Method and assembly for jointing armours of power cables

Abstract

To provide a method and an assembly for jointing armours of submarine power cables.SOLUTION: Provided is an armour joint assembly for power cables, the armour joint assembly including: two tubes adapted to fit over the power cables, each tube being provided with a flange; a plurality of annular spacers positioned in succession to each other between the two flanges; two sorting organizers positioned on the sides of the two flanges, each sorting organizer including at least one annular element adapted to arrange armour wires of the power cables; and two conical shells, each adapted to be positioned around the power cable and coupled to the flange to form a closed shell that encloses the sorting organizer, each conical shell being provided with a loading aperture for inserting resin.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1e

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosure of the present invention relates to a method and an assembly for joining the armoring of power cables, in particular submarine power cables.

[0002] The disclosure of the present invention also relates to a joint system including the above-described armoring joint assembly applied to two joined power cables.

Background Art

[0003] Typically, a submarine power cable includes at least one cable core, usually formed by a conductive metal conductor covered by an insulation system. The insulation system includes, in turn, an inner semiconductive layer, an intermediate insulation layer, and an outer semiconductive layer.

[0004] The insulation system can be made of an extruded polymer material or of oil-impregnated paper or a paper-polypropylene laminate.

[0005] The submarine power cable core must be protected from moisture or water ingress that may lead to electrical breakdown. For this purpose, the submarine power cable typically includes a metal barrier surrounding each cable core of the power cable to prevent water ingress during cable installation and operation. The metal barrier then generally surrounds the insulation system and can be made of aluminum, lead, or copper.

[0006] The metal barrier can be made by extrusion, especially in the case of a lead barrier, or can be made in the form of a sheath folded longitudinally using a welded rim or an overlapped and adhered rim.

[0007] Furthermore, the metal barrier is covered by a polymer, optionally a semiconductive protective sheath, such as a polyethylene sheath.

[0008] Submarine power cables intended for use at very great depths also include one or more layers of armored wire spirally wound around the cable core to provide adequate tensile resistance, especially during cable deployment when the entire length of the cable is suspended from a ship.

[0009] For example, the armored wire can be made of metal, typically steel, or can be made of a tensile-resistant polymer.

[0010] The outermost armor layer can then be surrounded by a serving layer to avoid abrasion. For example, the serving layer can be made of bitumen polypropylene yarn.

[0011] Submarine cables are usually joined together to form a single cable line that extends for kilometers or to repair a damaged cable. During the joining operation, all the layers surrounding the conductor are cut and removed at the ends of the cables to be joined, i.e., leaving the ends of the conductor exposed. The joining is carried out according to known procedures between the two respective exposed conductors, for example, by using ferrule, reinforced MIG welding, or other similar methods involving ferrule and both-sided welding and final mechanical connection. Next, the restoration of the insulation system, metal barrier, and protective sheath is carried out according to known procedures.

[0012] Joining two submarine power cables also means connecting the respective armor layers to each other. Such connection may be carried out by welding operations according to known procedures.

[0013] In particular, the armor wires are properly arranged on the cable so as to reproduce their original embedded lengths and equalize their lengths as much as possible. Next, each armor wire of one cable is joined to the armor wire of the other cable. In the case of metal wires, the joint is carried out by welding. In the case of polymer wires, the joint can be carried out by a combination of resin and appropriate polymerization or by other mechanical tools. In both cases, the wire joint operation not only consumes time but also takes up a large space, generally from several meters for metal wires, such as 5 meters, to dozens of meters for polymer wires. On board a ship, therefore, it is necessary to have an even larger space so that the work can be carried out correctly.

[0014] Instead, an armor joint assembly, which is an accessory to which the armor layer of the joined cable is fixed, may be used.

[0015] In particular, the armor joint assembly must ensure the same tensile strength of the armor layer and maintain a rapid response of the armor wires to the applied tension in order to minimize any excessive stress transfer to the conductors at the cable joint.

[0016] For this purpose, known armor joint assemblies provide a pretensioning tool, but the problem remains of obtaining the appropriate pretension for all the wires of the armor layer in a safe and efficient manner.

[0017] The option of using welding and the type of armor joint depend on the characteristics of the armor to be joined.

