Patent EA-000260-B1 (EA)
Title: Method and device for installing cables
Inventor: GRIFFIOEN WILLEM
IPC: G02B6/46
Filed: 1996-07-23
Abstract: 1. Method of installing a cable (2), in a cable duct comprising duct sections (6a, 6b, 6c), by means of at least one installation device (la; Ib; Ic) comprising mechanical means for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2), said method comprising the steps of: placing an installation device (e.g. Ic) at one end of a duct section (6c), passing fluid through the duct (6) from a fluid inlet (e.g. at Ic) spaced apart from the installation device (Ic), energizing the installation device (Ic) by fluid passed through the duct (6), and passing at least one cable (2) through the duct (6) by means of the installation device (Ic), wherein the installation device (Ic) is energized by fluid passed through the duct (6). 2. Method according to Claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet is arranged in another installation device (e.g. Ia). 3. Method according to Claim 1, wherein the fluid inlet is arranged in the duct (e.g. at 6a). 4. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein a plurality of installation devices (e.g. Ib, Ic) is energized by fluid fed through the duct (6), said fluid being provided by a single fluid source (4). 5. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the mechanical means for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2) comprise wheels (20) and a motor (30). 6. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the fluid and the cable (2) are passed through the same duct section (Fig 1: 6b) and in the same direction ( -> and -> ). 7. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the fluid and the cable are passed through the same duct section (Fig. 2. 6a) and in opposite directions ( <- and -> ). 8. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the cable duct (6) comprises at least two substantially parallel duct sections, and wherein a cable (2) is passed through a first duct section and fluid is passed through a second, parallel duct section, an installation device (1) placed at one end of a first duct section being energized by fluid passed through the second duct section. 9. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the cable (2) is provided with a shuttle (50) which substantially closes off the duct (6). 10. Method according to any of the Claims 1 through 9, wherein the cable (2) is provided with a semi-open shuttle which only partially closes off the duct. 11. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the cable (2) comprises optical fibers. 12. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the cable (2) comprises copper conductors. 13. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein the fluid is compressed air. 14. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein a downstream end (7) of the duct, with respect to the fluid transport direction ( -> ), has an open exhaust. 15. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein a downstream end (7) of the duct, with respect to the fluid transport direction ( -> ), has an at least partially closed exhaust. 16. Method according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein at least two cables are installed simultaneous1y. 17. Device (1) for installing cables, the device comprising: a receiving part (10) for receiving a cable (2), a drive part (11) provided with mechanical means (20, 30) for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2), and an insertion part (12) for inserting the cable (2) in a duct section (e g. 6a), characterized in that comprises means (15, 16, 17, 18) for passing the fluid from the first section (e g 6a) to the second section (e g 6b)and to the driving part (11) for energizing. 18. Device according to Claim 17, wherein the drive part (11) is integral with the receiving part (10). 19. Device according to Claim 17 or 18, wherein the drive part (11) is integral with the insertion part (12). 20. Device according to Claim 17, 18 or 19, provided with a guide tube (40) for guiding the cable (2) and fluid through the device (1). 21. Device according to Claim 20, wherein the guide tube (40) is provided with perforations (42, 43, 44) for gradually pressurizing the device. 22 Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 21, further comprising bypass means (15, 16, 17) for feeding pressurized fluid from the receiving part (10) to the insertion (12) part or vice versa. 23. Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 22, wherein the mechanical means for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2) comprises drive wheels (20, 29). 24. Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 23, wherein the mechanical means for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2) comprises a caterpillar. 25. Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 24, further provided with pneumatic means (31), connected with the mechanical means (20, 30) for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2), so as to press said mechanical means (20) against the cable (2). 26. Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 25, wherein the mechanical means (20, 30) for exerting a propelling force on the cable (2) comprise a pneumatic motor (30). 27. Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 26, further provided with an open exhaust (19) for bleeding excess fluid. 28. Device according to any of the Claims 17 through 27, further provided with valves (25, 26, 27, 28) to control the operation of the device (1).