FEEDTHROUGH

Abstract

A feedthrough (10) for an element (100) is described, comprising: a body (500), a cap assembly, comprising a cap (200) and optionally a follower (300), and a sealant (400), having respective passageways therethrough, defining an axis A, for receiving the element (100) therethrough; wherein the body (500) is couplable to a wall W of a hermetically-sealed vessel V having an aperture A for the element (100) therethrough and wherein the passageway of the body (500) is adapted to retain, at least in part, the sealant 400 and optionally the follower (300) therein; wherein the cap (200) is releasably couplable to the body (500); wherein the feedthrough (10) is configurable in: a first configuration, wherein the cap (200) is coupled to the body (500), wherein matching faces of the cap assembly and the body (500) are mutually spaced apart by a gap and wherein the element (100) extends through the respective passageways; and a second configuration, wherein the cap (200) is coupled to the body (500), wherein the matching faces (230, 520) of the cap assembly and the body (500) abut and wherein the element (100) extends through the respective passageways; wherein the cap assembly is adapted to axially compress the sealant (400) against the body (500), thereby causing the sealant (400) to radially compress against the element (100) and to form a hermetic seal between the body (500) and the element (100), in the second configuration.

Claims

1. A feedthrough for an element, comprising: a body, a cap assembly, comprising a cap and optionally a follower, and a sealing member, having respective passageways therethrough, defining an axis, for receiving the element therethrough; wherein the body is couplable to a wall of a hermetically-sealed vessel having an aperture for the element therethrough and wherein the passageway of the body is adapted to retain, at least in part, the sealing member and optionally the follower therein; wherein the cap is releasably couplable to the body; wherein the feedthrough is configurable in: a first configuration, wherein the cap is coupled to the body, wherein matching faces of the cap assembly and the body are mutually spaced apart by a gap, wherein the matching faces of the cap assembly and the body are external faces of the cap assembly and the body respectively, and wherein the element extends through the respective passageways; and a second configuration, wherein the cap is coupled to the body, wherein the matching faces of the cap assembly and the body abut and wherein the element extends through the respective passageways; wherein the cap assembly is adapted to axially compress the sealing member against the body, thereby causing the sealing member to radially compress against the element and to form a hermetic seal between the body and the element, in the second configuration.

2. The feedthrough according to claim 1, wherein the body is arranged to be mechanically coupled or welded to the wall.

3. The feedthrough according to claim 2, wherein the body is arranged to be mechanically coupled to the wall by comprising a flange, having a first face and an opposed second face, comprising a set of through holes for mechanical fasteners, wherein the first face is arranged to confront the wall and wherein the feedthrough assembly comprises a face seal for hermetically-sealing between the first face and the wall.

4. The feedthrough according to claim 3, wherein the first face comprises a groove around the passageway, arranged to receive the face seal therein.

5. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the sealing member comprises and/or is a static radial seal.

6. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the cap and the body comprise mating threaded portions and wherein the cap is releasably couplable to the body using the mating threaded portions.

7. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the passageway of the body comprises a seat and wherein the passageway of the body is adapted to retain the sealing member in contact with a surface of the seat.

8. The feedthrough according to claim 7, wherein the surface of the seat comprises and/or is a frustoconical surface.

9. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the passageway of the body comprises a first portion having a first inside diameter corresponding with an outside diameter of the element, a third portion having a third inside diameter corresponding with an outside diameter of the follower and a second portion therebetween.

10. The feedthrough according to claim 9, wherein the first portion of the passageway of the body has a first length in a range from 5% to 100% of the first inside diameter and/or wherein the third portion of the passageway of the body has a third length in a range from 100% to 500% of the first inside diameter and/or wherein the body has a length in a range from 100% to 750% of the first inside diameter.

11. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the follower comprises a first face and a second face, opposed to the first face, wherein the first face contacts the sealing member and wherein the second face contacts the cap, in the second configuration.

12. The feedthrough according to claim 11, wherein the second face of the follower comprises and/or is an external shoulder.

13. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the passageway of the follower has an inside diameter corresponding with an outside diameter of the element.

14. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the passageway of the cap comprises a first portion having a first inside diameter corresponding with an outside diameter of the element, a third portion having a third inside diameter corresponding with an outside diameter of the follower and a second portion therebetween.