[0018] For example, when using armored wire made of steel with a high carbon content, arc welding that can be applied to such armored wire when they are already positioned on the cable at their final positions may determine the embrittlement of the zone located near the weld and affected by heat. This is very dangerous when the armor is stressed by the forces resulting from the tension and bending of the cable. In this case, it may be advantageous to use an armored joint assembly instead of arc welding.

[0019] Similar problems may occur when it is necessary to join metal armor and synthetic fiber armor.

[0020] JP5875187 relates to an armored iron wire connection fitting used for a connection part of a cable having an iron wire armor such as an undersea cable and a method for connecting an armored iron wire using the same. The method for connecting an armored iron wire includes the following: Fixing the armored wire of one cable to the fixing part of the first iron wire fixing connection fitting by welding; Fixing the armored iron wire of the other cable to the fixing part of the second iron wire fixing connection fitting by welding; The tightening member tightens the flange parts of the first and second iron wire fixing connection fittings in a direction approaching each other, connects the first and second iron wire fixing connection fittings, and applies tension to the armored iron wires of both cables.

[0021] JP2014087201 and KR20110100356 illustrate other examples of joints for armored iron or steel wires of two power cables.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0022]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0023] The applicant of the present application has faced the problem of providing an assembly for joining the armor of a power cable that enables simple, orderly, and rapid positioning of armored wires, can immediately withstand high tensile stress when the joined cable is subjected to tension, and ensures that the joint between conductors bears the minimum part of the tensile stress. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0024] In view of the above problems, the applicant of the present application considered providing an armored joint assembly having two sorting organizers arranged in the joint area around the cable. Each sorting organizer includes a respective series of seats intended to receive the armored wires of the power cable to be joined. In particular, the seats in one series open towards one side of the power cable, and the seats in another series open towards one of the other sides of the power cable.

[0025] Furthermore, the applicant of the present application considered arranging the series of seats of the two sorting organizers to be spaced apart from each other by a distance that can be reduced in a deterministic manner to provide a certain pre-tension of the armored wires after the armored wires are arranged in the respective seats. Next, the applicant of the present application considered enclosing the sorting organizers together with the wires already arranged in a shell into which resin is inserted to fix the wires in the respective seats.

[0026] In view of the above arrangement, the Applicant has experienced that the pretension of the wire can be set in a certain and repetitive way that ensures the performance of the armor is close to the design specifications regardless of the skill of the operator who achieved the joint. Further, the joint can be made in a very simple and reliable way even in the case of non-metallic armor wire or two armors of different types and materials.

[0027] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the disclosure of the present invention relates to an armored joint assembly for a power cable, including: Two tubes adapted to fit over a power cable, each tube being provided with a respective flange; A plurality of annular spacers intended to be positioned continuously between the two flanges; Two sorting organizers positioned respectively on the sides of the two flanges, each sorting organizer including at least one annular element adapted to arrange the respective armor wires of the respective power cable; Two conical shells, each being adapted to be positioned around a respective power cable and coupled to a respective flange to form a closed shell enclosing the respective sorting organizer, each conical shell being provided with a filling opening for inserting resin.

[0028] In an embodiment, each of the two tubes and its respective flange form a single body in the form of a flanged tube. In an alternative embodiment, each of the two tubes and its respective flange are elements operatively connected to each other.

[0029] In an embodiment, each sorting organizer includes one annular element for supporting one armor layer of a related cable. In this embodiment, each annular element has a series of seats provided, for example, on its radially outer surface and each intended to receive one armor wire. Each annular element is provided on the side of its respective flange.

[0030] In an embodiment, when each cable has two armor layers, namely an inner and an outer armor layer, each sorting organizer includes two annular elements positioned on the side of its respective flange and radially overlapping each other, and the radially inner annular element is intended to receive each armor wire of the inner armor layer of its respective power cable in its series of seats, and the radially outer annular element is intended to receive each armor wire of the outer armor layer of its respective power cable in its series of seats.

[0031] In such an embodiment, the series of seats of the annular element may be made in the form of a plurality of grooves engraved on the radially outer surface of the annular element, and each groove has a width such as to receive each armor wire.

