Cable protection system using interlocking fasteners

Abstract

A cable protection system and a coupling fastener included in the cable protection system for protecting cables from harsh environmental conditions, such as in submarine applications, are provided. [Solution] The cable protection system 1000 has a second coupling band fastener 100B that mates with the first coupling band 100A around an upper row of half sleeves 200A and a lower row of half sleeves 200B to enable efficient and effective assembly around the cable to be protected.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 687,031, filed August 26, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application relates to a cable protection system for protecting cables from harsh environmental conditions, such as in subsea applications, and a joining fastener included in the cable protection system. For example, the cable protection system may include two half-sleeves used to cover the cable, and the joining fastener is used to hold the two half-sleeves together. [Background technology]

[0003] Offshore energy production has been around for decades, and until recently, oil and gas production was the norm. However, in recent years, renewable energy sources have become more common, and offshore installations are common in areas where available land is too expensive or unavailable. Regardless of the type of offshore installation, power and data transmission is carried out using submarine cables for power and data transmission. Submarine cables used in offshore installations may be protected from abrasion, sharp objects, kinking, and other environmental hazards that could compromise the integrity of the cable. Known cable protection systems may utilize segmented bell-and-ball cast iron systems. This style of protective sleeve has proven effective in protecting cables and may be preferred for certain types of installations. However, bell-and-ball cast iron systems have several drawbacks, including the heavy weight of the cast iron, which results in increased time and resources for installation, and the cast iron material itself has limitations such as a limited lifespan in saltwater and worker safety issues due to its heavy and bulky nature. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Disclosed herein is a cable protection system and method for assembling such a cable protection system that includes interlocking fastener features to enable a more efficient and effective installation process.

[0005] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system is disclosed, comprising a first half sleeve and a second half sleeve configured to mate with the first half sleeve to form a mating sleeve, the mating sleeve including an internal cavity for retaining a cable, a first coupling band fastener, and a second coupling band fastener configured to mate with the first coupling band fastener around the mating sleeve.

[0006] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system is disclosed, comprising a first half sleeve including a first coupling band fastener embedded within the first half sleeve and a second half sleeve including a second coupling band fastener embedded within the second half sleeve, the second half sleeve configured to mate with the first half sleeve by mating the first coupling band fastener with the second coupling band fastener, the mated first and second half sleeves forming a mating sleeve including an internal cavity for retaining a cable.

[0007] According to some embodiments, a cable protection system is disclosed, comprising a first half sleeve including a male mating fastener and a second half sleeve including a female mating fastener, the second half sleeve configured to mate with the first half sleeve by mating the male mating fastener with the female mating fastener, the mated first and second half sleeves forming a mating sleeve including an internal cavity for retaining a cable.

[0008] Detailed descriptions of these and other non-limiting exemplary embodiments of cable protection systems are set forth below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cable protection system including a coupling band fastener according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of a coupling band fastener included in the cable protection system shown in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the female end of the coupling band fastener shown in FIG. 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the joining band fastener shown in FIG. 2 before the female end is attached, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a coupling band fastener mated with another coupling band fastener according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view of a coupling band fastener including an internal barb mated to another coupling band fastener including an internal barb according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a semi-transparent perspective view of a cable protection system including an internal tie band according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cable protection system including the internal tie band of FIG. 7 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a female coupling anchor for embedding within a half sleeve included in a cable protection system according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a male coupling anchor for mating with the female coupling anchor shown in FIG. 9 , the male coupling anchor also for embedding within a half sleeve included in a cable protection system, according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11]11 is a perspective view of the female coupling anchor of FIG. 9 and the male coupling anchor of FIG. 10 in a mated state according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 11 is a semi-perspective view of a portion of a cable protection system including the female coupling anchor of FIG. 9 and the male coupling anchor of FIG. 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a female coupling anchor for embedding within a half sleeve included in a cable protection system according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a male coupling anchor for mating with the female coupling anchor shown in FIG. 13 , the male coupling anchor also for embedding within a half sleeve included in a cable protection system, according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 15 is a perspective view of the female coupling anchor of FIG. 13 and the male coupling anchor of FIG. 14 in a mated state according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 15 is a semi-perspective view of a portion of a cable protection system including the female coupling anchor of FIG. 13 and the male coupling anchor of FIG. 14 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a half-length half sleeve included in a cable protection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the half-length half sleeve can be installed as a first step in the installation process. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a full-length half sleeve installed over the half-length half sleeve from FIG. 17, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, where installation of the full-length half sleeve over the half-length half sleeve ensures offset of the subsequently installed full-length half sleeve in the cable protection system. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another full-length half sleeve installed on the assembled cable protection system from FIG. 17, where a subsequently installed full-length half sleeve in the cable protection system forms an offset, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Where necessary, detailed, non-limiting embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and may take various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but should merely be used as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art.

