阅读说明：本技术 密封剂填充的缆线密封套 (Sealant filled cable gland ) 是由 J·R·波蒂罗·加雷戈 于 2018-10-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：缆线密封套,用于为可耦接到设备的缆线提供应变消除和密封。缆线密封套包括具有密封剂的密封压盖。在组装缆线密封套时,密封压盖以可释放密封剂到缆线的一部分和密封压盖之间的界面周围和/或到缆线的裸露的绝缘护套和/或导体之间的空间内的方式,或以通过其他方式可促进密封剂移动到上述位置的方式被压缩。密封剂可包括容纳在密封压盖的封装体内的可固化的粘性密封剂,封装体被配置为在压缩密封压盖时就破裂。可替代地,密封剂可以是可延展的密封剂材料,其可以被按压或以其他方式移位以在密封压盖和缆线之间,和/或在缆线的裸露的绝缘护套和/或导体之间的空间中形成密封。(A cable gland for providing strain relief and sealing for a cable coupleable to a device. The cable gland includes a gland having a sealant. When the cable gland is assembled, the gland is compressed in a manner that can release sealant to around the interface between a portion of the cable and the gland and/or into the space between the exposed insulating sheath and/or conductors of the cable, or in a manner that can otherwise facilitate movement of the sealant to the location described above. The sealant may comprise a curable viscous sealant contained within an encapsulation body of the gland, the encapsulation body being configured to rupture upon compression of the gland. Alternatively, the sealant may be a malleable sealant material that can be pressed or otherwise displaced to form a seal between the gland and the cable, and/or in the space between the exposed insulating jacket and/or conductors of the cable.)

1. A cable gland comprising:

a seal cartridge body having a cavity;

a lock nut configured to be selectively coupled to a first end of the gland body;

a compression nut configured to be selectively coupled to a second end of the gland body; and

a gland comprising a bushing body having a bore in fluid communication with the cavity, the bushing body configured to be placed in a compressed state by the compression nut being coupled with the gland body, and a sealant configured to move into a portion of the bore when the bushing body is in the compressed state.

2. The cable gland of claim 2 wherein the gland further comprises an encapsulation defining at least a portion of an interior region that retains the sealant prior to the bushing body being in the compressed state, wherein the encapsulation is configured to rupture when the bushing body is in the compressed state.

3. A cable gland according to claim 3 wherein the sealant within the interior region of the package body comprises a curable sealant material.

4. A cable gland according to claim 4 wherein, the encapsulation is attached to the bushing body.

5. A cable gland according to claim 2 wherein, the encapsulation comprises a plurality of encapsulants.

6. The cable gland of claim 5 wherein at least one of the plurality of packages contains a sealant or a composition of the sealant that is different from at least one other of the plurality of packages.

7. A cable gland according to claim 1 wherein the sealant is a malleable sealant material.

8. The cable gland of claim 7 wherein the gland further comprises an encapsulation body defining at least a portion of an interior region that retains the malleable sealant material prior to the bushing body being in the compressed state, wherein the encapsulation body is configured to rupture when the bushing body is in the compressed state.

9. The cable gland of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the sealant is positioned within the bore of the bushing body before the bushing body is in the compressed state.

10. The cable gland of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the sealant is positioned adjacent at least one sidewall of the bushing body prior to the bushing body being in the compressed state.

11. The cable gland of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sealant is positioned adjacent at least a portion of an outer surface of the bushing body before the bushing body is in the compressed state.

12. A cable gland according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the sealant is integrated into the bushing body at least prior to the bushing body being in the compressed state.

13. A cable gland comprising:

a gland body having a cavity extending between openings at opposite ends of the gland body;

a lock nut configured to be threadably engaged with a first end of the gland body;

a compression nut configured to be threadably engaged with a second end of the gland body; and

a gland comprising a liner body having a bore in fluid communication with the cavity, an encapsulation at least temporarily contained within at least a portion of the encapsulation, and a sealant configured to rupture upon compression of the liner body.

14. A cable gland according to claim 13 wherein the sealant contained in the package body comprises a curable sealant material.

