Patent Publication Number: US-2023135895-A1

Title: Device and method for separating wires and sealing a conduit

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure relates generally to sealing a conduit containing wires. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sealing a conduit is desired in hazardous locations and to mitigate airflow through the conduit due to temperature or pressure gradients. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments of a device for positioning cables and sealing a conduit, the device comprises a cable-separating component, wherein the cable-separating component includes a body, wherein the body is configured with removable portions, wherein when the removable portions are removed from the body, the body has a notch, wherein the notch is configured (e.g., shaped) to secure a cable; and a nozzle, wherein the nozzle includes a body, wherein the body defines a tubular channel, a first end, and a second end, wherein the second end is opposite the first end along the body, wherein the second end is connected to the cable-separating component such that the tubular channel continues entirely through the body of the cable-separating component. 
     In some embodiments, the device further comprises a second cable-separating component, wherein the second cable-separating component is connected to the cable-separating component, wherein the second cable-separating component includes a second body, wherein the second body is configured with another removable portions, wherein when the another removable portions are removed from the second body, the second body has a second notch, wherein the second notch is configured to secure the cable. 
     In some embodiments, the device further comprises at least one strut, wherein the second cable-separating component is connected to the cable-separating component via the at least one strut. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the cable-separating component and the second cable-separating component are made of a different material than the nozzle. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the cable-separating component and the second cable-separating component comprise a polymer. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the cable-separating component and the second cable-separating component are flexible with a durometer range of about 40 Shore A to about 100 Shore A. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the removable portions include multiple knockout portions for each notch, wherein the multiple knockout portions can be successively removed to progressively enlarge the notch. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the cable-separating component tapers downwards and away from the nozzle. 
     In some embodiments of the device, a longitudinal centerline of the nozzle extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the device. 
     In some embodiments of the device, the nozzle is corrugated. 
     In some embodiments, a method of installing a device for separating cables and sealing a conduit comprises placing the device in the conduit; connecting the cables to a cable-separating component of the device; moving the device to a desired position within the conduit; and delivering a sealant to the device, thereby sealing the device to the conduit. 
     In some embodiments of the method, the cable-separating component includes a body, wherein the body is configured with removable portions, and further comprising removing the removable portions from the body to form notches on the body. 
     In some embodiments of the method, connecting the cables to the cable-separating component of the device comprises placing the cables in the notches. 
     In some embodiments of the method, the cable-separating component includes a body, wherein the body is configured with notches and removable portions to enlarge the notches, and wherein connecting the cables to the cable-separating component of the device comprises placing the cables in the notches. 
     In some embodiments of the method, placing the cables in the notches comprises leaving the removable portions attached to the body. 
     In some embodiments of the method, delivering the sealant to the device comprises delivering the sealant to the device via a nozzle of the device. 
     In some embodiments of the method, delivering the sealant to the device comprises delivering an irritant. 
     In some embodiments of the method, delivering the sealant to the device comprises delivering a foamed polymer. 
     In some embodiments of the method, moving the device to the desired position within the conduit comprises sliding the device longitudinally along the conduit and away from an opening of the conduit. 
     In some embodiments of the method, the method comprises delivering the sealant to the device after moving the device to the desired position within the conduit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       References are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this disclosure and that illustrate embodiments in which the systems and methods described in this Specification can be practiced. 
         FIG.  1    shows an embodiment of an insert device. 
         FIG.  2    shows another embodiment of an insert device. 
         FIG.  3 A  shows an embodiment of a component of an insert device. 
         FIG.  3 B  shows an exemplary notch portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG.  3 A . 
         FIG.  4    shows an embodiment of a notch portion. 
         FIG.  5    shows an embodiment of a component of an insert device. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  show different views of an embodiment of an insert device. 
