Filler potting cable termination system and process

Abstract

A new type of process for creating a termination on cables and ropes, as well as a product made by this process. The process can create a termination having a heterogenous composition. It has been found that the addition of certain solids to conventional liquid potting compounds can enhance the performance of terminations made using these compounds. In order to create a desired dispersion of the solids within the potted termination, a new potting process is employed, whereby the strands are wetted with liquid potting compound (containing the solids) before the anchor is placed over them. The anchor is then moved into place in a controlled motion. The geometry of the internal passage through the anchor (which contains the wetted strands) is shaped to take advantage of this controlled motion. The geometry causes the liquid potting compound to flow at one rate while the solids suspended therein flow at a different rate, resulting in a potted termination with a heterogeneous composition.

Having described my invention, I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for affixing an anchor to a cable using a liquid potting compound containing solid particles, so that a heterogenous dispersion of said solid particles within said potting compound results, comprising: 
 a. providing an anchor, including: 
 i. a first end;  
 ii. a second end;  
 iii. an expanding passage extending from said first end to said second end, wherein said expanding passage is larger proximate said second end than said first end;  
   b. placing said anchor on said cable so that said first end of said anchor faces away from said end of said cable, and said second end of said anchor faces toward said end of said cable, while being distal to said end of said cable.    c. providing a liquid potting compound containing solid particles;    d. splaying a length of strands proximate said end of said cable;    e. using said length of strands with said potting compound; and    f. moving said anchor along said cable toward said end of said cable, so that said expanding passage squeezes said splayed length of strands together, thereby forcing said liquid potting compound toward said second end of said expanding passage while trapping said solid particles within said strands.    
     
     
         2 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by dipping said length of strands into said liquid potting compound.  
     
     
         3 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by placing said length of strands into a mold and filling said mold with said liquid potting compound.  
     
     
         4 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by painting said liquid potting compound onto said length of strands.  
     
     
         5 . A method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by spraying said liquid potting compound onto said length of strands.  
     
     
         6 . An article of manufacture prepared by a process comprising: 
 a. providing an anchor, including, 
 i. a first end;  
 ii. a second end;  
 iii. an expanding passage extending from said first end to said second end, wherein said expanding passage is larger proximate said second end than said first end;  
   b. placing said anchor on said cable so that said first end of said anchor faces away from said end of said cable, and said second end of said anchor faces toward said end of said cable, while being distal to said end of said cable.    c. providing a liquid potting compound containing solid particles;    d. splaying a length of strands proximate said end of said cable;    e. infusing said length of strands with said potting compound; and    f. moving said anchor along said cable toward said end of said cable, so that said expanding passage squeezes said splayed length of strands together, thereby forcing said liquid potting compound toward said second end ofsaid expanding passage while trapping said solid particles within said strands.    
     
     
         7 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said step of infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by dipping said length of strands into said liquid potting compound.  
     
     
         8 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said step of infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by placing said length of strands into a mold and filling said mold with said liquid potting compound.  
     
     
         9 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said step of infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by painting said liquid potting compound onto said length of strands.  
     
     
         10 . An article of manufacture as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said step of infusing said length of strands with said liquid potting compound is accomplished by spraying said liquid potting compound onto said length of strands.