[0011] Disclosed herein are novel cable protection systems including mating fasteners and methods for installing such cable protection systems, which provide improved installation efficiency and effectiveness over previously known cable protection systems. The cable protection systems described herein may include an upper row of half sleeves and a lower row of half sleeves, which are mated with the lower row of half sleeves using mating fasteners described in different embodiments described herein. Furthermore, descriptions of half sleeves may primarily refer to full-length half sleeves, except for specific descriptions of half-length half sleeves. According to different embodiments, half-length half sleeves may be used to begin and / or end installation of the cable protection system to allow for offsetting of full-length half sleeves when assembling the cable protection system described herein. A description of an exemplary installation assembly process is provided with reference to FIGS. 17-19 .

[0012] According to some embodiments, half sleeves including the cable protection systems described herein may be manually installed to cover and protect cables intended for installation in environmentally challenging locations, such as subsea installations. According to other embodiments, half sleeves including the cable protection systems described herein may be installed at least in part using mechanical machines, including assembly lines, to cover and protect cables moving along the assembly line. Half sleeves including the cable protection systems described herein may be made from polyurethane, urethane, or other similarly moldable materials. According to some embodiments, portions of the half sleeve may include metal components. For example, the coupling fasteners described herein may be metal components provided embedded within certain portions of the half sleeve, according to some embodiments. Additional metal components may be added to provide additional structural stability and / or increase the weight of the half sleeve.

[0013] 1 illustrates an exemplary cable protection system 1000 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The cable protection system 1000 includes an upper row of half sleeves 200A and a lower row of half sleeves 200B, where the upper row of half sleeves 200A have the same design as the lower row of half sleeves 200B. In the cable protection system 1000, each of the half sleeves 200A, 200B includes a channel 201 that aligns to form a recessed space. A pair of coupling bands 100A, 100B can be fitted into these channels to help hold the upper row of half sleeves 200A and the lower row of half sleeves 200B together.

[0014] 2 shows a perspective view of one of these coupling bands 100 from the cable protection system 1000. The coupling band 100 includes a male end 110, a female end 120, and a band body 130. The band body 130 includes a weld pad 131 and a fastener hole 132. The male end 110 includes a male body 111 portion, a tapered entry tip 113, and a locking window 112 opening. The locking window 112 provides a cavity for a locking tab 122 on the female end 120 to fit into and form a mating structure.

[0015] 3 shows a perspective view of only the female end 120, including a body weld tab 121 for spot welding the female end 120 to a weld pad 131 on the band body 130. The female end 120 also includes a locking tab 122, a coupling chamber 123 defined by two female body walls 125, and a pair of guide flanges 124 formed to extend from the distal ends of the body walls 125. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the coupling band 100 before the female end is welded onto the weld pad 131.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a first coupling band 100A mated with a second coupling band 100B. To mate the first coupling band 100A to the second coupling band 100B, the male end 110A of the first coupling band 100A is inserted into the coupling chamber 123B of the second coupling band 100B. The guide flange 124B provides a tapered design to assist the male end 110A in entering the coupling chamber 123B. Once inside the coupling chamber 123B, the locking window 112A of the first coupling band 100A is pressed in until the locking tab 122B of the second coupling band 100B fits within the locking window 112A, forming a mated configuration. Similarly, the male end 110B of the second coupling band 100B is inserted into the coupling chamber 123A of the first coupling band 100A. The guide flange 124A provides a tapered design that assists the male end 110B in entering the coupling chamber 123A. The mating assembly of the first coupling band 100A and the second coupling band 100B may be placed in a channel 201 formed in the half sleeves 200A, 200B shown in FIG.

[0017] According to a second alternative embodiment, FIG. 6 shows another coupling band 300 having similar design features as coupling band 100, but also configured to be placed within channel 201 of half sleeve 200A, 200B. For example, the coupling features at male end 310 of coupling band 300 are the same as the coupling features at male end 110 of coupling band 100. Accordingly, the coupling features at female end 320 of coupling band 300 are the same as the coupling features at female end 120 of coupling band 100. In addition to these features, coupling bands 300A, 300B further include barbs 332A, 332B on the undersides of bodies 330A, 330B of coupling bands 300A, 300B. Additionally, female ends 320A, 320B may also include barbs 326A, 326B. These barbs 332A, 332B, 326A, 326B act to pierce the surfaces of the channels 201 formed in the half sleeves 200A, 200B to provide a stronger grip, which can help provide a stronger mating structure for the mated coupling bands 300A, 300B to hold the half sleeves 200A, 200B together.

