Cable Catcher Mechanism for Overhead Stringing Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually holding or attaching the end of a cable to a structure is time-consuming and labor-intensive when maintaining tension during overhead cable stringing, especially when traversing obstacles like roadways or rivers.
Innovation Solution
A cable catcher device with a body and movable arm that engages the cable, allowing it to be threaded through pulley blocks without manual tension, using a clamp mechanism and biased arm to maintain tension by expanding and collapsing through the opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual holding or attaching of cable end is used to maintain tension, then cable sagging is prevented, but labor time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable catcher device automatically maintains cable tension through its own mechanical structure. The arms with cable engagement means (clamps or hooks) self-engage with the cable and maintain tension without requiring manual intervention. The device serves itself by using the cable's own tension to keep the arms in the engaged position, eliminating the need for workers to manually hold or attach the cable end.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable catcher acts as an intermediary device between the cable and the threading process. It provides a mechanical interface that automatically engages the cable and maintains tension throughout the stringing operation. This intermediary device eliminates the need for direct manual handling of the cable end while ensuring proper tension maintenance.
2Reliability
If manual holding or attaching of cable end is used to maintain tension, then cable sagging is prevented, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable catcher device automatically maintains cable tension through its own mechanical structure. The arms with cable engagement means (clamps or hooks) self-engage with the cable and maintain tension without requiring manual intervention. The device serves itself by using the cable's own tension to keep the arms in the engaged position, eliminating the need for workers to manually hold or attach the cable end.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable catcher acts as an intermediary device between the cable and the threading process. It provides a mechanical interface that automatically engages the cable and maintains tension throughout the stringing operation. This intermediary device eliminates the need for direct manual handling of the cable end while ensuring proper tension maintenance.
3Productivity
If cable is threaded through pulley blocks without tension control, then threading speed increases, but cable sagging occurs over obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The cable catcher is attached to the cable before threading begins, and the arms are pre-positioned to engage with the cable. This preliminary setup ensures that tension maintenance is already in place before the cable starts moving through the pulley blocks, preventing sagging from occurring during the high-speed threading operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable catcher device automatically maintains cable tension through its own mechanical structure. The arms with cable engagement means (clamps or hooks) self-engage with the cable and maintain tension without requiring manual intervention. The device serves itself by using the cable's own tension to keep the arms in the engaged position, eliminating the need for workers to manually hold or attach the cable end.
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 device automates the tensioning process, reducing manual labor and sagging of cables between pulley blocks, ensuring stable cable alignment and clearance over obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
an arm attached to the body and movable relative to the body between a collapsed position, having a cross-section smaller than the opening, and an expanded position, having a cross-section larger than the opening. Preferably, the arm is biased toward the expanded position.
Data Source
AI summary
An overhead tower assembly comprising an overhead tower, a threading device attached to the tower and defining an opening, a cable positioned through the opening, and a cable catcher attached to the cable. The catcher includes a body secured to the cable and sized to fit through the opening, and an arm attached to the body and movable relative to the body between a collapsed position, having a cross-section smaller than the opening, and an expanded position, having a cross-section larger than the opening. The catcher and can be used to perform a method including attaching the catcher to the cable, inserting an end of the cable through the threading device, pulling the cable through the threading device, contacting the arm with the threading device, moving the arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position, continuing to pull the cable until the catcher has passed through the threading device, and moving the arm back to the expanded position.