Submarine cable armoring connecting device and installation method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a submarine cable armored connecting device and an installation method thereof, and relates to the technical field of ocean engineering, the submarine cable armored connecting device comprises an anchoring unit and a stress transmission connecting rod unit, and the anchoring unit and the stress transmission connecting rod unit are rotatably connected; the anchoring unit comprises a shell and a conical anchoring sleeve, the shell is provided with a conical groove, the conical anchoring sleeve is arranged in the conical groove, and a clamping part is arranged on the inner wall of the conical anchoring sleeve. A shell with a conical groove and a conical anchoring sleeve with a clamping part are adopted in the anchoring unit, self-locking is achieved through the mechanical wedge-caulking principle, larger radial clamping force can be generated when the submarine cable tensile force is borne, the clamping part on the inner wall of the sleeve is embedded into an armor layer of a submarine cable more deeply, and the tensile force is effectively transmitted. The anchoring unit and the stress transmission connecting rod unit are rotationally connected, submarine cables on the two sides are allowed to be relatively bent and twisted within a certain range, bending stress concentration at a connecting point is remarkably reduced, and adaptability and reliability of the armored connecting device under complex sea conditions are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine engineering technology, and in particular to a submarine cable armored connection device and its installation method. Background Technology

[0002] As a critical infrastructure for marine energy transmission and communication, the safe and stable operation of submarine cables is of paramount importance. After being laid, submarine cables operate in the complex environment of the seabed for extended periods. Their outer sheaths, such as the armor, are subject to long-term corrosion from seawater and cyclical wave loads, leading to damage that necessitates repair and reconnection.

[0003] Existing methods for armoring submarine cables can be mainly divided into:

[0004] (1) Waterborne connection: The submarine cable is cut, salvaged, and retrieved to the surface for armored connection. Disadvantages: High repair cost, short operation window, high risk, and need for additional maintenance joints;

