Sealing assemblies for elongate members and methods for using the same

A sealing assembly for providing an environmental seal about an elongate member includes a housing defining a passage to receive an elongate member, a flowable sealant disposed in the passage, a compression mechanism and a trigger mechanism. The compression mechanism includes a biasing member. The biasing member is configured to apply a compression load against the sealant and the compression mechanism is configured to force the sealant to flow about the elongate member to provide an environmental seal about the elongate member. The trigger mechanism is configured to selectively actuate the biasing member to apply the compression load to the sealant.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sealing devices and methods and, more particularly, to sealing devices and methods for effecting a seal about an elongate member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In various applications, a seal is provided about an elongate member at its entry into an enclosure or the like. For example, it is often necessary or desirable to enclose cable terminations or splices in environmentally sealed enclosures. For example, an operator may wish to enclose an optical fiber cable splice or termination in a splice enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a sealing assembly for providing an environmental seal about an elongate member includes a housing defining a passage to receive an elongate member, a flowable sealant disposed in the passage, a compression mechanism and a trigger mechanism. The compression mechanism includes a biasing member. The biasing member is configured to apply a compression load against the sealant. The compression mechanism is configured to force the sealant to flow about the elongate member to provide an environmental seal about the elongate member. The trigger mechanism is configured to selectively actuate the biasing member to apply the compression load to the sealant.

In some embodiments, the housing includes first and second housing parts that are relatively movable between an open position and a closed position, and the trigger mechanism is configured to retain the compression mechanism in a cocked position and to release the compression mechanism into an actuated position responsive to closing of the housing. The biasing member applies the compression load to the sealant when the compression mechanism is in the actuated position.

According to some embodiments, the biasing member is configured to maintain the compression load against the sealant after the housing is closed to maintain a positively pressurized environmental seal about the elongate member. The biasing member may be configured to maintain the compression load against the sealant at a pressure of at least about 10 KPa.

In some embodiments, the biasing member includes a spring. The compression mechanism may include a pressure plate that is displaceable by the spring to apply the compression load against the sealant.

According to some embodiments, the elongate member has a lengthwise axis and the biasing member is configured to apply the compression load against the sealant in a loading direction transverse to the elongate member lengthwise axis.

The sealant may include a gel that is elastically displaced by the compression load.

In some embodiments, the sealing assembly is a cable enclosure assembly and the housing includes first and second housing parts relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. The first and second housing parts define an enclosed chamber when the housing is in its closed position.

According to some embodiments, the housing includes first and second housing parts relatively movable between an open position and a closed position. The sealant includes a first sealant disposed in the first housing part and a second sealant disposed in the second housing part. The first and second sealants are configured to collectively surround the elongate member in the passage when the housing is closed. The biasing member is configured to load the first sealant against the second sealant to provide the environmental seal circumferentially about the elongate member. The housing may include at least one first containment wall defining a first containment cavity in the first housing part, and at least one second containment wall defining a second containment cavity in the second housing part. The first sealant is disposed in the first containment cavity. The second sealant is disposed in the second containment cavity. The first and second sealants are bounded by the first and second containment walls to limit displacement of the first and second sealants when the first sealant is loaded against the second sealant by the biasing member.

According to some embodiments, the elongate member has an elongate member lengthwise axis and the sealing assembly includes at least one grommet configured to circumferentially wrap about the elongate member to limit axial displacement of the sealant when the compression load is applied to the sealant by the biasing member. In some embodiments, the housing includes first and second housing parts relatively movable between an open position and a closed position, and the sealing assembly includes first and second grommets mounted on the first and second housing parts, respectively, and configured to circumferentially wrap about the elongate member and overlap one another to limit axial displacement of the sealant when the compression load is applied to the sealant by the biasing member.

According to some method embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming an environmental seal about an elongate member using a sealing assembly including a housing defining a passage, a flowable sealant disposed in the passage, and a compression mechanism, includes: installing the elongate member in the passage; and thereafter actuating a trigger mechanism to selectively actuate a biasing member of the compression mechanism to apply a compression load to the sealant and to force the sealant to flow about the elongate member to provide an environmental seal about the elongate member using the compression mechanism.

Actuating the trigger mechanism may include relatively moving first and second housing parts of the housing from an open position to a closed position, responsive to which the trigger mechanism releases the compression mechanism from a cocked position to an actuated position. The biasing member applies the compression load to the sealant when the compression mechanism is in the actuated position.

