United States Patent r19J
`Everitt
`
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`US005596176A
`[Ill Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,596,176
`Jan.21, 1997
`
`[54] CABLE SEALING ARRANGEMENTS
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: Christopher H. Everitt, Bedfordshire,
`England
`
`[73] Assignee: Framatome Connectors International,
`Paris, France
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 335,339
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Nov. 3, 1994
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Nov. 3, 1993
`
`[GB] United Kingdom ................... 9332662
`
`Int. Cl.6
`................................ H02G 3/22; H02G 3/08
`[51]
`[52] U.S. CI. ............................................. 174/151; 439/936
`[58] Field of Search .................................. 174/151, 65 G,
`174/65 SS, 152 G, 153 G; 439/521, 936;
`16/2
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2,813,692
`2,820,088
`4,103,911
`4,249,353
`4,460,227
`4,662,692
`4,734,057
`4,927,336
`4,932,875
`5,066,242
`5,442,140
`
`11/1957 Bremer et al ..
`1/1958 Sperry ................................. 174/153 G
`8/1978 Giebel et al ...................... 174/77 RX
`2/1981 Berry .................................. 174/151 X
`7/1984 Ball .
`5/1987 Uken et al ..
`3/1988 Noschese .
`5/1990 Neuroth .
`6/1990 Ogawaw et al ..
`11/1991 Martucci .
`8/1995 McGrane ................................ 174/151
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`049942
`
`4/1982 European Pat. Off. .
`
`335721 10/1989 European Pat. Off ..
`1540647
`8/1968 France.
`2126194 10/1972 France.
`2304195 11/1977 France.
`2407579 10/1984 France.
`2602374
`2/1988 France.
`1490607
`1/1970 Germany.
`723165
`2/1955 United Kingdom .
`1154929
`6/1969 United Kingdom .
`1388916
`2/1971 United Kingdom .
`1524684
`9/1978 United Kingdom .
`2104311
`3/1983 United Kingdom .
`2104736
`3/1983 United Kingdom .
`2168548
`6/1986 United Kingdom .
`2189660 10/1987 United Kingdom .
`
`Primary Examiner-Kristine L. Kincaid
`Assistant Examiner-Paramita Ghosh
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pollock, Vande Sande & Priddy
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A cable sealing gland includes a housing adapted to be fitted
`in an opening in a bulkhead and defining a receptacle closed
`at one end by a silicone rubber membrane backed by a rigid
`plastic material support insulator which is apertured to
`permit the passage therethrough of electrical cables or the
`like which are pierced through the membrane. A second
`support insulator is spaced apart from the first-mentioned
`support insulator and the space between the two support
`insulators is filled with a silicone rubber sealing composi(cid:173)
`tion. A by-pass tube extends through the two support insu(cid:173)
`lators and enables access to be obtained through the gland
`even after it has been sealed.
`
`17 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.21,1997
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`Sheet 1 of 8
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 21, 1997
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan.21, 1997
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jan. 21, 1997
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`Sheet 8 of 8
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`5,596,176
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`1
`CABLE SEALING ARRANGEMENTS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention concerns improvements relating to cable
`sealing arrangements and more particularly, though not
`exclusively, concerns cable sealing glands for sealing the
`passage of electrical conductors, cables and the like through
`bulkheads, particularly, though not exclusively, in aircraft.
`
`5
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`closed by a rupturable wall of resilient elastomeric material
`which is or can be pierced to allow the passage therethrough
`of a cable/conductor bundle which will be held together by
`the elasticity of the pierced wall, thereby minimizing the
`interstitial spaces between the individual cables/conductors
`of the bundle and facilitating their effective sealing by means
`of sealing compound potted into the receptacle.
