some
embodiments, such as the illustrated example, the passage portions 205 are all
generally semi-
circular in cross-section. However, it is to be understood that the passage
portions may have
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different shapes in other embodiments, for example for supporting different
types of elongated
members. In certain preferred embodiments, the passage portions are all the
same shape, such
that the end support blocks 200 at the top and bottom can be substantially
identical.
[0027] In the Figure 1 example, each set of blocks 200 and 200A forms six
passages for
allowing a course of six cables or the like to pass through the associated
aperture 112. A pair of
inserts 300 may be provided in each passage, selected according to the size
and shape of the
cable to pass through that passage. An example insert 300 is shown in Figures
3 and 3A and
discussed further below.
[0028] In the example illustrated in Figure 1 the system 100 comprises
three such sets of
blocks 200 and 200A for accommodating 18 cables through three apertures 112,
but it is to be
understood that any number of cables could be accommodated by varying the
number of blocks
200/200A and apertures 112. For example, a course of more than six cables
could be
accommodated by providing additional middle support blocks 200A, and fewer
than six by
providing fewer middle support blocks 200A. Two end support blocks 200 could
be used to
secure two cables through a single aperture. Also, the number of half passages
in each block
200/200A could be varied.
[0029] Figures 2-2C show an example end support block 200 in isolation,
and Figures 4-
4A show an example middle support block 200A in isolation. Each block 200/200A
comprises
a block body 202/202A having a peripheral portion 204 with a number of bolt
holes or the like
for receiving fasteners for securing the block 200/200A to the seal plate 110
or other barrier.
The body 202 of block 200 has a central bolt hole 201 or the like for
receiving a fastener to
secure the block 200 to another end support block 200 or a middle support
block 200A. In
certain embodiments, the body 202 of block 200 has two peripheral bolt holes
203 or the like for
receiving a fastener to secure the block 200 to another end support block 200
or a middle support
block 200A. Similarly, the body 202A of block 200A has central bolt holes 201
or the like on
opposite sides thereof, and/or peripheral bolt holes 203 or the like on
opposite sides thereof for
receiving one or more fasteners to secure the block 200A to other blocks
200/200A.
[0030] The body 202 of block 200 has a plurality of bearing surfaces 206
along an
interfacial side of the body 202 that are configured to bear against bearing
surfaces 206 of
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another end support block 200 or a middle support block 200A. Similarly, the
body 202A of
block 200A has a plurality of bearing surfaces 206 along two opposing
interfacial sides thereof
configured to bear against bearing surfaces 206 of others blocks 200 or 200A.
Each block body
202/202A also defines a plurality of passage portions 205 along each
interfacial side between the
bearing surfaces 206.
[0031] The block bodies 202 and 202A may be constructed from a relatively
hard
material. The bodies 202 and 202A may, for example, be constructed of a
material with a
hardness of about three times the hardness of the material used for
constructing the inserts 300.
For example, in some embodiments the material used for constructing the bodies
202 and 202A
may have a hardness of about 120 on the Rockwell scale and the material used
for constructing
the inserts 300 may have a hardness of about 60 on the Rockwell scale. Having
an insert 300
with radial flexibility provides flexibility at the point of contact with the
cables or other
elements, resulting in decreased straining thereon. Meanwhile, the rigidity of
the bodies 202 and
202A provides rigidity and strength to assist in supporting and limiting
displacement of the
cables. Each insert may be constructed from a material which is self-
lubricating, and which has
heat and UV resistant properties. The block bodies 202 and 202A may also be
constructed from
a heat- and UV-resistant material.
[0032] Relatively strong attractive or repulsive forces may develop
between cables
carrying large electrical currents. Such cables also generate heat, with
temperatures of about
90 C being typical during normal operation. Such forces and heat increase
sharply in the event
of a short circuit or other electrical problem. The blocks 200/200A and
inserts 300 limit
movement of the cables and prevent the cables from contacting each other in
the vicinity of the
seal system, and from contacting other supporting structures such as a cable
tray or the like.
[0033] As best seen in Figures 2 and 2B, in the illustrated example the
block bodies 202
and 202A have recessed portions 208 on either side of each passage portion
205. The recessed
portions 208 are shaped to receive a tab 307 and protrusions 308 on either
side of an insert 300
(See Figures 3 and 3A), as described further below.
