Load bearing device and load bearing apparatus for armoured cables

Abstract

The application discloses a load bearing device and load bearing equipment for armored cable, characterized in that the load bearing device comprises a load bearing main body, the load bearing main body comprises a first glue injection cavity and a second glue injection cavity which are arranged through the load bearing main body along an axial direction, wherein the second glue injection cavity forms a locking conical surface at one end close to the first glue injection cavity; and the locking assembly comprises a sleeve coaxially arranged with the axial line, one end of the sleeve is formed with a conical outer surface matched with the locking conical surface, and the other end is formed with a clamping groove on the inner surface in the circumferential direction; a core is sleeved in the sleeve, and a containing space is formed between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the sleeve; the core is penetrated with a cavity along the axial direction; and one end of the core is formed with a limiting part matched with the clamping groove. The application can realize the combination of the two processes of mechanical locking and pouring, and effectively improve the body strength of the armored cable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine exploration auxiliary tools technology, specifically to a load-bearing device and equipment for armored cables. Background Technology

[0002] Armored cables are robust assemblies composed of various cables and metal armor protective layers, including armored thermocouples, armored resistance thermometers, armored heaters, armored leads, and armored optical fibers. The armor protective layer of an armored cable can be added to cables of any structure to increase their mechanical strength, tensile strength, and compressive strength. The following explanation uses the application of armored optical fibers in marine science as an example.

[0003] To better utilize and manage the ocean, humans employ various modern technologies and sensors to investigate and explore the marine environment. Marine scientific research vessels, during operations, need to use winches and steel-wire armored fiber optic cables to lower underwater detection equipment into the deep ocean for near-seabed reconnaissance or exploration. The load-bearing device is the crucial connection mechanism that links the steel-wire armored fiber optic cable to the underwater detection equipment.

[0004] The load-bearing device is a key system component used in conjunction with the armored optical fiber composite cable, and its strength is crucial to the safety of the entire detection system. Its function is to ensure that the tensile force of each layer of the tensile steel wire armor is evenly transferred to the load-bearing connecting plate. It serves as the link between the underwater detection equipment and the armored optical fiber cable, while simultaneously ensuring that the internal optical and electrical units of the cable do not bear external loads, thus maintaining continuous photoelectric signal communication with the underwater detection equipment during operation.

[0005] Steel wire armored optical cables are custom-made engineering products. In recent years, as the country's marine reconnaissance and exploration operations have gradually shifted from shallow waters to deep waters, the design, production process, and testing of steel wire armored optical cables have gradually matured. However, there are few research and development units for key supporting load-bearing devices, the supporting technology level is low, and the strength utilization rate of existing load-bearing devices is low. To a certain extent, this leads to a high degree of redundancy in the design of armored optical cables, which restricts the pace of exploration into the deep sea.

[0006] Load-bearing devices are mainly divided into two categories: cast-in-place and wedge-locking. Cast-in-place devices typically come in two forms: molten metal casting and epoxy resin casting. Molten metal casting of the inner sheath watertight layer requires high temperature control, necessitating cooling of the cast section of the inner sheath, making the assembly process more complex. Because the highly adhesive anti-corrosion grease on the armor layer surface is difficult to completely remove, epoxy resin casting may fail to achieve the same strength as the steel wire armored fiber optic cable due to insufficient friction between the resin and the steel wire. Furthermore, during the casting process, the armored steel wires are broken up, altering the winding angle of each layer, resulting in different stresses on different wires within the same layer, making it difficult for the load-bearing device to achieve the same strength as the steel wire armored fiber optic cable.