According to some embodiments, actuating the trigger mechanism is followed by maintaining the compression load against the sealant using the biasing member to maintain a positively pressurized environmental seal about the elongate member. The compression load may be maintained against the sealant at a pressure of at least about 10 KPa using the biasing member.

The method may include applying the compression load against the sealant in a loading direction transverse to an elongate member lengthwise axis of the elongate member using the biasing member of the compression mechanism.

According to some embodiments, the sealant includes an elastically deformable gel, and the method includes elastically elongating and deforming the gel using the compression load such that the gel deforms to substantially conform to a portion of the elongate member and a restoring force in the elastically deformed gel bears against the portion of the elongate member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Embodiments of the present invention provide cable enclosure assemblies for environmentally protecting cable terminations or splices. More particularly, according to some embodiments, a cable enclosure assembly includes a cable sealant and a mechanism to displace the cable sealant about a circumference of the cable to provide improved or complete coverage of the sealant about the cable.

With reference toFIGS. 1-8, an elongate member sealing or enclosure assembly100according to embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The assembly100can be used to provide an environmental seal about an elongate member or members such as a cable20. The assembly100and use and operation thereof will be described herein with reference to cables (e.g., fiber optic cables); however, according to other embodiments, sealing assemblies of the present invention may be used to form a seal about other types of elongate members entering an enclosure.

The assembly100includes a first housing part110(referred to herein as the “top housing part”), a second housing part120(referred to herein as the “bottom housing part”), two upper masses of flowable cable sealant52, two lower masses of flowable cable sealant54, flowable perimeter sealant50, a latch clip108(FIG. 2), and a pair of cable sealing systems130. Each cable sealing system130includes a compression mechanism140and a trigger mechanism150. The assembly100includes a hinge mechanism102so that the housing parts110,120are relatively pivotable between an open position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 7and a closed position as shown inFIGS. 2 and 8. In the closed position, the assembly100defines a chamber106(FIG. 8). The assembly100may be referred to as a clamshell cable enclosure. Cable ports104(FIG. 2) communicate with the chamber106and the exterior of the assembly100. The assembly100may be used with a cable or cables20,30to form splice connection assembly5(FIG. 2) including an optical fiber splice35, for example.

In the illustrated embodiments and as shown in more detail inFIG. 9, the cable20is an optical fiber cable including optical fibers (which may be arranged as stacks of multi-fiber ribbons, as shown)28, a buffer tube26surrounding the optical fibers28, a tubular outer protective jacket22surrounding the buffer tube26, and a pair of strength members24extending between the outer protective jacket22and buffer tube26on diametrically opposed sides of the cable. The cable20has a central cable axis A-A that extends lengthwise (longitudinally) through the cable20substantially down the center of the outer protective jacket22. The cable30(FIG. 1) may be a flat drop cable including one or more optical fibers38surrounded by a jacket32, for example. It will be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are not limited to use of or use with cables20,30as described. For example, enclosure assemblies and sealing mechanisms as described herein may be used with optical fiber cables of other constructions or other types of elongate objects (e.g., copper conductor cables).

With reference toFIG. 1, the top housing part110includes a body112, hinge structures113(FIG. 3), a latch structure114(FIG. 3), a perimeter sealing channel115, and mount structures116. Opposed cable cutouts116A are formed in the mount structures116. A screw bore116B (FIG. 7) is formed in the top housing part110. The perimeter sealant50is disposed in the channel115. The compression mechanisms140and the trigger mechanisms150are secured in respective ones of the mount structures116.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 3, the bottom housing part120includes a body122, hinge structures123(FIG. 3), a latch structure124, a perimeter sealing flange125(FIG. 1), a pair of containment wall structures126. Opposed cable cutouts126A (FIG. 1) are formed in the containment wall structures126. The hinge structures123mate with the hinge structures113to form the hinge mechanism102(FIG. 1). The sealant masses54are disposed in sealant containment cavities126B (FIG. 3) defined by the containment wall structures126. A preformed cable trough54A (FIG. 3) may be formed in each gel mass54and generally aligned with the cutouts126A. The latch structures114,124mate with the lock clip108to lock the assembly100in the closed position (FIG. 2). A plurality of clips may be mounted in the bottom housing part120and used to manage the optical fibers28,38. One or more splice holders may be mounted in the bottom housing part120and used to hold one or more splices.

The housing parts110,120may each be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the housing parts110,120are formed of a polymeric material. Suitable polymeric materials may include polypropylene and its derivatives, or polycarbonate, for example.

