United States Patent
`US 6,852,922 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`(12)
`Widman
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Feb. 8, 2005
`
`
`US006852922B2
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING
`A CONDUIT
`
`4,060,264 A * 11/1977 Gajajiva oe 285/148.19
`4,169,967 A * 10/1979 Bachle .........08.. 174/65 SS
`
`8/1980 Wium oo... 174/50
`4,216,349 A
`
`(75)
`Inventor:
`Jay E. Widman, Kingwood, TX (US)
`..
`we. 174/77 R
`4,287,386 A *
`9/1981 Scahill et al.
`4,301,325 A * 11/1981 Hutchison......
`... 156/242
`
`«nee:
`:
`6/1984 Klein .........
`we 174/23
`4,456,784 A
`
`(73) Assignee: Houston Ixus) Company,
`8/1984. Wium ...........
`we 174/50
`4,467,136 A
`
`ouston,
`8/1985 Morrow etal.
`.. 174/65 SS
`4,538,053 A *
`.
`.
`we 285/136.1
`4,555,129 A * 11/1985 Davlin
`...
`4.
`.
`(*) Notice:
`Subjectto any disclaimer,the term ofthis
`21986 Ginbileo tay R
`4.571.452 A *
`
`
`6/1986 Vollmuth et al. we... 285/31
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`4,592,574 A *
`US.C. 154(b) by 0 days. 4,640,978 A—-2/1987 Kilbane et al. wv... 174/23
`
`
`3/1988 Gandy veces 385/69
`4,733,935 A *
`(List continued on next page.)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3833370 AL
`4/1990
`accesses F16L/5/02
`0 499 754 Al
`8/1999 oe. H02G/15/013
`11121086 A
`4/1999 aa. HO1R/13/523
`WO98/21798
`5/1998 eee H02G/15/013
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/904,747
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jul. 13, 2001
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2003/0010516 Al Jan. 16, 2003
`
`(51) Unt, C17 oeecccccecccceccccccsesseeesesseesiessseess H02G 3/04
`(52) U.S. Cle eeccccccsssessssssseens 174/48; 174/50; 174/21 R;
`17403 B
`(58) Field of Search oo... eee 174/48, 49, 50,
`174/50.5, 65 R, 68.1, 76, 19, 21 R, 20,
`22 R, 34, 47, 68.3, 100, 23 R; 138/109,
`120, 155, 96 T; 285/333, 390, 355, 93
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/1915 Hooker
`1,135,376 A
`9/1931 Uber wee eeccee 285/383
`1,824,642 A *
`7/1941 Tepel
`2,247,671 A
`9/1941 Olley
`2,257,065 A
`7/1947 Thoren
`2,424,067 A
`1/1949 Risley oo... eee 285/383
`2,460,032 A *
`6/1955 Bissell
`2,711,438 A
`2,816,472 A * 12/1957 Boughton ..........0 285/354
`2,835,722 A
`5/1958 Appleton
`3,424,853 A *
`1/1969 Johnson III ............ 174/65 R
`
`. 174/138 F
`1/1971 Larson....
`3,555,171 A *
`
`.. 174/65 R
`3,585,273 A *
`6/1971 Paul.....
`9/1971 Nava.......
`.. 174/65 R
`3,607,604 A *
`
`5/1972 Singletary .......
`.. 174/65 R
`3,662,087 A *
`
`.. 174/65 R
`3,761,601 A *
`9/1973 Kaesser et al.
`.
`3/1975 Brownfield ...........0. 285/390
`3,871,692 A *
`
`DE
`EP
`JP
`=wo
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`International Search Report.
`
`Primary Examiner—Dean A. Reichard
`Assistant Examiner—Angel R. Estrada
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Baker Botts L-L.P.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An apparatus and method for sealing a conduit is provided.
`The apparatus includesa cylindrical housing having an inner
`chamber and two free running hubs disposed on opposite
`ends of the cylinder. The free running hubs couple to
`opposing ends of the conduit. A pair of neoprene membranes
`are provided within the free running hubs, which isolate the
`inside of the conduit from the inner chamberof the housing.
`The inner chamberisfilled with a polyurethane-based epoxy
`sealant compound. Anyair, other gases or moisture trapped
`within the inner chamberis released through a port in the
`housing, which is then sealed with a plug. The apparatus
`forms a hermetic seal between the inside of the conduit and
`the outside environment.
`
`23 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`US 6,852,922 B2
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`Page 2
`
`5,560,655 A * 10/1996 Cameron 1... eee 184/15.2
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,580,103 A * 12/1996 Hall w.cccccceeseeeeees 285/331
`.