[0007] The mechanical wedge locking method has a complex installation process, requiring individual locking of each layer. This places high demands on the operators, and there are no standard hydraulic presses available. The locking fixtures and wedge locking structures need to be designed and customized according to the different diameters of the armored optical cables. The layered operation during the locking process results in different prestresses for each layer, and plastic deformation occurs in the radial direction of the steel wire. As a result, the individual wedge locking structure can usually only achieve about 80% of the strength of the steel wire armored optical cable itself. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To provide a novel armored cable load-bearing device that possesses both high tensile load capacity and adaptability to various complex sea conditions, while preventing excessive cable bending, this invention provides a load-bearing device for armored cables. The load-bearing device includes: a load-bearing body comprising: a first injection cavity and a second injection cavity extending through the body along an axial direction, wherein the second injection cavity forms a locking conical surface at one end near the first injection cavity, and the end of the locking conical surface near the first injection cavity is designated as a smaller end; and a locking assembly comprising: [missing information - likely related to a specific component or component].

[0009] A sleeve, one end of which has a tapered outer surface that mates with the locking tapered surface, and the other end of which has a circumferentially circumferentially formed engagement groove on its inner surface; and

[0010] The core is fitted inside the sleeve, and a receiving space is formed between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the sleeve to allow the armor wires of the armored cable to pass through; and the core has a cavity extending through it along the axial direction to allow the cable of the armored cable to pass through; and one end of the core forms a limiting part that cooperates with the engaging groove.

[0011] The present invention also provides a load-bearing device for armored cables, the load-bearing device for armored cables comprising: a bending protection assembly, the bending protection assembly comprising: a tubular protective sleeve, the outer side of the tubular protective sleeve having a plurality of annular protrusions closely arranged along the axial direction; and a third connector fixedly disposed at one end of the tubular protective sleeve; and the load-bearing device for armored cables, the load-bearing device being fixedly connected to the third connector via a first connector, wherein the first connector is fixedly connected to the end of the load-bearing body corresponding to the first glue injection cavity (i.e., the small end of the tapered portion).

[0012] Preferably, the load-bearing device for the armored cable further includes a second connector, one end of which is fixed to the cylindrical portion, and the other end of which is connected to a swing connection assembly; wherein the swing connection assembly includes a universal joint and a load-bearing connecting plate, and the two ends of the universal joint are respectively hinged to the second connector and the load-bearing connecting plate so that the load-bearing connecting plate can swing relative to the second connector with multiple degrees of freedom.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: the first and second glue injection chambers of the load-bearing device cooperate with the locking assembly to combine mechanical locking and casting processes, effectively improving the strength of the armored cable. Specifically, the locking assembly ensures that the steel wires of the armored optical cable are evenly stressed, fully utilizing their load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, the subsequent glue injection after crimping further enhances the load-bearing capacity of the load-bearing device. Combining these two methods further improves the strength of the steel wire armored optical cable without altering the armored optical cable or the glue.

[0014] When armored optical cables are towed, the seawater can cause them to bend at the joints of the load-bearing devices. If the bending radius is too small, over time, the internal cables of the armored optical cable will suffer fatigue damage, reducing its service life. The primary purpose of the bending protection feature in this invention is to prevent the bending radius of the armored optical cable from falling below the minimum allowable bending radius, thereby improving its service life.

[0015] In summary, the load-bearing device and equipment for armored cables of the present invention first clamps and locks the steel wire before injecting glue, resulting in high utilization of the body strength and high overall efficiency; it can prevent excessive bending of the cable and improve the cable service life; the load-bearing device is equipped with a universal coupling, which can offset part of the internal force generated by seawater disturbance and improve the connection reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall load-bearing device of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the load-bearing component of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the load-bearing main body of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the locking assembly of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a front view of the load-bearing device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Top view;

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A magnified view of part I, used to show the connection relationship between the third connector and the first connector;

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of part II, used to show the connection relationship between the first connector and the tapered part;

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of section III is provided to illustrate the cooperation relationship between the load-bearing body and the locking assembly;

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of IV is provided to show the connection relationship between the second connector and the swing connection assembly;

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 6 A partial schematic diagram of direction A;

[0027] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a bend protection component to prevent excessive bending of the armored cable.

