[0001] This invention relates to a flexible cable for the transmission of electricity.
[0002] This is a new compound flexible cable, insulated with PVC or another plastic material
with similar or better quality characteristics, for use in electrical installations
and in buildings.
[0003] The main object of this invention lies in the development of a new type of flexible
cable, comprising "n" conductors 1 which are individually insulated and linked together
by a low-strength join made of the same insulating material. When used in conjunction
with the additional mechanical-protection system adopted - cable duct or tray - this
new type of cable affords better use of the space available, on account of its orderly
layout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] To aid understanding of this invention and to make it clearer, the cable of this
invention is illustrated in a number of figures, in which:
Figure 1 is a cut-away view showing the breakdown of the two parts that make up the
basic individual conductor.
Figure 2 is a set of views showing variations in the grouping of a number of basic
conductors linked together by a tangential join between the various insulating sheathes.
Figure 3 is another set of views also showing groupings of basic conductors, though
here linked together using intermediate membranes.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one example of a continuous join using membranes.
Figure 5 is a variant of the same example seen in Figure 4, with the membrane divided
into spaced lengths.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a length of single-piece homogeneous membrane for
the join, as an example for three basic conductors.
Figure 7 shows the same view as Figure 6 but with a variant, the membrane having cut-aways.
In the Figures, similar or corresponding parts or elements are marked with the same
signs.
DESCRIPTION
[0005] The cable concerned is a cable with individual flexible conductors 1 insulated with
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or another plastic material with similar or better quality
characteristics, comprising 3, 4, 5 or "n" conductors, with rated alternating-current
voltages of 330 V / 500 V or above, as allowed by the regulations, for use in industrial
installations and in buildings in which an additional mechanical protection system
is used, such as cable trays or ducts.
[0006] These "n" conductors run in parallel alongside each other, and are linked by a low-strength
join "a" in PVC or another plastic material with similar or better quality characteristics,
thus linking the individual insulation covers of the conductors together.
[0007] Each of these conductors complies with standard IRAM 2183/91 and belongs to a flexible
formation that may be of class 4 or class 5.
[0008] Figures 2 and 3 show cut-away examples of the various ways in the which said join
"a" may be arranged, the parts in black 1 being the insulation in PVC or another plastic
material with similar or better quality characteristics, and the central part 2 being
the conductor itself - Fig. 1.
[0009] The linking between the various individual basic conductors may be arranged in various
ways:
1.- Join "a" of the tangential type, as shown in Figure 2, with the special feature
that the join may be arranged:
a) continuously all the way along;
b) in an alternating manner every so-many centimetres, the width and continuity varying.
2.- Join "a" with membrane 3 as illustrated in Figure 3, with the following embodiments:
a) continuously, as shown in the example of Figure 4;
b) in an alternating manner every so-many centimetres, the width and continuity varying,
as shown in the example of Figure 5.
3.- An alternating join using points of varying shape, size, width and continuity,
as shown for example in the illustration of Figure 5, though with other forms of join.
4.- It should be added that the joining membrane 3 can be:
a) homogeneous, without breaks, as illustrated in Figure 6.
b) with holes, cut-aways or similar arrangements 3', in various shapes and sizes,
repeated as frequently as may be required for the flexibility of the whole (the cable),
as illustrated in Figure 7.
[0010] It is to be noted that the forms shown by way of example in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7
correspond to instances of three conductors, and are some of the variants that are
possible, though with the clear, specific reservation that any other form of linking,
for any number "n" of basic individual conductors, is also covered.
[0011] The forms shown in those Figures may be adopted, or any other as required for the
safety and flexibility of the whole.
1. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, characterised in that it has at least three individual conductors, each comprising a conducting core that
is fully sheathed by an insulating cover of its own, these three conductors all being
linked together to make a single whole by means of a join between their sheathes,
thus defining the transverse section of the cable.
2. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the join between the sheaths is arranged tangentially.
3. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the join between the sheaths is arranged using an intermediate membrane.
4. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in any of claims 1
to 3, characterised in that the join is unbroken throughout the full length of the cable.
5. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in any of claims 1
to 3, characterised in that said join is arranged by spaced sectors between those sheaths.
6. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in any of claims 1
to 3, characterised in that said join is arranged by points between those sheaths with intermediate spaces along
their length.
7. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in any of claims 1
to 3, characterised in that said join is arranged by spaced lengths between those sheaths.
8. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in any of claims 1
to 3, characterised in that said membrane has holes, cut-aways or other similar arrangements throughout its length.
9. Flexible cable for the transmission of electricity, as claimed in any of the above
claims, characterised in that said transverse section of all the cables together virtually conforms to a polygonal
layout.