Ball and Socket Power Cable Connector for Marine Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marine cable connections to vessels are prone to stress and frequent failure due to extreme vessel motion, leading to costly and frequent replacement of underwater cables, despite existing bend restrictor devices that only partially mitigate bending stress.
Innovation Solution
A ball and socket device mounted on the marine vessel minimizes bending stress by allowing the power cable to rotate freely while restraining up and down movement, with the outer protective sheath securely attached to the ball and conductors connected through a waterproof junction box, using a flexible cable that can be easily replaced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bend restrictor devices are used to reduce cable stress, then cable bending stress is partially reduced, but cable flexure is not eliminated sufficiently and frequent servicing or replacement is still required
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system is divided into two distinct segments: a rigid, armored marine cable that remains fixed and stress-free, and a flexible cable that handles all motion and bending. This segmentation allows each cable type to operate in its optimal mechanical environment, eliminating the need for frequent replacement of the main power cable while maintaining connection reliability during vessel motion.
Solution Approach 2:
A ball and socket joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed marine cable and the moving vessel. This intermediary absorbs all bending and motion stresses, allowing the marine cable to remain stationary and stress-free while the flexible cable connected to the ball and socket handles the mechanical stresses of vessel motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the marine cable is securely attached to the vessel structure, then connection stability is improved, but the cable is subjected to extreme bending stress during vessel motion
Solution Approach 1:
The ball and socket joint introduces dynamic adaptability to the cable connection system. Instead of a fixed rigid connection that transmits all motion stresses to the cable, the ball and socket allows the connection to dynamically adjust to vessel motion, maintaining stable electrical connection while protecting the cable from bending stresses through controlled mechanical articulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball and socket joint serves as a mechanical intermediary that decouples the vessel's structural stability from the cable's mechanical integrity. It provides a stable mounting point on the vessel while simultaneously protecting the cable from the bending stresses generated during vessel motion, effectively mediating between the stationary cable and the moving vessel structure.
3Reliability
If complex articulated bend limiting devices are used at the connection point, then cable bending is reduced, but device complexity increases and some cable flexing remains
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex articulated devices to limit cable bending, the invention inverts the approach by allowing free bending at the ball and socket joint while keeping the main marine cable completely straight and stress-free. The flexibility is moved to the flexible cable segment, eliminating the need for complex bend-limiting mechanisms and their associated maintenance requirements.
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
This solution significantly reduces mechanical stress on the cable, allowing it to twist and turn without damage, and enables cost-effective replacement of the flexible cable, eliminating the need for expensive and difficult-to-replace underwater cables.
Implementation Method 1
The connecting apparatus includes a ball and a socket with the socket being formed within a side of the marine vessel and shaped to holding the ball so the ball can rotate generally freely within the socket while its up and down movement is restrained
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for connecting a power cable to a marine vessel which is subject to pitch, heave, roll and yaw motion includes a ball and socket device for decreasing the twisting and bending of the power cable. The socket is attached to the vessel and the ball can rotate freely Within the socket but its up down motion is restricted. The power cable's outer protective sheath is attached to the ball while its conductors pass through the ball and are connected to an internal connector. A flexible cable (wire) is connected between the internal connector and electrical equipment internal to the marine vessel.