15. A cable gland according to claim 14 wherein, the encapsulation is attached to the bushing body.

16. A cable gland according to claim 13 wherein, the encapsulation comprises a plurality of encapsulants.

17. A cable gland according to claim 13 wherein, the encapsulation is located within the bore of the bushing body.

18. A cable gland comprising:

a gland body having a wall defining a cavity extending between openings at opposite ends of the gland body, the wall including first male threads at a first end of the gland body and second male threads at a second end of the gland body, the gland body further including a protruding member extending outwardly from the wall at a mid-portion of the gland body, the protruding member having a shape configured for mating engagement with a tool;

a lock nut having internal threads configured to threadedly engage the first male threads of the gland body, the lock nut having an external shape configured to matingly engage a tool;

a compression nut having internal threads configured to threadedly engage the second male threads of the gland body, the compression nut having an external shape configured for mating engagement with a tool; and

a gland comprising a liner body having an aperture in fluid communication with the cavity of the gland body, an encapsulation at least temporarily contained within at least a portion of the encapsulation, and a sealant configured to rupture upon compression of the liner body.

19. A cable gland according to claim 18 wherein the sealant contained in the package body comprises a curable sealant material.

20. A cable gland according to claim 18 wherein, the encapsulation is located within the bore of the bushing body.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present application relate generally to cable gland (cable gland). More particularly, but not exclusively, embodiments of the present application relate to a cable gland providing a sealant for protecting a cable used therein and an apparatus to which the cable gland is attached.

Background

A cable gland may be used to provide strain relief for cables attached to a structure or device (collectively referred to herein as "devices"). More specifically, at least some types of cable glands may be configured to be connected to both the cable and the device in a manner that at least helps maintain a connection between the cable and the device (including helping to prevent the cable from being pulled and/or disconnected from the device).

For at least some types of equipment, at least the opening that allows the cable to pass through the cable gland and into the equipment may be a source of potential danger to at least the equipment, the surrounding environment, adjacent components, and/or operators. For example, such openings may provide an area for debris, moisture, and/or water, among other things, to enter the interior region of the device. However, for at least certain types of components, for example, electrical equipment including switchgear in addition to other equipment and electrical equipment, the presence of such debris and/or moisture can increase the likelihood of undesirable electrical sparking, which can trigger a fire or explosion within the equipment. In addition, such openings leading straight into the device may provide a passage for air which may provide combustion support for such fires and provide a region for the flames produced by the fire to travel out of the interior region of the device.

Conventional attempts to seal cable glands are often both labor intensive and require the application of relatively high installation expertise. Therefore, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

Disclosure of Invention

One aspect of the present application is a cable gland that may include: a seal cartridge body having a cavity; a lock nut configured for selective coupling to a first end of a gland body; a compression nut configured for selective coupling to a second end of the gland body; and a sealing gland. The gland can include a liner body having a bore in fluid communication with the cavity and a sealant. The bushing body may be configured to be in a compressed state by coupling a compression nut with the gland body. The sealant may be configured to move into a portion of the bore when the bushing body is in a compressed state.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present application is a cable gland that may include: a gland body having a cavity extending between openings at opposite ends of the gland body; a lock nut configurable for threaded engagement with a first end of the gland body; a compression nut configurable to threadably engage the second end of the seal cap body; and a sealing gland. The gland can include a liner body, an encapsulation, and a sealant. The bushing body may have a bore in fluid communication with the cavity. Additionally, the encapsulant may be at least temporarily contained within at least a portion of the package. Further, the encapsulation is configured to rupture when the bushing body is compressed.

Additionally, an aspect of embodiments of the present application is a cable gland that may include a gland body that may have walls defining a cavity extending between openings at opposing ends of the gland body. The wall may include a first male thread at a first end of the gland body and a second male thread at a second end of the gland body. Additionally, the gland body may further comprise a protruding member extending from the wall at a mid-portion of the gland body, the protruding member having a shape configured for mating engagement with a tool. The cable gland may also include a lock nut having internal threads configured to threadedly engage the first male threads of the gland body. The lock nut may also have an outer shape configured for mating engagement with a tool. Additionally, the cable gland may include a compression nut having internal threads configured for threaded engagement with the second male threads of the gland body. Further, the compression nut may also have an outer shape configured for mating engagement with a tool. The cable gland may also include a gland having a bushing body, an encapsulant, and a sealant. The bushing body has a bore in fluid communication with the cavity of the seal cartridge body. The encapsulant may be at least temporarily contained within at least a portion of the package. Further, the encapsulation may be configured to rupture upon compression of the liner body.

