Insulating rope with adsorbent material

Abstract

An insulating rope includes: a non-conductive core; an extruded thermoplastic jacket disposed around the core; and a water adsorbent material disposed between the jacket and the core. A method of making an insulating rope is also described.

1 . An insulating rope, comprising:
 a non-conductive core;   an extruded thermoplastic jacket disposed around the core; and   a water adsorbent material disposed between the jacket and the core.   
     
     
         2 . The insulating rope of  claim 1 , wherein the water adsorbent material comprises a zeolite or a metal-organic framework (MOF). 
     
     
         3 . The insulating rope of  claim 1 , wherein the jacket comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         4 . The insulating rope of  claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive core comprises a twisted or braided rope. 
     
     
         5 . The insulating rope of  claim 4 , wherein the braided rope comprises at least one of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyester, or aramid. 
     
     
         6 . The insulating rope of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one eye near at least one end thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The insulating rope of  claim 1 , wherein the insulating rope passes ASTM high voltage leakage current tests at 100 kV across 12 inches. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making an insulating rope, comprising:
 applying a water adsorbent layer to a non-conductive rope; and   applying a thermoplastic jacket over the water adsorbent layer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the water adsorbent layer comprises a zeolite or a metal-organic framework (MOF). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the non-conductive rope is a twisted or braided rope. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising urethane bonding the braided rope. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein applying the thermoplastic jacket comprises extruding the thermoplastic jacket over the water adsorbent layer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising cooling the rope after extruding the thermoplastic jacket. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising sealing the ends of the rope after applying the thermoplastic jacket. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising forming an eye near at least one end of the insulating rope. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising curing the insulating rope.