         FIG.  7    shows a flowchart for a method according to some of the embodiments. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers represent the same or similar parts throughout. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Conduits will sometimes need to be sealed in certain conditions. These conditions include hazardous locations or environments that need to mitigate effects of airflow in conduits due to temperature or pressure gradients. Conduit seals can be used to provide seals in hazardous locations to quarantine potentially explosive liquids or vapors from sparking equipment. Conduit seals can also mitigate heating or cooling requirements, as well as condensation. In addition, conduit seals can limit ingress of rodents or other pests into buildings or other facilities. 
     Existing methods of sealing conduits require significant time and material costs to prepare a seal. Due to difficulty separating wires, installation need to be attempted more than once to achieve desired sealing effect. Temperature effects may also reduce adhesion between the filler compound and the conduit walls. Some methods require fiber dams, such as strips of foam or other materials, inside the conduit to entrap sealant prior to curing. Significant time and effort are often required as the wires must be pulled and adjusted twice to achieve confidence that the wires are separated from each other, due to common long lengths of conduit runs. This step can alone occupy multiple people and much of the time to prepare the seal. Also, slippage of the foam strips along the wires is expected as the wires are pulled in the conduit to adjust for proper distance between foam strips. Lastly, one is not expected to have a high level of confidence of injected foam fill, due to compliance of foam strips (due at least in part to lack of visual inspection and lack of access). 
     The present disclosure offers a device that fits inside a conduit, which separates cables (e.g., conductors such as wires) from each other as well as from conduit walls. The device can be easily inserted into a conduit from inside a conduit body. In some examples, the insert has two planes which inhibit a fluid (e.g., an injected foam) from freely passing, as well as a nozzle, allowing for precise injection of fluid into the space between the two planes. In this way, an installer has a quick, reliable and repeatable manner to provide for an internal conduit seal against passage of fluids or pests. In addition, this method does not require large scale movement of cables in the conduit (common wiggling of the cables can be used), so that only a single installer is needed. After the device is inserted into place in the conduit, a sealant can be delivered to the device (e.g., via a nozzle, if present) to provide a conduit seal. In some examples, only the nozzle of the device is visible from the conduit opening when delivering the sealant to the device. 
     The present disclosure applies to commercial and industrial applications. The present disclosure can be used in applications that demand or desire sealing of a conduit. These applications include explosive environments or food &amp; beverage facilities, for instance. A general application of the present disclosure includes a conduit system that needs to be sealed, such as a conduit system passing from one environment to another. The device of the present disclosure teaches a cable-separating component for sealing of a conduit for mitigation of fluid conveyance along the inside of conduit. The present disclosure presents a number of benefits including: reduction in part count compared to known solutions; reduction in worktime to create a seal in the conduit (reduction in workers needed as well); reduction in installer variations and errors for creating sealed interface; retrofit ready (cables do not need to be moved as in current solutions); reliable performance; improved adhesion to conduit walls (compared to brittle, hazardous location-solution); and reduced shock/fracture effects (compared to brittle, hazardous location-solution). 
       FIG.  1    displays a device  100  for positioning cables (e.g., wires) and sealing a conduit, according to some embodiments. The device  100  includes a cable-separating component  102  and a nozzle  110 . The cable-separating component  102  has a first end  106  and a second end  108 . The first end  106  is opposite the second end  108  along the body of the cable-separating component  102 . As shown in  FIG.  1   , the cable-separating component  102  is connected to the nozzle  110 . Although the description is directed towards positioning cables, the device can be used to position a variety of conduits and other components (e.g., rope, multiple wires inside a sheath, or fiberglass cable). 
     The body of the cable-separating component  102  has removable portions  104 - a ,  104 - b ,  104 - c ,  104 - d ,  104 - e , and  104 - f  (collectively referred to as the removable portions  104 ). When the removable portions  104  are removed from the body of the cable-separating component  102 , the body has notches configured to secure a cable (See  FIG.  3 A ,  FIG.  3 B ,  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5    for examples and further discussion of the removable portions  104  with respect to the cable-separating component  102  with notches). 
