Autonomous Fluid Compressor for Optical Fiber Laying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable laying devices face challenges in efficiently adjusting compressed fluid supply to meet varying demands during cable laying operations, particularly when using a battery-powered compressor, as manual adjustment of gas pressure and flow is difficult and results in energy loss.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous fluid compressor system that includes a fluid compressing unit, an electric motor, a rechargeable power unit, and a control unit connected to a cable laying device to receive fluid demand signals, allowing precise control of motor speed to match fluid pressure and flow requirements, without a storage tank to minimize energy loss and inertia.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of valve opening is used to control gas pressure and flow, then the cable laying device can operate, but the adjustment is difficult to optimize and requires repeated adjustments when laying conditions vary
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static manual valve adjustment to dynamic automated control. The control unit continuously monitors fluid demand from the cable laying device and automatically adjusts the compressive force applied by the fluid compressing unit, enabling real-time optimization without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit receives fluid demand signals from the cable laying device and adjusts the fluid compressing unit accordingly. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for manual trial-and-error adjustment and maintains optimal performance under varying laying conditions.
2Reliability
If a storage tank is used to store compressed gas, then the system can maintain pressure, but energy is lost when pressure is lowered to match real demand
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the storage tank from the system entirely. Instead of storing compressed gas and releasing it, the fluid compressing unit generates compressed gas on-demand and delivers it directly to the cable laying device through minimized tubing, eliminating the energy waste associated with pressurizing and then releasing stored gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary compression only when needed. The fluid compressing unit compresses gas in advance of actual consumption based on predicted or real-time demand signals, rather than pre-compressing large volumes for storage. This ensures energy is invested only in the amount of gas that will be immediately used.
3Quantity of substance
If a storage tank is used, then compressed fluid can be stored, but the tank creates inertia that dilutes fluid flow characteristics and reduces rapid response
Solution Approach 1:
The storage tank is completely removed from the system. The fluid compressing unit connects directly to the cable laying device through minimized tubing, eliminating the inertial effects of large-volume storage and enabling rapid response to changes in fluid demand.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing excessive amounts of compressed gas in a large tank, the system provides partial compression continuously or in small increments based on real-time demand. This ensures the fluid flow characteristics remain sharp and responsive without the damping effect of large storage volumes.
4Quantity of substance
If the volume of tubing between supply port and exhaust valve is large, then more fluid can be stored, but the response time increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The excess tubing volume is removed from the system. The invention minimizes the tubing volume to only what is necessary for direct connection between the fluid compressing unit and the cable laying device, eliminating the time delay and energy loss associated with large-volume tubing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of tubing volume from large to small (lower than 15 liters, preferably lower than 10 liters). This parameter change reduces the inertial effects and response time while maintaining sufficient fluid delivery capacity for the cable laying operation.
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 system provides rapid and precise adjustment of fluid pressure and flow, reducing energy consumption and enabling continuous operation for extended periods without the need for initial pressurization, thus enhancing the efficiency and autonomy of cable laying processes.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid compressing unit arranged to compress fluid
Implementation Method 2
an electric motor, for driving the fluid compressing unit
Implementation Method 3
a rechargeable power unit, to supply electric power to the electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomous fluid compressor for supplying compressed fluid to a cable laying device, the fluid compressor comprising a fluid compressing unit arranged to compress fluid and comprising an exhaust valve, an electric motor, for driving the fluid compressing unit, a rechargeable power unit, to supply electric power to the electric motor, a fluid supply port connected to the exhaust valve, characterized in that the fluid compressor including an input unit, for receiving a fluid demand signal indicating a fluid demand from the cable laying device, and a control unit, arranged to control the motor based on the fluid demand signal.