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EP 0 722 015 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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29.07.1998 Bulletin 1998/31 |
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Date of filing: 13.01.1995 |
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Suspension bridge cable wrap and application method
Umhüllung für Kabel von Hängebrücken und Verfahren zu deren Herstellung
Gaine pour câbles de ponts suspendus et procédé d'application
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Designated Contracting States: |
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DE DK FR GB PT |
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Date of publication of application: |
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17.07.1996 Bulletin 1996/29 |
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Proprietor: The D. S. Brown Company, Inc. |
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North Baltimore,
Ohio 45872-0158 (US) |
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Inventors: |
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- Mathey, Stephen G.
Continental,
Ohio 45831 (US)
- Lanham, Roy J.
Jerry City,
Ohio 43437 (US)
- McMartin, Bernard J.
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 (US)
- Rader, Arnold L.
Weston,
Ohio 43569 (US)
- Brown, Daniel H.
Perrysburg,
Ohio 43551 (US)
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Representative: Allden, Thomas Stanley et al |
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A.A. THORNTON & CO.
Northumberland House
303-306 High Holborn London WC1V 7LE London WC1V 7LE (GB) |
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References cited: :
WO-A-89/00499 US-A- 3 789 594
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FR-A- 2 134 332
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to a wrap for a large, lengthy outdoor tubular article, such
as a cable of a suspension bridge or cable-stayed bridge, and to a method for applying
such a wrap to such an article.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Cables for suspension bridges and cable-stayed bridges are exposed to severe outdoor
climatic conditions and must be painted or otherwise coated to avoid rusting and other
forms of deterioration that can result from such exposure. Traditionally, such cables
were painted with weather-resistant paint, but periodic repainting of painted cables
is still required, at substantial expense due to the relative inaccessibility of such
cables, because of the severity of the climatic conditions to which such painted cables
are often exposed. Removal of paint prior to repainting, which is often necessary
for proper repainting, also raises environmental concerns.
[0003] More recently, it has become known that bridge cables can be more permanently protected
from exposure by spirally wrapping them with a strand of indefinite length of a Neoprene
or similar polychloroprene material (see, e.g. US-A-3 789 594). However, a material
of this type usually cannot be properly precolored to match or blend in appearance
with the other elements of a bridge or other structure where it is to be used. Thus,
it is customary, after spirally wrapping a bridge cable with a Neoprene covering,
to paint the outer surface of the wrapping to thereby ensure a suitable color match
between the cable and other bridge elements. This after painting step, of course,
is quite labor intensive and therefore very expensive.
[0004] Further, in spirally wrapping a suspension bridge cable with a Neoprene covering,
it is important that each turn of the covering be securely bonded to the preceding
turn, to properly seal the seam therebetween and thereby prevent the ingress of moisture
and dust into the interface between the covering and cable. In the use of Neoprene
coverings of the type described, it was known that the seam could be sealed by providing
a significant overlap between the successive turns of the covering and by bonding
the overlapped layers to one another by the use of a solvent (see, e.g. WO-A-8 900
499). However, the application of the solvent is also labor intensive, and therefore
expensive, and many solvents are objectionable on environmental and health and safety
grounds, therefore requiring great care in the handling and disposal of such materials.
Further, the solvent sealing step tends to disturb a previously painted surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the present invention a cable for a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed
bridge or other large, lengthy outdoor tubular article may be advantageously protected
from exposure to severe climatic conditions by spirally wrapping it with a flexible
strand of indefinite length of a suitable synthetic rubber material, such as a material
being sold for various uses, such as a roof covering material, under the brand name
"Hypalon." Such material can be prepigmented in a wide variety of colors, thus eliminating
the need for after painting that was characteristic of Neoprene coverings to obtain
a proper color match between the exterior of the cover and the other elements of the
bridge or adjacent structure. Further, overlapping portions of successive turns of
such a synthetic rubber can be properly sealed to one another to seal the seam therebetween
by a heat sealing operation, for example, by passing an annular radiant heater or
an internally heated annular blanket therealong, to thereby eliminate the need for
a solvent sealing step and its attendant solvent handling problems that was characteristic
of Neoprene coverings.