The cable sealing systems130may be constructed in substantially the same manner and, therefore, one of the cable sealing systems130will be described in more detail hereinafter, it being appreciated that this description likewise applies to the other cable sealing system130.

With reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, the cable sealing system130includes a compression mechanism140and a trigger mechanism150. The compression mechanism140and the trigger mechanism150can cooperate to effectively form an environmental seal about the cable20.

The compression mechanism140includes a housing142, a biasing member144, an anchor screw146, and a sealant driver or pressure member148. The housing142has opposed hinge slots142A. The biasing member144is shown as a wound spring and includes an extended strip segment144A, a wound segment144B, an opening144C defined in the segment144A, and a central opening144D formed in the segment144B. The pressure member148serves as a pressure plate and defines a sealant containment cavity148A. The pressure member148has opposed hinge posts148B and a push structure148C.

The housing142and the pressure member148may be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the housing142and the pressure member148are formed of a polymeric material. Suitable polymeric materials may include polypropylene and its derivatives, or polycarbonate, for example.

The spring144may be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the spring144is formed of a resilient metal. Suitable metals include spring steel, stainless steel or beryllium copper, for example.

The trigger mechanism150includes a latch subassembly152, an actuator160, an actuator spring164, and a trigger post166(e.g., integrally formed with the bottom housing120;FIG. 1). The latch subassembly152includes a receiver part154and a plunger part156slidably received in the receiver part154. A latch spring158is captured between and within the parts154,156and urges the parts154,156apart. The actuator160includes opposed arms162, each having an upper, inner tapered section162A.

The housing142is fixedly mounted in the mount structure116by cooperating snap interlock features, for example. The strip segment144A is anchored to the housing110by a screw146that engages the bore116B (FIG. 7). The latch subassembly152extends though the central opening144D of the wound segment144B, which is located in front of the housing142(seeFIGS. 5 and 7). The wound segment144B is extended from its relaxed position so that it applies a tension load tending to draw the latch subassembly152rearwardly into the housing142. However, the ends of the latch subassembly152extend laterally beyond the side walls of the housing142so that the latch subassembly152is retained in front of the housing142and the spring144remains under tension.

The pressure member148is coupled to the front end of the housing142by the posts148B and the slots142A. The pressure member148can be pivoted about the posts148B between a retracted position (as shown inFIGS. 1,5and7), wherein the pressure member148is disposed in the housing142, and an extended position (as shown inFIGS. 6 and 8), wherein the pressure member148is rotated out of the housing142.

The actuator160is slidably mounted in the mount structure116by cooperating snap interlock features, for example. The actuator spring164is captured between the top housing110and the actuator160and urges the actuator160downwardly (i.e., away from the top housing110) into a ready position as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7. The actuator160can be slid upwardly toward the housing110, compressing the actuator spring164, into an actuating position as shown inFIGS. 6 and 8.

The sealants50,52,54may be any suitable sealants. According to some embodiments, the sealant50is a gel sealant. According to some embodiments, the sealants52,54are gel sealants. According to some embodiments, all of the sealants50,52,54are gel sealants. As used herein, “gel” refers to the category of materials which are solids extended by a fluid extender. The gel may be a substantially dilute system that exhibits no steady state flow. As discussed in Ferry, “Viscoelastic Properties of Polymers,” 3rded. P. 529 (J. Wiley & Sons, New York 1980), a polymer gel may be a cross-linked solution whether linked by chemical bonds or crystallites or some other kind of junction. The absence of the steady state flow may be considered to be the definition of the solid-like properties while the substantial dilution may be necessary to give the relatively low modulus of gels. The solid nature may be achieved by a continuous network structure formed in the material generally through crosslinking the polymer chains through some kind of junction or the creation of domains of associated substituents of various branch chains of the polymer. The crosslinking can be either physical or chemical as long as the crosslink sites may be sustained at the use conditions of the gel.

Gels for use in this invention may be silicone (organopolysiloxane) gels, such as the fluid-extended systems taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,207 to Debbaut (hereinafter “Debbaut '207”); U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,233 to Camin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,063 to Dubrow et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,300 to Dubrow et al. (hereinafter “Dubrow '300”), the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. These fluid-extended silicone gels may be created with nonreactive fluid extenders as in the previously recited patents or with an excess of a reactive liquid, e.g., a vinyl-rich silicone fluid, such that it acts like an extender, as exemplified by the Sylgard® 527 product commercially available from Dow-Corning of Midland, Mich. or as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,260 to Nelson. Because curing is generally involved in the preparation of these gels, they are sometimes referred to as thermosetting gels. The gel may be a silicone gel produced from a mixture of divinyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane, tetrakis(dimethylsiloxy)silane, a platinum divinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex, commercially available from United Chemical Technologies, Inc. of Bristol, Pa., polydimethylsiloxane, and 1,3,5,7-tetravinyltetra-methylcyclotetrasiloxane (reaction inhibitor for providing adequate pot life).