     In some embodiments, the cable-separating component  102  tapers downwards and away from the nozzle  110 . Stated another way, the diameter for the first end  106  is greater than the diameter for the second end  108 ; the body reduces in diameter from the first end  106  to the second end  108 . The cable-separating component  102  has a tapered edge to further ease insertion of the cable-separating component  102 , and the device  100  as a whole, into the conduit. The cable-separating component  102  can also be flexible to accommodate wide range of conduit sizes. 
     The nozzle  110  has a body that defines a tubular channel  116 . The nozzle  110  includes a first end  112  and a second end  114 . The second end  114  is opposite the first end  112  along the body of the nozzle  110 . The second end  114  of the nozzle  110  connects to the first end  106  of the cable-separating component  102 . The tubular channel  116  of the nozzle  110  extends from the first end  112  and connects to a tubular channel (not shown) of the cable-separating component  102 . The tubular channel of the cable-separating component  102  extends from the first end  106  to the second end  108 . The tubular channel  116  of the nozzle  110  and the tubular channel of the cable-separating component  102  form a continuous channel from the nozzle opening  118  to the second end  108  of the cable-separating component  102 . Stated another way, the second end  114  of the nozzle  110  is connected to the cable-separating component  102  such that the tubular channel  116  continues entirely through the body of the cable-separating component  102 . 
     The first end  112  of the nozzle  110  includes a nozzle opening  118 . The tubular channel  116  can be accessed by the nozzle opening  118 . A fluid can flow from the nozzle opening  118  through the continuous channel formed by the nozzle  110  and cable-separating component  102  to an exterior space adjacent to the second end  108  of the cable-separating component  102 . In some examples, a longitudinal centerline of the nozzle  110  extends substantially parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the device  100 . 
     A user can remove a portion or all of the removable portions  104 . With a newly created notch by removing the removable portions  104  or a pre-existing notch, a user can connect the cables to the device  100 . After the cables are connected to the device  100  and placed in the notches, the device  100  can be placed in the conduit and slid into a desired location. For example, moving the device to the desired position within the conduit comprises sliding the device  100  longitudinally along the conduit and away from the nozzle opening  118  of the conduit. After the device  100  is in place in the conduit, a sealant or other fluid can be delivered to the device  100  (via the nozzle opening  118 , if the nozzle  110  is present). The sealant can form a seal to the conduit and prevent flow of a fluid in the conduit. 
     In some examples, the sealant is polyurethane or silicone. In some examples, delivering the sealant to the device  100  comprises delivering a foamed polymer. In some embodiments, additives can be added to the sealant to improve the qualities of the sealant, including but not limited to the UV resistance, antimicrobial, conductivity, mechanical and thermal stability, chemical resistance, insulation property and flammability. The additives can include, but are not limited to, ceramics, alumina, calcium silicate, flame retardants, expandable graphite and clays. Blowing agents can also be added to the formulation to achieve foaming structures. Possible blowing agents may be ammonium polyphosphate, melamine phosphate, urea, urea-formaldehyde resins, dicyandiamide, melamine or glycine. The additives may be in the range of 0% to 50%, or any intervening number or a smaller range within 0% to 50%, by mass in the device  100 . For example, the additives in the device  100  may be about 12% by mass or from about 15% to about 25%. Besides a sealant, other fluids or materials can be delivered to the device  100 . For example, metal or other filler can be delivered to the device  100  to resist rodents or other pests. 
     The device  100  can be made of a single material. Alternatively, some components of the device can be made of different materials. For example, the cable-separating component  102  and the nozzle  110  can be made of a different material than one another. In some embodiments, the device  100  is injection molded via thermoplastic materials, compression (compression or transfer molding) molded via thermoset materials or potted. The present disclosure provides for the device  100  to include materials such as thermosetting plastics, silicone rubber gels, or epoxy resins. 
     Examples of thermoplastic materials that may be used include one or more polymer composite materials, including but not limited to polyolefins, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, acetal and ketal based polymers and copolymers, polyesters (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate), polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyether sulfone (PESU), polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polysulfone, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Other polymers can also be implemented, including but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphthalamide (PPA), polyoxymethylene (POM), phenolformaldehyd (PF), unsaturated polyester (UP), polyurethane (PUR and PU), polyimide, polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile and polyalkylene paraoxybenzoate. 