`5,654,526 A *
`8/1997 Sharp vcceeececcceuscesecee 174/84 R
`4,840,194 A i,
`6/1989 Berry see eeeeeeeeeeceeeeeeeeees 138/155
`5,971,035 A * 10/1999 Griffioen veces 138/155
`ee :
`sitoo, pasile Cb al.
`seeseeeseeeeeeeBee
`6,075,204 A *
`6/2000 Celauro et ale sess... 174/17 GF
`037,
`obertson......
` L74/
`/
`
`5,051,541 A *
`9/1991 Bawaetal. ...... 174/65 SS
`6,175,487 Bl *
`1/2001 McCartney et al.
`... 174/DIG. 2
`:
`5,243,132 A
`9/1993 Yarbrough ............... 174/52.2
`6,321,021 B1 * 11/2001 Cairns et al.
`...ceeceee 385/135
`.
`
`
`
`
`5,266,742 A 6.489.554 Bl * 12/2002 Bertinietal11/1993 Heier et al. we 174/93 174/15.6
`2/1995 Zormow vee 285/148.19
`F075
`CTECE AN sreeerereeees
`,
`5,393,104 A *
`5,452,748 A *
`9/1995 Simmonsetal. wc. 138/89
`5,466,890 A * 11/1995 Stagnitti 0... 174/65 R
`
`* cited by examiner
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 8, 2005
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 6,852,922 B2
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`34
`
`FIG.1
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.8, 2005
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 6,852,922 B2
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`22
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`FIG. 2
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`US 6,852,922 B2
`
`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING
`A CONDUIT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to conduit seals,
`and moreparticularly to a conduit seal system incorporated
`into a conduit run, which isolates internal sections of the
`conduit,
`thus preventing the passage of vapor, gases or
`flames via the conduit from section to section.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`TECHNOLOGY
`
`To comply with the current National Electrical Code,
`conduit seals must prevent the passage of gases, vapors, or
`flames from one portion of an electrical
`installation to
`another when used in areas where flammable or explosive
`gases and vapors may bepresent. For this reason, hermeti-
`cally sealed conduits have been developed. One method and
`apparatus for accomplishing this goal can be found in US.
`Pat. No. 4,640,978 issued to the Minnesota Mining and
`Manufacturing Company. This patent relates to a method of
`sealing electrical fittings by foaming in situ a removable,
`flame retardant, solvent resistant, substantially closed cell
`isocyanurate resin. The patent provides that once the conduit
`and conduit fitting are installed and wires threaded through
`the conduit, a nonflammable packing material is inserted
`into the fitting to prevent the flow of the resin beyond the
`area that needs to be sealed. The resin compound is then
`mixed and pouredinto the fitting through an opening, which
`is closed with a seal plug once the area to be sealed isfilled
`with the resin compound. A drawback of this invention is
`that the composition contains water, which can cause the
`composition to swell at low temperatures and fracture the
`seal casing. Another drawback of this design is that the
`nonflammable packing material used to section off the area
`to be sealed is extremely difficult to insert in a manner
`necessary to prevent the migration of the composition into
`the conduit and out of the seal body.
`Atleast one prior art conduit seal has eliminated the use
`of packing material to section off the area to be sealed. This
`device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,247,671 issued to
`Tepelet al. In this device, the conduit seal is mounted on the
`end of the conduit and consists of three separate body-
`forming elements, an inner casing or coupling member, an
`extension or intermediate casing member, and an outer end
`or ring bushing member. The inner casing memberis formed
`with an interior thread adapted to be screwed onto the
`threaded end of the conduit. Adjacent to the threaded portion
`of the inner casing and opposite the end of the conduit is an
`annular shoulder or abutment. Between the end of the
`
`is a soft rubber diaphragm
`conduit and the abutment
`mounted between two relatively thin annular sheet metal
`rings. The rubber diaphragm is formed with an opening of a
`diameter considerably smaller than the outside diameter of
`the sheath of the cable. This is so that when the cable is
`
`the rubber snugly embraces the
`inserted in the opening,
`cable in a substantially tight manner. Thus,
`the rubber
`diaphragm in this device replaces the use of the packing
`material. However, a drawback of this device is that it is
`designed as an end seal, primarily for lead sheathed cables.
`It is not designed to join two lengths of conduit and provide
`a seal that will deter the flow of gases, vapors, and flames.
`Also, it is not easily connectable to the conduit.
