Patent ID: 7814654

Claim:
A method for removing a cable core from a cable sheath, comprising the steps of: identifying a pre-existing, previously operating transmission cable located in an original cable location, the transmission cable comprising a cable core assembled tightly within a cable sheath, the cable core comprising at least one conductive lead substantially along the length of the cable core, the cable core also comprising an envelope having an outer surface, the envelope formed around the length, but not the ends of the at least one lead and the cable sheath having an inner surface facing the outer surface of the envelope, with the outer surface of the envelope and the inner surface of the cable sheath defining the boundary of an interface region between the cable sheath and the envelope; isolating a proximal end and a distal end of the cable, with the interior within the cable sheath exposed at the proximal and distal ends; sealing the proximal end of the cable core; selectively directing a flowable medium into the proximal end of the interface region and not directing the flowable medium into the proximal end of the cable core; causing the flowable medium to increase the volume of the interface region by increasing the distance in the radial direction between the cable sheath and the envelope and reduce the friction between the envelope and the sheath; exerting a force in the longitudinal direction on the cable core; and moving the cable core, including the envelope and the at least one conductive lead, in the longitudinal direction with respect to the sheath, to remove the core from the sheath, while leaving the sheath behind in the original cable location.