Other types of gels may be used, for example, polyurethane gels as taught in the aforementioned Debbaut '261 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,476 to Debbaut (hereinafter “Debbaut '476”) and gels based on styrene-ethylene butylenestyrene (SEBS) or styrene-ethylene propylene-styrene (SEPS) extended with an extender oil of naphthenic or nonaromatic or low aramatic content hydrocarbon oil, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,284 to Chen; U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,183 to Gamarra et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,270 to Gamarra. The SEBS and SEPS gels comprise glassy styrenic microphases interconnected by a fluid-extended elastomeric phase. The microphase-separated styrenic domains serve as the junction points in the systems. The SEBS and SEPS gels are examples of thermoplastic systems.

Another class of gels which may be used are EPDM rubber-based gels, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,143 to Chang et al.

Yet another class of gels which may be used are based on anhydride-containing polymers, as disclosed in WO 96/23007. These gels reportedly have good thermal resistance.

The gel may include a variety of additives, including stabilizers and antioxidants such as hindered phenols (e.g., Irganox™ 1076, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, N.Y.), phosphites (e.g., Irgafos™ 168, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, N.Y.), metal deactivators (e.g., Irganox™ D1024 from Ciba-Geigy Corp. of Tarrytown, N.Y.), and sulfides (e.g., Cyanox LTDP, commercially available from American Cyanamid Co. of Wayne, N.J.), light stabilizers (e.g., Cyasorb UV-531, commercially available from American Cyanamid Co. of Wayne, N.J.), and flame retardants such as halogenated paraffins (e.g., Bromoklor 50, commercially available from Ferro Corp. of Hammond, Ind.) and/or phosphorous containing organic compounds (e.g., Fyrol PCF and Phosflex 390, both commercially available from Akzo Nobel Chemicals Inc. of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.) and acid scavengers (e.g., DHT-4A, commercially available from Kyowa Chemical Industry Co. Ltd through Mitsui & Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, and hydrotalcite). Other suitable additives include colorants, biocides, tackifiers and the like described in “Additives for Plastics, Edition 1” published by D.A.T.A., Inc. and The International Plastics Selector, Inc., San Diego, Calif.

The hardness, stress relaxation, and tack may be measured using a Texture Technologies Texture Analyzer TA-XT2 commercially available from Texture Technologies Corp. of Scarsdale, N.Y., or like machines, having a five kilogram load cell to measure force, a 5 gram trigger, and ¼ inch (6.35 mm) stainless steel ball probe as described in Dubrow '300, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, for measuring the hardness of a gel a 60 mL glass vial with about 20 grams of gel, or alternately a stack of nine 2 inch×2 inch×⅛″ thick slabs of gel, is placed in the Texture Technologies Texture Analyzer and the probe is forced into the gel at the speed of 0.2 mm/sec to a penetration distance of 4.0 mm. The hardness of the gel is the force in grams, as recorded by a computer, required to force the probe at that speed to penetrate or deform the surface of the gel specified for 4.0 mm. Higher numbers signify harder gels. The data from the Texture Analyzer TA-XT2 may be analyzed on an IBM PC or like computer, running Microsystems Ltd, XT.RA Dimension Version 2.3 software.

The tack and stress relaxation are read from the stress curve generated when the XT.RA Dimension version 2.3 software automatically traces the force versus time curve experienced by the load cell when the penetration speed is 2.0 mm/second and the probe is forced into the gel a penetration distance of about 4.0 mm. The probe is held at 4.0 mm penetration for 1 minute and withdrawn at a speed of 2.00 mm/second. The stress relaxation is the ratio of the initial force (Fi) resisting the probe at the pre-set penetration depth minus the force resisting the probe (Ff) after 1 min divided by the initial force Fi, expressed as a percentage. That is, percent stress relaxation is equal to

where Fiand Ffare in grams. In other words, the stress relaxation is the ratio of the initial force minus the force after 1 minute over the initial force. It may be considered to be a measure of the ability of the gel to relax any induced compression placed on the gel. The tack may be considered to be the amount of force in grams resistance on the probe as it is pulled out of the gel when the probe is withdrawn at a speed of 2.0 mm/second from the preset penetration depth.