     Examples of thermoset materials include but are not limited to epoxies, polyester, such as polyester bulk molding compounds (BMC), and phenolics. Rubbers, such as nitril rubbers, butyl rubbers, neoprene, EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), and silicone can also be used. The thermoset materials, including rubbers, can be used in a potted process. 
     In some embodiments, the material of the device  100  can include a variety of types of fibers, including but not limited to carbon fiber, glass fiber, wool, silk, cotton, rayon, cellulose, cellulose acetate, flax, ramie, jute and aramid fibers. For example, the device  100  can made of a polymeric composite with wool. 
     In some embodiments, additives can be added to the materials of the device  100  to improve the qualities of the materials, including but not limited to the UV resistance, antimicrobial, conductivity, mechanical and thermal stability, chemical resistance, insulation property and flammability. The additives can include, but are not limited to, ceramics, alumina, calcium silicate, flame retardants, expandable graphite and clays. Blowing agents can also be added to the formulation to achieve foaming structures. Possible blowing agents may be ammonium polyphosphate, melamine phosphate, urea, urea-formaldehyde resins, dicyandiamide, melamine or glycine. The additives may be in the range of 0% to 50%, or any intervening number or a smaller range within 0% to 50%, by mass in the device  100 . For example, the additives in the device  100  may be about 12% by mass or from about 15% to about 25%. 
     The device  100  may need to be rigid or flexible depending on the shape of the conduit and environmental conditions. In some examples, the device  100  can have a durometer range of about 40 Shore A to about 100 Shore A, or any intervening number. For example, the device  100  can have a durometer range of about 50 Shore A to about 70 Shore A. 
     The device  100  may have a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the conduit, to achieve a proper seal. Although the cross-sectional shape of the device  100  is shown as cylindrical, other geometries (e.g., triangular or hexagonal) may be used. The geometry of the device  100  may be symmetrical or non-symmetrical. Components of the device  100  may have different geometries from one another. The geometries of the notches of the removable portions  104 , the removable portions  104 , the cable-separating component  102 , and the nozzle  110  may have some, all or no matching geometries. For example, the nozzle  110  may be corrugated on an interior or exterior surface, and the cable-separating component  102  may be smooth. As another example, the removable portions  104  may have an oval-shaped cross-section and the cable-separating component  102  may have a circular cross-section. 
       FIG.  2    displays a device  200  for positioning cables and sealing a conduit, according to some embodiments.  FIG.  2    displays an embodiment for a device with an additional cable-separating component, a second cable-separating component  220 . For certain features, the device  200  is the same or similar to the device  100 . Accordingly, similar reference numbers are used. For example,  FIG.  1    describes the nozzle  110 ;  FIG.  2    describes a nozzle  210 . Some of the differences between the device  100  and the device  200  are discussed. However, it will be appreciated that other differences may exist without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  2    displays the device  200  for positioning cables and sealing a conduit. The device  200  includes a first cable-separating component  202  with removable portions  204 - a ,  204 - b ,  204 - c ,  204 - d ,  204 - e , and  204 - f  (collectively referred to as removable portions  204 ). The first cable-separating component  202  has a first end  206  and a second end  208 . The first cable-separating component  202  is connected to the nozzle  210  as shown in  FIG.  2   . The nozzle  210  has a body that defines a tubular channel  216 . The nozzle  210  includes a first end  212  and a second end  214 . The first end  212  of the nozzle  210  includes a nozzle opening  218 . 