Another aspect of embodiments of the present application is a cable gland that may include a gland body that extends between a first open end and a second open end and may accommodate a cable having a plurality of conductors passing through the gland body; a compression nut attachable to the gland body from the second open end; and a gland, which may have a rupturable package containing a sealant and/or a malleable sealant material. Upon tightening the compression nut onto the gland body and compressing the cable placed in the gland body, the rupturable capsule may rupture or the malleable sealant may be pressed, thereby dispersing the sealant around the cable and between the conductors to provide a seal for environmental protection.

These and other aspects of the invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and the following detailed description.

Drawings

The specification refers to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary cable gland coupled to a portion of an apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present application.

Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of the cable gland shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded side view of the exemplary cable gland embodiment of figure 1 with the walls of the device.

Figure 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary cable gland embodiment of figure 3 attached to a wall of an apparatus.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an exemplary cable gland embodiment coupled to a wall of an apparatus.

Figure 6A illustrates an embodiment of a gland having a liner body and one or more radially positioned encapsulant-containing packages therein.

Figure 6B illustrates an embodiment of a gland having one or more sealant-containing packages integrated into a liner body of the gland.

Figure 6C illustrates an embodiment of a gland having a liner body and a radially positioned encapsulant-containing package.

Figure 6D illustrates an embodiment of a gland having a liner body and an axially positioned encapsulant-containing package.

The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

Detailed Description

Certain terminology has been used in the foregoing description for convenience, and is not to be taken in a limiting sense. Words such as "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", "first" and "second" indicate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. In addition, the words "a" and "an" are defined as including one or more of the referenced item, unless specifically stated otherwise. The phrase "at least one of" preceding a list of two or more items, such as "A, B or C," refers to any one of A, B or C, and any combination thereof.

Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary cable gland 100 coupled to a portion of an apparatus (i.e., a wall 104) in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present application. The cable gland 100 is configured to couple or secure one or more electrical cables or wires 102 (collectively referred to herein as "cables") to, for example, a device such as an electrical device, and to provide a seal around and/or between at least a portion of the cables 102 within the cable gland 100. Further, according to certain embodiments, the cable gland 100 is configured to provide strain relief for the cable 102 and to provide a seal for environmental protection for the cable 102 and/or equipment. For purposes of illustration at least, fig. 1 shows the cable gland 100 mounted to a wall 104 of the apparatus such that the cable gland 100 securely abuts opposing sides 132a, 132b of the wall 104. The cable gland 100 may be made of one or more materials having suitable properties for the associated application, including strength, weight, stiffness, and other suitable properties.

As shown in fig. 1, according to some embodiments, the cable 102 may include an outer jacket 106, the outer jacket 106 defining a cavity for one or more conductors 108 of the cable 102. Also shown in fig. 1, according to some embodiments, each conductor 108 may be further positioned within an insulating sheath 110, such as an insulating sheath 110 that may attempt to electrically isolate the conductor 108 from other conductors 108 in the cable 102. The conductor 108 may be constructed from a variety of materials, such as conductive materials including, but not limited to, copper and aluminum, among others.

As shown at least in fig. 1-3, according to certain embodiments, the cable gland 100 includes a body portion or gland body 112, a lock nut 114, a gland 116, and a compression nut 118. Optionally, in certain embodiments, the cable gland 100 may also include an insert 120. The gland body 112, compression nut 118, and lock nut 114 may be constructed of a variety of materials including, but not limited to, metals.

The seal cartridge body 112 has a wall 146, and the wall 146 may extend between the first and second open ends 122, 124 of the seal cartridge body 112. Additionally, the wall 146 of the seal cartridge body 112 may include a first external male threaded portion 126 formed around the first open end 122 and a second external male threaded portion 128 formed around the second open end 124. The projecting member 130 may extend outwardly from the wall 146 at a location between at least the first and second outer pin portions 126, 128 and laterally around the wall 146. According to certain embodiments, the outwardly projecting member 130 is configured for mating engagement with a tool, such as, for example, having a generally hexagonal configuration and is located approximately in the middle of the gland body 112. Additionally, the wall 146 and/or the seal cartridge body 112 may have a variety of different shapes, including, for example, a generally cylindrical shape. Further, the inner side of the wall 146 may define a cavity 134 extending between opposing openings of the first and second open ends 122, 124 of the gland body 112, the cavity 134 being sized to receive placement of at least a portion of the cable 102, the gland 116, and/or the insert 120.

