Submarine cable joint protection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of submarine cables, and provides a submarine cable joint protection device. The submarine cable joint protection device provided by the present invention comprises a housing and a reinforcing assembly; the housing is configured to cover submarine cable joints, and the reinforcing assembly is arranged in the housing; the reinforcing assembly comprises a plurality of backing plates, the plurality of backing plates are sequentially arranged adjacent to each other in the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of backing plates is connected to the inner wall of the housing; at least one mounting groove is formed between every two adjacent backing plates, the mounting grooves match the joints in shape, and the submarine cable joints are configured to be snap-fitted into the mounting grooves. The submarine cable joint protection device provided by the present invention can avoid displacement and deformation of the submarine cable joints in the transfer process of the submarine cable joint protection device.

Description

Submarine cable joint protection device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on March 6, 2024, with application number 202410256858.8 and application name “Submarine Cable Joint Protection Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of submarine cables, and in particular to a submarine cable joint protection device. Background Art

[0003] The submarine cable joint box is a protective device installed outside the submarine cable joint. The submarine cable joint box can increase the strength of the submarine cable joint and prevent external forces such as ocean currents and marine life from directly acting on the relatively fragile submarine cable joint.

[0004] In the prior art, a submarine cable splice box is generally a hollow, enclosed shell structure whose length is greater than that of the submarine cable joint, so as to completely cover the submarine cable joint, thereby forming a protection for the submarine cable joint. The submarine cable splice box is generally installed outside the submarine cable joint after the submarine cable joint is set up, and is placed on the seabed by hoisting.

[0005] However, during the installation and lifting process of the submarine cable splice box, the submarine cable splice inside may be relatively shifted and deformed due to the shifting of the submarine cable splice box, thereby causing damage to the submarine cable splice.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to solve at least one of the problems mentioned in the background art, the present invention provides a submarine cable joint protection device, which can prevent the submarine cable joint from shifting and deforming during the transfer process of the submarine cable joint protection device.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0009] The present invention provides a submarine cable joint protection device, comprising a shell and a reinforcement component, wherein the shell is configured to cover the outside of the submarine cable joint, and the reinforcement component is arranged inside the shell;

[0010] The reinforcement assembly includes a plurality of pads, the plurality of pads are arranged adjacent to each other in sequence along the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of pads is connected to the inner wall of the shell;

[0011] At least one mounting groove is formed between two adjacent pads. The shape of the mounting groove matches the shape of the connector. The submarine cable connector is configured to be snap-connected in the mounting groove.

[0012] As an optional embodiment, the multiple pads include a first pad, a second pad and a third pad, and the third pad is located between the first pad and the second pad; the first pad and the second pad are both provided with a first arc-shaped slot on the side facing the third pad, and the third pad is both provided with a second arc-shaped slot on both sides facing the first pad and the second pad, the first arc-shaped slot and the corresponding second arc-shaped slot together form an installation slot, and the submarine cable joint is configured to be clamped between the first arc-shaped slot and the second arc-shaped slot corresponding to each other.

[0013] As an optional embodiment, there is a gap between the installation grooves, and at least a portion of the third pad is filled in the gap, so that the submarine cable joints in the installation grooves are isolated by the third pad.

[0014] As an optional embodiment, the third pad is detachably connected between the first pad and the second pad.

[0015] As an optional embodiment, it also includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate, and the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are arranged on opposite sides of the reinforcement component along the axial direction of the shell, one end of the first connecting plate is connected to the first pad, and the other end of the first connecting plate is connected to the third pad; one end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second pad, and the other end of the second connecting plate is connected to the third pad.

[0016] As an optional embodiment, there are three mounting grooves, one mounting groove is formed between the first pad and the third pad, and two mounting grooves are formed between the second pad and the third pad.

[0017] As an optional embodiment, the side of the second pad adjacent to the shell has a limiting groove, and the side of the shell adjacent to the second pad has a limiting protrusion, or the side of the second pad adjacent to the shell has a limiting protrusion, and the side of the shell adjacent to the second pad has a limiting groove; the limiting groove and the corresponding limiting protrusion are engaged with each other.