[0006] A further advantage of a heat sealing step, as described above, is that a synthetic
rubber covering material such as Hypalon brand synthetic rubber covering material
can be provided with a significant degree of heat shrinkability in its longitudinal
or machine direction. Thus, the temperature level that is required to seal superimposed
layers or turns of such material to one another will cause such layers to contract
or shrink, and thereby ensure that the bridge cable or other article is very snugly
engaged by its spirally extending covering.
[0007] A Hypalon synthetic rubber strand used in the practice of the present invention preferably
is a laminate of two layers of such material to provide a suitable covering thickness.
When such a laminate is used, it is preferred that it is used with a reinforcing scrim
or screen, such as a scrim formed from a polyester or other high tensile strength
organic material, imbedded between the layers to improve the overall tensile strength
of the strand. The use of such a scrim will reduce the degree of heat shrinkability
of the strand, but if the strand is maintained under tension as it is applied to the
cable, a scrim reinforced synthetic rubber strand will still have sufficient heat
shrinkability to ensure that the cable covering will snugly engage the underlying
cable.
[0008] In the practice of the present invention with respect to a suspension bridge cable,
it is important to be able to properly seal the joint which is formed between the
cable and each cable supporting stanchion or member, as several such stanchions or
members are usually used at spaced apart locations along the length of a typical suspension
bridge cable. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, such a
seal is provided by the use of a generally wedge-shaped extrusion of a Neoprene or
similar elastomeric material which is joined end to end to form an annular member
snugly surrounding a portion of the cable which is immediately adjacent to the stanchion
or other supporting member, with a thicker end of the annular member in snug, sealing
engagement with a surface of the cable supporting stanchion. Preferably, the ends
of the extrusion are adhesively joined to one another and the annular member is then
preferably mechanically restrained in such configuration by circumscribing it by a
high tensile strength plastic strap or band.
[0009] A relatively short sleeve of a Hypalon synthetic rubber, which is long enough to
cover the entire axial length of the elastomeric annular member and a short portion
of the cable extending there beyond, is formed around the cable at a location near
the elastomeric annular member and in snug engagement with the cable. The synthetic
rubber sleeve is then slid up the cable toward the supporting member to surround the
elastomeric member which is adjacent thereto. This step inherently stretches the sleeve,
thereby increasing its tension level, and it also inherently compresses the elastomeric
annular member, thereby improving the seal between it and the joint formed between
the annular member and the cable. The sleeve is then preferably mechanically restrained
in place by circumscribing it by a high tensile strength plastic band or strap, and
the spiral wrapping of the cable, as previously described, is begun, with the spiral
wrapping preferably extending from the surface of the cable supporting stanchion and
thereby overlying the synthetic rubber sleeve and the elastomeric member that is surrounded
thereby.
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved weather-resistant
wrap of a large, lengthy outdoor tubular article, such as a suspension bridge cable,
and to provide a method for applying such a wrap to such an article. This object is
solved according to the features of claims 1 and 12. More specifically, it is an object
of the present invention to provide a properly precolored wrap of the foregoing character
to such an article to eliminate the need to paint such wrap after it is in place on
the article. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a multiple layer
wrap of the foregoing character whose superimposed layers can be bonded to one another
by heat sealing, without the use of a solvent and the material handling and disposal
problems which are attendant thereto. It is also an object of the present invention
to provide a multiple layer wrap of the foregoing character from a heat shrinkable,
heat sealable material whose superimposed layers are heat sealed to one another and
are thereby shrunk into very tight engagement with the tubular article. It is also
an object of the present invention to provide a suitable seal between a tubular article
supporting member and a wrapped tubular article of the foregoing character. It is
also an object of the present invention to provide a method of wrapping a previously
painted tubular article which does not require the prior removal of the paint, but
which nonetheless does not disturb the existing paint.