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`invention overcomes the above-identified
`The present
`problemsas well as other shortcomings and deficiencies of
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`existing technologies by providing an apparatus and method
`for sealing a conduit from gases, vapors and flames, which
`is not susceptible to fracturing and eliminates the necessity
`of stuffing packing material into difficult to reach areas with
`very limited visibility. This assures that the sealant remains
`in the seal and prevents the passages of vapors, gases, and/or
`flames.
`
`In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus
`for sealing the conduit is provided. The apparatus includes
`a housing defined by an inner chamber and outer surface.
`The apparatus further includesat least one free running hub
`disposed on, and mountedto, the housing, which is adapted
`for coupling to at least one end of the conduit. The apparatus
`also includes a flexible membrane disposed within the inner
`chamber of the housing, which is adjacent
`to the free
`running hub. The apparatus further includes a polyurethane-
`based epoxy sealant disposed within the inner chamber and
`means for purging any air, other gases, or moisture which
`may be trapped within the inner chamber.
`In one
`embodiment, the purging meansincludesa threaded port and
`corresponding threaded plug adapted to mate with the
`threaded port. In another embodiment, the purging means
`includes a valve, preferably of the spring loaded ball type.
`As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the
`purging means may include other equivalent devices.
`In another embodimentof the present invention, a method
`of sealing a conduit using the apparatus described aboveis
`provided. The method includes the steps of coupling the
`apparatus to at least one end of the conduit, threading any
`wires or cables that may be contained within the conduit
`throughthe flexible membrane,andfilling the inner chamber
`with the polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound. The
`method also includes the step of releasing any air, other
`gases, or moisture which may be trapped in the inner
`chamberafter it is filled with the polyurethane-based epoxy
`sealant compound.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure
`and advantages thereof may be acquired byreferring to the
`following description taken in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawings wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for sealing
`a conduit in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side view of a free running hub in accordance
`with the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawings, the details of preferred
`embodiments of the invention are schematically illustrated.
`FIG. 1 illustrates the apparatus for sealing a conduit in
`accordance with the present
`invention. The apparatus is
`showngenerally by reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10
`couples opposing ends of a conduit 12 to each other by
`hermetically sealing the inside of the conduit and its
`contents, namely wires and/or cables 14, from the outside.
`The apparatus 10 includes a housing 16, which is formed
`of a generally cylindrically-shaped mid-section 18, and a
`pair of oppositely mounted free running hubs 20 and 22. The
`cylindrically-shaped mid-section 18 of the housing 16 is
`formed of metal, preferably an aluminum alloy.
`The free running hubs 20 and 22 are generally conical in
`shape. Female threads are formed on the inside surface of
`the conical portion of the hubs 20 and 22. One female thread
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`US 6,852,922 B2
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`3
`is adapted to mate with a male thread formedat the opposing
`ends of the conduit 12 being joined and sealed by the
`apparatus 10. Another female thread is adapted to mate with
`a male thread formedat the opposing ends of the mid-section
`18. The female and male threads are taper-tapped to match
`each other, and each hasatleast five full threads, to insure
`a tight seal. The taper of the threads adapted for mating the
`free running hubs 20 and 22 with the mid-section 18
`terminates at shoulders 32 and 34, which coincide with the
`end of the female threads near the center of the free running
`hubs 20 and 22.
`
`Disk-shaped flexible membranes 36 and 38 are placed
`against shoulders 32 and 34, respectively. The disk-shaped
`flexible membranes 36 and 38 are preferably formed of
`neoprene, and are preferably approximately 125 millimeters
`thick and approximately 0.50 to 3.50 inches in diameter,
`depending on the diameter of the seal necessary to match the
`size conduit in question. The membranes 36 and 38 have a
`raised surface formed of a plurality of indentations in a
`symmetrical pattern. The membranes 36 and 38 also have
`openings, in the form of slits, through which the wires/
`cables 14 can be accommodated. The openings in the
`membranes 36 and 38 are smaller than the outer diameter of
`the wires/cables 14 so that the membranes form aninterfer-
`ence fit around the outer diameter of the wires/cables. This
`interference fit helps to hermetically seal the inside of the
`conduit 12 from the outside environment.
`
`The housing 16 has an inner chamber 40, whichis defined
`by the regions formed inside of the cylindrical mid-section
`18 and inside of the tapered section of the free running hubs
`20 and 22. The inner chamber40 separates the inside of the
`apparatus 10 from the outside environment. The flexible
`membranes 36 and 38 retain the polyurethane-based epoxy
`sealant compound within the inner chamber 40.
`A port is formed in the cylindrical mid-section 18 of the
`housing 16.