[0005] (2) Underwater dry connection: A dry environment is created underwater using a dry repair device, allowing maintenance personnel to directly dissect and connect the submarine cable armor. Disadvantages: It requires the construction of a dry compartment, which is costly and time-consuming, and is only suitable for shallow water environments.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a submarine cable armor connection device and its installation method that can perform wet operations underwater, replace the mechanical function of the cut original armor layer, and facilitate installation and disassembly by underwater robots or divers. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To overcome the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a submarine cable armor connection device and its installation method, which can anchor the submarine cable armor using anchoring units when the submarine cable armor has been cut open, enabling underwater wet operations. The anchoring units on both sides are connected by stress transmission linkage units, thereby replacing the mechanical function of the cut original armor layer, ensuring the overall load-bearing safety of the submarine cable, and facilitating the inspection and repair of the submarine cable inside the armor.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is: a submarine cable armor connection device, comprising a device body, the device body including an anchoring unit and a stress transmission link unit, the anchoring unit including a first anchoring unit and a second anchoring unit; the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are used for fixed connection with the submarine cable, the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are axially aligned; the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are respectively provided with a first connecting seat and a second connecting seat, the two ends of the stress transmission link unit are respectively rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, and the phase angles of the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat relative to the axial direction are the same when no external force is applied. By forming rotatable connections between the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit and the two ends of the stress transmission link unit, an independent and coordinated double-sided mechanical correction system is established. This structure allows the armor layers on both sides of the submarine cable to be independently and reliably anchored, and then force is transmitted through the central stress transmission link unit, effectively ensuring a balanced distribution of tension and avoiding device tilting or failure caused by uneven force on one side. Meanwhile, the swivel connection on both sides provides independent degrees of freedom for both sides of the submarine cable, enabling them to adapt to the complex water flow and topographic changes on the seabed without hindering each other, and to bend and twist at different angles and directions, greatly releasing the rigid constraints at the connection point.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention: the anchoring unit includes a shell and a conical anchoring sleeve. The shell is provided with a conical groove, and the conical anchoring sleeve is disposed within the conical groove. The inner wall of the conical anchoring sleeve is provided with a clamping part. The anchoring unit is used to anchor the armor layer of the submarine cable. The stress transmission linkage unit is connected to the anchoring unit to transmit tension. By using a shell with a conical groove and a conical anchoring sleeve with a clamping part in the anchoring unit, self-locking is achieved through the mechanical wedging principle. When subjected to the tension of the submarine cable, a larger radial clamping force can be generated, allowing the clamping part on the inner wall of the sleeve to be embedded more deeply into the armor layer of the submarine cable, forming a reliable anchoring that "gets tighter the more it is pulled," effectively transmitting tension. Secondly, the anchoring unit and the stress transmission linkage unit adopt a rotating connection, allowing the submarine cables on both sides to bend and twist relative to each other within a certain range, significantly reducing the bending stress concentration at the connection point and improving the adaptability and reliability of the armor connection device under complex sea conditions.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, it also includes a submarine cable protection compartment, which has a cavity inside. This cavity connects to the cavities of the first and second anchoring units, which are respectively fixedly connected to the submarine cable protection compartment via flanges. By having a cavity in the submarine cable protection compartment, which connects to the cavities of the first and second anchoring units, and by fixing the first and second anchoring units to the submarine cable protection compartment via flanges, a high-strength rigid connection firmly integrates the submarine cable protection compartment with the first and second anchoring units on both sides into a complete unit. This greatly enhances the structural rigidity and integrity of the entire armored connection device, enabling it to better resist complex loads on the seabed, such as water flow impact, silt pressure, or accidental towing. It effectively prevents sealing failure caused by relative displacement of components, significantly improving the safety and stability of the submarine cable connection point during long-term operation.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention: the submarine cable protection cabin is composed of two or more detachably connected submarine cable protection shells. During installation, the two or more submarine cable protection shells are wrapped around and closed around the outside of the submarine cable segment to be protected, and the two or more submarine cable protection shells are tightly fixed together with fastening bolts to form the submarine cable protection cabin. Then, the two end interfaces of the submarine cable protection cabin are respectively connected to the fixing flanges of the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit, and fastened with bolts circumferentially to the flanges.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention: the conical anchoring sleeve is composed of at least two detachably connected sector-shaped anchoring cylinders, and the clamping part is a sawtooth structure or a coarse thread structure. By using at least two detachably connected sector-shaped anchoring cylinders in the conical anchoring sleeve, combined with sawtooth or coarse thread as the clamping part, it offers significant installation convenience and anchoring reliability. The split sector-shaped anchoring cylinders allow the conical anchoring sleeve to be directly wrapped and closed radially around the exposed submarine cable armor layer, eliminating the need for complex threading operations from the cable end. This greatly simplifies the installation process for underwater robots or divers in confined spaces, making it particularly suitable for underwater wet operation environments. Regarding anchoring performance, when the conical anchoring sleeve is axially pushed within the conical groove of the outer shell, each sector-shaped anchoring cylinder synchronously and uniformly contracts radially. At this time, the sawtooth or coarse thread structure of the inner wall can forcefully bite into the gaps in the armored steel wire, forming a highly efficient mechanical interlock. The greater the cable tension it withstands, the stronger the radial clamping force becomes, and the deeper the clamping part engages, thus achieving reliable anchoring that "gets tighter the more it's pulled," ensuring efficient and stable transmission of tension from the armor layer to the armor connection device.