`In a particular embodiment of the invention, which will be
`described in detail hereinafter, the rupturable wall of the
`10 receptacle is defined by a synthetic rubber membrane, e.g.,
`a silicone rubber membrane, which is backed by a support
`member having a plurality of apertures formed therein to
`In the field of aircraft manufacture, electrical wmng
`define predetermined locations whereat the membrane may
`be pierced to allow passage of a cable/conductor bundle
`extends to all parts of the aircraft from the cockpit, and many
`therethrough. The apertures in the support member are
`cables and individual electrical conductors are passed
`15 advantageously of different sizes for accommodating differ-
`through bulkheads between the aircraft's fuselage and its
`ently sized cable/conductor bundles, and, at the locations
`wings or its tail, the cables and/or conductors being grouped
`whereat the membrane extends over the apertures in the
`together and passed through orifices formed at selected
`support member, the membrane is advantageously thinned to
`positions in the bulkheads. In use, the fuselage of an aircraft
`enhance its capability to conform closely and seal to the
`is commonly pressurized whereas the wings and tail are not,
`20 often irregular surface profile of a cable/conductor bundle
`and, in order to maintain this pressure differential, it is
`piercing the membrane. The profile of the membrane at the
`necessary to provide appropriate pressure sealing of the
`locations whereat it is thinned and the form of the edges of
`orifices.
`the apertures in the underlying support are advantageously
`Conventional cable sealing glands for use in ships and in
`selected to achieve an enhanced seal between the membrane
`buildings make use of packing pieces to seal the passage of
`a relatively small number of cables having a limited range of 25 and the piercing cable/conductor bundle.
`sizes through bulkheads and the like. However, in an air-
`The receptacle, in the embodiment hereinafter described,
`craft, and particularly a technologically sophisticated com-
`comprises a circular cylindrical aluminum alloy housing
`puter controlled "fly by wire" aircraft, the number of cables
`adapted to be fixed in a bulkhead opening by virtue of the
`and electrical conductors that have to be passed through 30 provision of an external jam nut mounting arrangement. The
`bulkheads is legion, and there are Considerable size differ-
`support member comprises an electrical insulator in the form
`ences between the thinnest of single-core conductors, which
`of a circular disc which is adhesively secured into one end
`have sub-millimeter diameters, and larger multiple-conduc-
`of the housing, the disc having the abovementioned plural
`tor cables. The use of packing pieces in aircraft applications
`apertures formed therethrough. The membrane likewise
`is thus impractical and the most commonly used sealing 35 comprises a circular disc which is bonded to the inner
`surface of the support member. An indicator line is provided
`method makes use of an elastomeric bung through which the
`respective cable/conductor bundle is threaded. The bung is
`around the inner cylindrical wall of the housing at a certain
`then forced into a receptacle fitted in the bulkhead and is
`spacing from the surface of the membrane to define an ideal
`sealed therein by the liberal application of a silicone rubber
`fill level for potting the sealing compound into the recep-
`sealing compound which is intended to wick into the inter- 40
`tacle.
`stices between the bundled cables/conductors so as to pro(cid:173)
`In use of the aforementioned embodiment, the cables/
`vide an effective pressure seal. However, in practice, this
`conductors which are to be passed through a respective
`type of pressure seal tends to leak, as not all the gaps in the
`bulkhead opening are arranged into one or more bundles
`seal are reliably filled by the sealing compound. This prob(cid:173)
`sized to be capable of being passed through one or more of
`the apertures in the support insulator. The silicone rubber
`lem is accentuated by high-pressure differentials across the 45
`membrane is then pierced where it overlies the respective
`seal and by cyclical pressurization and depressurization in
`apertures, and the ·cable/conductor bundles are threaded
`normal use.
`through the pierced membrane and through the underlying
`Another problem with the conventionally used arrange-·
`apertures in the support insulator until the appropriate
`ment is that it relies on a sufficient bundle of cables/
`bundle lengths extend downstream of the gland. The resil(cid:173)
`conductors being passed through the elastomeric bung in 50
`ience of the silicone rubber membrane constrains the cable/
`order to produce optimum results. When it is desired to pass
`conductor bundles where they pass through the membrane,
`only a few small cables through a particular bulkhead
`and forms a tight mechanical seal. Silicone rubber sealing
`orifice, the hole through the bung can be too large in
`compound is then potted into the receptacle to the depth
`comparison to the size of the cable bundle for the sealant,
`indicated by the marker line. A second insulator disc, similar
`which is quite fluid, to form an effective seal.
