Patent · US Expired

Installation of guide tubes in a protective duct

US6572081B2 · kind B2 · utility

10Cited by
17References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 27, 2000
Grant dateJun 3, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 27, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T29/49902
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Guide tubes are arranged in a loose bundle and are fed into an existing tubular conduit or protective duct by a powered tractor and are pulled through the duct by the volumetric flow of compressed air which is introduced into the inlet end of the duct. The guide tubes are pressurized and closed at their leading end and trailing end. The existing duct is open at both ends. When the filling degree of the guide tube bundle (sum of guide tube cross-sectional areas compared to that of channelization duct) is provided in the range of from about 30% to about 60%, blowing/pushing installation of the guide tube bundle is substantially trouble free, and the bundle of guide tubes can be installed in a flexible and efficient manner over relatively greater distances.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.