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention: the conical anchoring sleeve includes a first sector-shaped anchoring cylinder and a second sector-shaped anchoring cylinder that are detachably connected, and the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that are detachably connected. The conical anchoring sleeve adopts a detachable split structure of the first sector-shaped anchoring cylinder and the second sector-shaped anchoring cylinder, and the housing adopts a design with detachable connection of the upper and lower housings, realizing all-round radial assembly and extremely high operational flexibility. Neither the internal conical anchoring sleeve nor the external housing requires axial insertion from the end of the submarine cable. It can be directly "wrapped" and installed radially from the cable body of the submarine cable, greatly reducing the requirements for working space. This allows underwater robots or divers to efficiently and conveniently complete the positioning and assembly of all components in narrow and dimly lit underwater environments, significantly improving installation speed and reducing operational risks. In addition, this dual split structure provides great convenience for later inspection and maintenance. If it is necessary to inspect the anchoring status or replace specific components, only part of the shell or tapered anchoring sleeve can be disassembled without removing the entire armored connection device from the submarine cable, achieving "minimally invasive" maintenance and significantly reducing maintenance workload and time costs.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention: the housing is provided with a guide ring positioning step and a push bolt mounting groove. The guide ring positioning step is located at the end with the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove, and the push bolt mounting groove is located at the end with the larger inner diameter of the conical groove. The guide ring positioning step is provided with a guide ring, and the push bolt mounting groove is provided with a push bolt. The guide ring is located at the end with the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove and is set at the cable inlet to guide the cable and prevent damage to the outer sheath. By precisely positioning the guide ring at the end with the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove, it is ensured that the submarine cable can always obtain accurate axial guidance when connected to the armored connection device. Its flared structure can smoothly capture and correct the position of the cable body, effectively preventing scratches to the armor layer or outer sheath caused by inlet deviation. Since the inner diameter of the conical groove gradually changes from large to small from one end to the other, the axial pushing force is applied to the conical anchor sleeve in the direction of the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove by the push bolt, forcing the conical anchor sleeve to move in the direction of the narrower conical hole of the housing. Since the shell is stationary, the movement of the tapered anchor sleeve is constrained by its own tapered outer wall and the inner wall of the tapered groove of the shell. The axial thrust is converted into a huge, uniform radial contraction force. The huge radial force forces the sharp teeth of the tapered anchor sleeve to press deeply into and bite into the gap of the armored steel wire, thereby achieving mechanical interlocking.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention: the stress transmission linkage unit includes a first stress link, two second stress links, and two first universal joints. The two first universal joints are rotatably connected to both ends of the first stress link, and the other ends of the two first universal joints are rotatably connected to the second stress links. The other ends of the two second stress links are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively. The stress transmission linkage unit adopts a multi-stage series rotational structure of "first stress link - universal joint - second stress link", constructing a multi-degree-of-freedom, highly efficient unloading force transmission path. Through the cooperation of the universal joints with the first stress link and the two second stress links, while effectively transmitting tensile force axially, the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit on both sides are allowed to undergo relative angular deflection and small-amplitude axial displacement in multiple directions. This can compensate for cable bending or misalignment caused by seabed subsidence and water flow impact, fully decompose and absorb the complex alternating stress concentrated at one point in traditional rigid connections, greatly reduce stress concentration at the connection point, and thus significantly improve the reliability and fatigue life of the entire armored connection device in a dynamic marine environment.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the two second stress linkages are respectively connected to the first and second connecting seats via second universal joints or fork-shaped pins. The connection of the second stress linkages to the first and second connecting seats via second universal joints or fork-shaped pins greatly releases the constraints at the connection points and achieves efficient stress management. Universal joints allow for angular changes in two rotational degrees of freedom, while fork-shaped pins allow free rotation in a single plane. This hinged connection method allows the connection points to flexibly swing when the submarine cables on both sides undergo relative bending and torsion due to changes in seabed topography, water flow impact, or ship towing, rather than forming rigid resistance. This fundamentally avoids generating huge bending moments and torques between the second stress linkages and the anchoring unit, simplifying the force mode to almost pure axial tension, thereby significantly improving the structural reliability and fatigue life of the second stress linkages themselves and their connection with the anchoring unit.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention: Both the first and second stress connecting rods have grooves on their surfaces, and stress sensors are installed within these grooves. By providing grooves with built-in stress sensors on the surfaces of the first and second stress connecting rods, the condition monitoring function is deeply integrated into the core load-bearing structure, enabling real-time monitoring of the working efficiency of the armored connection device. By embedding stress sensors into the grooves on the surfaces of the first and second stress connecting rods, the actual distribution and fluctuation of tension in the first and second stress connecting rods can be accurately monitored. The obtained stress data is the most direct evidence for determining whether the armored connection device has successfully shared the armor load. If the measured value is consistently below a preset safety threshold, it proves that the armored connection device is working normally; if the stress abnormally increases or is unevenly distributed, it can provide timely warnings of potential failure risks at the connection points, providing crucial data support for maintenance decisions.