`to the first, may advantageously be threaded onto the cable/
`conductor bundles upstream of the gland and pressed down
`onto the sealing compound in the receptacle for urging the
`sealing compound into the cable bundle interstices and
`60 ensuring a void free seal.
`As will readily be appreciated, the present invention
`enables cables, conductors, cable/conductor bundles and the
`like to be passed through a bulkhead opening and readily and
`effectively sealed with respect to the opening so that pres-
`65 sure differentials across the bulkhead can easily be accom(cid:173)
`modated. The sealing membrane effectively prevents, or at
`least limits, the weeping of the silicone sealing compound
`
`The present invention in its broadest aspect reduce these
`problems by arranging for the silicone rubber sealing com(cid:173)
`pound to be contained, or at least substantially contained,
`when it is applied to the passage of the cable/conductor
`bundle through the bulkhead opening.
`More particularly, the inventor has recognized that such
`containment of the sealing compound can be effected by use
`of a cable sealing gland which is adapted to be fitted in an
`opening in a bulkhead and defines a receptacle which is
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
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`down the cables or through any unused apertures in the
`support insulator. The presence of the support insulator, and
`more particularly the presence in the completed cable seal(cid:173)
`ing gland of two spaced-apart support insulators, signifi(cid:173)
`cantly and advantageously restricts the amount of yawing
`movement that the cable harness can execute where the
`cables pass through the gland.
`The invention also enables additional wiring to be passed
`through an existing cable gland. This can be achieved, in
`accordance with a further aspect of the invention, by passing
`a tube through the membrane and through one of the
`apertures in the support insulator just as if it were a cable/
`conductor bundle, and sealing the tube with a removable
`bung. The tube thus installed in the cable sealing gland
`provides a by-pass through the gland which can be opened
`and utilized for additional wiring or other later modifications
`to an already installed gland. The tube can be permanently
`sealed as desired by injection of sealing compound into the
`tube.
`The above and further features of the present invention 20
`are set forth with particularity in the appended claims and,
`together with the advantages thereof, will become clear from
`consideration of the following detailed description of the
`abovementioned exemplary embodiment which is given
`with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`
`25
`
`10
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`4
`defines a chamber or receptacle 13 therein. The sealing
`membrane 12 is adhered at a first end 14 of the chamber 13
`to an electrically insulating support member 15 which backs
`the membrane and is itself adhered to the housing 11 with an
`5 0-ring seal 16 sealing the support member/housing inter(cid:173)
`face. The gland 10 further comprises a second insulator 17
`which is located at and fits into the second end 18 of the
`chamber 13. As will be explained hereinafter, the insulators
`15 and 17 are apertured and bundles of cables or the like can
`be passed through the apertures by first piercing the mem(cid:173)
`brane 12 at corresponding locations, the membrane then
`forming a pressure seal around each bundle and serving to
`contain a silicone rubber sealing compound or the like
`introduced into the chamber 13, the sealing compound
`solidifying to form a resilient plug 19 which seals and
`15 supports the passage of the cable/conductor bundles through
`the cable sealing gland. Furthermore, a by-pass tube 22
`together with an associated sealing bung 23 are advanta(cid:173)
`geously provided through the cable sealing gland 10 in order
`to provide an additional sealable, small cable passageway.
`The cable/conductor bundles are threaded through a screw(cid:173)
`threaded locking cap (not shown) which is adapted to be
`screwed onto the housing 11 at the second end 18 thereof,
`and the locking cap serves to retain the second insulator 17.
`The housing 11 is also provided with an external flange 24
`and external screw threads for cooperation with a jam nut 20
`and an associated 0-ring seal 21 to enable the housing 11 to
`be secured within an orifice cut in a bulkhead panel.
