Alh Systems Limited

Fujikura Limited

Philip J Wade

Hiroshi Yokosuka

Minoru Makiyo

Shigenori Goto

Robert L Curtis

John R Clark

An insert part for sealing a cable junction having a flange of heat-conductive material and a block of heat-fusable material connected to the flange also has a support member, preferably of heat-conductive material, projecting from the block. The support member has a part within the block shaped to provide a pair of opposed concave surfaces, positioned so that the concave surfaces open in opposite directions. The block may comprise a relatively thick central part and webs extending outwardly from the corners of that central part. Preferably, two flanges are provided, one on each side of the support member.

Sealing cable junctions

To seal a cable junction, an insert is placed between two branch cables of the junction, which is then enclosed by a heat shrinkable envelope. The insert has at least one insert part having a block of heat fusible material attached by one or more flanges of heat conductive material to the branch cables. The block lies between the branch cables at least partially inside the envelope. Then, when the envelope is heated to cause it to shrink, the block fuses, thus forming a seal. For most sizes of branch cables, two insert parts may be used, but three or more may be used for large branch cables. The flange preferably has a tongue extending into the block to assist heat conduction.

An expansion joint for sealing the channel between two sections of roadway has a plug and a fluid-polymer poured into the joint and allowed to set in situ in the channel. Enclosed within the fluid is a core of a mastic material which is more plastic and less elastic than the fluid-polymer. The elasticity of the fluid-polymer allows the joint to accommodate changes in the size of the joint due to e.g. thermal expansion and contraction. Plastic flow of the core permits changes of shape of the joint to be absorbed without causing excessive stressing of the sides of the channel to which the fluid-polymer adheres.

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Somerset, United Kingdom

Philip J Wade