[0028] Figure label:

[0029] Detailed Implementation

[0030] The load-bearing device and load-bearing equipment for armored cables provided by the present invention include three parts: load-bearing device 1, bending protection component 3, and swing connection component 4. These three parts will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] I. Load-bearing device

[0032] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 9As shown, the present invention provides a load-bearing device for armored cables. The load-bearing device 1 includes: a load-bearing body 11, which comprises: a conical portion 111 and a cylindrical portion 112 coaxially arranged, wherein the larger end of the conical portion 111 is connected to the cylindrical portion 112; a first glue-filling cavity 113 and a second glue-filling cavity 114 penetrating the conical portion 111 and the cylindrical portion 112 respectively along the axial direction, wherein the second glue-filling cavity 114 has a locking conical surface 115 formed at one end near the first glue-filling cavity 113, and the end of the locking conical surface 115 near the conical portion 111 is designated as the smaller end; and a locking assembly 12. The locking assembly 12 includes: a sleeve 121 arranged coaxially, one end of which has a conical outer surface 1211 that mates with the locking conical surface 115, and the other end has a circumferentially formed engagement groove 1212 on its inner surface; a core 122 fitted inside the sleeve 121, with an accommodating space between the outer surface of the core 122 and the inner surface of the sleeve 121 to allow the armor wires of the armored cable 2 to pass through; a cavity extending through the core 122 along its axial direction to allow the cable of the armored cable 2 to pass through; and a limiting portion 1221 formed at one end of the core 122 to mate with the engagement groove 1212. The first injection cavity 113 and the second injection cavity 114 of the load-bearing device of the present invention cooperate with the locking assembly 12 to achieve a combination of mechanical locking and casting processes, effectively improving the body strength of the armored cable 2.

[0033] like Figure 3 As shown, preferably, at least one of the locking conical surface 115 and the conical outer surface 211 is provided with a communicating groove 118 that communicates the first glue injection cavity 113 and the second glue injection cavity 114, so as to allow glue to pass through when the locking conical surface 115 and the conical outer surface 1211 are in close contact.

[0034] Preferably, a plurality of glue-filling grooves are provided at intervals on the inner wall surface of the second glue-filling cavity 114 to increase the contact area between the glue and the second glue-filling cavity 114 and thus prevent glue detachment.

[0035] like Figure 4As shown, preferably, the locking assembly 12 includes a cylindrical bushing 123 fitted into the accommodating space between the sleeve 121 and the core 122. The cylindrical bushing 123 has a spirally extending through-hole 1231 formed within its cylindrical wall. The spiral pattern of the spiral through-hole 1231 is configured to match the spiral pattern of the armored metal wires of the armored cable, ensuring that the winding angle of each layer of steel wire remains constant. This avoids disrupting the torsional balance design of the armored optical cable body, thereby ensuring that the locking force of different steel wires within the same steel wire layer is the same, thus guaranteeing that the load-bearing device maintains the strength of the steel wire armored optical cable body to the greatest extent. Preferably, the cylindrical bushing 123 is made of a wear-resistant material. Preferably, the cylindrical bushing 123 is in a slightly interference fit within the gap between the sleeve 121 and the core 122. After the armored metal wire of the armored cable passes through the spiral through-hole in the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical bushing 123, radial pressure is applied to press the sleeve 121, the core 122, and the cylindrical bushing 123 together. Preferably, at least one of the inner surface of the sleeve 121 and the outer surface of the core 122 is provided with serrated protrusions in the circumferential direction to enhance the interlocking force after they are pressed together.

[0036] II. Bending Protection Components

[0037] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 12 As shown, the load-bearing device for the armored cable further includes a bending protection component 3, which includes: a tubular protective sleeve 31, on the outside of which a plurality of annular protrusions 311 are closely arranged along the axial direction. When the armored cable 2 bends, the plurality of annular protrusions 311 can abut against each other to limit the degree of bending of the armored cable 2. Preferably, the tubular protective sleeve 31 and its annular protrusions 311 are both made of rubber; and a third connector 32 fixedly disposed at one end of the tubular protective sleeve 31. Preferably, the third connector 32 is vulcanized integrally with the tubular protective sleeve 31. The load-bearing device for the armored cable further includes a first connector 116 fixedly connected to the small end of the tapered portion 111. The first connector 116 is fixedly connected to the third connector 32. Preferably, as shown, Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, one end of the third connector 32 is provided with a grooved end face, which mates with the end face of the first connector 116, and the first connector 116 and the third connector 32 are connected and fastened by two half clamps.

