Method of dividing a conduit using an innerduct structure

Abstract

A flexible innerduct structure configured to divide a cable conduit, as well as methods for inserting the innerduct structure and the cable into a conduit. The innerduct structure includes a flat, flexible strip-shaped material having a width at least slightly greater than the diameter of the conduit into which the innerduct structure is installed. Other principal features relate to the material of which the innerduct structure is formed. Such features include the structure of the material, such as a woven structure, and further include properties such as melting point, tensile strength, elongation, coefficient of friction and rigidity.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A method of dividing a longitudinally extending conduit into compartments comprising the steps of: 
 providing an innerduct structure, said innerduct structure consisting essentially of a generally flat strip of flexible material having a width greater than the diameter of a conduit; and    inserting said innerduct structure into said conduit.    
   
   
       23 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of inserting pulling means into said conduit.  
   
   
       24 . The method set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said pulling means is selected from the group consisting of pulling tape and rope.  
   
   
       25 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said innerduct structure is formed from a textile material.  
   
   
       26 . The method set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said textile material is a woven fabric.  
   
   
       27 . The method set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said woven fabric is formed from monofilament yarns in the warp and fill directions.  
   
   
       28 . The method set forth in  claim 27 , wherein said monofilament yarns have a denier in the range of 200-1000 denier.  
   
   
       29 . The method set forth in claim  5 , wherein said warp yarns are made from polyester, and said fill yarns are made from nylon.  
   
   
       30 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said innerduct structure includes sealed edges.  
   
   
       31 . The method set forth in  claim 30 , wherein said sealed edges are formed by the method selected from the group consisting of heat sealing, ultrasonic sealing, folding and sewing, and gluing and score cutting.  
   
   
       32 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material has a melting temperature of at least about 220 degrees C.  
   
   
       33 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said cable includes an outer sheath that has a first melting temperature, and wherein said flexible material has a second melting temperature not lower than said first melting temperature.  
   
   
       34 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material exhibits a longitudinal tensile strength of at least about 12.5 pounds per inch of width.  
   
   
       35 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material has a longitudinal tensile strength within the range of about 12.5 pounds per inch of width to about 300 pounds per inch of width.  
   
   
       36 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material exhibits an elongation percentage of not greater than about 75 percent at a peak tensile load.  
   
   
       37 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material exhibits an elongation percentage of not greater than about 40 percent at a peak tensile load.  
   
   
       38 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material exhibits an elongation percentage of not greater than about 25 percent at a peak tensile load.  
   
   
       39 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material has a coefficient of friction, based on high density polyethylene on said material with a longitudinal line of action, below about 0.1250.  
   
   
       40 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material is selected so that a 0.25 inch diameter polypropylene rope will not burn through a test sample of said structure when pulled through said test sample in a pull line duct cutting test at 100 feet per minute and 450 pounds tension for at least 90 seconds.  
   
   
       41 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material is a fabric having warp and fill yarns formed of polyester.  
   
   
       42 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of inserting a cable into said conduit.  
   
   
       43 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of inserting a cable into said conduit simultaneously with said step of inserting said innerduct structure into said conduit.  
   
   
       44 . The method set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said flexible material exhibits an elongation percentage at peak tensile load in the range of about 15 to 60 percent.  
   
   
       45 . The method set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said flexible material exhibits an elongation percentage at peak tensile load in the range of about 25 to 40 percent.