[0011] For a further understanding of the present invention and the objects thereof, attention
is directed to the drawing and to the following brief description thereof, to the
detailed description of the preferred embodiment, and to the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view, in cross-section, of a tubular article, and a tubular
article supporting member, which is wrapped and sealed with respect to its supporting
member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, at an enlarged scale, of a layer of
a preferred embodiment of a wrapping material used in the practice of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, at an enlarged scale, of an article which
is used in the wrapped tubular article of Fig. 1; and
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating certain of the steps used in
the forming of a wrap on an article in accordance with Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a section of an elongate tubular member 10, illustratively a cable
of a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge, which is normally used in a relatively
inaccessible outdoor location and is subject to corrosion and other forms of deterioration
that are likely to result from its exposure to outdoor climatic conditions. In a suspension
bridge, such tubular member 10 is used to enclose and restrain the radial movement
of a longitudinally extending tensile load bearing member 12, which is typically made
up of an array of individual steel cables. The tubular member 10 typically is supported
at various locations along its length by vertical support members, such as an annular
member 14, which is fragmentarily illustrated in Fig. 1, a member which is usually
referred to as a saddle or a stanchion in a suspension bridge.
[0014] While the tubular member 10 is illustrated as a unitary element, typically in a suspension
bridge it will be formed by spirally wrapping a galvanized outer steel cable around
the load bearing member 12, with adjacent winds of the spirally wrapped member in
surface to surface contact with one another. In many older suspension bridges, the
exterior of the tubular member has previously been painted, usually with a lead-based
paint. Nevertheless, the wrap 16 can be applied over a painted tubular member 10,
whatever the condition of its painted surface, and this can be done without disturbing
the condition of the painted surface. In any case, the outer surface of the tubular
member 10, whatever its construction and condition, is protected from exposure to
climatic conditions by encapsulating it along its length extending from the support
member 14 to the next support member, not shown, by an outer wrap 16 and by providing
a seal, indicated generally by reference 18, to seal the joint formed between the
support member and 14 and the tubular member 10.
[0015] The outer wrap 16 is formed by spirally wrapping a strand S of indefinite length
from a roll or coil R thereof around the tubular member 10, as is generally indicated
in Fig. 3. The strand S is a flexible organic material which is of a suitable weather
resistent composition, and is preferably applied under tension to ensure that it will
snugly engage the exterior of the tubular member 10. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and
3, the strand S is applied with a substantial overlap between adjacent winds, preferably
an overlap equal to one-half of the width of the strand S, to permit proper sealing
of the seam formed by adjacent winds of the strand S and to provide a substantially
uniform, double thickness wrap along the tubular member 10. Further, the wrap 16 serves
to effectively encapsulate any lead-based paint that is already applied to the tubular
member 10, thereby eliminating a potential environmental contamination problem.
[0016] The strand S is illustrated in cross-section in Fig. 3, and preferably is made up
of a laminate of inner and outer layers S1 and S2 with a scrim or screen S3 of a relatively
high tensile strength material imbedded therebetween. Preferably, each of the layers
S1 and S2 is formed in a uniform thickness by calendaring or otherwise from a synthetic
rubber material, such as that being sold by DuPont for roof covering and other uses
under the brand name Hypalon. Such a material may be precolored in a wide variety
of colors and shades of colors by blending a suitable amount of a proper colorant
in the resin that is to be calendared. By this technique, a suitable color match can
be obtained between the as calendared outermost of the layers S1 and S2 and the surrounding
elements of the bridge or other adjacent structure to eliminate the need for painting
the outer wrap 16 after it is in place on the tubular member 10. In an illustrated
embodiment of the present invention, in which the invention is utilized to wrap a
18 inch outside diameter tubular member 10 in the form of a suspension bridge cable,
the strand S is 6 inches wide, each Hypalon synthetic rubber strand S1 and S2 is 0.015
(15 mil) inch thickness, and the scrim S3 is a 250 denier 8 by 8 polyester scrim.
Each wind of such material as nearly as exactly as possible overlaps one-half of the
width of the preceding wind.
[0017] After the outer wrap 16 is in place on the exterior of the tubular member 10, it
is heated to seal the overlapped portions of its winds to one another, to thereby
seal the spirally extending seam defined by such winds. As shown in Fig. 3, this heating
step may be done conductively by an internally heated electric blanket B and by progressively
advancing the blanket B along the wrap 16 after it is in place on the tubular member
10. Alternatively, the heat sealing step can be performed by advancing an annular
radiant heater along the wrap 16 on the tubular member 10.