[0032] In this way, the positioning of the armor wires is very quick and simple.

[0033] In such an embodiment, each sorting organizer can include one or more fastening elements, such as elastic rings, intended to be positioned around the armor wire while being disposed within the seat.

[0034] In this way, the armor wires can be reliably kept in the grooves.

[0035] In an embodiment, the grooves are parallel to each other and inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the joint at substantially the same angle as the embedding angle of the related armor wire layer.

[0036] In this way, the armored wires arranged in the grooves substantially maintain their original embedded lengths around their respective cables, i.e., ensuring a uniform axial stiffness contribution. Each annular element carrying the armored wires can be rotated around the longitudinal axis of the associated cable so as to fit the original embedded length as much as possible. This rotation can be achieved before the positioning of the conical shell and will be achieved before the insertion of the resin.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, each flange includes a plurality of first holes, either through holes or blind holes, arranged in a circumferential pattern, and each sorting organizer includes a first annular element in the form of a washer including a plurality of second holes, which are through holes arranged in a circumferential pattern around the central hole. This at least one annular element is intended to be arranged on the side of the associated flange and juxtaposes the plurality of second holes with the plurality of first holes.

[0038] In this case, the length sections of the armored wires of one armored layer are arranged in a radial pattern with respect to the associated flange while taking care not to cover the first holes. The annular elements are positioned with respect to the length sections and fastened to the flange by blocking elements, such as threaded rods and nuts, each passing through one of the second ones and into or through the first hole. With the annular elements positioned with respect to the length sections and the blocking elements inserted, it is possible to rotate the annular elements and the flange together, whereby the armored wires are brought to reproduce the spiral direction of the winding of the armored layer on the cable.

[0039] When each cable has more than one armor layer, each sorting organizer includes one annular element for each armor layer. In the case of two armor layers, i.e., an inner and an outer armor layer, the first annular element is intended to be arranged against the armor wires of the inner layer and on the side of the flange, and the second annular element is intended to be arranged against the armor wires of the outer armor layer and on the side of the first annular element. The first annular element in the form of a washer includes at least one plurality of second holes which are through holes arranged in a circumferential pattern around a central hole. The second annular element in the form of a washer includes a plurality of third holes which are through holes arranged in a circumferential pattern around a central hole and which are intended to be juxtaposed with the second holes when the second annular element is arranged on the side of the first annular element.

[0040] In the case of a power cable having two armor layers, the length sections of the armor wires of the inner armor layer are arranged against the relevant flange as disclosed above. After positioning and fastening the first annular element on the side of the flange, the length sections of the armor wires of the outer armor layer are arranged in a radial pattern against the first annular element between the blocking elements that fasten the first annular element on the side of the flange. The second annular element is positioned against these length sections and fastened to them against the first annular element by using blocking elements that already exist in the second holes and each pass through one third hole at this point. For example, this fastening is done by inserting another nut onto an already existing threaded rod that passes through each of the first, second, and third holes.

[0041] In an embodiment, the annular elements in the form of flanges and / or washers each include a plurality of first, second, and / or third holes in order to improve mechanical stability.

[0042] The flange of the armored joint assembly of the present invention can have a plurality of fourth holes which are through holes arranged in a circumferential pattern at a radially outer position with respect to any of the plurality of first holes.

[0043] In an embodiment, each of the two conical shells of the armored joint assembly has a plurality of holes arranged in a circumferential pattern and intended to be juxtaposed with respect to a fourth hole of the associated flange. In particular, one of the conical shells has a plurality of fifth holes that are through holes, and the other conical shell has a plurality of sixth holes that are blind holes.

[0044] In an embodiment, the conical shell can be provided with a vent opening to monitor the insertion of resin within the shell.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the disclosure of the present invention relates to a joint system including the following: A first power cable and a second power cable, each of the power cables including at least one cable core wire including a conductor, an insulation system surrounding the conductor, optionally one or more protective layers surrounding the cable core wire, and one or more armored layers surrounding at least one cable core wire and, if any, one or more protective layers, the conductors of the power cables being electrically joined to each other to form a core wire joint, the first power cable and the second power cable as described above. The armored joint assembly as disclosed above positioned around the power cable.