[0038] III. Swing Connection Component

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, in order to counteract some of the internal forces generated by seawater disturbance and improve connection reliability, the load-bearing device for the armored cable also includes a swing connection assembly 4. The load-bearing device for the armored cable also includes a second connector 117, one end of which is fixedly connected to the end of the load-bearing body 11 corresponding to the second glue injection cavity 114 (i.e., the end of the cylindrical part 112 away from the conical part 111), and the other end of the second connector 117 is connected to the swing connection assembly 4; wherein, the swing connection assembly 4 includes a universal joint 41 and a load-bearing connecting plate 42, and the two ends of the universal joint 41 are respectively hinged to the second connector 117 and the load-bearing connecting plate 42 so that the load-bearing connecting plate 42 can swing relative to the second connector 117 with multiple degrees of freedom.

[0040] Preferably, one end of the second connecting member 117 is configured as a tapered rotating body structure, with an internal thread near the end face for connection to the load-bearing body. The other end of the second connecting member 117 has a double-eared interface. Preferably, the two ends of the universal joint 41 have staggered single-eared interfaces, hinged to the second connecting member 117 via a pin, a perforated nut, and a cotter pin. A washer is placed on each side of the single-eared interface of the universal joint 41. One end of the load-bearing connecting plate 42 has a double-eared interface and is hinged to the universal joint 41 via a pin, a perforated nut, and a cotter pin. The other end of the load-bearing connecting plate 42 has five through holes arranged sequentially on the same straight line as an interface for connection to underwater detection equipment. Preferably, the sacrificial anode block is fixed at the double-eared position of the sleeve, with its direction parallel to the axial direction of the double-eared interface.

[0041] IV. Assembly process of load-bearing equipment

[0042] The assembly process of the load-bearing device for armored cables of the present invention is described below, wherein the armored cable is a steel wire armored optical cable:

[0043] Before installation, remove the two half clamps, take off the tubular protective sleeve, and remove the first connector 116. Unscrew the second connector 117, which remains connected to the pin, washer, perforated nut, cotter pin, universal joint, load-bearing connecting plate, and sacrificial anode block. Pass the steel wire armored optical cable sequentially through the tubular protective sleeve, the third connector, the first connector 116, the load-bearing body 11, and the sleeve 121, extending it a suitable distance beyond its edge. Then proceed with the following steps:

[0044] (a) Steel wire armored optical cable

[0045] The outer and inner steel wires of the steel wire armored optical cable are stripped a certain distance from the end of the cable, and the optical cable with the inner rubber sheath is passed through the middle of the cylindrical bushing 123 and the core 122.

[0046] (b) Fastening and locking wire

[0047] The outer and inner steel wires of the steel wire armored optical cable are passed through the spiral through-holes in the cylindrical bushing 123. Then, the distance between the sleeve 121 and the core 122 is adjusted, and the cylindrical bushing 123 with the steel wires is placed between the sleeve 121 and the core 122. A hydraulic crimping machine is used to crimp the sleeve 121, the cylindrical bushing 123 with the steel wires, and the core 122 together to form a locking assembly.