`It
`is threaded and adapted to mate with a
`threaded plug 42. The threaded plug 42 is removable and
`used to release any air, other gases and/or moisture trapped
`inside of the inner chamber 40. The threaded plug 42 is also
`used to open the port so that the polyurethane-based epoxy
`sealant compound can be injected into the chamber 40 and
`can be inspected.
`When the inner chamber40 is filled, the injection device
`is removed and the inner chamberis sealed. After the inner
`chamber 40 is filled, some air may be trapped in the inner
`chamber. This air is released by removing the threaded plug
`42 as described above. As those of ordinary skill in the art
`will appreciate, other mechanisms may beused in place of
`the threaded plug 42 to fill the inner chamber 40 in the
`mannerdescribed.
`
`The polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compoundprefer-
`ably comprises a polymer and a monomer. Furthermore, the
`polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound does not allow
`water to migrate through the seal into the inside of the
`conduit 12. Therefore, the apparatus 10 does not require a
`drain or breather plug. However, the plug 42 can be modified
`to perform the function of a drain or breather plug where
`needed. Indeed, the threaded plug 42 can be modified to
`allow moisture to flow out of the inner chamber 40 at a rate
`of 50 cc (cubic centimeters) per minute and air to flow out
`at a rate of 0.2 cubic feet per minute at atmospheric pressure,
`by utilizing a spring-loaded ball-type valve assembly cali-
`brated for the desired flow of air and/or moisture.
`
`The apparatus 10 is preferably assembled as follows.
`First, the cylindrically-shaped mid-section 18 and free run-
`ning hubs 20 and 22 are formed. The free running hubs 20
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`into their desired shape. The inner
`and 22 are die cast
`partially conical surface is then taper-tapped to form at least
`five female threads on each side, as described above. The
`flexible membranes 36 and 38 are also formed using con-
`ventional techniques.
`Oncethe basic components of the device are formed, the
`device is ready for assembly. The flexible membranes 36 and
`38 are positioned in the free running hubs 20 and 22, and
`more specifically, against
`the shoulders 32 and 34. The
`flexible membranes 36 and 38 are sized such that
`their
`diameters are slightly larger than the internal diameters of
`the free running hubs 20 and 22 so that the membranesfit
`snuggly within the free running hubs. The free running hubs
`20 and 22 are then attached to the cylindrically-shaped
`mid-section 18 of the housing 16 through a male-female
`thread connection. As those of ordinary skill in the art will
`appreciate, there are a numberofalternative and equivalent
`means of securing the mid-section 18 to the free running
`hubs 18.
`
`Finally, the threaded port, or valve, 42 is formed in, and
`attached to,
`respectively,
`the cylindrically-shaped mid-
`section 18. These steps in the assembly can take place before
`or after assembly of the mid-section 18 and free running
`hubs 20 and 22. The threaded port, or valve, 42 are con-
`ventional devices, which can be manufactured using known
`techniques.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a free running hub in accordance with
`the present invention. The female thread of the free running
`hub 22 adapted to mate with the mid-section (not shown)is
`adjacent
`to the shoulder 34. A flexible membrane (not
`shown) maybe placed against the shoulder to form a seal to
`contain sealant compound within the mid-section.
`While the present
`invention is susceptible to various
`modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments
`thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings
`and are herein described in detail. It should be understood,
`however, that the description herein of specific embodiments
`is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms
`disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
`modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within
`the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
`appended claims.
`Whatis claimedis:
`(a) a metal
`1. A sealed conduit system, comprising:
`conduit having at least one end; (b) a housing having an
`inner chamber and an outer surface; (c) at least one free
`running hub coupled to said housing andtheat least one end
`of said metal conduit; (d) a flexible membrane disposed
`within said at least one free running hub; and (e) a spring-
`loaded ball type valve adapted to purge any air, other gases
`or moisture, which may be trapped within the inner chamber
`of said housing.
`2. Asealed conduit system according to claim 1, wherein
`the housing is defined by a mid-section, which is substan-
`tially cylindrically shaped, and two free running hubs are
`disposed on, and mounted to, opposite ends of the mid-
`section.
`
`3. A sealed conduit system according to claim 1, further
`comprising a polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound
`disposed within said inner chamber.
`4. Asealed conduit system according to claim 3, wherein
`the polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound comprises
`a polymer and a monomer.
`5. Asealed conduit system according to claim 1, wherein
`the housing is formed of an aluminum alloy.
