Self-healing cable apparatus and methods
US7302145B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 27, 2006 |
| Grant date | Nov 27, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 27, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01B7/288
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Self-healing cable apparatus and methods are disclosed. The cable has a central core surrounded by an adaptive cover that can extend over the entire length of the cable or just one or more portions of the cable. The adaptive cover includes a protective layer having an initial damage resistance, and a reactive layer. When the cable is subjected to a localized damaging force, the reactive layer responds by creating a corresponding localized self-healed region. The self-healed region provides the cable with enhanced damage resistance as compared to the cable's initial damage resistance. Embodiments of the invention utilize conventional epoxies or foaming materials in the reactive layer that are released to form the self-healed region when the damaging force reaches the reactive layer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.