[0018] As a further improvement of the present invention, the stress sensor is a fiber optic sensor. Using a fiber optic sensor as a stress monitoring method offers excellent engineering applicability. Fiber optic sensors inherently possess characteristics of electromagnetic interference resistance and corrosion resistance; their signal transmission is unaffected by the complex underwater electromagnetic environment and long distances, making them ideal for seabed applications. By embedding it into the grooves of the first and second stress connecting rods, real-time monitoring of the load-bearing state is achieved. The acquired stress data is the most direct and reliable basis for determining whether the armored connection device effectively shares the armor load.

[0019] As a further improvement of the present invention: the first stress link and the second stress link are made of high-strength alloy steel or high-strength composite material, and the surfaces of the first stress link and the second stress link are coated with an anti-corrosion coating; the shell is made of high-strength corrosion-resistant material. By using high-strength alloy steel or high-strength composite material to manufacture the first stress link and the second stress link, their breaking force is ensured to be much higher than that of the submarine cable armor, providing core mechanical protection for tension transmission; at the same time, the anti-corrosion coating on the surface of the first stress link and the second stress link, together with the high-strength corrosion-resistant material of the shell, form a dual protection system to jointly resist seawater corrosion, greatly improving the durability and service life of the device in harsh marine environments.

[0020] The present invention also provides an installation method for the submarine cable armored connection device described above, wherein the submarine cable carrying the device body is submerged in the sea, one end of the submarine cable to be repaired is connected to a first anchoring unit, and the other end of the submarine cable is connected to a second anchoring unit.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0022] The anchoring unit of this invention is used to anchor the armor layer of a submarine cable. A stress-transfer linkage unit is connected to the anchoring unit to transfer tension. The anchoring unit employs a shell with a conical groove and a conical anchoring sleeve with a clamping part, achieving self-locking through a mechanical wedging principle. When subjected to the tension of the submarine cable, it generates a greater radial clamping force, causing the clamping part on the inner wall of the sleeve to embed deeper into the armor layer of the submarine cable, forming a reliable anchoring that "tightens with tension," effectively transferring tension. Secondly, the anchoring unit and the stress-transfer linkage unit are connected by a rotating connection, allowing the submarine cables on both sides to bend and twist relative to each other within a certain range. This significantly reduces bending stress concentration at the connection point, improving the adaptability and reliability of the armor connection device in complex sea conditions. Furthermore, the device has a relatively simple structure, eliminating the need for large-scale cutting or movement of the submarine cable. It is easy for underwater robots or divers to directly install and disassemble in underwater wet environments, greatly reducing the time and economic cost of repair operations and achieving maximum preservation of the original cable performance and length. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the anchoring unit of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention, including the anchoring unit, the connecting seat, and the second stress link.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the submarine cable of the present invention.