`Referring more closely to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen
`that the housing 11 has a flange 24 formed between the first
`30 and second ends 14, 18 and extending outwards from the
`external surface 25 of the housing 11. The flange 24 has a
`groove 26 formed on one side thereof for accommodating
`the 0-ring seal 21, and the external surface of the housing
`11 has a screw thread 27 for mounting the jam nut 20. By
`this means, the housing 11 can be securely mounted in a
`suitably sized aperture in the bulkhead panel, the external
`part of the housing 11 being pressure sealed to the bulkhead
`due to the use of the 0-ring seal 21.
`At the first and second ends 14, 18, the housing 11 has
`40 respective screw threads 28, 29 formed on its external
`surface 25 this allows various kinds of connector accesso(cid:173)
`ries, including the previously mentioned locking cap, to be
`screwed onto the housing 11. These accessories are adapted
`to be locked into a fixed rotational position with respect to
`the housing 11 by virtue of being formed with locking teeth
`which cooperate with locking teeth 30, 31 provided at the
`respective first and second ends 14, 18 of the housing. The
`housing 11 is made of aluminum alloy, and thus the screw
`threads 27, 28, 29 are easily formed by machining the
`50 housing 11. The external surface 25 of the housing 11 and
`the jam nut 20 can then be finished by plating with a
`corrosion-resistant metal such as Nickel.
`The chamber 13 that is defined within the housing 11 is
`adapted to locate the first insulating support 15 and the
`55 second insulating support 17 in predetermined positions at
`the respective ends of the housing. To this, end the chamber
`13 is formed with stepped internal wall portions 32, 33
`against which the respective insulating supports 15 and 17
`can be abutted when they are inserted into the chamber 13,
`the support members themselves being complementarily
`stepped. Furthermore, the chamber 13 advantageously has a
`circumferential marking groove (not shown) cut into its
`inner surface proximate the second end 18, and this is clearly
`defined by filling the groove with colored ink, for example.
`65 The groove is used when filling the chamber 13 with silicone
`rubber sealing compound to provide a maximum fill level
`indication.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a half-sectional side elevation view of a cable
`sealing gland embodying the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the cable sealing gland
`of FIG. 1, the view being taken from the right-hand side of
`FIG. 1 with the jam nut and 0-ring seal omitted;
`FIGS. 3A to 3F show the membrane that is incorporated
`into the cable sealing gland of FIG. 1 and 2, all to an
`enlarged scale, FIG. 3A being a top plan view showing the
`positions of formations provided in the membrane, FIG. 3B
`being a side elevation view, FIGS. 3C and 3D being plan and
`cross-sectional views showing the profile of one of three
`large pierceable formations that are provided in the mem(cid:173)
`brane, and FIGS. 3E and 3F being plan and cross-sectional
`views showing the profile of one of two small pierceable
`· formations that are provided in the membrane;
`FIGS. 4A and 4B show the support member that backs the
`membrane in the cable sealing gland of FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG.
`4A showing the arrangement of apertures provided through
`the support member at locations corresponding to the loca(cid:173)
`tions of the formations provided in the membrane, and FIG.
`4B being a partial sectional view showing chamfering at the
`edges of the apertures;
`FIG. SA is a schematic cross-sectional diagram showing
`the juxtapositioning of a pierceable formation in the mem(cid:173)
`brane with an aperture in the support member prior to
`piercing of the membrane and insertion of a cable/conductor
`bundle therethrough, and FIG. SB shows the arrangement of
`FIG. SA after insertion of the cable/conductor bundle; and
`FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through an assembled
`cable sealing gland showing a cable passing therethrough.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIGS. 1 and 2 show a cable sealing gland 10 for providing
`a cable conduit through a bulkhead between two enclosures
`at different pressures, the gland essentially comprising a
`housing 11 and a cable sealing membrane 12. The housing
`11 has a generally circular-cylindrical internal shape and
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`Refening now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cable sealing
`membrane 12 is made from elastomeric silicone rubber and
`is in the form of a circular disk having a diameter selected
`such that the membrane makes a close fit within the chamber
`13. The membrane 12 is formed with three large pierceable
`formations 40, two small pierceable formations 41, and a
`through hole 42 which serves to accommodate the tube 22.