[0018] As an optional implementation, the outer shell is cylindrical, and the axial direction of the outer shell is consistent with the axial direction of the submarine cable joint.

[0019] As an optional embodiment, there are at least two reinforcement components, and the at least two reinforcement components are spaced apart along the axial direction of the shell.

[0020] As an optional embodiment, the outer shell includes a first arc-shaped shell and a second arc-shaped shell, and the first arc-shaped shell and the second arc-shaped shell are spliced ​​along the circumference of the outer shell to form the outer shell.

[0021] The present invention provides a submarine cable joint protection device comprising a shell and a reinforcement assembly, wherein the shell is configured to cover the outside of the submarine cable joint, and the reinforcement assembly is arranged inside the shell; the reinforcement assembly comprises a plurality of pads, the plurality of pads are arranged adjacent to each other in the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of pads is connected to the inner wall of the shell; at least one mounting groove is formed between two adjacent pads, the shape of the mounting groove matches the shape of the joint, and the submarine cable joint is configured to be clamped in the mounting groove. The submarine cable joint protection device provided by the present invention is provided with a reinforcement assembly inside the shell, the reinforcement assembly comprises a plurality of pads, and the mounting groove for clamping the submarine cable joint is formed between two adjacent pads. Thus, on the one hand, the pads can be used to isolate the submarine cable joints to avoid mutual interference between the submarine cable joints; on the other hand, the pads can be used to clamp the submarine cable joints therein, and at least one of the pads is connected to the shell, so that the position of the submarine cable joint in the shell can be restricted, thereby preventing the submarine cable joint from moving, rolling and deforming during the maintenance, installation and lifting of the submarine cable joint protection device, thereby improving the protection effect of the submarine cable joint. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the first structure of a submarine cable joint protection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG2 is a side view of FIG1;

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a second structure of a submarine cable joint protection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Description of reference numerals:

[0027] 100-Submarine cable joint protection device;

[0028] 110-housing;

[0029] 111-first arc-shaped housing;

[0030] 112- second arc-shaped housing;

[0031] 120-reinforcement components;

[0032] 121-first pad;

[0033] 122- second pad;

[0034] 123-third pad;

[0035] 130-mounting slot;

[0036] 140-first connecting plate;

[0037] 150- second connecting plate;

[0038] 160-limiting slot;

[0039] 170-limiting protrusion;

[0040] 200-Submarine cable connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] In this application, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "vertical," "horizontal," "transverse," and "longitudinal" indicate positions or locations based on the positions or locations shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily intended to better describe the present invention and its embodiments and are not intended to limit the devices, elements, or components indicated to having a specific orientation, or to being constructed or operated in a specific orientation.

[0043] Furthermore, some of the above terms may be used to express other meanings besides indicating a position or location. For example, the term "on" may also be used to indicate a dependency or connection in certain circumstances. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0044] Furthermore, the terms "installed," "disposed," "provided with," "connected," and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, removable connections, or integral structures; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary; or internal communication between two devices, elements, or components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0045] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are primarily used to distinguish between different devices, elements, or components (which may or may not be of the same type and configuration), and are not intended to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the devices, elements, or components indicated. Unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0046] Existing submarine cable splice closures are typically hollow, sealed shells that are longer than the cable connector, completely enclosing and protecting the connector. After the connector is installed, the closure is typically installed outside the connector and hoisted to the seabed. However, during installation and hoisting, the cable connector inside the closure may shift and deform due to the movement of the closure, potentially damaging the connector.

[0047] In view of this, the present invention provides a submarine cable joint protection device, comprising an outer shell and a reinforcement assembly, wherein the outer shell is configured to cover the outside of the submarine cable joint, and the reinforcement assembly is arranged inside the outer shell; the reinforcement assembly comprises a plurality of pads, the plurality of pads are arranged adjacent to each other in the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of pads is connected to the inner wall of the outer shell; at least one mounting groove is formed between two adjacent pads, the shape of the mounting groove matches the shape of the joint, and the submarine cable joint is configured to be snapped into the mounting groove. Thus, on the one hand, the pads can be used to isolate the submarine cable joints to avoid mutual interference between the submarine cable joints; on the other hand, the pads can be used to clamp the submarine cable joints therein, and at least one of the pads is connected to the inside of the shell, so that the position of the submarine cable joint in the shell can be restricted, thereby avoiding the movement, rolling and deformation of the submarine cable joint during the maintenance, installation and lifting of the submarine cable joint protection device, thereby improving the protection of the submarine cable joint.

