Flexible cable supporting device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flexible cable supporting device, which can solve the technical problems caused by the use of cable supports such as rigid structure groove boxes or bridges in local special areas in the prior art. The flexible cable supporting device comprises a tubular coating structure, a suspension cable, stainless steel sleeves and a bolt and nut kit, the suspension cable penetrates through the middle of the tubular coating structure, and the stainless steel sleeves are installed at the two ends of the tubular coating structure. The flexible cable supporting device provided by the utility model can replace the original rigid cable support such as a groove box or a bridge in special occasions.

Description

A flexible cable support device Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of instrument manufacturing and relates to a flexible cable support device. Background Technology

[0002] In the petrochemical industry and other related industries, process measuring instruments are arranged in a relatively dispersed manner according to their process uses. Each instrument needs to use cables to transmit signals. All cables need to be connected to the nearest control room, and the cables must be laid in supports to be well protected and supported to prevent damage to the outer sheath and conductor insulation. The current technology for these supports is mainly rigid cable trays and cable troughs. These supports are made of steel or aluminum alloy with fixed shapes. They rely on the strength of their fixed shape to prevent external forces from damaging the cable sheath, damaging the insulation layer, or directly breaking the cable, causing accidents. Because cable trays or cable ducts must be laid along various equipment platforms and structural frames, but these platforms or frames cannot be arranged close together, when the distance between two areas is large, exceeding 3 meters, and there is no steel structure connection, and the cable tray or cable duct must cross over, the conventional specifications for cable trays or cable ducts are 2 or 3 meters in length. During installation, connecting plates and bolts and nuts are used to connect the sections. Due to the excessive weight and span, the suspended part may collapse. Special designs are required, such as thickening the sides to increase stress, to manufacture large-span cable trays or cable ducts, which further increases the weight. However, considering the restrictions on freight trucks and container transportation and the overall cost-effectiveness, each section of cable tray or cable duct cannot exceed 6 meters. When this limit is exceeded, freight transportation becomes very inconvenient, and a span greater than 6 meters will also cause the middle to collapse due to deformation caused by its own weight. At this time, it is necessary to entrust a structural professional to add an additional supporting load-bearing beam at the bottom of the cable tray between the two stress support points to support the cable tray and achieve a large span. To achieve sufficient strength, the size of the load-bearing beam itself will be larger, resulting in an even greater weight. When the number of instruments is small and they are too scattered, even with only one cable, large structural steel beams are required to support the cable for a long span at high altitude, resulting in steel waste. The self-weight of the cable tray and steel beam at high altitude is very heavy. Furthermore, a movable cover plate must be added to the top 2 meters of the cable tray to protect the cable from above and to allow the cable to be placed during the construction phase. The movable cover plate also needs to be reinforced with stainless steel straps to prevent it from being blown off by strong winds. After the cable is laid, the construction of the movable cover plate on the suspended section of the cable tray requires the use of a crane to assist in the high-altitude operation. In extreme cases, scaffolding may even need to be laid on the ground for high-altitude operations. Fixing the cover plate is extremely inconvenient and unsafe. In extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and blizzards, the upper part of the cover plate is a flat structure, and the cable tray at high altitude is very prone to wind catching or snow or ice accumulating on the cover plate, increasing the potential safety hazard of falling objects from the cable tray cover plate or ice on it.

[0003] Current technology cannot effectively solve this problem. The methods used aim to minimize long-distance overhead cable crossings between adjacent areas. Therefore, cables need to be concentrated at a certain height in one area, with a uniformly designed steel beam meeting stress requirements. A cable tray or trunking section is then fixed to the steel beam, and the cables are laid within it to achieve centralized crossing. Some cables require detours, and the increased cable length is detrimental to signal transmission, and high-altitude construction is unsafe. Alternatively, cables can be introduced underground through one piece of equipment, then laid underground to another piece of equipment or frame area before re-emerging. This underground route within the installation is mostly hardened paving, requiring structural trenches or concrete structures for protection against heavy vehicle traffic. After crossing underground in some areas, the cables emerge on the other side and then re-emerge to rejoin other cables in the trunking. Construction is very inconvenient, and the cable route requires a significant increase in distance, leading to longer cables. This solution has a very low overall cost-effectiveness when cables are distributed widely.