[0018] The seal 18 may be formed in an appropriate manner, but in the preferred embodiment
of the present invention it is formed by joining opposed ends of a generally wedge-shaped
Neoprene material or other elastic material extrusion E, Fig. 4, into an annular member
20. The annular member 20 snugly engages an annular portion of the outside surface
of the tubular member 10, and the thicker end of the annular member 20 snugly engages
an end surface of the support member 14 in an annular pattern. The opposed ends of
the extrusion E are preferably adhesively joined to one another to form the annular
member 20. In any case, after the annular member 20 is in place with respect to the
tubular member 10 and the support member 14, it is preferably secured in such place
by tightly circumscribing it with a high tensile strength plastic band or strap 22,
such as a "Delrim" brand polyoxymethylene (POM) band or strap, an annular notch 24
being formed in the exterior of the annular member 20 to receive the band or strap
22.
[0019] After the annular member 20 and the band or strap 22 are in place on the tubular
member 10, as heretofore described, an annular sleeve 26 is formed snugly around a
portion of the tubular member 10 which is immediately beyond the annular member 20.
The sleeve 26 is formed from a stretchable organic material, preferably Hypalon brand
synthetic rubber, and after it is formed it is advanced toward the support member
14 to surround the annular member 20. As shown, the sleeve 26 has sufficient axial
length to cover the entire axial length of the annular member 20 as well as a portion
of the support member 10 which extends there beyond. In any case, the advancing of
the sleeve 26 toward the support member 14 will stretch and increase the tension in
the portion of the sleeve 26 which overlies the annular member 20, thereby compressing
the annular member 20 into tight sealing engagement with the support member 14 and
the portion of the tubular member 10 which the annular member 20 surrounds. After
the sleeve 26 is in place, as described, it is preferably secured in such place by
circumscribing it with a second high tensile strength plastic band or strap 28, such
as a "Delrim" brand POM band or strap, an outwardly projecting annular bead 30 being
formed in the exterior of the annular member 20 to axially position the band or strap
28 relative to the support member 14. Thereupon, the outer wrap 16 is formed on the
tubular member 10, preferably beginning at the support member 14 and thereby serving
to wrap the exterior of the sleeve 26 and cover the band or strap 28.
[0020] Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the present
invention as of the filing date hereof has been shown and described herein, it will
be apparent to those skilled in the art that suitable modifications, variations, and
equivalents may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, such scope
being limited solely by the terms of the following claims.
1. A method for forming a protective wrap (16) around a substantial length of a tension
load supporting cable (10, 12) of a suspension bridge or a cable-stayed bridge adapted
for outdoor exposure comprising the steps of:
tightly spirally winding a flexible strand (S) of a synthetic rubber material around
a substantial length of the cable (10, 12) in a plurality of winds extending along
said substantial length of the cable, each wind of the strand (S) overlying a portion
of the preceding wind, and heating the spirally wound strand to heat seal each wind
of the strand (S) to the underlying portion of the preceding wind to thereby seal
a seam that is formed therebetween.
2. A method according to Claim 1 in which the step of spirally winding the flexible strand
(S) is performed after the cable (10, 12) is in place in the bridge.
3. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the synthetic rubber material (S) is a chlorosulfonated
polyethylene material, and wherein said heating step is effective to cross-link the
chlorosulfonated material to yield vulcanized material.
4. A method according to Claim 1 wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of
the tubular article (10) has been painted with a lead-based paint prior to the winding
of the strand (S) of a synthetic rubber material around the tubular article (10),
and wherein the strand (S) of a synthetic rubber material is wound around the tubular
article (10) without removing the paint from the exterior surface of the portion thereof.
5. A method according to Claim 1 and further comprising, prior to winding the strand
(S) of synthetic material around the tubular article (10), forming an annular seal
(18) at a joint formed between the support member (14) and the tubular article (10),
and then winding the strand (S) of synthetic material first around the annular seal
(18) and then around a portion of the tubular article (10) that extends therebeyond.