The lock nut 114 extends between the first and second open ends 122, 124 of the lock nut 114 and includes internal female threads 136 formed on an inner surface of the lock nut 114, the internal female threads 136 configured to threadably engage and mate with the first external male threaded portion 126 of the gland body 112. According to some embodiments, the lock nut 114 has a substantially cylindrical shape. Additionally, at least a portion of the outer surface of the lock nut 114 may be configured to matingly engage a tool that may assist in securing the lock nut 114 to the gland body 112 and the cable gland 100 to a device. For example, the exterior of the lock nut 114 may have a generally hexagonal shape configured for mating engagement with a wrench or ratchet sleeve, among other tools. According to such embodiments, when the gland body 112 is positioned within the opening 138 (fig. 3) in the wall 104 of the apparatus such that the first and second outer male threaded portions 126, 128 are positioned on opposite sides 132a, 132b of the wall 104 (fig. 1) and the inner female thread 136 of the lock nut 114 is in mating engagement with the first outer male threaded portion 126, one or both of the lock nut 114 and the gland body 112 may be rotated in a manner that brings the lock nut 114 closer to the outwardly projecting member 130 of the gland body 112. Such relative displacement of the lock nut 114 closer to the outwardly projecting member 130 may facilitate securely pressing the cable gland 100 against the opposing sides 132a, 132b of the wall 104 in a manner that may secure the cable gland 100 to the wall 104 and/or equipment.

The compression nut 118 includes internal female threads 140 formed on an inner surface of the compression nut 118 configured to threadingly engage the second external male threaded portion 128 of the gland body 112. The compression nut 118 extends from a first open end 122 to a second open end 124 of the compression nut 118. The first open end 122 may include an opening 142, the opening 142 being sized to receive at least a portion of the compression nut 118 disposed about at least the second outer male threaded portion 128 of the gland body 112. The second open end 124 may include an opening 144, the opening 144 having a size (e.g., diameter) that is smaller than a corresponding size of the opening 142 at the first open end 122, such that the opening 144 at the second open end 124 may at least assist in retaining components of the cable gland 100, such as the gland 116, at least partially within the cavity 134 of the gland body 112 and/or within the gland nut 118. The wall 148 of the compression nut 118 may also define an internal bore 150 positioned in fluid communication with the cavity 134 of the gland body 112 when the compression nut 118 threadably engages the second external male threaded portion 128 of the gland body 112 to accommodate passage of the cable 102 through the compression nut 118, including through the first and second openings 142, 144 of the gland body 112.

Similar to the lock nut 114 and the gland body 112, the exterior of the compression nut 118 may be configured for mating engagement with a tool, such as having an external hexagonal shape. Thus, when the cable gland 100 is assembled, the lock nut 114 and the compression nut 118 may be moved or rotated about the respective first and second outer male threaded portions 126 and 128, respectively, of the gland body 112 such that the lock nut 114 and the compression nut 118 move axially at least toward the protruding member 130 of the gland body 112.

With respect to embodiments including the insert 120, at least a portion of the insert 120 may be at least linearly positioned between the gland body 112 and the compression nut 118 when the cable gland 100 is assembled. Additionally, a portion of the insert 120 may be designed to engage within the gland body 112. Additionally, the insert 120 may be configured to receive the gland 116 therein and provide a mechanism to uniformly compress the gland 116 as the gland nut 118 is tightened onto the gland body 112 during installation. Although the insert 120 may be made of a variety of materials, the insert 120 is made of plastic according to the illustrated embodiment.

The gland 116 of the cable gland 100 is configured to provide a sealant for sealing at least the space between the exposed portions of adjacent conductors 108 and/or the insulating sheath 110 of the cable 102, and/or for sealing the cable 102 to the cable gland 100 to effectively protect the interior portions of the equipment, the cable 102, and/or the external environment located around the equipment from the hazardous environment and/or debris entering the equipment. Further, the gland 116 is designed and dimensioned such that the gland 116 is closely received within the cavity 134 of the gland body 112, within the insert 120, and/or the gland nut 118 when the gland nut 118 is attached to the gland body 112.