[0046] In an embodiment, the armored joint can be positioned at or beside the core wire joint.

[0047] In another aspect, the disclosure of the present invention relates to a method of installing the above-described armored joint assembly around two joined power cable core wires, the method including the following steps: Providing two tubes each having a flange and two sorting organizers respectively positioned on sides of the two flanges, the flanges being separated by a plurality of annular spacers positioned in succession with respect to each other to define an initial distance between the two flanges, the providing step. Operationally associating each wire of the armored layer with the sorting organizer. Enclosing a sorting auger in two conical shells provided with at least one filling opening Using at least one fixing element passing through a related fifth hole and a related fourth hole and inserted into a related sixth hole to fix each conical shell to its respective flange, creating a closed shell that forms a space Filling the space within each closed shell with socket resin With the socket resin in a cured state, removing one or more annular spacers while bringing two central flanges closer to each other using at least one fixing element, i.e., applying pretension stepwise to the armored wire to obtain a predetermined tension for all of the armored wire

[0048] For the purposes of the present invention, an "exposed layer of an electric cable" means that any further separate layer potentially disposed around such an exposed layer has been removed so that any such further separate layer can come into direct contact with the exposed layer from the outside

[0049] For the purposes of this specification and the following claims, unless specifically indicated otherwise, all numbers representing amounts, quantities, percentages, etc. are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". Similarly, all ranges include any combination of the maximum and minimum points disclosed, including any intermediate ranges therebetween whether specifically enumerated herein or not

[0050] The terms "a" and "an" are also used to describe the elements and components of the disclosure of the present invention. This is merely for convenience and to give a general meaning to the disclosure of the present invention. This specification must be construed to include one or at least one unless it is clearly otherwise, and the singular form also includes the plural form

[0051] An "insulating layer" means a layer made of a material having a conductivity that is configured between 10 -16 and 10 -14 S / m

[0052] The "semi-conductive layer" means a layer made of a material having a conductivity that is configured between 10 -1 and 10 S / m.

[0053] A further characteristic will become apparent from the detailed description given below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0054]

Figure 1a

Figure 1b

Figure 1c

Figure 1d

Figure 1e

Figure 1f

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5a

Figure 5b

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 6c

Figure 6d

Figure 6e

Figure 6f

Figure 6g

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] Referring to FIG. 3, a joint system 10 according to the disclosure of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0056] In particular, the joint system 10 includes an armored joint assembly 20 in an assembled configuration when applied to two joined power cables 100.

[0057] As can be seen from FIG. 2, each power cable 100 includes at least one core wire 110 including a conductor 115 and an insulation system 150 surrounding the conductor 115. The insulation system can be made of a polymer material by extrusion, or mass impregnated (MI) paper or a paper-polypropylene laminate (PPL).

[0058] For example, the power cable 100 can be a single-core cable or a multi-core cable including a plurality of core wires, for example, three core wires.

[0059] The power cable 100 can include one or more protective layers 120, 125 surrounding the cable core wire 110.

[0060] In particular, one or more protective layers 120, 125 include a metal barrier 120 and a polymer sheath 125 in sequence.

[0061] The metal barrier 120 functions as a water barrier and as an electrical shield.

[0062] In the case of a single-core cable, the metal barrier 120 surrounds the cable core wire 110.

[0063] In the case of a multi-core cable, each core wire of the cable can be provided with its own metal barrier 120 and polymer sheath 125, or alternatively, a single metal barrier 120 and a single polymer sheath 125 are provided to surround all the core wires.

[0064] For example, the metal barrier 120 can be made of aluminum, lead, or copper.

[0065] As can be seen from FIG. 1e, each power cable 100 also includes at least one armor layer 130, 130' surrounding the polymer protection sheath to improve resistance to high voltage, and each armor layer 130, 130' can be made of a plurality of armor wires 131, 131' spirally wound on top of the lower layer. Such armor wires can be made of metal or polymer materials. The metal for the armor wires can be any steel with a low carbon content or a high carbon content. The polymer material can be a high-tensile polymer material such as aramid or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE).

[0066] In an embodiment, the power cable 100 can have two armor layers 130, 130' with one on top of the other in the radial direction, in particular an inner armor layer 130 and an outer armor layer 130' surrounding the inner armor layer 130.