6. A method according to Claim 5 wherein the forming of the annular seal (18) comprises
the step of providing a double-ended extrusion of an elastomeric material having opposed
ends joining the opposed ends of the double-ended extrusion end to end around the
tubular article (10), the extrusion having a surface extending longitudinally of the
tubular article that engages the tubular article in an annular pattern after the extrusion
is joined end to end, the extrusion further having a second surface extending transversely
of the tubular article that engages a surface of the support member in an annular
pattern after the extrusion is joined end to end.
7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the forming of the annular seal (18) comprises
the further step of constricting the extrusion after it is joined end to end by surrounding
it with a sleeve (26) of a synthetic rubber material to maintain the surface in sealing
engagement with the tubular article (10) and to maintain the second surface in sealing
engagement with the surface of the support member (14).
8. A method according to Claim 1 wherein the synthetic rubber material (S) is heat shrinkable
at the heat sealing temperature which is developed during the heating step.
9. A method according to Claim 8 wherein at least an outermost surface portion of the
strand (S) is formed from a chlorosulfonated polyethylene material with a colorant
added thereto to be color compatible with adjacent portions of a structure having
such tubular article (10), said outermost surface portion being otherwise unpainted
or uncolored.
10. A method according to Claim 9 wherein the strand (S) comprises inner and outer layers
(S1, S2, S3) of a chlorosulfonated polyethylene material which are laminated to one
another, and wherein the outer layer has the colorant added thereto.
11. A method according to Claim 10 wherein the strand (S) further comprises a layer of
a high tensile strength scrim material embedded between the inner and outer layers.
12. A protective wrap (16) covering a substantial length of a lenghty tension load supporting
cable (10, 12) for a suspension bridge or cable-stayed bridge adapted for outdoor
exposure, said protective wrap (16) comprising a strand (S) of a synthetic rubber
material tightly spirally wound around the cable (10, 12) in a plurality of winds
extending along said substantial length of the lengthy cable (10, 12), each wind of
the strand (S) overlying a portion of the preceding wind and being heat sealed thereto
to seal a seam that is formed therebetween, wherein said synthetic rubber material
is a weldable thermoplastic when it is wound around the lengthy cable (10, 12) and
is cross-linked after heat sealing to yield a vulcanized rubber coating on the lengthy
cable (10, 12).
13. A protective wrap according to Claim 12 wherein the strand (S) comprises inner and
outer layers (S1, S2, S3) of a chlorosulfonated polyethylene material which are laminated
to one another, the outer layer containing a colorant therein and being otherwise
unpainted or uncolored.
14. A protective wrap according to Claim 12 wherein the strand (S) comprises inner and
outer layers (S1, S2, S3) of a chlorosulfonated polyethylene material which are laminated
to one another and a layer of a high tensile strength scrim of an organic material
embedded between the inner and outer layers.
15. A protective wrap according to Claim 12 wherein each wind of the strand (S) overlies
approximately one-half the width of the preceding wind, thereby forming a double thickness
wrap (16) extending along said substantial length of the lengthy cable (10, 12).
1. Methode zur Bildung einer Schutzumhüllung (16) um eine beträchtliche Länge eines Zugbelastungs-Tragkabels
(10, 12) einer Hängebrücke oder einer Schrägseilbrücke, die an die Verhältnisse im
Freien angepaßt ist und die folgenden Schritte umfaßt: das feste spiralförmige Umwickeln
einer flexiblen Litze (S) aus Kunstgummi um eine beträchtliche Länge eines Kabels
(10, 12) in einer Vielzahl von Wicklungen, die sich entlang der besagten beträchtlichen
Länge des Kabels erstrecken, wobei jede Wicklung der Litze (S) über einem Teil der
vorhergehenden Wicklung liegt, und das Erhitzen der spiralförmig gewickelten Litze,
um jede Wicklung der Litze (S) mit dem darunterliegenden Teil der vorhergehenden Wicklung
heißzusiegeln, um dadurch eine Naht zu versiegeln, die dazwischen gebildet wird.
2. Methode nach Anspruch 1, nach der der Schritt, die flexible Litze (S) spiralförmig
zu wickeln, vorgenommen wird, nachdem das Kabel (10, 12) in der Brücke angebracht
ist.
