Aperture Latch for Cable Protection Against Bending Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable protection systems for offshore turbine generators, such as J-tubes and I-tubes, face challenges during installation due to mechanical stresses and high costs, with J-tubes risking damage during installation and I-tubes being expensive and less effective.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with latching means and a bend limiting device featuring an elongate flexible body and attachment means, including torsion springs and tension limiting mechanisms, to securely engage the aperture edge and resist cable bending, allowing for easier and cost-effective installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a J-tube is mounted to the support pillar before installation into the sea bed, then the cable protection function is provided in advance, but the J-tube becomes damaged or dislodged during installation due to mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is prepared and attached to the cable in advance before installation into the support pillar aperture, allowing the cable protection function to be established beforehand without requiring the protection structure to withstand installation stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The protection system is divided into separate components: the bend limiting device attached to the cable, and the protection device with latching members that engages the aperture edge, allowing independent installation of each component
2Reliability
If a J-tube is made sufficiently robust to withstand installation stresses, then the protection function is maintained, but the cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is installed after the support pillar is in place, eliminating the need to design for extreme installation stresses and allowing use of lighter, less expensive materials while maintaining protection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The latching members act as intermediaries that engage the aperture edge to provide mechanical support and cable protection, allowing the protection device itself to be lighter since it doesn't need to withstand full installation loads
3Ease of manufacture
If a J-tube is mounted to the support pillar after installation into the sea bed, then the installation cost is reduced, but specialist equipment and personnel are required making installation extremely expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device utilizes the flexible cable itself as the primary support element, with the protection device engaging the aperture edge to provide guidance and prevent excessive bending, enabling simple installation without specialist equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The latching members automatically engage with the aperture edge when the protection device is inserted, providing self-aligning and self-securing functionality that eliminates the need for complex installation equipment or specialized personnel
4Ease of operation
If an I-tube is used instead of a J-tube, then installation is easier and less expensive, but the cable protection performance is less satisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device provides concentrated protection at the critical aperture edge location where the cable is most vulnerable, rather than requiring protection along the entire cable path, achieving high protection performance with simple installation
Solution Approach 2:
The latching members are designed with curved engagement surfaces that guide the cable through the aperture with appropriate bend radius, providing effective cable protection through geometric design rather than complex structural support
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the reliability of cable protection by minimizing damage from small bend radii and reduces installation costs by simplifying the process with a compact, cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
at least two latching members arranged on opposite sides of the body, each said latching member having a distal end which engages the edge of the aperture when the body is inserted into the aperture
Implementation Method 2
Each said latching member is displaceable between a first position in which the distal end of the latching member engages the edge of the aperture and a second position in which the distal end of the latching member does not engage the edge of the aperture
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A mechanical latch (14) for preventing damage to a cable passing through an aperture is disclosed. The mechanical latch comprises a housing (42) adapted to be inserted into an aperture in a first direction and having an internal bore (43) for allowing movement of a cable therethrough. Latch fingers (46) protrude from the housing for engaging an edge of the aperture to prevent removal of the housing from the aperture in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, after insertion of the housing into the aperture in said the direction, to prevent the cable from engaging the edge of the aperture.