[0034] Each passage portion 205 has a front lip 210 and a back lip 212 on
opposite ends
thereof. The term "front" and related terms are used herein to refer to the
direction away from
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the seal plate or barrier to which the blocks are attached, and the term
"back" and related terms
are used herein to refer to the direction toward the seal plate or barrier to
which the blocks are
attached. As best seen in Figure 2A, an outer rib 214 may be provided
extending from the back
side of the block body 202. The outer rib 214 may have a shape corresponding
with the shape of
the aperture in the seal plate or barrier to assist with proper positioning of
the blocks in the
aperture. In the illustrated example, the outer rib 214 is shaped to
correspond with the shape of
aperture 112A of Figure 5A.
[0035] Each bearing surface 206 has a sealant portion 220 constructed of a
sealing
material. The sealing material may, for example, comprise TPE or other such
suitable material.
In some embodiments, the sealing material has a compressibility of about Shore
20A. The
sealant portions 220 may be formed by overmolding a pattern of sealing
material on the block
body 202/202A on each bearing surface 206.
[0036] In some embodiments, the sealant portions 220 may extend across
substantially
all of each bearing surface 206, as shown in Figures 2D and 4B, which
respectively illustrate
other example embodiments of an end support block 200' and a middle support
block 200A'.
End support block 200' of Figure 2D is substantially similar to block 200 of
Figures 2-2C, other
than the fact that sealant portions 220' cover substantially all of each
bearing face 206.
Likewise, middle support block 200A' of Figure 4B is substantially similar to
block 200A of
Figures 4-4A, other than the fact that sealant portions 220' cover
substantially all of each bearing
face. Blocks 200' and 200A' of Figures 2D and 4B also differ from blocks 200
and 200A in that
blocks 200' and 200A' do not have recessed portions on either side of each
passage portion 205,
and as such, where inserts 300 are used with blocks 200' and 200A', tabs 307
and protrusions
308 are omitted.
[0037] As best seen in Figures 2 and 4, one or more passage strips 222
constructed of
sealing material are provided across each passage portion 205. In the
illustrated example, two
parallel passage strips 222 are provided across each passage portion 205. In
some embodiments,
the passage strips 222 extend between the recessed portions 208 on the bearing
surfaces 206 on
either side of each passage portion 205. In some embodiments, the passage
strips 222 may be in
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contact with the sealant portions 220 on the bearing surfaces 206 on either
side of each passage
portion 205.
[0038] As best seen in Figure 2A, the block body 202 has a wall seal band
224 extending
along the back side thereof from the bearing surface 206 at one lateral side
of the block 200,
around all of the passage portions 205, to the bearing surface 206 at the
other lateral side of the
block 200. The wall seal band 224 may be in contact with the sealant portions
220 on the
bearing surfaces 206. As best seen in Figure 4A, the block body 202A has a
wall seal band
224A extending along both lateral sides of the back side thereof from the
bearing surface 206 at
one interfacial side of the block 200A, to the bearing surface 206 at the
other interfacial side of
the block 200A.
[0039] The block bodies 202 and 202A may also have bands 226 and 226A,
respectfully,
on the back sides thereof. The bands 226 and 226A facilitate overmolding, for
example by
providing a channel for the sealing material between the wall seal band 224
and the sealant
portion 220 on the central bearing surface 206 of block 200, or between the
sealant portions 220
on the two central bearing surfaces of block 200A. The bands 226 and 226A may
be omitted in
some embodiments.
[0040] Figure 3 shows an example insert 300 for insertion into a passage
portion 205.
Each pair of inserts 300 inserted into passage portions 205 which face each
other cooperate to
form a guide configured to securely receive a cable or the like of a
predetermined size and shape.
The inserts 300 advantageously allow the same blocks used to support different
types of cables
of other elongated members, by inserting differently sized inserts 300 into
the passage portions
205. In the illustrated example, the insert 300 has an outer diameter sized to
fit in a
corresponding passage portion 205 and an inner diameter sized to fit around a
particular cable
having a circular cross-section. However, it is to be understood that inserts
may also be provided
to accommodate non-circular cables by varying the inner surfaces of the
inserts to conform to the
outer surfaces of the cables. In some embodiments, the passage portions 205
themselves may be
sized and shaped to fit the cables or other members, and the inserts may be
omitted. In such
embodiments, the passage strips 222 sealingly engage the cables.
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[0041] The insert 300 comprises an insert body 302. In the illustrated
example, the insert
body 203 has a flange 304 at either end, but such flanges may be omitted in
some embodiments.
Where present, the flanges 304 fit over the lips 210 and 212 of the passage
portion 205, and a tab
306 is provided extending from each flange 304 to engage the edge of one of
the lips 210 or 212.
