Patent Description:
Whenever one or more pipes, cables or wires is to pass some kind of partition it is common to have a sealed transit. This can be arranged in many different ways. In one example a sleeve is arranged in line with an opening in the partition to receive the one or more pipes, cables or wires. The sleeve may be arranged on a plate, which plate in turn is attached to the partition in some way, often by means of welding. The sleeve is then receiving the one or more cables etc. in a sealed way by means of a seal received inside the sleeve. In some embodiments the sleeve is welded to a plate, which in turn is welded to the partition.

The partition may be placed in many different environments, such as for cabinets, technical shelters, junction boxes and machines and also decks and bulkheads of ships. It may be in different industrial environments, such as automotive, telecom, power generation and distribution as well as marine and offshore.

The sleeve, with the seal, and its connection to the partition should fulfil demands regarding water tightness and fire safety. In welding of the sleeve to the partition or to a plate, there is a risk that deformations are formed. The sleeves are normally provided in some standard sizes.

Document <CIT> discloses a transit for leading cables, pipes or wires through a partition in a sealed way. The transit comprises a sleeve and a seal to be received inside a central through opening of the sleeve. The seal comprises a base part, a front fitting and a rear fitting, which front and rear fittings are placed at opposite ends of the base part. Document <CIT> discloses a penetration sleeve cover comprising a combination of a split plate and a split sleeve.

By providing a sleeve in a modular form, it can be easily adapted to different demands such as different heights and different fastening means. Further, it is possible to replace only broken parts if needed and, thus, it is not necessary to replace a complete sleeve. It is also possible to use demounted parts to form a new sleeve. Further, by providing a sleeve and a plate that are connected to each other by screw means and whereby the plate is connected to a partition by screw means, possible deformation caused by welding is avoided.

By forming the plate as a split plate and the sleeve as an openable sleeve, it is possible to retrofit the plate and sleeve.

The above features are accomplished with a sleeve according to the invention as defined in claim <NUM> and with a combination according to claim <NUM>.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious to a person skilled in the art when reading the detailed description below.

The invention will be described further below by way of examples and with reference to the enclosed drawings. In the drawings:.

In the example of <FIG> a sleeve <NUM> is attached to a split plate <NUM>. The split plate <NUM> is to be attached to some kind of partition. The sleeve <NUM> has a through opening for receiving a seal of some kind, such as for example the seal shown in <FIG>. It could be a seal for single or multiple pipes, cables and wires. Seals of this kind are well known to a person skilled in the art. As the exact design of the seal is of no importance for the present invention, it will not be discussed further here. The split plate <NUM> is formed of two plate parts. Each plate part has a part of an opening on one side. In the shown embodiments said part of an opening has the form of a semi-circular recess. The sides of the plate parts having the semi-circular recess are to be placed next to each other, whereby a circular opening will be formed in the split plate <NUM>. Each plate part has a thinner portion at the side to be placed against the other plate part, in order to form an overlap joint. Normally a sealing compound is placed in the joint between the plate parts, whereby the plate parts are held together by screws <NUM>. The plate part opposite a head of each screw <NUM> has a threaded opening for cooperation with a thread of the screw <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> is to be placed at and around said circular opening in the split plate <NUM>, whereby there will be a through opening through the sleeve <NUM> and the split plate <NUM>.

The plate is to be fastened to the partition by screw means.

The sleeve <NUM> is formed of a number of separate sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Each shown sleeve element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has the general shape of half a circle, thus they have a general semi-circular form. The sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> have different designs depending on the intended use of each separate sleeve element <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. Thus, the sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are of slightly different types. Two sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are placed together to form a full circle. A number of such full circles formed by two sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are then placed on top of each other to form the sleeve <NUM>. Thus, the sleeve <NUM> can be said to be a modular openable sleeve, having a number of layers formed of the sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The number of sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> placed on top of each other depend on the demands of the sleeve <NUM> in each specific case. Normally, different types of sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are used to form each sleeve <NUM>. The layers of sleeve elements of a sleeve <NUM> may be of different type or may be identical. For example, the sleeve <NUM> comprises at least two or at least three layers of sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, the two sleeve elements of a specific layer are identical. Alternatively, a specific layer of sleeve elements comprises two different sleeve elements.

In other embodiments the sleeve elements have other general shapes than that of half a circle. Other general shapes may be half an oval, half a rectangle or other polygon. The opening of the split plate <NUM> will normally have a corresponding general shape.