An alternative way to characterize the gels is by cone penetration parameters according to ASTM D-217 as proposed in Debbaut '261; Debbaut '207; Debbaut '746; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,057 to Debbaut et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Cone penetration (“CP”) values may range from about 70 (10−1mm) to about 400 (10−1mm). Harder gels may generally have CP values from about 70 (10−1mm) to about 120 (10−1mm). Softer gels may generally have CP values from about 200 (10−1mm) to about 400 (10−1mm), with particularly preferred range of from about 250 (10−1mm) to about 375 (10−1mm). For a particular materials system, a relationship between CP and Voland gram hardness can be developed as proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,646 to Dittmer et al.

According to some embodiments, the gel has a Voland hardness, as measured by a texture analyzer, of between about 5 and 100 grams force. The gel may have an elongation, as measured by ASTM D-638, of at least 55%. According to some embodiments, the elongation is of at least 100%. The gel may have a stress relaxation of less than 80%. The gel may have a tack greater than about 1 gram.

While, in accordance with some embodiments, the sealants50,52,54are gels as described above, other types of sealants may be employed. For example, the sealants50,52,54may be silicone grease or hydrocarbon-based grease.

The assembly100may be used in the following manner to form a splice connection assembly5, for example. The compression mechanisms140and the trigger mechanisms150are initially in their cocked positions. The cables20,30are prepared as needed. One or more splices may be formed between the cable20and the cable30. The cable20is placed in each sealant trough54A and the cable cutouts126A so that the cable20extends generally along a lengthwise cable passthrough axis D-D (FIG. 3) of each cable port104as shown inFIGS. 1 and 7. The installed portions of the cable20may be at least partially surrounded by the respective cable sealants54. The cable20may be pressed downwardly so that the cable20displaces the cable sealant54.

With the cable20thus partially installed, the top housing part110and the bottom housing part120can be relatively pivoted about the hinge102into the closed position. As discussed in more detail below, as the housing parts110,120are closed, the trigger mechanisms150may be triggered to actuate the associated compression mechanisms140. The operation of the two trigger mechanisms150and of the two compression mechanisms140can be substantially the same. Therefore, only one set of the mechanisms140,150will be discussed hereinbelow, it being appreciated that the discussion likewise applies to the other set of mechanisms140,150.

FIGS. 7 and 8show a closure sequence of the assembly100. Initially, the compression mechanism140and the trigger mechanism150are in a cocked or ready position as shown inFIG. 7. InFIG. 7, the assembly100is in an almost closed position. As the top housing part110is further closed onto the bottom housing part120, the actuator160impacts and is pushed upwardly (in a direction A;FIG. 8) toward the top housing part110by the trigger post166and against the bias of the actuator spring164to automatically trigger the trigger mechanism150and fire the compression mechanism140. More particularly, the arms162engage the ends of the latch subassembly152and force the latch subassembly152to laterally compress against the bias of the latch spring158(FIG. 5). This reduces the length of the latch assembly152, thereby permitting the tension force of the pre-loaded, wound spring144(which is anchored to the housing part110by the screw146) to draw the wound spring segment144B rearwardly (in a direction B;FIG. 8) against the push structure148C of the pressure member148. In this manner, the spring144is released to forcibly pivot or rotate (in a direction C;FIG. 8) the pressure member148into an extended position as shown inFIG. 8. The sealant52therein is thus forcibly applied to and about the portion of the cable20to provide a compressively loaded sealant seal about the cable portion.

The actuated compression mechanism may forcibly displace the sealant52and/or the sealant54to flow about the cable20. According to some embodiments, the sealants52,54are gels that are elastically displaced (and, according to some embodiments, elastically elongated) by the compressive loading. According to some embodiments, the compression member140forces the cable sealant52to flow about the cable20in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) or generally radial to the cable lengthwise axis A-A (FIG. 9). The spring144applies a compressive load to the cable sealant52via the pressure member148in a direction P (FIG. 8) inwardly towards the cable20and substantially transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the cable lengthwise axis A-A.

According to some embodiments, for example, as illustrated, the compression mechanism140is not fired (i.e., the force of the spring144is not exerted on the sealant52) until the assembly100is being applied to the cable20. According to some embodiments, for example, as illustrated, the compression mechanism140is not released until just before the housing parts110,120are completely closed and, according to some embodiments, such release is automatically actuated just prior to closure.