Tabs 307 extend laterally outwardly from the sides of the insert body 302 and
are configured to
be received in the recessed portions 208 on either side of each passage
portion 205. Protrusions
308 extend from the tabs 307 to hold the tabs 307 in the recessed portions
208. As noted above
tabs 307 and protrusions 308 may be omitted when the insert 300 is to be used
with a block
lacking recessed portions 208. A drainage channel 309 may be provided near
each end of the
insert body 302 to provide paths for liquid to drain.
[0042] A longitudinal seal strip 310 is provided along the each side of
the inner wall of
the insert body 302. A plurality of inner seal strips 312 extend across the
inner circumference of
the insert body 302 between the longitudinal seal strips 310. The inner seal
strips 312 are all
preferably located between the drainage channels 309, in embodiments where the
drainage
channels 309 are present. A plurality of outer seal strips 314 extend across
the outer
circumference of the insert body 302 between the longitudinal seal strips 310.
The outer seal
strips 314 are positioned at longitudinal locations along the insert body 302
selected to
correspond to the longitudinal locations of the passage strips 222 in the
passage portion 205 of
the block body 202/202A. Each of the inner and outer seal strips 312 and 314
is preferably in
contact with each longitudinal seal strip 310.
[0043] Seal strips 310, 312 and 314 are all constructed of a sealing
material. The sealing
material may, for example, comprise TPE or other such suitable material. In
some embodiments,
the sealing material has a compressibility of about Shore 20A. The seal strips
310, 312 and 314
may be formed by overmolding a pattern of sealing material on the insert body
302 in some
embodiments.
[0044] The sealing system 100 advantageously may be installed relatively
quickly and
efficiently, without any requirement for settable sealants at the work site,
and the blocks
200/200A and inserts 300 cooperate to provide an environmental seal around a
plurality of cables
or the like. When the system 100 is installed, the sealant portions 220 on the
bearing surfaces of
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the blocks 200/200A prevent liquid from passing between the blocks 200/200A.
The wall seal
bands 224 prevent liquid from passing between the blocks 200/200A and the seal
plate 110 or
other barrier material. The passage strips 222 prevent liquid from passing
between the blocks
200/200A and the cables or other members. When inserts are used, the passage
strips 222 and
outer seal strips 314 prevent liquid from passing between the blocks 200/200A
and the inserts
300. The longitudinal and inner seal strips 310 and 312 prevent liquid from
passing between the
inserts 300 and the cables or other members. In some embodiments, on each
block 200 or block
200A, all of the sealant portions 220, passage strips 222 and wall seal band
224 or bands 224A
may be continuously formed sealing material. In some embodiments the seal
strips 310, 312 and
314 on each insert 300 are all continuously formed.
[0045] The blocks and inserts may be injection molded. Injection molding
allows for
cost effective production of the blocks and inserts. Due to the use of the
inserts, blocks having
identical guide-receiving feature sizes may be produced for supporting cables
of various sizes.
This allows the same mold to be used for various projects. Additionally, the
modular stacking of
blocks to form the support apparatus means that the same mold can be used for
making blocks
for projects requiring larger support apertures. If necessary, blocks of
various sizes, such as
blocks having a greater number of guide-receiving features, may be injection
molded. To allow
easy removal of the molded pieces, the molds for the blocks and the inserts
should be designed
with suitable drafts. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the passage portions
205 are tapered
outwardly from the middles thereof, such that the passages through the blocks
are slightly
narrower at their centres than at their ends.
[0046] Plastic materials of sufficient strength, as required, may be used.
In one
embodiment, the plastic used for the inserts is more flexible than the
material used to make the
inserts. Having a softer insert provides flexibility at the point of contact
between the cables and
the support apparatus, avoiding excessive straining of the cables. The harder
material forming
the blocks provides additional rigidity and strength for supporting the cables
and limiting the
displacement of the cables. In some embodiments, a glass-filled polymer having
relatively high
thermal and UV resistance is used for the block bodies 202 and 202A.
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[0047] The blocks 200/200A may, for example, be secured to each other and
to the seal
plate 110 or other barrier material by suitably bolts and nuts. In other
embodiments, other
suitable fastening means may be used to attach the blocks together. For
example, clamps or ties
may be used. The order in which the blocks 200/200A are to be secured to each
other and to the
seal plate 110 or other barrier material will depend on accessibility.
Preferably, the blocks are
secured row by row, each row beginning by securing an end support block.
[0048] The present disclosure may be embedded in other specific forms
without
departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to
be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
present disclosure is,
therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description. All
changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims
are to be embraced
within their scope.
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