The different shown sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will now be described more closely. A first sleeve element <NUM> has a base <NUM> at opposite ends. The bases <NUM> of two first sleeve elements <NUM> are to abut each other when forming a full circle. On the side of each base <NUM> opposite the side to abut another base <NUM>, there is a recess <NUM>. Further, the first sleeve element <NUM> has two fastening ears <NUM>, placed at a distance from respective base <NUM> and directed outwards, so that there will be four such fastening ears <NUM> directed outwards of the full circle formed of two first sleeve elements <NUM> placed abutting each other. Each fastening ear <NUM> has an opening <NUM>. The purpose of said fastening ears <NUM> and openings <NUM> will be explained further below. Each first sleeve element <NUM> has two joining ears <NUM> placed at a further distance from the bases <NUM> than the fastening ears <NUM> described above. Each joining ear <NUM> is also directed outwards and has an opening <NUM>. The purpose of said joining ears <NUM> and said openings <NUM> will be explained further below. Finally, each first sleeve element <NUM> has one fastening ear <NUM> placed at the centre of the first sleeve element <NUM> opposite the bases <NUM>. Said one fastening ear <NUM> is directed outwards and has an opening <NUM>. The purpose of said fastening ear <NUM> and the opening <NUM> will be explained further below.

A second sleeve element <NUM> differs from the first sleeve element <NUM> in that it has no parts corresponding with the two fastening ears <NUM>, each placed a distance from the base <NUM>, of the first sleeve element <NUM>. Thus, the second sleeve element <NUM> has two bases <NUM>, each having a recess <NUM>, two joining ears <NUM>, each with an opening <NUM>, and one fastening ear <NUM> placed at the centre of the second sleeve element <NUM> and having an opening <NUM>.

A third sleeve element <NUM> has a base <NUM> at opposite ends of the third sleeve element <NUM>. Each base <NUM> only protrudes a short distance out of the third sleeve element <NUM>. Further the third sleeve element <NUM> has two joining ears <NUM> placed at a distance from the base <NUM>. The two joining ears <NUM> are directed outwards and each having an opening <NUM>.

A fourth sleeve element <NUM> has a base <NUM> at opposite ends. Each base <NUM> has a recess <NUM> on a side opposite a side to abut a base <NUM> of another fourth sleeve element <NUM>. The fourth sleeve element <NUM> has further two joining ears <NUM> placed at a distance from the bases <NUM>. The joining ears <NUM> are directed outwards and each has an opening <NUM>.

Further, the sleeve <NUM> has straight connecting plates <NUM>. Each connecting plate <NUM> has openings <NUM> at opposite ends.

A number of full circles of first sleeve elements <NUM>, second sleeve elements <NUM>, third sleeve elements <NUM> and/or fourth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed stacked on top of each other. The joining ears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of said sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are placed in line with each other so that the openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of said joining ears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will form through openings. A screw 30a, 30b is received in each of said formed through openings. Each screw 30a, 30b has a thread for cooperation with a thread of an opening of outermost sleeve elements. Thus, by means of said screws 30a, 30b a number of sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will be held together in a stack.

The bases <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are also placed in line with each other such that the recesses <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of the bases <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> having recesses will be placed in line. Thus a stack of sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will have two lines of recesses, which recesses are to receive the connecting plates <NUM>. Two stacks of such sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, such as two identical stacks, are then brought together and fastened to each other by means of screws <NUM> and nuts <NUM>, which screws <NUM> goes through the openings <NUM> of connecting plates <NUM> placed at opposite side of base parts of the stacks of sleeve elements. To give room for the screws <NUM> to pass the bases of the sleeve elements, the third sleeve elements <NUM> are placed at the positions of the stacks of sleeve elements where the screws <NUM> are placed.

The first fastening ears <NUM> and the second fastening ears <NUM> of the first sleeve element <NUM> are intended for fastening to the split plate <NUM>. The fastening ear <NUM> of the second sleeve element <NUM> is intended for fastening of the seal, whereby normally a part of a bracket (not shown) is fastened to the fastening ear <NUM> and another part of the bracket is fastened to the seal.

As indicated above the sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can be combined in different ways to form sleeves. In <FIG> there are three examples of differently formed sleeves 1a, 1b, 1c.

The sleeve 1a of <FIG> has two first sleeve elements <NUM> at one end and two second sleeve elements <NUM> at the opposite end of the sleeve 1a. Four third and fourth sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, are placed between the first and second sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM> placed at opposite ends of the sleeve 1a. As indicated above the sleeve 1a is attached to the split plate <NUM> by means of screws received in the openings <NUM>, <NUM> of the first fastening ears <NUM> and the second fastening ears <NUM>, respectively, of the first sleeve elements <NUM> placed abutting the split plate <NUM>, and said screws are also received in threaded openings of the split plate <NUM>.