[0048] (c) Injecting resin adhesive

[0049] Pull the locking assembly towards the locking cone surface 115 so that the locking cone surface 115 and the conical outer surface fit together. Tighten the first connector 116 and wrap the end of the first connector 116 away from the load-bearing body 11 tightly with tape to prevent the epoxy adhesive to be poured out later. Clamp the load-bearing body 11 in a vise and pour epoxy adhesive into the opening of the cylindrical part 112 of the load-bearing body 11 (i.e., the opening of the second injection cavity 114). Multiple connecting grooves 118 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction inside the load-bearing body 11 to allow the adhesive to connect the first injection cavity 113 and the second injection cavity 114 when the locking cone surface 115 and the conical outer surface 1211 are in close contact. When the epoxy adhesive is poured to the upper surface of the sleeve 121, stop pouring. After the epoxy adhesive has cured, continue pouring cold vulcanizing adhesive until it is flush with the end face of the cylindrical part 112 of the load-bearing body 11. The filling operation is complete. The cold-flow adhesive is used to isolate the load-bearing steel wires within the load-bearing main body 11 from seawater corrosion. It also isolates the poured epoxy resin from the seawater, improving its corrosion resistance. During the adhesive injection process, the load-bearing main body 11 is continuously tapped to remove air bubbles from the adhesive.

[0050] (d) Assembly complete

[0051] Tear off the tape wrapped around one end of the first connector 116, fix one end of the third connector 32 to one end of the first connector 116, and use two half clamps to fasten the third connector 32 and the first connector 116. Fix the second connector 117 to the load-bearing body 11 to complete the assembly, and the load-bearing device 1 can be used.

[0052] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details in the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of the present invention, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0053] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above specific embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the present invention will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0054] Furthermore, various different embodiments of the present invention can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of the present invention, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A load-bearing device for armored cables, characterized in that, Includes a load-bearing device, wherein the load-bearing device includes: The load-bearing body includes: A first injection cavity and a second injection cavity are provided through the axial direction. The second injection cavity forms a locking cone surface at one end near the first injection cavity. The end of the locking cone surface near the first injection cavity is set as a small end. and The locking assembly includes a coaxially arranged component: A sleeve, one end of which has a tapered outer surface that mates with the locking tapered surface, and the other end of which has a circumferentially circumferentially formed engagement groove on its inner surface; and The core is fitted inside the sleeve, and a receiving space is formed between the outer surface of the core and the inner surface of the sleeve to allow the armor wires of the armored cable to pass through; and the core has a cavity extending through it along the axial direction to allow the cable of the armored cable to pass through; and one end of the core forms a limiting part that cooperates with the engaging groove. The load-bearing main body includes a conical portion and a cylindrical portion arranged coaxially, wherein the larger end of the conical portion is connected to the cylindrical portion; and The first injection cavity and the second injection cavity are located within the conical portion and the cylindrical portion, respectively; At least one of the locking conical surface and the conical outer surface is provided with a connecting groove that connects the first injection cavity and the second injection cavity; Multiple dispensing grooves are spaced apart on the inner wall surface of the second dispensing cavity; At least one of the inner surface of the sleeve and the outer surface of the core is provided with serrated protrusions in the circumferential direction; The locking assembly includes a cylindrical bushing fitted into the receiving space between the sleeve and the core. The cylindrical bushing has a spiral through hole that extends spirally in the axial direction in the inner wall of the cylindrical bushing. The spiral pattern of the spiral through hole is set to be consistent with the spiral pattern of the armored metal wire of the armored cable. The load-bearing device for armored cables also includes: A bend protection assembly, comprising: a tubular protective sleeve having a plurality of annular protrusions closely arranged on its outer side along the axial direction; and a third connector fixedly disposed at one end of the tubular protective sleeve; The load-bearing device is fixedly connected to the third connecting member via a first connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is fixedly connected to the end of the load-bearing body corresponding to the first glue injection cavity; the load-bearing device for the armored cable further includes a second connecting member, one end of which is fixedly connected to the end of the load-bearing body corresponding to the second glue injection cavity, and the other end is connected to a swing connection assembly; wherein... The swing connection assembly includes a universal joint and a load-bearing connecting plate. The two ends of the universal joint are respectively hinged to the second connecting member and the load-bearing connecting plate so that the load-bearing connecting plate can swing relative to the second connecting member with multiple degrees of freedom.

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