[0048] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the first structure of a submarine cable joint protection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention; FIG2 is a side schematic diagram of FIG1; and FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the second structure of a submarine cable joint protection device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG1 to FIG3, an embodiment of the present invention provides a submarine cable joint protection device 100, comprising a housing 110 and a reinforcement assembly 120, wherein the housing 110 is configured to cover the outside of a submarine cable joint 200, and the reinforcement assembly 120 is disposed within the housing 110; the reinforcement assembly 120 comprises a plurality of pads, the plurality of pads being disposed adjacent to each other in the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of pads being connected to the inner wall of the housing 110; at least one mounting groove 130 is formed between two adjacent pads, the shape of the mounting groove 130 matching the shape of the submarine cable joint 200, and the submarine cable joint 200 being configured to be snap-fitted into the mounting groove 130.

[0049] The submarine cable joint protection device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a reinforcement component 120 inside the shell 110. The reinforcement component 120 includes a plurality of pads, and a mounting groove 130 for clamping the submarine cable joint 200 is formed between two adjacent pads. Thus, on the one hand, the submarine cable joints 200 can be isolated by the pads to avoid mutual interference between the submarine cable joints 200. On the other hand, the submarine cable joints 200 are clamped therein by the pads, and at least one of the pads is connected to the inside of the shell, so that the position of the submarine cable joint 200 in the shell can be restricted, thereby avoiding the movement, rolling and deformation of the submarine cable joint 200 during the maintenance, installation and lifting of the submarine cable joint protection device 100, thereby improving the protection of the submarine cable joint 200.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the plurality of pads include a first pad 121, a second pad 122, and a third pad 123, with the third pad 123 being located between the first pad 121 and the second pad 122. A first arcuate slot can be defined on each side of the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 facing the third pad 123, and a second arcuate slot can be defined on each side of the third pad 123 facing the first pad 121 and the second pad 122. The first arcuate slot and the corresponding second arcuate slot together form a mounting slot 130, and the submarine cable connector 200 is configured to be secured between the corresponding first and second arcuate slots. It is understood that the circumference of the mounting slot 130 formed by the first and second arcuate slots can be slightly larger than the outer circumference of the submarine cable connector 200, thereby preventing the inner wall of the mounting slot 130 from squeezing the submarine cable connector 200.

[0051] In addition, a layer of elastic gasket with a large friction coefficient can be provided between the inner walls of the first arc-shaped slot and the second arc-shaped slot and the submarine cable connector 200. The elastic gasket can specifically be made of resin material or rubber material. On the one hand, the elastic gasket can protect the submarine cable connector 200 and prevent the submarine cable connector 200 from being directly subjected to rigid contact. On the other hand, the friction between the submarine cable connector 200 and the inner walls of the first arc-shaped slot and the second arc-shaped slot can be further increased.

[0052] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the housing 110 can be cylindrical in shape. The axial direction of the housing 110 is aligned with the axial direction of the submarine cable connector 200. The housing 110 is hollow, and the two axial ends are funnel-shaped, thereby forming a tight connection between the two ends and the submarine cable. Accordingly, the shape of the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 facing the inner wall of the housing 110 can be designed as an arc surface, thereby making the connection between the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 and the inner wall of the housing 110 more stable.

[0053] In the above embodiment, there are at least two reinforcement components 120, and the at least two reinforcement components 120 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the housing 110. As shown in FIG2 , there are two reinforcement components 120, and the two reinforcement components 120 are arranged at both ends of the housing 110 along the axial direction of the housing 110, so that the submarine cable joint 200 therein is subjected to more uniform force.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the shell 110 may include a first curved shell 111 and a second curved shell 112. The first curved shell 111 and the second curved shell 112 are spliced ​​along the circumference of the shell 110 to form the shell 110. The shell 110 consists of two parts, which can facilitate the disassembly and installation of the shell 110. The first curved shell 111 and the second curved shell 112 can be detachably connected by bolts to facilitate subsequent disassembly and assembly.