The sleeve 1b of <FIG> has two second sleeve elements <NUM> at one end and two fourth sleeve elements <NUM> at the opposite end of the sleeve 1b. Two third sleeve elements <NUM> are placed adjacent each of the sleeve elements at the opposite ends of the sleeve 1b Finally, four fourth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed in the middle between the third sleeve elements <NUM>. The sleeve 1b is attached to the split plate <NUM> by means of the screws 30b holding each half of the sleeve 1b together. Said screws 30b protrude with a threaded end at the side of the sleeve 1b to be placed against the split plate <NUM>, whereby said protruding end of each screw 30b is to be received in a threaded opening of the split plate <NUM>.

The sleeve 1c of <FIG> has four fourth sleeve elements <NUM> at opposite ends and four fourth sleeve elements <NUM> in the middle of the sleeve 1c. Further, there are two third sleeve elements <NUM> adjacent each of the sleeve elements at the opposite ends of the sleeve 1c. The sleeve 1c is attached to the split plate <NUM> by means of the screws 30b holding each half of the sleeve 1c together. Said screws 30b protrude with a threaded end at the side of the sleeve 1c to be placed against the split plate <NUM>, whereby said protruding end of each screw 30b is to be received in a threaded opening of the split plate <NUM>.

All of the above sleeves 1a, 1b, 1c have six layers of sleeve elements, but a person skilled in the art realises that also sleeve having other number of layers can be formed.

In <FIG> a further example of a sleeve <NUM> is shown, which sleeve <NUM> is attached to a split plate <NUM>. In <FIG> a first embodiment of a modular sleeve 34a to be used in the arrangement of <FIG> is shown. In <FIG> a second embodiment of a modular sleeve 34b to be used in the arrangement of <FIG> is shown.

The split plate <NUM> corresponds with the split plate <NUM> described above. Thus, the plate parts are connected to each other in an overlap joint by screw means <NUM>. Each plate part of the split plate <NUM> has a semi-circular recess on the side to be facing the other plate part. Thus, a circular opening is formed in the split plate <NUM>. In the same way as described above for the split plate <NUM>, the opening of the split plate <NUM> and cooperating sleeves can have other general shapes than circular.

The sleeve <NUM> is formed of three different types of sleeve elements, each having the general form of a half circle. A fifth sleeve element <NUM> has a first base <NUM> at one end of the fifth sleeve element <NUM> and a second base <NUM> at the opposite end of the fifth sleeve element <NUM>. The first base <NUM> has a groove <NUM> at a lower side and the second base <NUM> has a point <NUM> at a lower side. The fifth sleeve element <NUM> has two joining ears <NUM> placed at a distance from the first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM>, respectively. The joining ears <NUM> are directed outwards from the fifth sleeve element <NUM> and each joining ear <NUM> has an opening <NUM>. A fastening ear <NUM> is placed in the middle of the fifth sleeve element <NUM> between the first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM>, respectively. The fastening ear <NUM> is directed outwards and has an opening <NUM> When two fifth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed to form a full circle, the point <NUM> of the second base <NUM> of one of the fifth sleeve element <NUM> are placed in the groove <NUM> of the first base <NUM> of the other fifth sleeve element <NUM> and vice versa.

A sixth sleeve element <NUM> has a first base <NUM> at one end of the sixth sleeve element <NUM> and a second base <NUM> at the opposite end of the sixth sleeve element <NUM>. The first base <NUM> has a groove <NUM> at a lower side and the second base <NUM> has a point <NUM> at a lower side. The sixth sleeve element <NUM> has two joining ears <NUM> placed at a distance from the first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM>, respectively. The joining ears <NUM> are directed outwards from the sixth sleeve elements <NUM> and each joining ear <NUM> has an opening <NUM>. When two sixth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed to form a full circle, the point <NUM> of the second base <NUM> of one of the sixth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed in the groove <NUM> of the first base <NUM> of the other sixth sleeve element <NUM> and vice versa.

A seventh sleeve element <NUM> has a first base <NUM> at one end of the seventh sleeve element <NUM> and a second base <NUM> at the opposite end of the seventh sleeve element <NUM>. The first base <NUM> has a groove <NUM> at a lower side and the second base <NUM> has a point <NUM> at a lower side. The seventh sleeve element <NUM> has two joining ears <NUM> placed at a distance form the first base <NUM> and the second base <NUM>, respectively. The joining ears <NUM> are directed outwards from the seventh sleeve element <NUM> and each joining ear <NUM> has an opening <NUM>. When two seventh sleeve elements <NUM> are placed to form a full circle, the point <NUM> of the second base <NUM> of one of the seventh sleeve elements <NUM> are placed in the groove <NUM> of the first base <NUM> of the other seventh sleeve element <NUM> and vice versa.