`As shown in FIGS. 3C, 3D, 3E and 3F, the large and small
`pierceable formations 40, 41 formed in the membrane 12 are
`circular and part-spherical, having a generally concave
`cross-sectional profile through Z-Z and Y - Y, respec(cid:173)
`tively. The radius of curvature of each of the formations 40,
`41 is so selected as to leave a predetermined thickness 43 of
`silicone rubber material at a central piercing point 44. The
`formations 40, 41 are designed to be pierced at the piercing
`point 44 to enable the passing of a cable or a cable/conductor
`bundle through the membrane 12. The passing of a cable/
`conductor bundle through either of the formations 40, 41 can
`cause a significant amount of stress at the circumference or
`rim 45 of the formations 40, 41 and, in order to accommo(cid:173)
`date this, the formations 40, 41 are formed with a stress(cid:173)
`relieving step 46 in their cross-sectional profile at their rim
`45.
`FIGS. 4A and 4B show the arrangement of the through
`apertures which are formed in the support insulators 15 and
`17. The arrangement 50 comprises three large circular
`apertures 51 and three smaller circular apertures 52 disposed
`symmetrically about a center 53, this arrangement being
`designed to match the arrangement of the pierceable large
`and small formations 40, 41 and the through hole 42 that are
`provided in the cable sealing membrane 12. Thus, when the
`membrane 12 is adhered to the insulating support 15 in the
`correct orientation, the formations in the membrane 12 align
`with respective ones of the apertures in the support member
`15.
`The members 15 and 17 are formed of a rigid electrically(cid:173)
`insulating plastic material and desirably, though not essen(cid:173)
`tially, are identical. Each of the members 15, 17 comprises
`a disc-shaped body which incorporates a step formation
`about its circumference, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to enable
`the respective body to be located within the chamber 13 in
`abutment with respective ones of the stepped portions 32, 30
`of the internal chamber wall, and thus in predetermined
`positions. At least the membrane support insulator 15 also
`has tapered surfaces 55 formed at the ends 58 of the
`apertures 51, 52 which are proximate to the membrane 12. 45
`This feature is clearly illustrated in FIG. 4B, which is a
`cross-sectional view through a fragmentary part of the
`support insulator 15. The tapered surfaced 55 is inclined at
`an angle 56 to the axis 57 of the respective aperture 51, 52,
`and this angle 56 is typically 25°. The tapered surfaces 55
`enhance the sealing effect of the membrane 12, as is dis(cid:173)
`cussed in detail later. In addition, the opposed ends 59 (see
`FIGS. SA and SB) of the apertures 51, 52 comprise further
`chamfered surfaces 60 which are provided for reducing the
`likelihood that the cables passing through the apertures 51,
`52 will be cut on the edges of the apertures 51, 52 due to
`cable movement. Various other sharp edge-removing pro(cid:173)
`files could be used in place of the chamfered surfaces 60, and
`these could be just as effective. The second insulating body
`17, if it is not identical to support insulator 15, need have
`chamfered surfaces only at the outer end of its apertures in
`order to prevent cables from being cut, and there is no need
`to form tapers at the opposed, inner ends of the apertures
`where the cables will be securely held by the silicone rubber
`sealing compound.
`As previously described, the insulating body 17 is secured
`in its predetermined position in the housing 11 by means of
`
`6
`a locking cap (not shown), which can be screwed onto the
`second end 18 of the housing 11. The locking cap may
`advantageously incorporate a cable tie for securing together
`cables that are fed into the cable sealing gland 10 and for
`5 providing strain relief for the cable sealing gland. The cable
`tie/end cap arrangement advantageously has a toothed rim at
`an assembly connection end which, when engaged with the
`set of locking teeth 31 provided on the housing 11, locks the
`cable tie into a predetermined position against rotational
`movement. This ensures that any subsequent pulling on the
`cables does not cause any substantial strain on the internal
`components of the cable sealing gland,: rather, any such
`strain acts directly on the housing 11, which is constructed
`to withstand it.