     In comparison to the device  100 , the device  200  includes the second cable-separating component  220  and a strut  230 - a , a strut  230 - b , and a strut  230 - c  (collectively, struts  230 ). In some examples, the second cable-separating component  220  is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first cable-separating component  202  and/or cable-separating component  102 . The second cable-separating component  220  includes the removable portions  222 - a ,  222 - b ,  222 - c ,  222 - d ,  222 - e , and  222 - f  (collectively referred to as the removable portions  222 ; the removable portions  222 - a ,  222 - b , and  222 - c  are visible in  FIG.  2   ; the removable portions  222 - d ,  222 - e , and  222 - f  are present but not visible from the view of  FIG.  2   ). In some examples, the removable portions  104 ,  204 , and  222  are the same or substantially similar to one another. 
     The struts  230  connect the first cable-separating component  202  to the second cable-separating component  220 . Although the embodiment depicted in  FIG.  2    displays three struts  230 , there may be one or more struts  230  connecting the first cable-separating component  202  to the second cable-separating component  220 . For example, there may be one strut  230  or ten struts  230 . The struts  230  can be of the same material or a different material than the other components of the device  200 . For example, the struts  230  may be made of a different material (e.g., more or less rigid) than the first cable-separating component  202  and/or the second cable-separating component  220 . The struts can also differ from one another (e.g., shape, size, and material). There can be a combination of the struts  230  that are the same and different from one another. 
     The length of the struts  230  determines a volume that is defined between the first cable-separating component  202  and the second cable-separating component  220 . The first cable-separating component  202  and the second cable-separating component  220  can contain a sealant delivered via the nozzle  210 . By increasing the length of the struts  230 , the volume occupied between the first cable-separating component  202  and the second cable-separating component  220  will be greater. Likewise, by decreasing the length of the struts  230 , the volume occupied between the first cable-separating component  202  and the second cable-separating component  220  will decrease. Depending on the application of the device  200 , the amount of sealant that is delivered to the device  200  may need to change. When a large amount of sealant needs to be delivered, the volume defined by the first cable-separating component  202  and the second cable-separating component  220  may need to be sized accordingly and be large also. Consequently, the struts  230  will need to be long to create a large volume for the sealant. Similarly, when a small amount of sealant is need, the struts  230  can be shorter. 
     In some embodiments, the device  100  and the device  200  are one integral piece. That is, the device  100  and the device  200  can be made of a one-piece construction. In some embodiments, the device can include an additional cable-separating component, similar to the second cable-separating component  220 , and additional struts, similar to the struts  230 , to create additional volumes for sealant. These additional struts and cable separating components would be added to the device  200  in a similar manner as the struts  230  and the second cable-separating component  220  were added to the device  100 . In some embodiments, the device  200  may not include the struts  230 . That is, the device  200  only includes the first cable-separating component  202 , the nozzle  210 , and the second cable-separating component  220 . 
       FIG.  3 A  displays a cable-separating component  300 , according to some of the embodiments. The cable-separating component  300  includes removable portions  302 - a ,  302 - b ,  302 - c ,  302 - d ,  302 - e , and  302 - f  (collectively referred to as removable portions  302 ). In some examples, the cable-separating component  300  is the same or similar to the cable-separating component  102 , the first cable-separating component  202 , and/or the second cable-separating component  220 . In some examples, the removable portions  104 ,  204 ,  222 , and  302  are the same or substantially similar to one another.  FIG.  3 A  displays six removable portions  302 . In some embodiments, there can be one or more removable portions  302 . For example, there can be one removable portion  302  or ten removable portions  302 . The removable portions  302  do not have to be symmetrically placed around the cable-separating component  300 . For example, the removable portions  302  can be grouped on one half of the cable-separating component  300 . 
     Although  FIG.  3 A  depicts the removable portions  302  as all being the same, the removable portions  302  can also differ from one another. For example, the removable portions  302  can have different shapes and sizes from one another. In one cable-separating component  300 , the removable portions  302  can be all the same or all different. The cable-separating component  300  can also have removable portions  302  that are the same and different. For example, two removable portions  302  may match, and there may be two additional removable portions  302  that do not match any of the other removable portions  302 . In some embodiments, the cable-separating component  300  may not include the removable portions  302 . Instead, a user can create notches with a tool. 