The gland 116 includes a bushing body 152 having an inner surface 154 and an outer surface 156. The inner surface 154 generally defines one or more inner bores 158, with the inner bores 158 being located generally at the center of the bushing body 152. Inner bore 158 is sized to receive at least a portion of cable 102 through bushing body 152. As shown at least in fig. 3-5, the outer surface 156 of the bushing body 152 is sized to allow the bushing body 152 to be placed within an interior portion of the cable gland 100, such as included within the insert 120, within the bore 150 of the gland nut 118, and/or within the cavity 134 at or about the second open end 124 of the gland body 112. Further, at least a portion of the bushing body 152 may be positioned within the insert 120 and/or a portion of the gland body 112 that is or will be below at least a portion of the gland nut 118 at least when the cable gland 100 is assembled.

The bushing body 152 is made of a compressible and/or deformable material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or rubber, such that when the compression nut 118 is tightened onto the second external pin portion 128, at least a portion of the bushing body 152 may be radially compressed onto the cable 102, such as the outer jacket 106 of the cable 102 and/or the exposed portion of the insulating jacket 110 or conductor 108, etc. Further, the bushing body 152 may be constructed of a material configured to provide environmental protection at least against hazardous conditions, such as weather. For example, referring to the embodiment including the insert 120 depicted in at least fig. 3 and 4, the insert 120 may include a plurality of arms 162 that flex, deform and/or bend downward against the bushing body 152 when the arms 162 are engaged by the inner surface of the compression nut 118 while the axial position of the compression nut 118 is adjusted by rotation of the internal female thread 140 of the compression nut 118 about the second external male thread portion 128 of the gland body 112. As shown, the arms 162 may be separated from adjacent arms 162 by slots 164, which may help the arms 162 deflect, deform, and/or bend downward against the bushing body 152.

Alternatively, as shown in the example cable gland 100' shown in fig. 5, without the insert 120, the outer surface 156 of the bushing body 152 may be linearly displaced along the inwardly tapered surface 166 within the cavity 134 of the gland body 112 by the compression nut 118 as the compression nut 118 is rotated about the second external male threaded portion 128 in a direction that reduces the distance between the lock nut 114 and the protruding member 130 of the gland body 112. According to such embodiments, as the bushing body 152 moves along the inwardly tapered surface 166, and thus along the portion of the cavity 134 having the progressively decreasing size (e.g., the progressively decreasing diameter), the radial compressive force exerted on the outer surface 156 of the bushing body 152 may increase, thereby compressing the bushing body 152 against the cable 102.

According to certain embodiments, the bushing body 152 may be linearly compressed in addition to or instead of being compressed using radial forces. Such as by applying a compressive force to the sidewalls 168, 176 of the bushing body 152. For example, according to certain embodiments, the first sidewall 168 of the bushing body 152 may abut against an inner wall 170 in the cavity 134 of the seal cartridge body 112 or an inner wall 172 within the aperture 174 of the insert 120, while the second sidewall 176 may abut against an inner surface 178 of the compression nut 118. According to such embodiments, as the linear distance between the compression nut 118 and the protruding member 130 of the seal cap body 112 decreases, such as by rotation of the compression nut 118 about the second outer male threaded portion 128, the linear distance between the inner surface 178 of the compression nut 118 and the inner walls 170, 172 of the seal cap body 112 or insert 120 decreases in a manner that compresses the bushing body 152 at least linearly. Such compression of the bushing body 152 may cause deformation of the bushing body 152 in a manner that the inner surface 154 of the bushing body 152 exerts a compressive force on at least a portion of the cable 102.

The gland 116 may also include a sealant 180 that may provide additional environmental protection by forming a seal between at least a portion of the cable gland covers 100, 100' and the cable 102 and a seal in the space between adjacent conductors 108 and/or adjacent insulating sheaths 110 of the cable 102. For example, according to some embodiments, the sealant 180 may be a releasable and curable adhesive sealant and at least partially contained in the encapsulation 182 of the gland 116 at least prior to rupturing. For example, according to certain embodiments, the gland 116 includes a pressure sensitive or rupturable enclosure 182 defining at least a portion of an interior region 184, which interior region 184 may at least temporarily contain a portion of the sealant 180. The encapsulation 182 may be made from a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, or elastomer, and may be relatively thin, for example, having a wall thickness of about 0.1 millimeters (mm) to 1 mm. Further, according to some embodiments, the encapsulation 182 may be completely enclosed such that, at least prior to rupturing, the encapsulant 180 is completely contained within the encapsulation 182. Alternatively, according to other embodiments, the package body 182 defines only a portion of the interior region 184, while another component of the cable gland 100, 100' defines another portion of the interior region 184. For example, according to certain embodiments, the encapsulation 182 may be coupled or attached to the inner surface 154 of the bushing body 152 such that at least a portion of the inner surface 154 of the bushing body 152 helps to retain the sealant 180 within or otherwise define a portion of the inner region 184, while the remainder of the inner region 184 is surrounded by the encapsulation 182.