[0004] In some extremely complex and congested spaces, such as when process skid-mounted equipment with bases are densely installed, or when cables need to be laid in congested spaces, the installation of cable trays is very inconvenient. According to standards, the cross-section of the cable tray body should be at least twice the space occupied by the cable. The bottom of the branch cable trays also needs to be supported by structural steel every 1.5 to 2 meters. The support points affect the manual maintenance passage, and the frequent turns also make the construction of the elbows of the steel structure cable trays inconvenient.

[0005] When laying cables in certain high-fire-risk areas, the solution is to use fireproof cable trays. In this case, the cable trays are often made of very heavy steel plates with a layer of insulating ceramic cotton. The thickness of the interlayer greatly affects the internal cable laying space. Alternatively, extremely expensive organic polymer fire-resistant materials are used as the base material. Not only is the cost high, but the material is also not very rigid, making it difficult to achieve large spans.

[0006] In some highly corrosive areas, such as coastal areas, cable trays or cable troughs, including their bottom supports, are severely corroded. After a few years of use, the supports are severely rusted, and many cables have been found to have sagged out of the supports and become exposed, effectively losing their protective function.

[0007] During the project implementation, accidents often occur when excavators dig up and sever directly buried cables during the renovation of old equipment. If high-strength galvanized carbon steel pipes or PVC pipes are used for protection with cement pouring, the cable needs to be passed through section by section first, and then the outer sleeve is used to tighten between the sections and asphalt is used for corrosion prevention and waterproof sealing. The construction is extremely inconvenient and the cost-effectiveness is not good.

[0008] Current technologies such as cable trays and other rigid cable supports cannot effectively solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0009] To address the technical problems arising from the use of rigid cable trays or cable ducts in specific local areas in existing technologies, this utility model provides a flexible cable support device that can replace the original rigid cable trays or cable ducts in special situations.

[0010] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0011] A flexible cable support device is characterized in that: the flexible cable support device includes a tubular covering structure, a suspension cable, a stainless steel sleeve, and a bolt and nut assembly. The tubular covering structure is a flexible hollow structure, the suspension cable passes through the middle of the tubular covering structure, and stainless steel sleeves are installed at both ends of the tubular covering structure. The stainless steel sleeves are fastened to the tubular covering structure with bolts and nuts. The bolt and nut assembly is preferably a 10-12mm round head bolt and nut assembly.

[0012] A further technical feature of this utility model is that the tubular covering structure material is selected from the aramid fiber series, and the tubular covering structure is manufactured as an integrated unit.

[0013] A further technical feature of this utility model is that the stainless steel sleeve is a steel cylinder with a width of 150 to 300 mm, formed by rolling a stainless steel plate with a thickness of at least 3 mm.

[0014] A further technical feature of this utility model is that the outer diameter of the stainless steel sleeve is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular covering structure.

[0015] A further technical feature of this utility model is that: after passing through the stainless steel sleeve, the tubular covering structure is folded outwards to cover part of the stainless steel sleeve. A 12-15mm hole is made on the opposite side of the covered portion of the stainless steel sleeve, and a corresponding 12-15mm hole is also reserved in the tubular covering structure. Preferably, the hole is made on the opposite side of the covered portion of the stainless steel sleeve, 50-60mm from the end of the outer edge of the stainless steel sleeve.

[0016] A further technical feature of this utility model is that the reverse outward folding length of the tubular covering structure is 70-150mm.

[0017] A further technical feature of this utility model is that the suspension cable is made of high-strength multi-strand stainless steel wire twisted together.