       FIG.  3 B  displays a detailed section of the removable portion  302 - c  in  FIG.  3 A . The removable portion  302 - c  includes a first knockout portion  304 - c   1  defined by a first weakened portion  306 - c   1 , a second knockout portion  304 - c   2  defined by a second weakened portion  306 - c   2 , and a third knockout portion  304 - c   3  defined by a third weakened portion  306 - c   3 . 
     The first weakened portion  306 - c   1 , the second weakened portion  306 - c   2 , and the third weakened portion  306 - c   3  (collectively, the weakened portions  306 - c ) are weakened portions of the removable portion  302 - c . The weakened portions  306 - c  can be used to enable removal of the first knockout portion  304 - c   1 , the second knockout portion  304 - c   2 , and the third knockout portion  304 - c   3 , respectively (collectively, the knockout portions  304 - c ). 
     The weakened portions  306 - c  can be accomplished by a variety of different means. For example, the weakened portions  306 - c  can be a portion of the removable portion  302 - c  with a reduced amount of material. Stated another way, the weakened portions  306 - c  can have a reduced cross-sectional width relative to other portions of the removable portion  302 - c . In other examples, the weakened portions  306 - c  can also, or alternatively, be perforated. These two examples are not exhaustive and other means can be used to ease the knockout portions  304 - c  removal from the removable portion  302 - c.    
     The knockout portions  304 - c  and the weakened portions  306 - c  can have a variety of shapes/geometries and sizes. Similar to the description of the removable portions  302 , knockout portions  304 - c  and the weakened portions  306 - c  can all be the same, all be different, or some different and some the same. For example, the first weakened portion  306 - c   1  can have a size of 14 American Wire Gauge (AWG), the second weakened portion  306 - c   2  can have a size of 10 AWG, and the third weakened portion  306 - c   3  can have a size of 6 AWG. 
       FIG.  3 B  display three knockout portions  304 - c  and three weakened portions  306 - c . However, depending on the application, the removable portion  302 - c  can have one or more knockout portions  304 - c  and weakened portions  306 - c . For example, there can be one knockout portion  304 - c  or ten knockout portions  304 - c.    
       FIG.  4    displays a removable portion  402 - c , according to some of the embodiments. For certain features, the removable portion  402 - c  is the same or similar to the removable portion  302 - c  and the removable portions  104 ,  204 , and  222 .  FIG.  4    displays the removable portion  402 - c , which is the removable portion  302 - c  after the first knockout portion  304 - c   1  has been removed. Accordingly, similar reference numbers are used. For example,  FIG.  3 B  describes the third knockout portion  304 - c   3 ;  FIG.  4    describes a third knockout portion  404 - c   3 . Some of the differences between the removable portion  302 - c  and the removable portion  402 - c  are discussed. That is, the removable portion  402 - c  is missing a knockout portion and instead has a notch  408 - c . It will be appreciated that other differences may exist without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The removable portion  402 - c  includes the notch  408 - c  (after having a first knockout portion removed; the first knockout portion is not shown since it has been removed), a second knockout portion  404 - c   2  defined by a second weakened portion  406 - c   2 , and a third knockout portion  404 - c   3  defined by a third weakened portion  406 - c   3 . For  FIG.  4   , the notch  408 - c  was formed by removing a knockout portion. In some examples, the notch  408 - c  can be pre-formed and also have one or more knockout portions (e.g., the second knockout portion  404 - c   2  and the third knockout portion  404 - c   3  around the notch  408 - c ). Stated another way, instead of removing a knockout portion to form a notch, there may be a pre-existing notch (e.g., the notch  408 - c ) and knockout portions (e.g., the second knockout portion  404 - c   2  and the third knockout portion  404 - c   3 ) surrounding the preexisting notch (e.g., the notch  408 - c ). 
     In some examples, there may not be the second knockout portion  404 - c   2 , the third knockout portion  404 - c   3 , the second weakened portion  406 - c   2 , and the third weakened portion  406 - c   3 , only the notch  408 - c  exists in the removable portion  402 - c . The notch  408 - c  may be preexisting, a user may have made it with a tool, or a user may have removed a single knockout portion. A user may then further enlarge the removable portion  402 - c  with a tool. 