`The provision of the by-pass tube 22 through the cable
`sealing gland 10 provides a further advantage over prior art
`arrangements. In the prior art, once the cable gland has been
`sealed, further access through the gland cannot be obtained.
`The advantage of using the by-pass tube 22 and its sealing
`20 bung 23 is that it provides a passageway within an already
`sealed assembly for subsequent through access. The by-pass
`tube 22 is made of a plastic material and is dimensioned to
`pass sealingly through the hole 42 that is formed in the
`sealing membrane 12 and to be secured in place by the
`25 silicone rubber sealing compound when it sets. The bung 23
`is made from PTFE, for example, and is dimensioned to fit
`into one end of the tube 22 and to form a pressure seal
`therewith.
`FIGS. SA and SB illustrate the use of a cable sealing gland
`30 as described herein above. FIG. SA shows one aperture 59
`in the membrane support insulator 15 and the adjoining
`region of the membrane 12 prior to piercing of the formation
`40, 41 and passage of a cable/conductor bundle there(cid:173)
`through, and FIG. SB shows the situation after the mem-
`35 brane 12 has been pierced and the cable/conductor bundle
`inserted. As can be seen from FIG. SB, when a cable or
`bundle of cables 61 are fed through the pierced membrane,
`the elastomeric material of the membrane is stretched to
`accommodate the cable, and portions of the membrane are
`40 drawn down into the aperture in the support insulator and are
`in effect wedged therein between the aperture wall and the
`cable surface so as to form a pressure seal, which is secured
`and reinforced by the subsequent injection of sealing com-
`pound into the gland.
`FIG. 6 shows a cross-section through the cable sealing
`gland 10 where a cable 61 has been passed through one of
`the large pierceable formations 40 of the membrane 12 and
`one of the large apertures 51 of the support member 15. In
`this illustration, the small formation 41 in the membrane 12
`50 has not been pierced and thus still forms a seal for the small
`aperture 52 in the support member 15. After the cable 61 is
`passed through the gland, it may be sealed in place by filling
`the chamber 13 with a suitable sealing composition, the
`filling of the chamber being effected to the level indicated by
`the previously mentioned fill line that is provided within the
`chamber. Before the sealing compound sets, the second
`insulator body 17 is moved into the second end 18 of the
`housing 11 and, by screwing the locking cap onto the
`housing, the body 17 is urged into the chamber 13 until it
`60 abuts the stepped portion 33. This action causes some of the
`sealing compound to be squeezed out of the gaps between
`the cables 61 and their respective apertures and also through
`unused apertures in the end body 17. More importantly, this
`action compresses the fluid sealing compound towards the
`65 membrane 12 this ensures that cable bundle interstices are
`well filled and that any air pockets which may have been
`formed during the potting procedure are forced out. Even if
`
`55
`
`Cooper Ex. 1005
`
`

`

`5,596,176
`
`10
`
`20
`
`7
`some of the apertures in the end body 17 do not have cables
`passing therethrough, enough of a force is generated towards
`the membrane 12 to ensure that the sealing compound fills
`all voids. The sealing compound is then allowed to set with
`the cables secured to the cable tie of the locking cap. The
`thus formed cable sealing gland 10 is then fitted into an
`orifice in a bulkhead panel, the diameter of the orifice being
`made to correspond to that of housing 11 at the screw(cid:173)
`threaded 27, and is secured in position by screwing the jam
`nut 20 onto the housing 11. By providing the 0-ring seal 21
`located in the groove 26 of the flange 24, a pressure seal is
`formed between the bulkhead and the cable sealing gland.
`The membrane 12 and the support insulator 15 may be
`replaced by a single member which has an arrangement of
`rigid portions and pierceable flexible portions, the flexible
`portions being constrained against the rigid portions when a
`cable is passed therethrough to form a seal around the cable.