15. The feedthrough according to claim 14, wherein the first portion of the passageway of the cap has a first length in a range from 100% to 500% of the first inside diameter and/or wherein the third portion of the passageway of the cap has a third length in a range from 100% to 500% of the first inside diameter and/or wherein the cap has a length in a range from 200% to 1000% of the first inside diameter.

16. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the cap comprises a first face and a second face, opposed to the first face, wherein the first face contacts the follower, in the second configuration.

17. The feedthrough according to claim 16, wherein the first face of the cap comprises and/or is an end face.

18. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the cap comprises and/or is a cable gland or a part thereof.

19. The feedthrough according to claim 18, wherein the cable gland is a screen connection cable gland.

20. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the feedthrough is arranged to move from the first configuration to the second configuration by rotating the cap relative to the body about the axis.

21. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, wherein the matching faces of the cap assembly and the body are provided by an end face and a shoulder of the cap and the body or of the follower and the body, respectively.

22. The feedthrough according to any previous claim, comprising a biasing member arrangeable to bias the feedthrough in the second configuration.

23. A kit of parts comprising a feedthrough according to any previous claim and an element, wherein the element is selected from a group consisting of: an electrical cable, a fibre optical cable and a pipe.

24. A hermetically-sealed vessel comprising a feedthrough according to any of claims 1 to 22 and an element, wherein the element is selected from a group consisting of: an electrical cable, a fibre optical cable and a pipe.

25. A method of hermetically sealing an element through a wall of a hermetically-sealed vessel having an aperture for the element therethrough using a feedthrough according to any of claims 1 to 22, the method comprising: moving the feedthrough from the first configuration to the second configuration, until the matching faces of the cap assembly and the body abut, comprising axially compressing the sealing member between the cap assembly and the body, thereby compressing the sealing member radially against the element and forming a hermetic seal between the body and the element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0094] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how exemplary embodiments of the same may be brought into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying diagrammatic Figures, in which:

[0095] FIG. 1A schematically depicts an axial cross-section of a feedthrough according to an exemplary embodiment, in use; and FIG. 1B schematically depicts an axial exploded cross-section of the feedthrough of FIG. 1A;

[0096] FIG. 2A schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the cap of the feedthrough of FIG. 1A; and FIG. 2B schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the cap of the feedthrough of FIG. 2A, in use;

[0097] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the follower of the feedthrough of FIG. 1A;

[0098] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the sealant of the feedthrough of FIG. 1A;

[0099] FIG. 5 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the body of the feedthrough of FIG. 1A; and

[0100] FIG. 6 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the face seal of the body of the feedthrough of FIG 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0101] FIG. 1A schematically depicts an axial cross-section of a feedthrough 10 according to an exemplary embodiment, in use; and FIG. 1B schematically depicts an axial exploded cross-section of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 1A.

[0102] The feedthrough 10 is for an element 100, comprising:

[0103] a body 500, a cap assembly, comprising a cap 200 and optionally a follower 300, and a sealant 400, having respective passageways therethrough, defining an axis A, for receiving the element 100 therethrough;

[0104] wherein the body 500 is couplable to a wall W (not shown) of a hermetically-sealed vessel V (not shown) having an aperture A for the element 100 therethrough and wherein the passageway of the body 500 is adapted to retain, at least in part, the sealant 400 and optionally the follower 300 therein;

[0105] wherein the cap 200 is releasably couplable to the body 500;

[0106] wherein the feedthrough 10 is configurable in:

[0107] a first configuration, wherein the cap 200 is coupled to the body 500, wherein matching faces of the cap assembly and the body 500 are mutually spaced apart by a gap and wherein the element 100 extends through the respective passageways; and

[0108] a second configuration, wherein the cap 200 is coupled to the body 500, wherein the matching faces 230, 520 of the cap assembly and the body 500 abut and wherein the element 100 extends through the respective passageways;

[0109] wherein the cap assembly is adapted to axially compress the sealant 400 against the body 500, thereby causing the sealant 400 to radially compress against the element 100 and to form a hermetic seal between the body 500 and the element 100, in the second configuration.