     Depending on user specifications, the size of the notch  408 - c  may need to be varied. The smallest knockout portion (e.g., the second knockout portion  404 - c   2 ) can be removed for smaller wire, and progressively more portions of the removable portion  402 - c  may be removed for greater wire sizes. Also, if fewer numbers of cables are used, then removable portions (e.g., the removable portion  402 - c ) may be allowed to be unaltered. 
     With regards to  FIG.  4   , multiple knockout portions (e.g., second knockout portion  404 - c   2  and/or third knockout portion  404 - c   3 ) can be successively removed to progressively enlarge the notch  408 - c . The second knockout portion  404 - c   2  and third knockout portion  404 - c   3  can be successively removed to progressively enlarge the notch  408 - c . For example, a cable may be larger than size of the notch  408 - c . In order to accommodate the larger cable, the second knockout portion  404 - c   2  can be removed from the removable portion  402 - c  to increase the size of notch  408 - c . If the notch is still not large enough for the cable, the third knockout portion  404 - c   3  can be removed to further increase the size of the notch  408 - c.    
       FIG.  5    displays a cable-separating component  500 , according to some of the embodiments. The cable-separating component  500  includes removable portions  502 - a ,  502 - b ,  502 - c ,  502 - d ,  502 - e , and  502 - f  (collectively referred to as removable portions  502 ). Cable-separating component  500  is the same or similar to the cable-separating component  102 , the first cable-separating component  202 , the second cable-separating component  220 , and/or the cable-separating component  300 . Some of the differences are discussed. It will be appreciated that other differences may exist without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Removable portion  502 - a  includes one weakened portion, one knockout portion, and one notch. Removable portion  502 - d  includes two weakened portions, two knockout portions, and one notch. Removable portions  502 - b ,  502 - c ,  502 - e , and  502 - f  include three weakened portions three knockout portions, and no notch. The notches for the removable portion  502 - a  and  502 - d  can be pre-formed. That is, the cable-separating component  500  can be manufactured to have pre-existing notches, and the notches can be present when provided to a user. In contrast, a user may have removed have knockout portions to reveal the notches for the removable portion  502 - a  and  502 - d.    
       FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  depict the same exemplary embodiment from different perspectives.  FIG.  6 A  depicts the nozzle of the device, the first cable-separating component, and the struts.  FIG.  6 B  depicts almost the whole device, including the first and second cable-separating component, the struts, and part of the nozzle. 
       FIG.  7    shows an exemplary flowchart for a method  700  according to some of the embodiments of the methods for installing the device  100  for separating cables and sealing a conduit. The device  100  can be any of the embodiments as described herein. The method  700  includes placing  702  the device, according to any of the embodiments described herein, in the conduit. Then, connecting  704  the cables to a cable-separating component of the device. The dashed line for step  704  indicates that the step is optional. In some embodiments, no cables are connected to the device and the device is used to seal a conduit. The method  700  includes moving  708  the device to a desired position within the conduit. Then, delivering  710  a sealant to the device, thereby sealing the device to the conduit. 
     In some embodiments, before connecting  704  the cables to a cable-separating component of the device, the method  700  includes removing the removable portions from the body to form notches on the body. In some embodiments, connecting the cables to the cable-separating component of the device comprises placing the cables in the notches. In some embodiments there may be pre-existing notches as well as removable portions in the device, placing the cables in the notches may or may not include removing the removable portions. For example, the device may include two preexisting notches and two removable portions, depending on the size and number of cables, the preexisting notches and removable portions may or may not be used. If the removable portions are not removed, the removable portions can stay attached to the body of the cable-separating component. 
     The terminology used herein is intended to describe embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms as well, unless clearly indicated otherwise. The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this Specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components. 
     It is to be understood that changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of the construction materials employed and the shape, size, and arrangement of parts without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This Specification and the embodiments described are examples, with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the claims that follow.