[0055] As shown in FIG1 and FIG3 , in the above embodiment, there may be gaps between the installation grooves 130, and at least a portion of the third pad 123 is filled in the gaps. The third pad 123 can isolate the submarine cable connectors 200 in the installation grooves 130, thereby preventing collision and interference between the submarine cable connectors 200.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the third pad 123 can be detachably connected between the first pad 121 and the second pad 122. In this way, when one of the pads is connected to the inner wall of the shell 110, the movement of the remaining pads in the shell 110 is also restricted to avoid all pads from shifting relative to the shell 110. The third pad 123 is detachably connected to the first pad 121 and the second pad 122, which can be easily disassembled and installed.

[0057] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the above embodiment, the submarine cable joint protection device 100 may further include a first connecting plate 140 and a second connecting plate 150. The first connecting plate 140 and the second connecting plate 150 may be arranged on opposite sides of the reinforcement component 120 along the axial direction of the outer shell 110. Specifically, one end of the first connecting plate 140 may be connected to the first pad 121, and the other end of the first connecting plate 140 may be connected to the third pad 123; one end of the second connecting plate 150 is connected to the second pad 122, and the other end of the second connecting plate 150 is connected to the third pad 123. The first connecting plate 140 and the second connecting plate 150 can realize a detachable connection between the first pad 121, the second pad 122 and the third pad 123, and the connection is performed from both sides of the pad, so that the axial shear force between the pads can be transmitted to other pads. Specifically, through holes can be opened on each of the above-mentioned pads and connecting plates, and screws with threads on both ends can be used to pass through the through holes on the corresponding pads and connecting plates, and nuts can be screwed into the threads of the screws on both sides to connect the connecting plates and pads together. It can be understood that when a pad is subjected to an axial force from the outer shell 110, the force can be transmitted to other pads through the first connecting plate 140 or the second connecting plate 150, thereby avoiding the screw being directly subjected to the shear force and deformed, resulting in difficulty in subsequent disassembly.

[0058] As shown in FIG1 and FIG3 , in the above embodiment, there can be three mounting grooves 130: one mounting groove 130 can be formed between the first pad 121 and the third pad 123, and two mounting grooves 130 can be formed between the second pad 122 and the third pad 123. Specifically, the three mounting grooves 130 can be arranged in a V-shape. Accordingly, the submarine cable can be a three-core submarine cable having three connectors, and each submarine cable connector 200 is correspondingly engaged in a corresponding mounting groove 130.

[0059] In the above embodiment, a limiting groove 160 can be provided on the side of the second pad 122 adjacent to the housing 110, and a limiting protrusion 170 can be provided on the side of the housing 110 adjacent to the second pad 122, or a limiting protrusion 170 can be provided on the side of the second pad 122 adjacent to the housing 110, and a limiting groove 160 can be provided on the side of the housing adjacent to the second pad 122; the second pad 122 and the housing 110 can be mutually engaged through the limiting groove 160 and the corresponding limiting protrusion 170, and at the same time, the first pad 121, the second pad 122 and the third pad 123 can be connected together, so that all pads can be prevented from rotating relative to the housing 110. Of course, a similar limiting groove 160 and limiting protrusion 170 structure as that between the second pad 122 and the housing 110 can also be provided between the first pad 121 and the housing 110 or between the third pad 123 and the housing 110, which is not limited here.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, in the above embodiment, the first pad 121 and the second pad 122 can be connected to the inner wall of the outer shell 110 by bolts, and the third pad 123 is arranged between the three submarine cable joints 200. There is no connection between the third pad 123 and the first pad 121 and the second pad 122. This arrangement can further simplify the difficulty of disassembly and assembly of the submarine cable joint protection device 100. Specifically, the first pad 121 can be bolted to the first curved shell 111 in advance, and the second pad 122 can be bolted to the second curved shell 112. When disassembling or installing the submarine cable joint protection device 100, it is only necessary to take out or place the third pad 123 in the corresponding position, which is extremely convenient to operate.