According to some embodiments, the spring144remains nonrelaxed once the housing parts110,120are closed so that the spring144continues to provide a persistent compressive load to the sealant52. That is, the spring144always maintains a positive pressure or load on the sealant52so long as the housing parts110,120are closed. Maintaining positive pressure in this manner may help to maintain the integrity of the seal even after plastic deformation of the cable20or the housing parts110,120, exudation of the sealant52,54, or the like. According to some embodiments, the compressive load on the cable20after the assembly100is fully closed is at least 10 KPa and, according to some embodiments, in the range of from about 10 to 70 KPa.

Once the housing parts110,130are closed, the clip108can be applied to the latch structures114,124to secure the assembly100in its closed position.

The closure of the assembly100may also provide a perimeter environmental seal. The perimeter seal is created by the sealant channel115, the perimeter sealant50and the perimeter flange125. As the housing parts110,130are closed, the flange125enters the channel115and displaces the sealant50. This perimeter seal may be maintained so long as the latch structures remain interlocked.

According to some embodiments, the sealant50is fluidly connected to the sealant52and/or the sealant54, at least after the compression mechanisms140have been released or fired to form the seals about the cable20. According to some embodiments, the sealant50is formed from a different material (e.g., a different type or composition of gel sealant) than the sealants52,54. According to some embodiments and as illustrated, the perimeter sealant50is only provided in one of the housing parts110,120while the cable sealing sealants52,54are provided in both housing parts110,120.

The assembly100may provide a reliable (and, in at least some embodiments, moisture-tight) seal between the assembly100and the cable20. The sealants52,54may accommodate cables of different sizes within a prescribed range. In particular, the adaptive and dynamic response or accommodation of the sealant systems130can enable the assembly100to effectively seal about a relatively large range of cable sizes.

When the sealant52,54is a gel and the compression feature120applies a compressive force to the sealant52,54, the gel is thereby elongated and is generally deformed and substantially conforms to the outer surface of the cable20and to the inner surfaces of the assembly100. Some shearing of the gel may occur as well. At least some of the gel deformation may be elastic. The restoring force in the gel resulting from this elastic deformation causes the gel to operate as a spring exerting an expansive force between the assembly100and the cable20.

Various properties of the gel, as described above, may ensure that the gel sealant52,54maintains a reliable and long lasting (and, in some cases, hermetic) seal between the assembly100and the cable20. The elastic memory and the retained or restoring force in the elongated, elastically deformed gel generally cause the gel to bear against the mating surfaces of the cable20and the assembly100. Also, the tack of the gel may provide adhesion between the gel and these surfaces. The gel, even though it may be cold-applied, is generally able to flow about the cable20and the assembly100to accommodate their irregular geometries. According to some embodiments, each sealant50,52,54is a self-healing or self-amalgamating gel.

With reference toFIGS. 10-18, an elongate member sealing or enclosure assembly200according to further embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The assembly200includes a top housing part210, a bottom housing part220, two upper masses of flowable cable sealant62, two lower masses of flowable cable sealant64, a flowable perimeter sealant60, and a latch clip208(FIG. 11) generally corresponding to the housing parts110,120, the sealant masses52,54,50, and the clip108, respectively, of the assembly100.

The assembly200includes a hinge mechanism202so that the housing parts210,220are relatively pivotable between an open position as shown inFIG. 10or15and a closed position as shown inFIGS. 11 and 16. In the closed position, the assembly200defines a chamber206(FIG. 16). Cable ports204(FIG. 11) communicate with the chamber206and the exterior of the assembly200. The assembly200may be used with a cable or cables20to form an enclosed cable assembly7(FIG. 11) to environmentally protect an opening formed in the jacket of the cable20, for example. The assembly200also includes a pair of cable sealing systems230. Each cable sealing system230includes a compression mechanism240, a trigger mechanism250, and a multi-part cable entry grommet system270.

With reference toFIG. 10, the top housing part210includes a body212, hinge structures213, a latch structure214(FIG. 12), a perimeter sealing channel215, compression mechanism mount structures216, grommet mount structures218, and pivot slots219(FIG. 10). Opposed cable cutouts218A are formed in the grommet mount structures218. The perimeter sealant60is disposed in the channel215. The compression mechanisms240and the trigger mechanisms250are secured in respective ones of the mount structures216.