The packing body 182 may have a variety of different shapes, including, for example, cylindrical, and is positioned at various locations relative to at least the bushing body 152. For example, as shown at least in fig. 4, 5, and 6A, the encapsulation 182 may be positioned within the bore 158 of the bushing body 152 and/or supported by the inner surface 154 of the bushing body 152. Additionally, the encapsulation 182 may or may not be attached or directly coupled to the bushing body 152. For example, according to certain embodiments, the encapsulation 182 and the bushing body 152 may be separate components such that the encapsulation 182 may be separately inserted into or removed from the bushing body 152 or other portions of the cable gland 100, 100'. Alternatively, the encapsulation 182 may be adhered to or otherwise as part of the bushing body 152. For example, according to some embodiments, the encapsulation 182 may be secured to the bushing body 152 by an adhesive or other material, or may be formed with the bushing body 152, such as during a multiple injection molding process.

Although fig. 4 and 5 depict having a generally cylindrical encapsulation 182, the encapsulation 182 being positioned within the bore 158 of the bushing body 152, the encapsulation may or may not be directly attached or coupled to the bushing body 152, fig. 6A shows that in one embodiment, the encapsulation 182 includes a plurality of encapsulants 182 attached to the inner surface 154 of the bushing body 152 or positioned adjacent to the inner surface 154 of the bushing body 152. Alternatively, or in addition to the position 154 of the capsule shown in fig. 4-6A, the capsule 182 may include a capsule 182 positioned against or adjacent to one or more sidewalls 168, 176 (fig. 6C) of the bushing body 152, the outer surface 156 (fig. 6D) of the bushing body 152, and/or any combination thereof. Further, although fig. 6C illustrates the encapsulation 182 configured to be positioned around an upper portion of the outer surface 156 of the bushing body 152, the encapsulation 182 may be positioned at other locations around the outer surface 156, for example, and may include multiple encapsulants 182 and these encapsulants may be at multiple locations around the outer surface 156, and/or may be a continuous encapsulation 182 around the outer surface 156. Similarly, although fig. 6D illustrates a single encapsulation 182 adjacent one sidewall 176 of the bushing body 152, the encapsulation 182 (or additional encapsulants 182) may be positioned adjacent the other sidewall 168 and/or may include multiple encapsulants 182 surrounding one or both of the sidewalls 168, 176 of the bushing body 152.

Fig. 6B illustrates another embodiment in which one or more of the packages 182 may be integrated or otherwise formed in the liner body 152, e.g., positioned between the opposing first and second portions 186a, 186B of the liner body 152, in addition to or in lieu of the locations of the packages 182 previously discussed. According to such embodiments, radial compression on one or both of the first and second portions 186a, 186b of the bushing body 152 can rupture the encapsulation 182 to release the sealant 180. As the sealant 180 is released, the opposing ends of the first and second portions 186a, 186b of the bushing body 152, which were previously separated by the sealant 180, may be moved toward one another, including, for example, forming an abutting engagement.

The sealant 180 for the gland 116 may be a variety of different sealants, including sealants having various viscosities and sealants that are premixed or not premixed with other components of the sealant. Additionally, at least some types of sealants 180 may require a period of time to cure. Examples of curable sealants suitable for use as sealant 180 include, but are not limited to, silicone-based compounds, liquid-based rubbers, and epoxies, among others. Additionally, according to some embodiments, the packages 182 may include different encapsulants 180 or different portions of encapsulants 180, such as including a solvent in one or more of the packages 182 and a bonding agent in another one or more of the packages 182. Alternatively, according to certain embodiments, the sealant 180 may be a malleable material including, but not limited to, putty. According to such embodiments, encapsulant 180 may be positioned in similar locations to those discussed above with respect to encapsulant 182 (as shown in fig. 4-6D), and may or may not be contained within one or more encapsulants 182.