[0110] In this example, the hermetic seal between the body 500 and the element 100 is compatible with a vacuum of 5E-8 mbar in the vessel V. In this example, the sealant 400 is compressed, when the feedthrough 10 is configured in the second configuration, by about 20% with respect to cross-sectional area, particularly from a circular cross-section to a generally triangular cross-section. In this example, the element 100 is a coaxial cable and the feedthrough 10 is suitable for high voltages up to 25 KV, without using ceramic insulators, for example. In this example, the feedthrough 10 has an overall length of about 34 mm, excluding the element 100, which has a length of about 1 m. In this example, the minimum bend radius of the element 100 about 90° at the feedthrough 10, when the feedthrough 10 is configured in the second configuration, is 50 mm.

[0111] FIG. 2A schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the cap 200 of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 1A; and FIG. 2B schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the cap 200 of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 2A, in use. Particularly, FIG. 2B shows the cap 200 in more detail.

[0112] In this example, the cap 200 and the body 500 comprise mating threaded portions 240, 540 and wherein the cap 200 is releasably couplable to the body 500 using the mating threaded portions 240, 540. In this example, the cap 200 comprises an externally threaded portion 240, having an outside diameter OD3.

[0113] In this example, the passageway 210 of the cap 200 comprises a first portion having a first inside diameter ID1 corresponding with an outside diameter OD4 of the element 100 and a third portion having a third inside diameter OD3 corresponding with an outside diameter OD2 of the follower 300.

[0114] In this example, the first portion of the passageway 210 of the cap 200 has a first length L1 of about 250% of the first inside diameter ID1. In this example, the third portion of the passageway 210 of the cap 200 has a third length L3 of about 200% of the first inside diameter ID1. In this example, the cap 200 has a length L of about 450% of the first inside diameter ID1.

[0115] In this example, the cap 200 has an outside diameter of 15.98 mm.

[0116] In this example, the cap 200 comprises a first face 235 and a second face 255, opposed to the first face 235, wherein the first face 235 contacts the follower 300, in the second configuration. In this example, in the second configuration, the first face 235 of the cap 200 contacts the follower 300 which in turn axially compresses the sealant 400 against the body 500. In this example, the first face 235 of the cap 200 is an end face. In this example, an axial length between the matching face 230 and the first face 235 is AL2.

[0117] In this example, the cap 200 is a part of a cable gland. In this example, the cable gland is a screen connection cable gland. In this example, the cap 200 is obtained from a Skintop MS-SC-M cable gland, M12×1.5, 3.5 mm, 7 mm (53112610). FIG. 2B shows the details components of the cap 200 obtained from the Skintop MS-SC-M cable gland.

[0118] In this example, the element 100 is a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor 110, surrounded by a concentric conducting screen 130, a dielectric 120 therebetween and, a protective outer sheath 140. In this example, the inner conductor 110 has an outside diameter OD1 of 0.75 mm, the dielectric 120 has an outside diameter OD2 of 3.95 mm, the screen 130 has an outside diameter OD3 and the sheath 140 has an outside diameter OD4 of 6.15 mm.

[0119] In this example, the element 100 is a Belden Black Unterminated to Unterminated RG59B/ U Coaxial Cable, 75 Ω6.15 mm OD.

[0120] In this example, the element 100 is stripped partially of the outer sheath 140 such that the cap 200 connects electrically against the screen 130 via fingers 25. In this example, the element 100 is stripped partially also of the screen 130 beyond the first end of the cap 201, opposed to the second end of the cap 202.

[0121] FIG. 3 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the follower 300 of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 1A.

[0122] Generally, the follower 300, of length L, has the passageway 310 there through from a first end 301 to a second end 302. An inside diameter ID of the passageway 310 is constant. An outside diameter of the follower 300 is stepped, having a relatively larger outside diameter OD2, of length L2, relatively more proximal the first end 301 and a relatively smaller outside diameter OD1, of length L1, relatively more proximal the second end 302. External edges are chamfered.

[0123] The follower 300 has a first face 330 at the first end 301, a third face 325 opposed to the first face 330 at the second end 302 and a second face 320, opposed to the first face 330 and provided by a shoulder, therebetween.