The bottom housing part220includes a body222, hinge structures223, a latch structure224, a perimeter sealing flange225(FIG. 10), a pair of containment wall structures226, and grommet mount structures228. Opposed cable cutouts228A are formed in the grommet mount structures228. The hinge structures223mate with the hinge structures213to form the hinge mechanism202. The sealant masses64are disposed in cavities226A defined by the containment wall structures226. A preformed cable trough (not shown) may be formed in each gel mass64and generally aligned with the cutouts228A (FIG. 10). The latch structures214,224mate with the lock clip208to lock the assembly200in the closed position (FIG. 11).

The cable sealing systems230may be constructed in substantially the same manner and, therefore, one of the cable sealing systems230will be described in more detail hereinafter, it being appreciated that this description likewise applies to the other cable sealing system230.

The cable sealing system230includes a compression mechanism240, and a trigger mechanism250, and may include a grommet system270. The compression mechanism240, the trigger mechanism250and the grommet system270can cooperate to effectively form an environmental seal about the cable20.

The compression mechanism240includes a sealant driver or pressure member242, a biasing member244and a spring seat246(defined in the top housing part210;FIG. 15).

As seen inFIG. 13, the pressure member242defines a cavity242A and the sealant mass62is disposed in the sealant carrier cavity242A The pressure member242includes opposed pivot posts242B pivotally mounted in the slots219. The pressure member242further includes spring pivot posts242C and a latch locator post242D.

The biasing member244may be a spring of any suitable type, such as a coil spring as shown. The spring244includes a coiled segment244A, a bottom extension244B and a top extension244C.

The trigger mechanism250includes a latch pin252and a trigger post254(FIG. 10; formed on the bottom housing part220, for example). The latch pin252includes a hinge structure252A and a hook structure252B.

The pressure member242is pivotally secured to the top housing part210by engagement between the hinge posts242B and the hinge slots219. The latch pin252is pivotally coupled to the pressure member242by the spring bottom extension244B, which extends through each of the spring pivot posts242C and the latch pin hinge structure252A. In a ready or cocked position as shown inFIGS. 10,14and15, the top extension244C of the spring244is retained by the hook portion252B of the latch pin252. In this position, the latch pin252holds the spring244in a compressed condition (i.e., the extensions244B and244C are biased away from one another by the spring force).

The pressure member242and the latch pin252may be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the pressure member242is formed of a polymeric material. Suitable polymeric materials may include polypropylene and its derivatives, or polycarbonate, for example.

The spring244may be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the spring244is formed of a resilient metal. Suitable metals include stainless steel, spring steel, or spring phosphor bronzes, for example. Other suitable materials include polymeric spring materials.

The sealants60,62,64may be formed of materials as discussed above with regard to the sealants50,52,54.

The assembly200may be used in the following manner to form a splice connection assembly7(FIG. 11), for example. The compression mechanisms240and the trigger mechanisms250are initially in their cocked positions (FIGS. 14 and 15). The cable20is prepared as needed. The cable20is placed in each sealant mass64and the cable cutouts228A so that the cable20extends generally along a cable passthrough axis E-E (FIG. 12) of each cable port204as shown inFIGS. 10 and 15. The installed portions of the cable20may be at least partially surrounded by the respective cable sealants64. The cable20may be pressed downwardly so that the cable20displaces the cable sealant64.

With the cable20thus partially installed, the top housing part210and the bottom housing part220can be relatively pivoted about the hinge202into the closed position. As discussed in more detail below, as the housing parts210,220are closed, the trigger mechanisms250may be triggered to actuate the associated compression mechanisms240. The operation of the trigger mechanisms250and of the two compression mechanisms240can be substantially the same. Therefore, only one set of the mechanisms240,250will be discussed hereinbelow, it being appreciated that the discussion likewise applies to the other set of mechanisms240,250.

FIGS. 15 and 16show a closure sequence of the assembly200. Initially, the compression mechanism240and the trigger mechanism250are in a cocked or ready position as shown inFIG. 15. As the top housing part210approaches the bottom housing part220, the coiled segment244A of the spring244impacts and is pushed upwardly (in a direction U;FIG. 15) toward the top housing part210by the trigger post254. This causes the spring244to pivot upwardly (in a direction GFIG. 15) about the posts242B. Because rotation of the latch pin252is limited by the latch locator post242C, continued rotation of the spring244forces the spring extension rearward and free of the hook portion252B. The spring244is thereby released and permitted to expand such that the top extension244C seats in the seat246and the spring force (reacting against the top housing part210), pushes downwardly (in a direction H;FIG. 16) on the pressure member242via the pivot posts242C and into an extended position as shown inFIG. 16. The sealant62in the sealant carrier is thus forcibly applied to and about the portion of the cable20to provide a compressively loaded sealant seal about the cable portion.