[0018] 7 and 8 show an alternative third embodiment of the cable protection system 3000, in which the same bonding bands 100A, 100B are now embedded within the half sleeves 400A, 400B. The bonding bands 100A, 100B may be embedded within the half sleeves 400A, 400B during the molding process of the half sleeves 400A, 400B. For illustrative purposes, as shown in FIG. 8, the portion of the upper half sleeve 400A around the bonding band 100A-2 is depicted without the top of the material to illustrate how the bonding band 100A-2 is embedded within the material of the upper half sleeve 400A so that it is surrounded by material during the molding process of the upper half sleeve 400A. The portion of the upper half sleeve 400A around the bonding band 100A-1 is depicted without the material to further illustrate how the bonding band 100A-1 is embedded within the material of the upper half sleeve 400A so that it is surrounded by material during the molding process of the upper half sleeve 400A.

[0019] As further shown in FIG. 8 , the upper half sleeve 400A may include a mating cavity 401A for exposing the female end 120A of the first coupling band 100A, and the lower half sleeve 400B may include a corresponding mating cavity 401B for exposing the male end 110B of the second coupling band 100B. The mating cavities 401A, 401B allow space for an installer to mate the two coupling bands 100A, 100B and ensure that the mating configuration is maintained. While not shown, identical mating cavities are provided on the opposite sides of the half sleeves 400A, 400B for mating the opposite ends of the coupling bands 100A, 100B, as described.

[0020] FIG. 12 shows a cable protection system 4000 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a female anchor 520 according to the cable protection system 4000, and FIG. 10 shows a male anchor 510 for mating with the female anchor 520 of the cable protection system 4000. The female anchor 520 is designed to be embedded within a first side of the half sleeves 600A, 600B, as shown in FIG. 12, and the male anchor 510 is designed to be embedded within a second, opposite side of the half sleeves 600A, 600B. The female anchor 520 and the male anchor 510 are configured to be embedded solely within the half sleeves 600A, 600B, without including a band body as provided in the previously described embodiments.

[0021] The mating features of female anchor 520 are the same as those described for female end 120 of coupling band 100. For example, Figure 9 shows that female anchor 520 also includes a coupling chamber 523 defined by two female body walls 525, a locking tab 522, and a pair of guide flanges 524 formed extending from the distal end of body walls 525. Additionally, female anchor 520 further incorporates barbs 521 for embedding within half sleeves 600A, 600B to assist in retaining female anchor 520 embedded within half sleeves 600A, 600B.

[0022] The mating features of the male anchor 510 are the same as those described for the male end 110 of the coupling band 100. For example, Figure 10 shows that the male anchor 510 also includes a male body 511 portion, a tapered entry tip 513, and a locking window 512 opening. Additionally, the male anchor 510 further incorporates barbs 514 for embedding within the half sleeves 600A, 600B to aid in retaining the male anchor 510 embedded within the half sleeves 600A, 600B.

[0023] 11 shows the mated female anchor 520 and male anchor 510 in a mated assembly. Similar to the mating process for coupling band 100, the male anchor 510 is inserted into the coupling chamber 523 of the female anchor 520, guided by guide flange 524. The male anchor 510 moves within the coupling chamber 523 until the locking tab 522 fits into the cavity of the lock window 512, thereby forming a mated configuration.

[0024] 12, the half sleeves 600A, 600B include mating windows 601A, 601B for exposing the mating features of the female anchor 520 and the male anchor 510. The mating windows 601A, 601B are included on opposite sides of the half sleeves 600A, 600B and can assist the installer in mating the female anchor 520 and the male anchor 510 together and verifying that the mating configuration is maintained.

[0025] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a cable protection system 5000 according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a female anchor 720 of the cable protection system 5000, and FIG. 14 shows a male anchor 710 for mating with the female anchor 720 of the cable protection system 5000. The female anchor 720 is designed to be embedded within a first side of the half sleeves 800A, 800B, as shown in FIG. 16, and the male anchor 710 is designed to be embedded within a second, opposite side of the half sleeves 800A, 800B. The female anchor 720 and the male anchor 710 are configured to be embedded solely within the half sleeves 800A, 800B, without including a band body as provided in the previously described embodiments.

[0026] The mating features of female anchor 720 are the same as those described for female end 120 of coupling band 100. For example, Figure 13 shows that female anchor 720 also includes a coupling chamber 723 defined by two female body walls 725, a locking tab 722, and a pair of guide flanges 524 formed extending from the distal end of body walls 725. Additionally, female anchor 720 further includes serrated barbs 721 for embedding within half sleeves 800A, 800B to assist in retaining female anchor 720 embedded within half sleeves 800A, 800B.

[0027] The mating features of the male anchor 710 are the same as those described for the male end 110 of the coupling band 100. For example, Figure 14 shows that the male anchor 710 also includes a male body 711 portion, a tapered entry tip 713, and a locking window 712 opening. Additionally, the male anchor 710 further includes serrated barbs 714 for embedding within the half sleeves 800A, 800B to assist in retaining the male anchor 710 embedded within the half sleeves 800A, 800B.