[0061] The submarine cable joint protection device 100 provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes an outer shell 110 and a reinforcement assembly 120. The outer shell 110 is configured to cover the outside of the submarine cable joint 200, and the reinforcement assembly 120 is arranged inside the outer shell 110; the reinforcement assembly 120 includes a plurality of pads, and the plurality of pads are arranged adjacent to each other in the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of pads is connected to the inner wall of the outer shell 110; at least one mounting groove 130 is formed between two adjacent pads, and the shape of the mounting groove 130 matches the shape of the submarine cable joint 200, and the submarine cable joint 200 is configured to be snapped into the mounting groove 130. The submarine cable joint protection device 100 provided by the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a reinforcement component 120 inside the shell 110. The reinforcement component 120 includes a plurality of pads, and a mounting groove 130 for clamping the submarine cable joint 200 is formed between two adjacent pads. Thus, on the one hand, the submarine cable joints 200 can be isolated by the pads to avoid mutual interference between the submarine cable joints 200. On the other hand, the submarine cable joints 200 are clamped therein by the pads, and at least one of the pads is connected to the inside of the shell, so that the position of the submarine cable joint 200 in the shell can be restricted, thereby avoiding the movement, rolling and deformation of the submarine cable joint 200 during the maintenance, installation and lifting of the submarine cable joint protection device 100, thereby improving the protection of the submarine cable joint 200.

[0062] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A submarine cable joint protection device, characterized in that: The cable connector comprises a housing and a reinforcement assembly, wherein the housing is configured to be covered outside the submarine cable connector, and the reinforcement assembly is arranged inside the housing; The reinforcement assembly includes a plurality of pads, the plurality of pads are arranged adjacent to each other in sequence along the same direction, and at least one of the plurality of pads is connected to the inner wall of the shell; At least one mounting groove is formed between two adjacent pads, the shape of the mounting groove matches the shape of the connector, and the submarine cable connector is configured to be snap-fitted into the mounting groove.

2. The submarine cable joint protection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multiple pads include a first pad, a second pad and a third pad, and the third pad is located between the first pad and the second pad; the first pad and the second pad are each provided with a first arc-shaped slot on one side facing the third pad, and the third pad is each provided with a second arc-shaped slot on both sides facing the first pad and the second pad, and the first arc-shaped slot and the corresponding second arc-shaped slot together form the installation slot, and the submarine cable joint is configured to be clamped between the first arc-shaped slot and the second arc-shaped slot corresponding to each other.

3. The submarine cable joint protection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: There is a gap between the installation grooves, and at least a portion of the third pad is filled in the gap, so that the submarine cable joints in the installation grooves are isolated by the third pad.

4. The submarine cable joint protection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third pad is detachably connected between the first pad and the second pad.

5. The submarine cable joint protection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a first connecting plate and a second connecting plate, the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are arranged on opposite sides of the reinforcement component along the axial direction of the shell, one end of the first connecting plate is connected to the first pad, and the other end of the first connecting plate is connected to the third pad; one end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second pad, and the other end of the second connecting plate is connected to the third pad.

6. The submarine cable joint protection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are three mounting grooves, one mounting groove is formed between the first pad and the third pad, and two mounting grooves are formed between the second pad and the third pad.

7. The submarine cable joint protection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The side of the second pad adjacent to the shell has a limiting groove, and the side of the shell adjacent to the second pad has a limiting protrusion, or the side of the second pad adjacent to the shell has a limiting protrusion, and the side of the shell adjacent to the second pad has a limiting groove; the limiting groove and the corresponding limiting protrusion are mutually engaged.

8. The submarine cable joint protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The outer shell is cylindrical, and the axial direction of the outer shell is consistent with the axial direction of the submarine cable joint.

9. The submarine cable joint protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: There are at least two reinforcement components, and the at least two reinforcement components are spaced apart along the axial direction of the shell.

10. The submarine cable joint protection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The housing includes a first arc-shaped shell and a second arc-shaped shell, and the first arc-shaped shell and the second arc-shaped shell are spliced ​​along the circumference of the housing to form the housing.

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