The actuated compression mechanism240may forcibly displace the sealant62and/or the sealant64to flow about the cable20. According to some embodiments, the sealants62,64are gels that are elastically elongated by the compressive loading. According to some embodiments, the compression member240forces the cable sealant62to flow about the cable20in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) or generally radial to the cable lengthwise axis A-A (FIG. 9). The pressure member242applies a compressive load via the pressure member242to the cable sealant62in a direction Q (FIG. 16) toward the cable20and substantially transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the cable lengthwise axis A-A.

Once the housing parts210,230are closed, the clip208can be applied to the latch structures214,224to secure the assembly200in its closed position.

The closure of the assembly100also may provide a perimeter environmental seal by the sealant channel215, the perimeter sealant60and the perimeter flange225.

The sealing systems230may provide the various advantages and be configured to function as discussed above with regard to the sealing systems130and the assembly100. For example, according to some embodiments, the trigger mechanisms250are automatically actuated upon or just prior to complete closing of the housing parts210,220, and the springs244maintain a positive pressure or load on the sealant62after the assembly100is closed.

The cable entry grommet systems270may enhance the operation of the compression mechanisms240. The grommet systems270may be constructed in substantially the same manner and, therefore, one of the grommet systems270will be described in more detail hereinafter, it being appreciated that this description likewise applies to the other grommet system270.

With reference toFIGS. 17 and 18, the grommet system270includes two sets of top and bottom grommets272,274axially spaced apart along the cable passthrough axis E-E. Each top grommet272is seated in a corresponding grommet mount structure218and each bottom grommet274is seated in a corresponding grommet mount structure228. The top and bottom grommets272,274of each set are generally vertically opposed as shown inFIG. 17.

Each top grommet272includes a plurality of resilient fingers or flaps272A defining a semi-circular opening272B. Each top grommet272also includes an extension arm272C. Each bottom grommet274includes a plurality of resilient fingers274A defining a semi-circular opening274B. Each bottom grommet274also includes an extension arm274C. The extension arms272C,274C are asymmetrically, inversely positioned.

In use, the cable20is laid into the bottom grommets274when being installed in the sealant masses64. As the housing parts210,220are closed, the associated top and bottom grommets272,274of a set collectively surround the cable20and progressively matingly overlap one another as shown inFIG. 18. The flaps272A,274A deform to conform to the cable20. The extension arms272C,274C begin to overlap before the housing parts210,220are fully closed in order to ensure that the grommets are properly positioned about the cable20to retain the sealant62,64once the sealant62,64is loaded by the housing parts210,220and/or the compression mechanism240. According to some embodiments, the top and bottom grommets272,274overlap prior to triggering of the compression mechanism240by the triggering mechanism250when the housing parts210,220are closed.

The grommet system270can form dams about the cable20to prevent or inhibit the sealant52,54from exuding out of the sealing region. The grommets272,274may be configured and positioned so that the sealant52,54is well-contained before the associated compression mechanism240is actuated. If not well-contained, the sealant52,54may be forced out through openings when the spring force is applied. According to some embodiments, the grommets272,274fully or effectively enclose or seal off any openings about the cable20to the sealant before the spring force is released. According to some embodiments, the grommets272,274fully or effectively enclose or seal off any openings about the cable20before the housing parts210,220are fully closed.

A single size of grommets272,274may perform the foregoing effective sealing functions for an extended range of cable sizes.

According to some embodiments, and as illustrated, the flexible flaps272A,274A are positioned and angled or tapered inwardly (i.e., axially toward the sealant54) to further mechanically resist exudation of the sealant52,54when the sealant52,54is loaded by the spring244.

The grommets272,274may be formed of any suitable material. According to some embodiments, the grommets272,274are formed of a polymeric material. According to some embodiments, the grommets272,274are formed of an elastomeric material. Suitable materials may include rubber, silicone rubber, injection molded rubbers, or low density polyethylene, for example.

The cable sealing system230, and particularly the grommet system270may enable relatively high compression loading of the sealants62,64while also limiting egress of the sealant sealants62,64from the sealant cavities226A,242A or the assembly200.

While cables20having optical fibers28as transmission media have been disclosed herein, according to further embodiments, cables having other types of transmission media (e.g., electrical conductors formed of copper or other metal) may be used. Cables without such transmission media or other elongate members may be used.