[0124] In this example, the follower 300 comprises the first face 330 and the second face 320, opposed to the first face 330, wherein the first face 330 contacts the sealant 400 and wherein the second face 320 contacts the cap 200, in the second configuration. In this example, an axial length between the first face 330 and the second face 320 is AL3.

[0125] In this example, the second face 320 of the follower 300 is an external shoulder.

[0126] In this example, the passageway 310 of the follower 300 has an inside diameter ID corresponding with an outside diameter OD of the element 100.

[0127] In this example, the cap assembly is adapted to axially compress the sealant 400 against the body 500 by controlling an axial strain imposed thereupon, by axially compressing the sealant 400 against the body 500 by a predetermined axial strain when the matching faces 230, 520 of the cap assembly and the body 500 abut. In this example, a first side 401 of the sealant 400 contacts the body 500, in this example a seat 515 thereof, and an opposed second side 402 of the sealant 400 contacts a face of the cap assembly, in this example a face 330 of the follower 300, in the second configuration and the predetermined axial strain is defined, at least in part, by an axial length between the body 500, in this example the seat 515, and the face 330 of the cap assembly in contact with the sealant 400. In this example, an axial length (AL2 +AL3) from the matching, abutting face 230 of the cap assembly to the face 330 of the cap assembly in contact with the sealant 400 is predetermined, to thereby define the predetermined axial strain.

[0128] FIG. 4 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the sealant 400 of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 1A.

[0129] The feedthrough 10 comprises the sealant 400, having the passageway 410 therethrough for receiving the element 100 therethrough. In this example, the passageway 410 of the sealant 400 has an inside diameter ID less than an outside diameter OD of the element 100, particularly the outside diameter OD2 of the dielectric 120, for example providing an interference fit therebetween. In this example, a first end 401 of the sealant 400 contacts the body 500, in this example a seat 515 thereof, and an opposed second end 402 of the sealant 400 contacts a face of the cap assembly, in this example a first face 330 of the follower 300, in the second configuration.

[0130] In this example, the sealant 400 is an O-ring, particularly an O-ring 3.7 mm ID 1.9CS FKM i.e. having an inside diameter ID of 3.7 mm, a cross-sectional diameter D of 1.9 mm and an outside diameter OD of 7.5 mm. In this example, the sealant 400 is installed on and contacts the dielectric 120, of the element 100, having an outside diameter OD2 of 3.95 mm. In this example, the sealant 400 is arrange to be compressed by about 20% by cross-sectional area in the second configuration.

[0131] FIG. 5 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the body 500 of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 1A.

[0132] Generally, the body 500 has the passageway 510 therethrough from a first end 501 to a second end 502. The body 500 has a flange 530 at the first end 501 for coupling to the wall W. The passageway 510 has a stepped bore, having a relatively larger inside diameter ID3 at the second end 502 compared with the relatively smaller inside diameter ID1 at the first end 501. The step between the relatively larger inside diameter ID3 and the relatively smaller inside diameter ID1 is tapered and provides a seat 515 for the sealant 400. The relatively smaller inside diameter ID1 retains the sealant 400 and the follower 300 in the passageway 510 with respect to the first end 501. The body 500 comprises a mating internally threaded portion 540, in the passageway 510, for coupling to the cap 200. A face 520 at the second end 502 provides a matching face, for abutting against the cap assembly in the second configuration.

[0133] The body 500 has the passageway 510 therethrough for receiving the element 100 therethrough. In this example, the passageway 510 of the body 500 has a circular cross-section, including a first portion 511 having a relatively shorter length L1 and a relatively smaller internal diameter ID1 proximal the first end 501, a third portion 513 having a relatively longer length L2 and a relatively larger internal diameter ID3 proximal the second end 502 and a second portion 512, having a length L2, tapering therebetween. In this example, the body 500 has a length L of 13.0 mm.

[0134] In this example, the body 500 is arranged to be mechanically coupled to the wall W.

[0135] In this example, the body 500 is arranged to be mechanically coupled to the wall W by comprising the flange 530, having a first face 531 and an opposed second face 532, comprising a set of through holes 533A, 533B, 533C (not shown), 533D (not shown) for mechanical fasteners MF1, MF2, MF3 (not shown), MF4 (not shown), wherein the first face 531 is arranged to confront the wall W and wherein the feedthrough 10 assembly comprises a face seal 600 (i.e. a static axial seal) for hermetically-sealing between the first face 531 and the wall W.