[0067] In an embodiment, the armor layer can then be surrounded by a serving layer (not shown).

[0068] Hereinafter, by "joined power cable" is intended to show two joined power cables where each cable core and any protective layer are joined to each other, in particular an insulation system is restored around the joined conductors and one or more protective layers are restored around the restored insulation system.

[0069] The armor joint assembly 20 is configured to join the armor layers of two joined power cables.

[0070] The armor joint assembly 20 includes two tubes 21 that fit over the power cable 100, and each tube 21 is provided with a respective flange 22.

[0071] Each tube 21 and its respective flange 22 can be manufactured as a single part or, alternatively, as separate parts integrally joined to each other.

[0072] The tube 21 and the flange 22 can be made of a metallic material, for example, steel.

[0073] The flanges 22 are adapted to be joined to each other using a joining element 29, such as, for example, a plate element, as in the illustrated embodiment.

[0074] The armored joint assembly 20 also includes a plurality of annular spacers 23 that are intended to be positioned successively between the two flanges 22 to define an initial distance therebetween.

[0075] The annular spacer 23 can be arranged around the joined power cable 100 and, in this case, can be made of more than one removable part. The annular spacer 23 can be made of a metallic material. The annular spacer 23 has a predetermined thickness such that when arranged continuously between the flanges, the initial distance between the flanges 22 is a predetermined distance. This initial distance depends on the type of armored wire, i.e., the dimensions, shape, material, and axial rigidity of the armored wire. Some or all of the annular spacers 23 can be removed at the end of the installation of the armored joint assembly according to the procedure described below. In FIG. 4, the armored joint assembly 20 is shown with the annular spacers 23 still positioned between the flanges before removal.

[0076] The armored joint assembly 20 also includes two sorting organizers 30 positioned respectively on the sides of the two flanges 22, each sorting organizer 30 including at least one annular element 33, 34 intended to face the respective power cable 100 and adapted to arrange the respective armored wires 131, 131' of the respective power cable 100.

[0077] Furthermore, the armored joint assembly 20 includes two conical shells 24 coupled to respective flanges 22 so as to create a closed shell 25 that positions around each power cable 100 and encloses respective sorting organizers 30. The conical shells 24 are provided with filling openings 26 for inserting a resin, such as socket resin.

[0078] In an embodiment, at least one ventilation opening 27 can be provided in the conical shell 24.

[0079] When the armored joint assembly 20 is mounted on the joined power cable 100, the conical shell 24 extends along the longitudinal direction X of the cable joint and has a major outer diameter that substantially conforms to the diameter of respective flanges 22 and a minor inner diameter that directly contacts respective power cables 100 to be liquid-tight against water intrusion.

[0080] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1a - e, 2, and 4, each sorting organizer 30 includes at least one annular element 33 for supporting each armored layer of the associated power cable 100. Each annular element 33 has, for example, a respective series of seats 31 on its radially outer surface.

[0081] Each annular element 33 is adapted to be positioned on the side of respective flanges 22.

[0082] In this embodiment, each power cable 100 has two armored layers 130, 130', and each sorting organizer 30 includes two annular elements 33, 33' positioned on the side of respective flanges 22 and radially overlapping each other.

[0083] The first annular element 33, i.e., the radially inner annular element 33, receives each armor wire 131 of the inner armor layer 130 of each power cable 100 in its series of seats 31, while the second annular element 33', i.e., the radially outer annular element 33', receives each armor wire 131' of the outer armor layer 130' of each power cable 100 in its series of seats 31'.

[0084] In an embodiment, the series of seats 31, 31' of the annular elements 33, 33' can be formed, for example, in the form of a plurality of grooves engraved on the radially outer surfaces of the annular elements 33, 33' as shown in FIGS. 1a - 1d. Each groove can have a width to receive each armor wire.

[0085] The groove - shaped seats 31, 31' can be substantially parallel to each other and inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the power cable 100 at an angle substantially the same as the embedding angle of the associated armor wire layer.

[0086] In an embodiment, each sorting organizer 30 can include one fastening element 35 positioned around the annular elements 33, 33' and in contact with the armor wires with the armor wires 131, 131' disposed in the seat seats 31, 31'.