[0027] Reference numerals: 1. Submarine cable; 2. Armor layer; 3. Outer sheath; 4. Shell; 5. Conical anchor sleeve; 6. Conical groove; 7. Clamping part; 8. Submarine cable protection compartment; 9. First stress connecting rod; 10. Second stress connecting rod; 11. First universal joint; 12. Connecting seat; 13. Guide ring; 14. Push bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0030] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. Moreover, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. The invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0031] Please see Figure 1-4 An embodiment of the present invention provides a submarine cable armored connection device, including a device body, the device body including an anchoring unit and a stress transmission connecting rod unit, the anchoring unit being provided with a connecting seat 12;

[0032] The anchoring unit includes a first anchoring unit and a second anchoring unit, which are used to fix the connection with the submarine cable. The first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are arranged axially overlapping.

[0033] The connecting seat 12 includes a first connecting seat and a second connecting seat. The first connecting seat and the second connecting seat are respectively disposed in the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit. The two ends of the transmission link unit are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively. When not subjected to external force, the phase angles of the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat relative to the axial direction are the same.

[0034] By establishing rotational connections between the first and second anchoring units and the two ends of the stress transmission linkage unit, an independent and coordinated dual-sided mechanical correction system is created. This structure allows the armor layers 2 on both sides of the submarine cable 1 to be independently and reliably anchored, with force transmitted through the central stress transmission linkage unit. This effectively ensures a balanced distribution of tension and avoids device tilting or failure caused by uneven force on one side. Simultaneously, the rotational connections on both sides provide independent degrees of freedom for both sides of the submarine cable 1, enabling them to adaptively respond to complex seabed currents and topographic changes without hindering each other, allowing for bending and torsion at different angles and directions. This significantly releases the rigid constraints at the connection points, effectively mitigating complex alternating stresses that might concentrate there, thereby significantly improving the durability, reliability, and service life of the entire armor connection device in harsh marine environments.

[0035] In some embodiments, the anchoring unit includes a housing 4 and a conical anchoring sleeve 5. The housing 4 is provided with a conical groove 6, and the conical anchoring sleeve 5 is disposed in the conical groove 6. The inner wall of the conical anchoring sleeve 5 is provided with a clamping part 7.

[0036] In some embodiments, a submarine cable protection compartment 8 is also included, the submarine cable protection compartment 8 having a cavity inside, and the cavity of the submarine cable protection compartment is connected to the cavities of the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit, the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit being fixedly connected to the submarine cable protection compartment 8 by flanges respectively.

[0037] The submarine cable protection compartment 8 has a cavity that connects to the cavities of the first and second anchoring units. The first and second anchoring units are fixedly connected to the submarine cable protection compartment 8 via flanges. Through a high-strength rigid connection, the submarine cable protection compartment 8 is firmly combined with the first and second anchoring units on both sides into a complete whole. This greatly enhances the structural rigidity and integrity of the entire armored connection device, enabling it to better resist complex loads on the seabed, such as water flow impact, silt pressure, or accidental dragging. It effectively prevents sealing failure caused by relative displacement of components and significantly improves the safety and stability of the submarine cable 1 connection point during long-term operation.

[0038] In some embodiments, the submarine cable protection chamber 8 consists of two or more detachably connected submarine cable protection shells.

[0039] During installation, two or more submarine cable protection shells are wrapped around and closed around the outside of the submarine cable section 1 that needs protection. At the same time, the two or more submarine cable protection shells are tightly fixed together with fastening bolts to form a submarine cable protection compartment 8. Then, the two end interfaces of the submarine cable protection compartment 8 are respectively connected to the fixing flanges of the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit, and fastened with bolts in the circumferential direction of the flanges.

[0040] In some embodiments, the tapered anchor sleeve 5 consists of at least two detachably connected sector-shaped anchor sleeves, and the clamping part 7 has a sawtooth structure or a coarse thread structure.