[0018] This invention includes, but is not limited to, applications in the petrochemical industry. All similar applications involving long-span cable laying, or use in confined spaces, high-fire-risk areas, cryogenic leakage-risk areas, and highly corrosive underground environments, or in coastal areas, are covered by this patent. This invention is particularly suitable for cable laying applications requiring cryogenic resistance, especially in environments with prolonged contact with liquid nitrogen or LNG.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0020] 1) This utility model adopts a flexible hollow structure. The main body structure of the flexible covering material is aramid fiber series. Its strength is 5 to 6 times that of steel, its toughness is 2 times that of steel wire, and its density is only 1 / 5 of that of steel. Due to its light weight, it can be woven and processed into a long integrated tube hollow shape. Based on its strength comparison with steel, the span of the supporting cable can be at least more than 15 meters.

[0021] 2) The aramid fiber material is similar in weight to textiles, making it lightweight. It can be rolled into bundles for transport and simply unrolled and straightened for high-altitude installations, eliminating the need for scaffolding on the ground and shortening the construction period. This is particularly suitable for temporary additions of cable routes and large-span installations during short-term overhauls of renovation projects. Aramid materials have excellent flame retardancy and high-temperature resistance. In high-fire-risk areas, aramid fiber, when combined with carbon fiber (which has superior fire resistance), provides better strength at high temperatures and can completely replace bulky fireproof cable trays. Unlike steel, aramid materials are not prone to rust and exhibit high chemical stability and long service life in corrosive environments. Aramid fiber is a flexible material, unlike rigid metal structures such as cable trays and trunking which are transported in sections and require on-site assembly and additional support. Flexible materials can be manufactured in one piece according to length, making construction simple and flexible. The fibers are shaped and processed into tubular structures of various lengths and outer diameters through weaving, resulting in high protective density and good manufacturing flexibility.

[0022] 3) This utility model can be used for cable laying in special spaces, such as extremely congested spaces, where mechanical protection and fire prevention are required. If ordinary rigid and bulky fireproof cable trays are used, the rigid structure has a large bending radius and is difficult to implement due to space limitations when the laying route needs to frequently avoid irregularly arranged obstacles. This device is a flexible woven fabric structure. As long as the cable can be bent in any space, the tubular covering structure of this utility model can bend with the cable and provide good protection in various ways. It is not limited by space and can be bundled on-site using existing structures, requiring less additional support.

[0023] 4) In special situations such as cable laying with large spans, fire protection requirements, highly corrosive buried environments, highly corrosive gas environments, congested spaces, or local cable route renovations requiring rapid construction, this utility model can be used in combination with traditional cable trays and cable troughs to suit various complex engineering and spatial conditions, achieving the best cost-performance combination.

[0024] 5) This utility model is an integrated finished product with no moving parts. It is lightweight and can withstand various harsh and extreme weather conditions such as typhoons and blizzards. It is easy to fix and is especially suitable for high-altitude laying. Its simple structure makes it less prone to snow accumulation and icing, and there is no risk of falling objects from high altitudes, which greatly increases the safety of high altitudes. There is no need for segment connection and cover plate construction. Cables can be easily passed through and construction is fast.

[0025] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but this does not limit the scope of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tubular covering structure according to the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 is a detailed drawing of the end fixing device of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the installation of this utility model.

[0029] The reference numerals in the figure are:

[0030] 1-Tube-shaped covering structure, 2-Bolt and nut kit, 3-Stainless steel sleeve, 4-Cable, 5-Fastening plate, 6-Steel bracket, 7-Suspension cable, 8-Steel structure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1-3, this utility model provides a flexible cable support device. Referring to the cross-sectional view of the tubular covering structure in Figure 1, the main structure of the device includes a tubular covering structure 1, a bolt and nut kit 2, a stainless steel sleeve 3, and a suspension cable 7. The tubular covering structure 1 is a flexible hollow structure similar to a pipe, and its main body is made of high-strength aramid fiber woven fabric. The cross-sectional area of ​​the hollow structure can be calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional area occupied by the cables by a factor of at least 1.5 to 2.0 according to the required length and number of cables, thereby calculating the inner diameter. The structure is woven into an integrated tubular structure; the more cables run inside, the larger the inner diameter of the tubular structure. Referring to the detailed drawing of the end fixing device in Figure 2, stainless steel sleeves 3 are connected to both ends of the tubular covering structure 1. Their function is to open and fix the flexible hollow structure at the ends, facilitating the dragging of the cables 4 inside during construction. The stainless steel sleeve 3 can be made by cutting a stainless steel plate with a thickness of at least 3mm and rolling it into a steel cylinder with a width of about 150-300mm. The outer diameter of the stainless steel sleeve 3 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular covering structure 1, and the edges are welded to form a cylindrical shape. The fiber textile fabric of the tubular covering structure 1 is slightly folded, passes through the stainless steel sleeve 3, and then folds outward for a length of about 70-150mm to cover part of the stainless steel sleeve. In the covered part, two holes with a diameter of 12-15mm are made on opposite sides 50mm from the end of the outer edge of the stainless steel sleeve 3. The corresponding position of the covering structure 1 also has a reserved opening with a diameter of 12-15mm. A 10-12mm round head bolt and nut kit 2 is used for fastening. This kit consists of a bolt, nut, and washer, all made of 316SS stainless steel. The round head of the bolt passes through the reserved opening in the inner layer of the tubular covering structure 1, through the reserved opening in the stainless steel sleeve, and through the reserved opening in the outer layer of the tubular covering structure 1. Then, the washer of the round head bolt and nut kit 2 is inserted, and the matching nut is used to lock it in place, ensuring the round head is on the inside to avoid scratching the cable sheath. After fastening the stainless steel sleeve 3 to both sides of the tubular covering structure 1, the exposed part of the stainless steel sleeve 3 is firmly welded to the fastening plate 5. The shape and thickness of the fastening plate 5 do not have special design requirements; it is recommended that the material be the same stainless steel as the stainless steel sleeve 3, allowing for secure welding. This can be designed using common knowledge.A suspension cable 7 runs through the tubular sheath structure 1. The suspension cable 7 is made of high-strength multi-strand stainless steel wire, and its diameter can be determined according to the span length and load-bearing capacity. The thickness can be calculated by the manufacturer based on the load-bearing capacity according to market product specifications. The load-bearing capacity can withstand the weight of the device plus the cable, plus the impact load in an emergency. Its function is similar to that of a suspension bridge cable, and its minimum allowable bending radius must be greater than the maximum allowable bending radius of the cable. It also serves to connect the grounding on both sides of the tubular sheath structure 1. For load-bearing and impact protection, this utility model uses… Aramid structures themselves possess sufficient strength and resistance to tension and impact, thus providing dual load-bearing capacity. However, compared to steel wire, if the tubular sheath structure 1 were to bear the load alone, the greater toughness of aramid fibers would result in significant bending at high altitudes during long-span applications, which is visually unappealing. The weight is supported by the rigidity of the straightened suspension cable 7, reducing bending and improving aesthetics. Furthermore, this suspension structure distributes the cable weight evenly across the entire suspended section of the tubular sheath structure 1, resulting in a more rational design and preventing extreme stress on both sides of the structure. The suspension cable 7, made of steel, has excellent conductivity, providing a complete grounding connection between the two cable supports in the suspended section, protecting the suspended cable from electromagnetic interference. This device can be manufactured in long, integrated lengths according to site requirements and can be bundled for transport and storage.