[0087] In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a - 6g, each flange 22 includes a plurality of first holes 28, either through - holes or blind holes, arranged in a circumferential pattern, and each sorting organizer 30 includes a first annular element 34 in the form of a washer disposed on the side of the associated flange 22. The first annular element 34 includes a plurality of second holes 37, which are through - holes and are arranged in a circumferential pattern around a central hole at positions corresponding to the positions of the first holes 28 when the first annular element 34 is disposed on the side of the flange 22.

[0088] In the embodiments of FIGS. 6a - 6g, each power cable 100 has two armor layers 130, 130', and each sorting organizer 30 also includes a second annular element 34' in the form of a washer disposed on the side of the first annular ring 34. The second annular element 34' includes a plurality of third holes 40, which are through - holes and are arranged in a circumferential pattern around the central hole at positions corresponding to the positions of the second holes 37 when the second annular element 34' is disposed on the side of the first annular element 34.

[0089] In the embodiments of FIGS. 6a - 6g, to improve mechanical stability, the flange 22 and the first annular element 34 each include two pluralities of first holes 28, 28' and two pluralities of second holes 37, 37'. In another embodiment, the second annular element 34' can also include two pluralities of third holes.

[0090] A method of installing the armored joint assembly 20 is described below. Such a method is carried out after the joint between conductors and the restoration of the insulation system and the protective layer of the power cable have been performed.

[0091] The method of installing the armored joint assembly 20 includes a first step of providing two tubes 21 each having a flange 22 and two sorting organizers 30 on the power cable 100. The flanges 22 can be positioned at the cable joint or another suitable location and are separated by a plurality of annular spacers 23 positioned continuously with respect to each other.

[0092] In an embodiment, each annular spacer 23 has a thickness of 2 mm, and when there are 10 annular spacers 23, the initial distance between the flanges 22 is equal to about 20 mm.

[0093] After the above - mentioned first step, the method of installing the armored joint assembly 20 includes the step of positioning the armor wires 131, 131' of the armor layers 130, 130' in their respective sorting organizers 30.

[0094] In the case of the two armor layers 130, 130', first, the armor wires 131 of the inner armor layer 130 are brought into contact with the respective annular elements 33, 34, and then the armor wires 131' of the outer armor layer 130' are brought into contact with the respective seats 33', 34'.

[0095] When the sorting organizer 30 includes the annular elements 33, 33' that support the armor wires 131, 131', the seats 31, 31' exist in the form of grooves on the radially outer surfaces of the annular elements 33, 33', and the armor wires 131, 131' are each positioned in one of the respective grooves.

[0096] When the sorting organizer 30 includes the annular elements 34, 34' in the form of washers, the flange includes the first hole 28, and the length sections of the armor wires 131 of the inner armor layer 130 are first arranged in a radial pattern with respect to the associated flange 22 while taking care not to cover the first hole 28.

[0097] After arranging the armor wires 131 of the inner armor layer 130, the first annular element 34 is positioned with respect to the length section, and the length section is fastened to the flange 22 by the blocking elements 32, each of which passes through one second hole and into or through the first hole 28. In an embodiment, the blocking elements 32 are threaded rods and nuts, and the threaded rod has a length suitable for engaging all the annular elements of each sorting organizer with the associated flange by one or more nuts. As a result, the first annular element 34 and the flange 22 can be rotated together, thereby bringing the armor wires 131 on the cable in substantially the same winding helical direction of the armor layer.

[0098] Next, the length sections of the armor wires 131' of the outer armor layer 130' are arranged in a radial pattern with respect to the associated first annular element 34 between the blocking elements that fasten the first annular element 34 on the side of the flange 22. The second annular element 34' is positioned with respect to these length sections and already exists in the second hole 37. At this point, each is fastened to the length section with respect to the first annular element 34 by a blocking element 32 that passes through one of the third holes 40 of the second annular element 34'.

[0099] Also in this case, the second annular element 34', the first annular element 34, and the flange 22 can be rotated together, thereby bringing the armor wires 131, 131' on the cable into substantially the same winding helical direction of the armor layers 130, 130'.