[0041] The tapered anchoring sleeve 5, composed of at least two detachably connected sector-shaped anchoring sleeves and incorporating serrated or coarse threads as clamping parts 7, offers significant ease of installation and anchoring reliability. The split-type sector-shaped anchoring sleeves allow the tapered anchoring sleeve 5 to directly wrap around and close to the exposed submarine cable armor layer 2 radially, eliminating the need for complex threading operations from the cable end. This greatly simplifies the installation process for underwater robots or divers in confined spaces, making it particularly suitable for underwater wet operation environments. Regarding anchoring performance, when the tapered anchoring sleeve 5 is axially pushed within the tapered groove 6 of the outer shell 4, each sector-shaped anchoring sleeve synchronously and uniformly contracts radially. At this time, the serrated or coarse thread structure of the inner wall can forcefully bite into the gaps in the armored steel wire, forming a highly efficient mechanical interlock. The greater the cable tension it bears, the stronger the radial clamping force becomes, and the deeper the clamping part 7 engages, thus achieving reliable anchoring that "tightens as it is pulled," ensuring efficient and stable transmission of tension from the armor layer 2 to the armor connection device.

[0042] In some embodiments, the conical anchor sleeve 5 includes a first sector anchor sleeve and a second sector anchor sleeve that are detachably connected, and the housing 4 includes an upper housing 4 and a lower housing 4 that are detachably connected.

[0043] The conical anchoring sleeve 5 adopts a detachable split structure of a first sector-shaped anchoring sleeve and a second sector-shaped anchoring sleeve. Combined with the shell 4, which features a detachable upper and lower shell connection, this achieves omnidirectional radial assembly and extremely high operational flexibility. Neither the internal conical anchoring sleeve 5 nor the external shell 4 requires axial insertion from the cable end; they can be directly "wrapped" together radially from the submarine cable 1. This significantly reduces the space requirements, enabling underwater robots or divers to efficiently and conveniently position and assemble all components in confined, dimly lit underwater environments, significantly improving installation speed and reducing operational risks. Furthermore, this dual-split structure greatly facilitates subsequent inspection and maintenance. If it is necessary to inspect the anchoring status or replace specific components, only part of the shell 4 or the conical anchoring sleeve 5 can be disassembled without removing the entire armored connection device from the submarine cable 1, achieving "minimally invasive" maintenance and significantly reducing maintenance workload and time costs.

[0044] In some embodiments, the housing 4 is provided with a guide ring positioning step and a push bolt mounting groove. The guide ring positioning step is located at the end with the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove 6, and the push bolt mounting groove is located at the end with the larger inner diameter of the conical groove 6. The guide ring positioning step is provided with a guide ring 13, and the push bolt mounting groove is provided with a push bolt 14.

[0045] The guide ring 13 is located at the smaller end of the conical groove 6, at the cable inlet, to guide the cable and prevent damage to the outer sheath 3. By precisely positioning the guide ring 13 at the smaller end of the conical groove 6, it ensures that the submarine cable 1 always receives accurate axial guidance when connected to the armored connection device. Its flared structure can smoothly capture and correct the cable position, effectively preventing scratches to the armor layer 2 or outer sheath 3 caused by inlet misalignment.

[0046] As the inner diameter of the conical groove 6 gradually decreases from one end to the other, an axial pushing force is applied to the conical anchor sleeve 5 in the direction of the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove 6 via the jacking bolt 14, forcing the conical anchor sleeve 5 to move in the direction of the narrower conical hole of the housing 4. Since the housing 4 is fixed, the movement of the conical anchor sleeve 5 is constrained by its own conical outer wall and the inner wall of the conical groove 6 of the housing 4. The axial thrust is converted into a huge, uniform radial contraction force. The huge radial force forces the sharp teeth of the conical anchor sleeve 5 to press deeply into and mesh with the gaps in the armored steel wire, thereby achieving mechanical interlocking.

[0047] In some embodiments, the stress transmission linkage unit includes a first stress linkage 9, two second stress linkages 10, and two first universal joints 11. The two first universal joints are rotatably connected to both ends of the first stress linkage, and the other ends of the two first universal joints are rotatably connected to the second stress linkages. The other ends of the two second stress linkages are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively.