[0033] Referring to the attached diagram 3, which shows the installation of a long-span cable, when using it over a long span, first pass the suspension cable 7 and the lead wire (the lead wire is used for temporary cable laying during construction and is not part of this device; this patent does not require it and it can be selected based on common knowledge) through the tubular covering structure 1. Then, straighten the suspension cable 7 and the tubular covering structure 1 on both sides at high altitude. The ends of the suspension cable 7 are the stress points. The steel support 6 is made of stainless steel. According to common mechanical principles, the steel support 6 can be designed as a triangle and fixed to the bottom steel structure 8. Straighten the suspension cable 7 as much as possible and apply stress on both sides. At the force point, the cable is rolled onto the steel support 6 and firmly welded to the steel support at the end, ensuring that the steel support 6 is well grounded. Then, the tubular covering structure 1 is straightened, and the fastening plates 5 of the stainless steel sleeves 3 at both ends are also welded to the steel support 6. Similarly, the weld points between the stainless steel sleeves 3 and the fastening plates 5 also become the force support points of the tubular covering structure 1. One end of the cable or cable bundle is tied to the lead wire, and the cable or cable bundle is dragged through the tubular covering structure 1. Fireproof and waterproof sealant is then filled into the gaps inside the stainless steel sleeves 3 at both ends to complete the construction and installation.

[0034] Material selection for tubular covering structure:

[0035] This utility model allows for the selection of a specific specification of aramid material products based on functional optimization in different applications. When used for laying cables with large or even ultra-long spans, the preferred material for the woven fabric of the tubular sheathing structure 1 is aramid 1314, i.e., para-aramid poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA), with an added UV-resistant coating. Alternatively, aramid 1314 can be combined with UV-resistant materials such as silicone to form a UV-resistant composite material. The fibers are woven into a hollow pipe structure, which can be prefabricated. The finished length can be designed in multiple modules according to common spanning distances, such as 5 meters, 10 meters, 15 meters, and other custom specifications. The diameter of the pipe structure can be customized in multiple modules, such as 150mm, 300mm, 500mm, and other custom specifications, depending on the number of cables. The thickness of the fabric is calculated by the manufacturer according to the cable root load and spanning distance based on the product specifications. When necessary, multiple layers of fabric can be used to form the basic sheathing structure. When there are other special requirements, such as higher strength or higher fire resistance, and the cost-effectiveness allows, other flexible high-tech fiber cloth products can also be used, such as PBO fiber (poly(p-phenylene benzodioxazole) fiber). The material selection for the tubular covering structure of this utility model is not limited to the aramid series. As long as it is a high-strength flexible fiber that meets the function, it can be used. However, the aramid series products with higher cost-effectiveness are recommended.

Claims

1. A flexible cable support device, characterized in that: The flexible cable support device includes a tubular sheathing structure, a suspension cable, a stainless steel sleeve, and a bolt and nut assembly. The tubular sheathing structure is a flexible hollow structure. The suspension cable passes through the middle of the tubular sheathing structure. Stainless steel sleeves are installed at both ends of the tubular sheathing structure. The stainless steel sleeves are fastened to the tubular sheathing structure with bolts and nuts.

2. A flexible cable support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The bolt and nut kit uses 10-12mm round head bolts and nuts.

3. A flexible cable support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The tubular covering structure is manufactured as a single unit.

4. The flexible cable support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stainless steel sleeve is a steel cylinder with a width of 150-300mm, formed by rolling a stainless steel plate with a thickness of at least 3mm.

5. A flexible cable support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the stainless steel sleeve is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular covering structure.

6. A flexible cable support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: After passing through the stainless steel sleeve, the tubular covering structure is folded outwards to cover part of the stainless steel sleeve. A 12-15mm hole is made on the opposite side of the covered part of the stainless steel sleeve, and a 12-15mm hole is also reserved at the corresponding position of the tubular covering structure.

7. A flexible cable support device according to claim 6, characterized in that: An opening is made on the opposite side of the cover portion of the stainless steel sleeve, 50-60mm from the end of the outer edge of the stainless steel sleeve.

8. A flexible cable support device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The tubular covering structure has a reverse outward folding length of 70–150 mm.

9. A flexible cable support device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suspension cable is made of high-strength multi-strand stainless steel wire twisted together.

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