[0100] After positioning the armor wires 131, 131' in the sorting organizer 30, the method of installing the armor joint assembly 20 includes enclosing each sorting organizer 30 within an associated conical shell 24 that fits over the power cable 100, and coupling each conical shell 24 to the associated flange 22 to form two closed shells 25.

[0101] In an embodiment, the flange 22 has a plurality of fourth holes 52 that are through holes arranged in a circumferential pattern at a radially outer position with respect to the plurality of first holes 28, while each of the two conical shells 24 has a plurality of holes arranged in a circumferential pattern and intended to be juxtaposed with the fourth holes 52 of the associated flange. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, one of the conical shells 24 has a plurality of fifth through holes 54, and the other conical shell 24 has a plurality of sixth blind holes 56.

[0102] At least one fixing element 50, for example, a screw, is passed through at least one of the fifth through holes 54, then through at least one of the fourth through holes 52, and finally inserted into at least one of the sixth blind holes 56.

[0103] After fixing the conical shell 24 to the flange 22, thereby obtaining the closed shell 25, the method of installing the armored joint assembly 20 provides a step of filling the space within the closed shell 25 with a resin, for example, socket resin.

[0104] For example, suitable socket resins are sold under the trademarks Wirelock® and Paralock® by Millfield Enterprises Ltd. and under the trademark Socketfast® Blue by Phillystran Inc.

[0105] The filling of the closed shell 25 is carried out by inserting the resin into the filling opening 26 and can be monitored at the vent opening 27 by observing, for example, the leakage of the resin from the vent opening 27 according to a known procedure.

[0106] With the resin in a cured state, the method of installing the armored joint assembly 20 includes the step of removing one or more annular spacers 23 while bringing the two flanges 22 closer to each other using at least one fixing element 50, thereby applying a stepwise pretension to the armored wires 131, 131' to obtain a predetermined tension for all the armored wires. If the tension is insufficient, the fixing element 50 can be loosened to allow the removal of an appropriate number of annular spacers 23.

[0107] In an embodiment, with the resin in a cured state, the coupling element 29, if present, is removed.

[0108] After removing some of the spacers 23, the fixing element 50 is tightened to reach a predetermined tightening force value. The predetermined tightening force value for each fixing element 50 is a value that causes all the armored wires 131, 131 to reach a predetermined tension value.

[0109] The predetermined tension value applied to all armored wires is a tension value that enables the armor layer to respond quickly to tension application in order to avoid stress transmission to the conductor.

[0110] When the predetermined tightening force value is reached, the coupling element is fixed to the flange 22 and the joint is completed.

[0111] If the predetermined tightening force value is not reached, another annular spacer is installed again and the screw is tightened again to reach the predetermined tightening force value. This procedure is repeated until the predetermined tightening force is reached.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0112] 22 Flange 23 Annular spacer 24 Conical shell 26 Filling opening 27 Vent opening 131’ Armored wire

Claims

1. An armored joint assembly (20) for an electric power cable (100), comprising: two tubes (21) adapted to fit over said power cable (100), each tube (21) being provided with a respective flange (2); a plurality of annular spacers (23) intended to be positioned one after the other between said two flanges (22); two sorting organizers (30) positioned respectively on the sides of the two flanges (22), each sorting organizer (30) including at least one annular element (33, 33', 34, 34') for arranging a respective armored wire (131, 131') of the respective power cable (100); two conical shells (24), each adapted to be positioned around the respective power cable (100) and to be coupled to the respective flange (22) to create a closed shell (25) enclosing the respective sorting organizer (30), each conical shell (24) being provided with a filling opening (26) for inserting a resin; An armor joint assembly (20) comprising:

2. 2. The armor joint assembly (20) of claim 1, wherein each of said two tubes (21) and said respective flanges (22) are elements operatively connected one to the other.

3. An armor joint assembly (20) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each sorting organizer (30) comprises at least one annular element (33, 33') each provided on a side of a respective flange (22) and each having at least one series of seats (31, 31'), each seat (31, 31') intended to receive one armor wire (131, 131').

4. 4. An armor joint assembly (20) according to claim 3, wherein said at least one series of seats (31, 31') is provided on a radially outer surface of said one annular element (33, 33').