[0048] The stress transmission linkage unit adopts a multi-stage series rotational structure of "first stress linkage - universal joint - second stress linkage", constructing a multi-degree-of-freedom, highly efficient unloading force transmission path. Through the cooperation of the universal joint with the first stress linkage and the two second stress linkages, while effectively transmitting tensile force axially, it allows the first and second anchoring units on both sides to undergo relative angular deflection and small-amplitude axial displacement in multiple directions. This can compensate for cable bending or misalignment caused by seabed subsidence and water flow impact, and fully decompose and absorb the complex alternating stress concentrated at a single point in traditional rigid connections. This greatly reduces stress concentration at the connection point, thereby significantly improving the reliability and fatigue life of the entire armored connection device in dynamic marine environments.

[0049] In some embodiments, the two second stress linkages 10 are respectively connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat via a second universal joint or a fork-type pin.

[0050] The second stress link is connected to the first and second connecting seats via the second universal joint or fork-type pin, which greatly releases the constraint of the connection point. This allows the connection point to swing flexibly when the submarine cables 1 on both sides are relatively bent and twisted due to changes in seabed topography, water flow impact, or ship towing, rather than forming rigid resistance. This fundamentally avoids the generation of huge bending moments and torques between the second stress link 10 and the anchoring unit, simplifying the force mode to almost pure axial tension, thereby significantly improving the structural reliability and fatigue life of the second stress link 10 itself and its connection with the anchoring unit.

[0051] In some embodiments, the surfaces of the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10 are both provided with grooves, and stress sensors are disposed in the grooves.

[0052] Grooves with built-in stress sensors are provided on the surfaces of the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10, deeply integrating the condition monitoring function into the core load-bearing structure, enabling real-time monitoring of the working efficiency of the armor connection device. By embedding the stress sensors in the grooves on the surfaces of the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10, the actual distribution and fluctuation of tension in the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10 can be accurately monitored. The obtained stress data is the most direct evidence to determine whether the armor connection device has successfully shared the armor load. If the measured value is consistently below the preset safety threshold, it proves that the armor connection device is working normally; if the stress abnormally increases or is unevenly distributed, it can provide timely warning of potential failure risks at the connection point, providing crucial data support for maintenance decisions.

[0053] In some embodiments, the stress sensor is an optical fiber sensor.

[0054] The use of fiber optic sensors for stress monitoring demonstrates excellent engineering applicability. Fiber optic sensors inherently possess resistance to electromagnetic interference and corrosion, and their signal transmission is unaffected by the complex underwater electromagnetic environment and long distances, making them ideal for seabed applications. By embedding them into the grooves of the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10, real-time monitoring of the load-bearing state is achieved. The acquired stress data serves as the most direct and reliable basis for determining whether the armored connection device effectively shares the armor load.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10 are made of high-strength alloy steel or high-strength composite material, and the surfaces of the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10 are provided with anti-corrosion coatings; the housing 4 is made of high-strength corrosion-resistant material.

[0056] By using high-strength alloy steel or high-strength composite materials to manufacture the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10, their breaking force is ensured to be much higher than that of the submarine cable armor, providing core mechanical protection for tension transmission. At the same time, the anti-corrosion coating on the surface of the first stress link 9 and the second stress link 10, together with the high-strength corrosion-resistant material of the shell 4, form a dual protection system to jointly resist seawater corrosion, greatly improving the durability and service life of the device in harsh marine environments.

[0057] In some embodiments, the inner end of the guide ring 13 is provided with a flared opening. This flared opening is used to capture and guide the submarine cable 1, allowing it to smoothly enter the armored connection device and preventing it from getting stuck or scratching the outer sheath 3. Following the flared opening is a relatively smooth cylindrical surface that maintains a small and uniform gap with the outer sheath 3 of the submarine cable 1, ensuring that the submarine cable 1 can pass freely while limiting its excessive lateral sway. The guide ring 13 includes a detachably connected first guide portion and a second guide portion.