`Similarly, the membrane 12 does not have to have pierceable
`formations within it and could alternatively be of uniform
`thickness throughout. Furthermore, the membrane could be
`pre-pierced at the locations thereof which correspond to the
`location of the apertures in the support member, or at least
`partly pre-pierced.
`I claim:
`1. A cable sealing gland for use in sealing the passage of 25
`one or more electrical cables/conductors through a bulk(cid:173)
`head, said cable sealing gland comprising:
`(a) a tubular housing having an interior;
`(b) means for securing said housing sealingly relative to
`an opening in a bulkhead such that an interior of the
`housing is in registry with the bulkhead opening,
`whereby at least one electrical cable/conductor passed
`through said tubular housing will pass through the
`bulkhead;
`(c) said housing interior defining a receptacle for receiv(cid:173)
`ing a fluid cable sealing compound, said receptacle
`when filled with said compound and with said at least
`one electrical cable/conductor passing through said
`tubular housing ensuring that the passage of said at 40
`least one electrical cable/conductor through the bulk(cid:173)
`head is sealed; and
`(d) retaining means for said fluid cable sealing compound,
`said retaining means comprising at least one wall of
`resilient elastomeric material extending across the inte- 45
`rior of said tubular housing so as substantially to seal
`the same against leakage of said fluid cable sealing
`compound, said wall enabling electrical cables/conduc(cid:173)
`tors of different sizes to be pierced therethrough and
`elastically engaging said cables/conductors in a manner 50
`substantially to seal said cables/conductors against
`leakage of said fluid cable sealing compound substan(cid:173)
`tially irrespective of the sizes of said cables/conductors.
`2. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
`wall of resilient elastomeric material comprises a membrane 55
`of elastomeric material backed by a support member, said
`support member having means defining at least one aperture
`therein providing locations for passage of said at least one
`electrical cable/conductor.
`3. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 2, wherein the 60
`support member has means defining a plurality of apertures
`of different sizes.
`4. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 2 or 3,
`wherein the membrane of elastomeric material is thinned at
`location(s) thereof which correspond to positions of said 65
`means defining said at least one aperture in the support
`member.
`
`8
`5. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
`thinning of the membrane is effected by provision of one or
`more concave formations at said locations of the membrane.
`6. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
`5 membrane is formed of a silicone rubber material and the
`support member comprises a rigid plastic material.
`7. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
`tubular housing has a first end and a second end opposed to
`said first end, and wherein the wall is provided adjacent said
`first end of the tubular housing and a further support member
`is provided in the housing adjacent said second end, a
`spacing between said support members defining a chamber
`within the tubular housing which is adapted to be filled with
`said sealing compound.
`8. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 7, wherein the
`15 support member which backs the membrane is fixedly
`secured in the housing and said further support member is
`not fixedly secured in the housing.
`9. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 7 or 8,
`wherein a fill indicator is provided in the chamber for
`indicating an appropriate filling level for said sealing com(cid:173)
`pound.
`10. A cable sealing gland as claimed in claim 7 or 8,
`wherein including an end cap adapted to be fitted to said
`second end of the tubular housing for retaining said further
`support member therein.
`11. A cable sealing gland as claimed in any one of claims
`1 to 3 or 6 to 8, wherein a by-pass tube extends through the
`tubular housing for enabling access to be effected through
`the cable sealing gland after filling of the receptacle with
`30 said sealing compound.
`12. A cable sealing gland for use in sealing the passage of
`at least one electrical cable/conductor through a bulkhead,
`said cable sealing gland comprising:
`(a) a tubular housing having an interior;
`(b) means for securing said housing sealingly relative to
`an opening in a bulkhead such that the interior of the
`housing is in registry with the bulkhead opening,
`whereby at least one electrical cable/conductor passed
`through said tubular housing will pass through the
`bulkhead;
`(c) said housing interior defining a receptacle for receiv(cid:173)
`ing a