5. 4. The armor joint assembly (20) according to claim 3, wherein each sorting organizer (30) comprises two of the annular elements (33, 33') positioned on the sides of the respective flanges (22) and radially superimposed on one another, the radially inner annular element (33) intended to receive in its series of seats (31) the respective armor wires (131') of the inner armor layer (130) of the respective power cable (100), and the radially outer annular element (33') intended to receive in its series of seats (31') the respective armor wires (131') of the outer armor layer (130') of the respective power cable (100).

6. An armor joint assembly (20) according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, wherein the series of seats (31, 31') of the annular support element (33, 33') are made in the form of a plurality of grooves cut on the radially outer surface of the annular support element (33, 33'), each groove having a width to receive a respective wire.

7. 4. The armor joint assembly (20) according to claim 3, wherein each sorting organizer (30) comprises one or more fastening elements (35) intended to be positioned around the armor wire (131, 131') while being placed in the seat (31, 31').

8. 8. The armor joint assembly (20) of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the grooves are parallel to one another and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the joint at substantially the same angle as the embedment angle of the associated armor wire layer (130, 130').

9. 2. An armor joint assembly (20) according to claim 1, wherein each flange (22) comprises at least one plurality of first holes (28) arranged in a circumferential manner, each sorting organizer (30) comprises a first annular element (34) in the form of a washer having a central hole and intended to be placed on the side of the associated flange (22), said first annular element (34) comprising at least one plurality of second holes (37) arranged in a circumferential manner around said central hole and intended to juxtapose said plurality of second holes (37) to said plurality of first holes (28).

10. 10. The armor joint assembly (20) according to claim 9, wherein each sorting organizer (30) comprises a second annular element (34') in the form of a washer having a central hole and intended to be placed on the side of the associated first annular element (34), said second annular element (34') comprising at least one plurality of third holes (40) arranged in a circumferential manner around said central hole and intended to be juxtaposed to said plurality of second holes (37).

11. The armor joint assembly (20) of claim 1, wherein said conical shell (24) is provided with ventilation openings (27).

12. 2. The armor joint assembly (20) of claim 1, wherein said flange (22) has a plurality of fourth holes (52) circumferentially disposed at a radially outward location relative to the plurality of first holes (28).

13. 13. The armor joint assembly (20) of claim 12, wherein one of the conical shells (24) has a plurality of fifth through holes (54) and the other conical shell (24) has a plurality of sixth blind holes (56), the fifth through holes (54) and the sixth blind holes (56) being arranged in a circumferential manner and intended to be juxtaposed to the fourth holes (52) of the associated flanges (22).

14. a first power cable (100) and a second power cable (100), each one of said power cables (100) comprising at least one cable core (110) including a conductor (115), an insulation system (150) surrounding said conductor (115), and optionally one or more protective layers (120, 125) surrounding said cable core (110), and one or more armor layers (130, 130') surrounding said cable core (110) and the one or more protective layers (120, 125), if any, wherein said conductors (115) of said submarine power cable (100) are electrically joined to each other to form a core joint; An armored joint assembly (20) according to any one or more of claims 1 to 13 positioned around the power cable (100); A joint system (10) comprising:

15. A method for installing an armored joint assembly (20) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of: providing two tubes (21) with respective flanges (22) and two sorting organizers (30) positioned respectively on the sides of the two flanges (22), the flanges (22) being separated by a plurality of annular spacers (23) positioned consecutively to one another to define an initial distance between the two flanges; operatively associating each wire (131, 131') of the armor layer (130, 130') with said sorting organizer (30); - enclosing said sorting organizer (30) in two conical shells (24) provided with at least one filling opening (26); fixing each conical shell (24) to a respective flange (22) using at least one fastening element (50) passing through an associated fifth through hole (50), an associated fourth hole and inserted into an associated sixth blind hole (56) to create a closed shell (25) defining a space; filling said space within each closed shell (25) with a socket resin; With the socket resin cured, removing one or more annular spacers (23) while moving the two flanges (22) toward each other using the at least one fastening element (50), i.e., pretensioning the armor wires in stages to obtain a predetermined tension for all of the armor wires; The method includes:

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