[0058] In this invention, the guide ring is connected to the upper and lower shells via a guide ring positioning step, allowing the conical anchoring sleeve and guide ring to be manually closed and wrapped around the exposed submarine cable armor layer. The upper and lower shells are then closed around the conical anchoring sleeve and guide ring, tightly clamped together by multiple bolts on their mating surfaces. This provides a robust "slope" for the wedging action of the internal conical anchoring sleeve, ensuring initial contact between the conical groove of the shell and the outer conical surface of the conical anchoring sleeve. At this point, there is only slight pressure between the teeth of the conical anchoring sleeve and the armor layer; engagement has not yet occurred. An axial pushing force towards the guide ring is applied to the conical anchoring sleeve via a push bolt, forcing the conical anchoring sleeve to move towards the narrower conical opening of the shell's conical groove. Since the shell is stationary, the movement of the conical anchor sleeve is constrained by its conical outer wall and the conical inner wall of the conical groove of the shell. The axial thrust is converted into a huge, uniform radial contraction force. The huge radial force forces the sharp teeth of the conical anchor sleeve to press deeply into and bite into the gap of the armored steel wire, thus achieving mechanical interlocking.

[0059] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an installation method for the submarine cable armored connection device described above, wherein a submarine cable carrying the device body is submerged in the sea, one end of the submarine cable to be repaired is connected to a first anchoring unit, and the other end of the submarine cable is connected to a second anchoring unit.

[0060] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. A submarine cable armored connection device, comprising a device body, characterized in that: The device body includes an anchoring unit and a stress transmission link unit, and the anchoring unit includes a first anchoring unit and a second anchoring unit. The first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are used for fixed connection with the submarine cable, and the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are arranged axially coincidentally. The first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are respectively provided with a first connecting seat and a second connecting seat. The two ends of the transmission link unit are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, and the phase angles of the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat relative to the axial direction are the same when no external force is applied.

2. The submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anchoring unit includes a housing and a conical anchoring sleeve. The housing is provided with a conical groove, and the conical anchoring sleeve is disposed in the conical groove. The inner wall of the conical anchoring sleeve is provided with a clamping part.

3. The submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a submarine cable protection compartment, which has a cavity inside. The cavity of the submarine cable protection compartment is connected to the cavities of the first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit. The first anchoring unit and the second anchoring unit are respectively fixedly connected to the submarine cable protection compartment through flanges.

4. The submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conical anchor sleeve consists of at least two detachably connected sector-shaped anchor sleeves, and the clamping part is a sawtooth structure or a threaded structure.

5. The submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The conical anchoring sleeve includes a first sector anchoring sleeve and a second sector anchoring sleeve that can be detachably connected, and the housing includes an upper housing and a lower housing that can be detachably connected.

6. The submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is provided with a guide ring positioning step and a push bolt mounting groove. The guide ring positioning step is located at the end with the smaller inner diameter of the conical groove, and the push bolt mounting groove is located at the end with the larger inner diameter of the conical groove. The guide ring positioning step is provided with a guide ring, and the push bolt mounting groove is provided with a push bolt.

7. The submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stress transmission linkage unit includes a first stress linkage, two second stress linkages, and two first universal joints. The two first universal joints are rotatably connected to both ends of the first stress linkage, and the other ends of the two first universal joints are rotatably connected to the second stress linkages. The other ends of the two second stress linkages are rotatably connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat, respectively.

8. A submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The two second stress linkages are respectively connected to the first connecting seat and the second connecting seat via a second universal joint or a fork-type pin.

9. A submarine cable armored connection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: Both the first stress link and the second stress link have grooves on their surfaces, and stress sensors are installed in the grooves.

10. A method for installing a submarine cable armored connection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The submarine cable carrying the device body is submerged in the sea. One end of the submarine cable to be repaired is connected to the first anchoring unit, and the other end of the submarine cable is connected to the second anchoring unit.

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