The sixth sleeve element <NUM> and the seventh sleeve element <NUM> differ in that the openings <NUM> of the joining ears <NUM> of the seventh sleeve elements <NUM> have an inner thread, while the openings <NUM> of the joining ears <NUM> of the sixth sleeve elements <NUM> have no threads.

A number of full circles of the fifth sleeve elements <NUM>, the sixth sleeve elements <NUM> and the seventh sleeve elements <NUM> are placed stacked on top of each other. The joining ears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of said sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are placed in line with each other in such a way that the openings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of said joining ears <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will form through openings. A screw 59a, 59b is received in each of said through openings. Each screw 59a 59b has a thread for cooperation with the threaded openings <NUM> of the seventh sleeve elements <NUM>, forming an outermost sleeve element of the sleeve 34a, 34b. Thus, by means of said screws 59a, 59b a number of sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> will be held together in a stack.

The fastening ear <NUM> of the fifth sleeve element <NUM> is intended for fastening of the seal, whereby normally a part of a bracket (not shown) is fastened to the fastening ear <NUM> and another part of the bracket is fastened to the seal.

The shown sleeve <NUM> has six layers of sleeve elements, but a person skilled in the art realises that also sleeves having other number of layers can be formed.

By means of the split plate and the sleeve formed of two halves, it can be installed around an existing cable, pipe or wire.

The sleeve 34a of <FIG> has two fifth sleeve elements <NUM> at one end and two seventh sleeve elements <NUM> at the opposite end of the sleeve 34a. Eight sixth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed between the fifth and sixth sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, at the opposite ends of the sleeve 34a. The sleeve 34a is attached to the split plate <NUM> by means of the seal. The attachment is achieved in that an elastic body of the seal protrudes on the side of the split plate <NUM> opposite the side receiving the seal 34a. As the seal is compressed parts of the elastic body of the seal will expand outside the opening of the split plate <NUM> on the side opposite the sleeve 34a. The other end of the seal is attached to the fastening ears <NUM> of the fifth sleeve elements <NUM>, as indicated above.

The sleeve 34b of <FIG> has two fifth sleeve elements <NUM> at one end and two seventh sleeve elements <NUM> at the opposite end of the sleeve 34b. Eight sixth sleeve elements <NUM> are placed between the fifth and sixth sleeve elements <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, at the opposite ends of the sleeve 34b. The sleeve 34b is attached to the split plate <NUM> by means of the screws 59b holding each half of the sleeve 34b together. Said screws 59b protrude with a threaded end at the side of the sleeve 34b to be placed against the split plate <NUM>, whereby said protruding end of each screw 59b is to be received in a threaded opening of the split plate <NUM>.

To install the split plate <NUM>, <NUM> with the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> at the partition, the two plate parts of the split plate <NUM>, <NUM> are fastened to the partition in such a way that one or more cables, pipes or wires, going through an opening in the transition, are placed in the opening formed when the two plate parts are placed next to each other with the parts of the opening in line with each other. The plate parts are then attached to each other and to the transition by screw means. A normal way of forming the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> is to first form two stacks of semi-circular sleeve elements, such as two identical stacks or two stacks with different designs. After forming two such stacks of semi-circular sleeve elements they are placed surrounding the one or more cables, pipes or wires received in the opening of the split plate <NUM>, <NUM>. The two sleeve halves are then connected to each other, forming the sleeve, and are then attached to the split plate <NUM>, <NUM>. Finally, an openable seal is placed in the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> to sealingly hold the one or more cables, pipes or wires received in the opening formed inside the sleeve <NUM>, <NUM>.

In the shown embodiments of <FIG> and <FIG>, the two halves of each sleeve <NUM>, <NUM> are brought together along an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the sides of the plate parts joined together in each formed split plate <NUM>, <NUM>.

A person skilled in the art realises that also sleeve elements of other design than exactly the ones shown in the enclosed Figs. can be provided. The exact design of the sleeve elements depends on the intended function of the sleeve. Further, as indicated above the number of stacked sleeve elements may be varied, to vary the height of the formed sleeves.

Claim 1:
A sleeve (<NUM>, <NUM>) formed of a number of layers, wherein each layer is formed of two sleeve elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein each sleeve element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) used to form the layers of the sleeve (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a general form by means of which an opening is formed when two sleeve elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of each layer are brought together, characterized in that each sleeve element (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) has two joining ears (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) with openings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the openings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the joining ears (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are placed in line with openings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of joining ears (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of each layer of the sleeve, wherein screws (30a, 30b, 59a, 59b) are received in said openings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the joining ears (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the sleeve elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and wherein at least the sleeve elements (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at one end of the sleeve (<NUM>, <NUM>) have threaded openings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for cooperation with threads of the screws (30a, 30b, 59a, 59b).