3. Methode nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Kunstgummimaterial (S) ein chlorsulfoniertes Polyethylen
ist und wobei der besagte Erhitzungsschritt wirksam wird, um das chlorsulfonierte
Material zu vernetzen, damit sich Vulkanisat ergibt.
4. Methode nach Anspruch 1, wobei wenigstens ein Teil einer Außenoberfläche des röhrenförmigen
Gegenstands (10) mit Bleifarbe gestrichen wurde, bevor die Litze (S) aus Kunstgummimaterial
um den röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) gewickelt wurde, und wobei die Litze (S) aus
Kunstgummimaterial um den röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) gewickelt wird, ohne die
Farbe von der Außenoberfläche des Teils davon zu entfernen.
5. Methode nach Anspruch 1, die ferner umfaßt, daß, bevor die Litze (S) aus Kunstgummimaterial
um den röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) gewickelt wird, eine ringförmige Dichtung (18)
an einer Verbindungsstelle gebildet wird, die zwischen dem Tragelement (14) und dem
röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) gebildet wird, und daß die Litze (S) aus Kunststoff
zuerst um die ringförmige Dichtung (18) gewickelt wird und dann um einen Teil des
röhrenförmigen Gegenstands (10), der sich darüber hinaus erstreckt.
6. Methode nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Bildung der ringförmigen Dichtung (18) den Schritt
enthält, eine doppelendige Extrusion eines elastischen Polymers bereitzustellen, die
gegenüberliegende Enden hat, die sich mit den gegenüberliegende Enden der doppelendigen
Extrusion verbinden, von Ende zu Ende um den röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) herum,
wobei die Extrusion eine Oberfläche hat, die sich in der Längsrichtung des röhrenförmigen
Gegenstands erstreckt, die mit dem röhrenförmigen Gegenstand in einem ringförmigen
Muster ineinandergreift, nachdem die Extrusion von Ende zu Ende verbunden ist, wobei
die Extrusion des weiteren eine zweite Oberfläche hat, die sich quer zum röhrenförmigen
Gegenstand erstreckt, und die mit einer Oberfläche des Tragelements in einem ringförmigen
Muster ineinandergreift, nachdem die Enden der Extrusion verbunden sind.
7. Methode nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Bildung der ringförmigen Dichtung (18) den weiteren
Schritt enthält, die Extrusion einzuschnüren, nachdem ihre Enden verbunden sind, indem
man sie mit einem Schlauch (26) aus Kunstgummi umgibt, um die Oberfläche in abdichtender
Berührung mit dem röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) zu halten und um die zweite Oberfläche
in abdichtender Berührung mit der Oberfläche des Tragelements (14) zu halten.
8. Methode nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Kunstgummimaterial (S) bei der Heißsiegelungstemperatur,
die während des Erhitzungsschritts erreicht wird, wärmeschrumpfbar ist.
9. Methode nach Anspruch 8, wobei wenigstens ein äußerster Teil der Oberfläche der Litze
(S) aus chlorsulfoniertem Polyethylen gebildet wird, dem ein Färbemittel beigemischt
ist, um farblich übereinzustimmen mit den benachbarten Teilen einer Struktur, die
so einen röhrenförmigen Gegenstand (10) hat, wobei der erwähnte äußerste Teil der
Oberfläche ansonsten nicht gestrichen oder gefärbt ist.
10. Methode nach Anspruch 9, wobei die Litze (S) innere und äußere Schichten (S1, S2,
S3) aus chlorsulfoniertem Polyethylenmaterial enthält, die miteinander laminiert sind,
und wobei der äußeren Schicht ein Färbemittel beigemischt ist.
11. Methode nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Litze (S) ferner eine Schicht aus äußerst zugfestem
Scrimmaterial enthält, das zwischen den inneren und äußeren Schichten eingebettet
ist.
