Micro trench duct placement

Abstract

A method of placing cable within concrete or asphalt includes cutting a trench into the concrete or asphalt. The method further includes placing a tubular material having a hollow inner diameter within the trench. The method also includes placing the cable within the tubular material.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 cutting a trench in a surface of the roadway;    placing a duct in the trench;    placing a spacer within the trench on top of the duct,    filling the trench with a sealer;    placing a first cable within the duct;    pulling the first cable out of, and through, the duct; and    placing a second cable within the duct without removing the sealer within the trench.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable comprises utility cable.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable comprises optical fiber cable.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the trench is cut to a depth of approximately 3.5 to 4.0 inches beneath the surface of the roadway.  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the duct comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE) duct.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the trench is cut to a width of approximately 0.5 inches.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a tubular shape.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a diameter of the spacer is approximately 25% larger than a width of the trench.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 placing sand within the trench.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealer comprises bitumen.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 ,wherein the sealer is heated to between approximately 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit before filling the trench.  
   
   
       14 - 22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A method of placing cable within concrete or asphalt, comprising: 
 cutting a trench into the concrete or asphalt to a depth of approximately 3.5 to 4.0 inches from a surface of the concrete or asphalt;    placing a tubular material having a hollow inner diameter within the trench;    placing a spacer on top of the tubular material, wherein the spacer comprises a water impermeable, heat resistant material:    filling at least a portion of the trench with a sealer;    placing a first cable within the tubular material;    removing the first cable from the tubular material without removing the sealer from the trench; and    placing a second cable within the tubular material without removing the sealer from the trench.    
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the first cable comprises fiber optic cable.  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the spacer has an outer diameter that is approximately 25% greater than a width of the trench.  
   
   
       27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the tubular material comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE).  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the tubular material comprises an outer diameter of approximately 0.5 inches and wherein the inner diameter comprises approximately 0.375 inches.  
   
   
       30 . (canceled)  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the sealer comprises bitumen heated to between 325 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first cable is pulled out of, and through, the duct without removing the sealer within the trench.