[0028] 16 shows the mated female anchor 720 and male anchor 710 in a mated assembly. Similar to the mating process for coupling band 100, the male anchor 710 is inserted into the coupling chamber 723 of the female anchor 720, guided by guide flange 724. The male anchor 710 moves within the coupling chamber 723 until the locking tab 722 fits into the cavity of the lock window 712, thereby forming a mated configuration.

[0029] As shown by the semi-perspective view of cable protection system 5000 in Figure 16, half sleeves 800A, 800B include mating windows 801A, 801B to expose the mating features of female anchor 820 and male anchor 810. Mating windows 801A, 801B are included on opposite sides of half sleeves 800A, 800B and can assist the installer in mating the female anchor 720 and male anchor 710 together and verifying that the mating configuration is maintained.

[0030] 17-19 show the cable protection system 2000 at various stages of the installation process, according to an exemplary embodiment. While the coupling features may vary, the basic steps of the installation process map can be applied to the different embodiments of the cable protection system described herein.

[0031] 17 shows a half-length half sleeve 400C with an embedded bonding band 300. The installation process can begin with the half-length half sleeve 400C so that subsequent full-length half sleeves 400A, 400B installed in the assembly are installed offset, having an offset configuration providing additional stability and structural integrity to the overall cable protection system.

[0032] FIG. 18 shows a full length half sleeve 400A mounted over a half length half sleeve 400C, thus showing the beginning of an offset configuration.

[0033] 19 shows a full-length half sleeve 400B installed adjacent to a half-length half sleeve 400C, with the half-length half sleeve 400C positioned below a portion of the full-length half sleeve 400B. Thus, by utilizing half-length half sleeves 400C at the beginning and / or end of the cable protection system 2000, an offset installation of the cable protection system 2000 can be achieved. This installation process can continue to protect the desired length of cable that fits within the cavity formed by the opposing half sleeves. As a final step, the cable protection system 2000 can be completed by installing a final half-length half sleeve at the end.

[0034] These mating features of the cable protection systems described herein are utilized to provide effective and efficient installation for assembling the half sleeves around the cable to be protected. For example, each of the half sleeves used in the disclosed cable protection systems may include one or more (e.g., a plurality) of the coupling fasteners described herein to provide a strong mating structure for maintaining the half sleeve around the cable.

[0035] Accordingly, the present disclosure describes cable protection systems and methods for installing such cable protection systems. As is readily apparent from the foregoing, various non-limiting embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described. While various embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, they are merely examples, and it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all that are possible. Instead, the words used herein are words of description, rather than of limitation, and it is understood that various modifications to these embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. a first half sleeve; a second half sleeve configured to mate with the first half sleeve to form a mating sleeve, the second half sleeve including an internal cavity for retaining a cable; a first coupling band fastener; a second coupling band fastener configured to mate with the first coupling band fastener around the mating sleeve.

2. The cable protection sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling band fastener includes a female end, a male end, and a band body.

3. The cable protection sleeve of claim 2 , wherein at least one of the female end and the male end of the band body includes one or more barbs.

4. The cable protection sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the second coupling band fastener includes a female end, a male end, and a band body.

5. The cable protection sleeve of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the female end and the male end of the band body includes one or more barbs.

6. the first coupling band fastener includes a first female end, a first male end, and a first band body; 2. The cable protection sleeve of claim 1, wherein the second coupling band fastener includes a second female end, a second male end, and a second band body, the first female end configured to mate with the second male end, and the second female end configured to mate with the first male end.

7. the first coupling band fastener is at least partially embedded within the first half sleeve; The cable protection sleeve of claim 1 , wherein the second tie band fastener is at least partially embedded within the second half sleeve.

8. 2. The cable protection sleeve of claim 1, further comprising a third sleeve having a length shorter than a length of the first half sleeve and shorter than a length of the second half sleeve, wherein the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve have the same length.

9. a first half sleeve having a male coupling fastener embedded therein; a second half sleeve having a female mating fastener embedded therein, the second half sleeve configured to mate with the first half sleeve by mating the male mating fastener with the female mating fastener, the mated first and second half sleeves forming a mating sleeve including an internal cavity for holding a cable.

10. The cable protection sleeve of claim 9 , wherein the male coupling fastener includes one or more barbs.

11. The cable protection sleeve of claim 9 , wherein the female coupling fastener includes one or more barbs.

12. The cable protection sleeve of claim 9 , wherein the male coupling fastener includes a serrated barb.

13. The cable protection sleeve of claim 9 , wherein the female coupling fastener includes a serrated barb.

14. 10. The cable protection sleeve of claim 9, further comprising a third sleeve having a length shorter than a length of the first half sleeve and shorter than a length of the second half sleeve, wherein the first half sleeve and the second half sleeve have the same length.

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