12. Schutzhülle (16), die eine beträchtliche Länge eines langen Zugbelastungs-Tragkabels
(10, 12) für eine Hängebrücke oder eine Schrägseilbrücke bedeckt, die den Verhältnissen
im Freien angepaßt ist, wobei die erwähnte Schutzumhüllung (16) eine Litze (S) aus
Kunstgummimaterial enthält, die fest und spiralförmig in einer Vielzahl von Wicklungen
um das Kabel (10, 12) gewickelt wird entlang der besagten beträchtlichen Länge des
langen Kabels (10, 12), wobei jede Wicklung der Litze (S) über einem Teil der vorhergehenden
Wicklung liegt und mit ihr heißgesiegelt wird, um eine Naht abzudichten, die dazwischen
gebildet wird, wobei das besagte Kunstgummimaterial ein schweißbarer Thermoplast ist,
wenn es um das lange Kabel (10,12) gewickelt und nach dem Heißsiegeln vernetzt wird,
um eine Vulkanisatschicht auf dem langen Kabel (10, 12) zu ergeben.
13. Schutzhülle nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Litze (S) innere und äußere Schichten (S1,
S2, S3) aus chlorsulfoniertem Polyethylenmaterial enthält, die miteinander laminiert
sind, und wobei die äußere Schicht ein Färbemittel enthält, aber ansonsten nicht gestrichen
oder gefärbt ist.
14. Schutzhülle nach Anspruch 12, wobei die Litze (S) innere und äußere Schichten (S1,
S2, S3) aus chlorsulfoniertem Polyethylenmaterial enthält, die miteinander laminiert
sind, und eine Schicht aus äußerst zugfestem Scrim aus organischem Material, das zwischen
die inneren und äußeren Schichten gebettet ist.
15. Schutzhülle nach Anspruch 12, wobei jede Wicklung der Litze (S) ungefähr über der
halbe Breite der vorhergehenden Wicklung liegt und dadurch eine Umhüllung (16) doppelter
Dicke bildet, die sich entlang der besagten beträchtlichen Länge des langen Kabels
(10,12) erstreckt.
1. Méthode pour la formation d'une gaine protectrice (16) autour d'une longueur substantielle
d'un câble porteur (10,12) de pont suspendu ou de pont à haubans et adaptée pour être
exposée aux intempéries, cette méthode faisant appel aux étapes suivantes :
enroulement serré en spirale d'un ruban souple (S) en un matériau à caoutchouc
synthétique auront d'une longueur substantielle du câble (10,12) par une pluralité
d'enroulements s'étendant le long de ladite longueur substantielle de câble, chaque
enroulement du ruban (S) chevauchant une partie de l'enroulement précédent, et chauffage
du ruban enroulé en spirale afin de thermosouder chaque enroulement du ruban (S) à
la partie sous-jacente de l'enroulement précédent afin d'étancher un joint formé entre
eux.
2. Méthode selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle l'étape de l'enroulement en spirale
du ruban souple (S) est exécutée après que le câble (10, 12) a été mis en place sur
le pont.
3. Méthode selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle le matériau à caoutchouc synthétique
(S) est un matériau à polyéthylène chlorosulfoné, et où ladite étape de chauffage
consiste à réticuler le matériau chlorosulfoné afin de donner lieu à un matériau vulcanisé.
4. Méthode selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle une partie au moins d'une surface extérieure
de l'article tubulaire (10) a été peinte avec une peinture à base de plomb avant l'enroulement
du ruban (S) en matériau à caoutchouc synthétique autour de l'article tubulaire (10)
et dans laquelle le ruban (S) en matériau à caoutchouc synthétique est enroulé autour
de l'article tubulaire (10) sans enlèvement préalable de la peinture de la surface
extérieure de ladite partie de l'article tubulaire (10).
5. Méthode selon la revendication 1 faisant en outre appel, préalablement à l'enroulement
du ruban (S) en matériau synthétique autour de l'article tubulaire (10), à la formation
d'un étanchement annulaire (18) au niveau d'un joint formé entre l'élément support
(14) et l'article tubulaire (10), puis à l'enroulement du ruban (S) en matériau synthétique
premièrement autour de l'étanchement annulaire (18) puis autour d'une partie de l'article
tubulaire (10) s'étendant au-delà de l'étanchement annulaire (18).