According to embodiments in which the sealant 180 is contained within the encapsulation 182, upon compression of at least the bushing body 152 and/or the encapsulation 182, the encapsulation 182 may burst or otherwise rupture such that the sealant 180 is released from the encapsulation 182. For example, as the compression nut 118 is tightened onto the gland body 112 and compresses the cable 102 placed therein, the compression associated with the arms 162 of the insert 120, the radial force generated by the movement of the bushing body 152 and/or the capsule 182 along the tapered inner surface 166 of the gland body 112, and/or the axial compression may cause the sealant 180 to be released from the capsule 182. The released sealant 180 may then flow between the cable 102 and adjacent portions of the cable gland 100, including the bushing body 152 and/or the compression nut 118, for example, and into the spaces between adjacent conductors 108 and/or insulating jackets 110. Thus, the curable viscous sealant 180 can provide not only a seal between the gland 116 and the cable 102, but also a seal within the cable interstitial space. This configuration is particularly advantageous when the cable 102 includes a plurality of conductors 108 with interstitial spaces between the conductors 108.

Alternatively, according to embodiments in which the sealant 180 is a malleable sealant material that may or may not be included in the encapsulant 182, such compression discussed above, including at least compression of the liner body 152, may result in a force that presses, squeezes, deforms, and/or displaces at least a portion of the sealant 180. Also, similar to the sealant 180 being a curable sealant, as described above, the forces associated with the compression of the bushing body 152 may force the malleable sealant material into a position that causes the malleable sealant material to provide a seal between the gland 116 and the cable 102, as well as press or push the malleable material into the spaces between the conductors 108 of the cable 102 and/or the exposed portions of the insulating jacket 110.

Referring to fig. 1, during installation, the gland body 112 may first be inserted through an opening 138 defined in the wall 104 or structure of the device until the protruding members 130 of the gland body 112 meet the side 132b of the wall 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the seal cartridge body 112 is inserted into the wall 104 such that the first open end 122 of the seal cartridge body 112 protrudes from an opening 138 at the first or left side 132a of the wall 104, and the second open end 124 of the seal cartridge body 112 is located outside of the right or second side 132b of the wall 104, or protrudes through the opening 138. The lock nut 114 may then be attached to the gland body 112 by engaging the internal threads 136 of the lock nut 114 with the first external male threaded portion 126 at the first open end 122 of the gland body 112, and rotating the lock nut 114 toward the wall 104 until the lock nut 114 is tightly engaged with the wall 104. With the gland 116 located within the gland body 112, within an insert 120 at least partially secured within the gland body 112, or within a compression nut 118, the compression nut 118 is attached to the gland body 112 by engaging internal threads of the compression nut 118 with a second external male threaded portion 128 at a second open end 124 of the gland body 112. The compression nut 118 is thereafter rotated such that the compression nut 118 is moved at least linearly toward the protruding member 130 of the gland body 112. During such displacement of the gland nut 118, the gland 116 is compressed such that the encapsulant 182 ruptures or bursts, thereby releasing the sealant 180, and/or the sealant 180 is compressed such that the sealant 180 is positioned to form a seal in the interstitial spaces between the cable 102 and the cable gland 100, 100' and between the conductors 108 and/or the insulating jacket 110. The compression nut 118 may continue to be rotated until the compression nut 118 tightly engages the gland body 112 and/or the protruding member 130.

Accordingly, as described above, the cable gland 100, 100' is configured to provide strain relief to the cable 102. Further, the strain relief may provide sealing and retention for the conductor 108 passing through the wall 104 or structure of the device. Further, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that a cable gland 100, 100 'in accordance with the present application may include a curable or malleable sealant material that may or may not be at least temporarily retained in a rupturable capsule 182 of the cable gland 100, 100' that may provide a seal at least for environmental protection.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. Furthermore, it should be understood that while the use of the words "preferred," "preferably," or "preferred" in the above description indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and it is contemplated that any embodiment lacking the same may be within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," and "at least a portion" are used, unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claims, it is not intended that the claims be limited to only one item. Further, when the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used, the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.