[0136] In this example, the flange 530 has an outside diameter OD of 34.0 mm and a thickness T of 6.0 mm. In this example, the set of through holes 533A, 533B, 533C, 533D are mutually equispaced at a diameter PCD. In this example, the mechanical fasteners MF1, MF2, MF3, MF4 are cap head bolts, each having two washers.

[0137] In this example, the face seal 600 is an O ring, particularly an O-ring 10 mm ID 2.5CS FKM.

[0138] In this example, the first face 531 comprises a groove 535 around the passageway 510, arranged to receive the face seal 600.

[0139] In this example, the groove 535 has a depth DG in the first face 531 of the flanged 530, an outside diameter ODG and an inside diameter IDG, corresponding with the face seal 600.

[0140] The passageway 510 of the body 500 is adapted to retain, at least in part, the sealant 400 and the follower 300 therein, by having a first dimension ID3, particularly an inside diameter ID3, at a first end 502 greater than a corresponding dimension, for example an outside diameter OD1, of the sealant 400 and the follower 300, whereby the sealant 400 and the follower 300 may be received therein via the first end 502 of the passageway 510 and a second dimension, for example an inside diameter ID1, at a second end 501 less than the corresponding dimension, for example the outside diameter, of the sealant 400 and the follower 300, whereby the sealant 400 and the optional follower 300 are retained in the passageway 510 of the body 500 by the second end 502 of the passageway 510.

[0141] In this example, the passageway 510 of the body 500 comprises the seat 515 and wherein the passageway 510 of the body 500 is adapted to retain the sealant 400 in contact with a surface of the seat 515. In this example, the surface of the seat 515 is a frustoconical surface, having a taper angle of about 45°.

[0142] In this example, the passageway of the body 500 comprises a first portion having a first inside diameter ID1 corresponding with an outside diameter OD of the element 100, particularly the outside diameter OD to of the dielectric 120, (for example, a clearance fit) and a third portion having a third inside diameter ID3 corresponding with an outside diameter of the follower 300 and a second portion therebetween.

[0143] In this example, the first portion of the passageway 510 of the body 500 has a first length L1 of about 25% of the first inside diameter ID1. In this example, the third portion of the passageway 510 of the body 500 has a third length L3 of about 250% of the first inside diameter ID1. In this example, the second portion of the passageway 510 of the body 500 has a second length L2 of about 100% the first inside diameter ID1. In this example, the body 500 has a length of about 375% of the first inside diameter ID1.

[0144] In this example, the cap 200 and the body 500 comprise mating threaded portions 240, 540 and wherein the cap 200 is releasably couplable to the body 500 using the mating threaded portions 240, 540. In this example, the body 500 comprises a mating internally threaded portion 540, in the passageway 510.

[0145] In this example, the axial length between the matching face 520 and the seat 515 (at a midpoint thereof with respect to the sealant 400, since the seat 515 is tapered) is ALS. Hence, the predetermined axial strain applied on the sealant 400 in the second configuration is defined by an axial length [AL5−(AL2+AL3)] and the cross-sectional diameter D of the sealant 400.

[0146] FIG. 6 schematically depicts an axial cross-section of the face seal of the body 500 of the feedthrough 10 of FIG. 1A.

[0147] In this example, the face seal 600 is an O ring, particularly an O-ring 10 mm ID 2.5CS FKM, having an inside diameter ID of 10 mm, providing a passageway 610 therethrough, a cross-sectional diameter D of 2.5 mm and an outside diameter OD of 15 mm.

[0148] In this example, the element 100 is a Belden Black Unterminated to Unterminated RG59B/ U Coaxial Cable, 75 Ω 6.15 mm OD and the cap 200 is suitably sized and obtained from a Skintop MS-SC-M cable gland M12×1.5, 3.5 mm, 7 mm (53112610). The follower 300, the sealant 400, the body 500 and the face seal 600 are sized accordingly, including wherein dimensions thereof are predetermined, as described above, such that the hermetic seal is formed in the second configuration. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that feedthroughs maybe thus dimensioned suitably for different elements.

[0149] Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims and as described above.

[0150] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0151] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at most some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[0152] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0153] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.