6. Méthode selon la revendication 5 dans laquelle la formation de l'étanchement annulaire
(18) comprend l'étape consistant à préparer un profilé à deux extrémités en matériau
élastomère ayant des extrémités opposées et à joindre celles-ci bout à bout autour
de l'article tubulaire (10), ledit profilé ayant une surface s'étendant dans le sens
longitudinal de l'article tubulaire et qui prend contact avec celui-ci suivant un
agencement annulaire lorsque le profilé est joint bout à bout, ce profilé possédant
en outre une deuxième surface s'étendant dans le sens transversal de l'article tubulaire
et qui prend contact avec une surface de l'élément support suivant un agencement annulaire
lorsque le profilé est joint bout à bout.
7. Méthode selon la revendication 6 dans laquelle la formation de l'étanchement annulaire
(18) fait appel à l'étape supplémentaire consistant à contenir le profilé après qu'il
a été joint bout à bout en l'enveloppant d'une chemise (26) en un matériau à caoutchouc
synthétique afin de maintenir la surface du profilé en contact étanche avec l'article
tubulaire (10) et de maintenir la deuxième surface du profilé en contact étanche avec
la surface de l'élément support (14).
8. Méthode selon la revendication 1 dans laquelle le matériau à caoutchouc synthétique
(S) est thermorétrécissable à la température de thermosoudage qui est dégagée au cours
de l'étape du chauffage.
9. Méthode selon la revendication 8 dans laquelle une partie au moins de la surface extérieure
du ruban (S) est formée à partir d'un matériau à polyéthylène chlorosulfoné auquel
un colorant a été ajouté afin d'assortir la couleur du matériau aux parties adjacentes
d'un ouvrage comportant ledit article tubulaire (10), ladite partie de la surface
extérieure étant autrement non peinte ou non colorée.
10. Méthode selon la revendication 9 dans laquelle le ruban (S) comprend des nappes intérieure
et extérieure (S1, S2, S3) en un matériau à polyéthylène chlorosulfoné qui sont collées
l'une à l'autre par laminage, et où la nappe extérieure est celle à laquelle le colorant
a été ajouté.
11. Méthode selon la revendication 10 dans laquelle le ruban (S) comprend en outre une
nappe sous la forme d'un tissu de renfort de haute résistance à la traction et qui
est noyée entre les nappes intérieure et extérieure.
12. Gaine protectrice (16) couvrant une longueur substantielle d'un câble porteur (10,12)
de longueur importante et adaptée pour être exposée aux intempéries utilisée dans
un pont suspendu ou un pont à haubans, ladite gaine protectrice (16) comportant un
ruban (S) en matériau à caoutchouc synthétique enroulé en spirale de manière serrée
autour du câble (10,12) par une pluralité d'enroulements s'étendant le long de ladite
longueur substantielle du câble de longueur importante (10,12), chaque enroulement
du ruban (S) chevauchant une partie de l'enroulement précédent et étant thermosoudé
à celui-ci afin d'étancher un joint qui est formé entre eux, où ledit matériau en
caoutchouc synthétique est un thermoplastique soudable quand il est enroulé autour
du câble de longueur importante (10,12) et est réticulé après le thermosoudage pour
donner un revêtement à caoutchouc vulcanisé sur le câble de longueur importante (10,12).
13. Gaine protectrice selon la revendication 12 dont le ruban (S) comporte des nappes
intérieure et extérieure (S1, S2, S3) en un matériau à polyéthyloène chlorosulfoné
qui sont collées l'une à l'autre par laminage, la nappe extérieure contenant un colorant
dans sa masse et étant autrement non peinte ou non colorée.
14. Gaine protectrice selon la revendication 12 dans laquelle le ruban (S) comporte des
nappes intérieure et extérieure (S1, S2, S4) en un matériau à polyéthylène chlorosulfoné
qui sont collées l'une à l'autre par laminage et une nappe prenant la forme d'un tissu
de renfort de haute résistance à la traction en un matériau organique et qui est noyé
entre les nappes intérieure et extérieure.
15. Gaine protectrice selon la revendication 12 dans laquelle chaque enroulement du ruban
(S) recouvre environ la demi-largeur de l'enroulement précédent, formant de la sorte
une gaine de double épaisseur (16) s'étendant le long de ladite longueur substantielle
de câble de longueur importante (10, 12).