`(a) a metal
`6. A sealed conduit system, comprising:
`conduit having at least one end; (b) a housing having an
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`US 6,852,922 B2
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`5
`inner chamber and an outer surface; (c) at least one free
`running hub coupled to said housing andtheat least one end
`of said metal conduit; and (d) a flexible membrane disposed
`within said at least one free running hub; wherein: said
`housing is defined by a mid-section, which is substantially
`cylindrically shaped, and two free running hubsare disposed
`on, and mounted to, opposite ends of the mid-section; and
`the free running hubsare partially conical in shape and have
`an inside surface, which has a first set of female threads
`formed thereon for mating with the ends of the metal
`conduit.
`7. Asealed conduit system according to claim 6, wherein
`the inside surface of the free running hubshas a secondset
`of female threads formed thereon for mating with the ends
`of the cylindrically-shaped mid-section and a shoulder adja-
`cent to the second set of female threads.
`
`8. Asealed conduit system according to claim 7, wherein
`a flexible membraneis disposed on the inside surface of each
`of the free running hubs adjacent to the shoulder.
`9. Asealed conduit system according to claim 6, further
`comprising a polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound
`disposed within said inner chamber.
`10. Asealed conduit system according to claim 9, wherein
`the polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound comprises
`a polymer and a monomer.
`11. Asealed conduit system according to claim 6, wherein
`the housing is formed of an aluminum alloy.
`12. A sealed conduit system, comprising: (a) a metal
`conduit having at least one end; (b) a housing having an
`inner chamber and an outer surface; (c) at least one free
`running hub coupled to said housing andtheat least one end
`of said metal conduit; and (d) a flexible membrane disposed
`within said at
`least one free running hub; wherein the
`flexible membraneis generally disk-shaped, formed of neo-
`prene and hasat least one opening for accommodating one
`or more cables.
`
`13. A sealed conduit system according to claim 12,
`wherein the housing is defined by a mid-section, which is
`substantially cylindrically shaped, and two free running
`hubs are disposed on, and mounted to, opposite ends of the
`mid-section.
`14. Asealed conduit system according to claim 12, further
`comprising a polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound
`disposed within said inner chamber.
`15. A sealed conduit system according to claim 14,
`wherein the polyurethane-based epoxy sealant compound
`comprises a polymer and a monomer.
`16. A sealed conduit system according to claim 12,
`wherein the housing is formed of an aluminum alloy.
`
`6
`17. A sealed conduit system, comprising:
`(a) a metal conduit having at least one end;
`(b) a housing having an inner chamber and an outer
`surface;
`(c) at least one free running hub having an inner surface
`and a first and second coupling, wherein the first
`coupling comprisesa first set of female threads formed
`on said inner surface for mating with the at least one
`end of the metal conduit and said second coupling
`comprises a second set of female threads formed on
`said inner surface for mating with an end of the
`housing; and
`(d) a flexible membrane disposed within said at least one
`free running hub.
`18. Asealed conduit system according to claim 17, further
`comprising means for purging any air, other gases or
`moisture, which may be trapped within the inner chamberof
`said housing.
`19. A sealed conduit system according to claim 17,
`wherein the housing is defined by a mid-section, which is
`substantially cylindrically shaped, and two free running
`hubs are disposed on, and mountedto, opposite ends of the
`mid-section.
`
`wn
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`15
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`25
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`20. A sealed conduit system according to claim 17,
`wherein the flexible membrane is disposed adjacent to a
`shoulder formed in the inner surface of the at least one free
`
`30
`
`35
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`40
`
`45
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`running hub proximate said second coupling.
`21. Asealed conduit system according to claim 17, further
`comprising a sealant compound disposed within said inner
`chamber, which comprises a polyurethane-based epoxy.
`22. A sealed conduit system according to claim 17,
`wherein the flexible membrane is generally disk-shaped,
`formed of neoprene and hasat least one opening for accom-
`modating one or more cables.
`23. A method of sealing a metal conduit, comprising the
`steps of:
`(a) coupling a sealing apparatus comprising a
`housing having an inner chamber and an outer surface, at
`least one free running hub having an inner surface, and a
`flexible membrane disposed within the at least one free
`running hub to at least one end of the metal conduit; (b)
`threading any wires or cables contained within said metal
`conduit through said flexible membrane; (c) filling the inner
`chamber with a polyurethane-based epoxy sealant com-
`pound; and (d) releasing, though a spring-loaded ball type
`valve, any air, other gases, or moisture, which may be
`trapped in the inner chamberafterit is filled with the epoxy
`sealant compound.
`
`Cooper Ex. 1007
`
`Cooper Ex. 1007
`
`