Cable Core Extraction Using Hydraulic Pressure and Pulling Force
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing a cable core from a cable sheath with a hard polymer insulator are inefficient and cause damage to the sheath, as they require pressurized fluids and pumps, and cannot handle the high friction between the core and sheath without causing irreversible damage.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using a hydraulic pressure pump and a drawing mechanism to simultaneously apply pressure and pulling force to the core and insulator, allowing for the extraction of the core and insulator from the sheath without damaging the sheath, utilizing a coupling sleeve and winch system with a clamping mechanism to manage the forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flowable medium is introduced under pressure into the annular space between the core and sheath to reduce friction, then the core can be drawn out of the sheath, but the method requires a supply of pressurised medium and a pump, and necessitates means for collecting the pressurised medium to prevent contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core and insulator as a single unit from the sheath by applying force directly to the core end, eliminating the need for complex pressurized medium systems. The core is pulled out through the sheath opening without requiring fluid injection systems, pumps, or collection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple coupling device attached to the core end as an intermediary to apply pulling force, replacing the complex intermediary system of pressurized fluid as a mediator. This coupling device directly transmits mechanical force from the extraction mechanism to the core.
2Ease of operation
If voltage is supplied along the core to generate heat and reduce viscosity of soft polymer insulator, then the core can be extracted by pulling, but this technique cannot be used when the cable has an insulator formed from a hard polymer as the temperature cannot be increased without causing irreversible damage to the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable structure by identifying the core and insulator as a removable unit that can be extracted together from the sheath. This segmentation allows the solution to work with different insulator materials (soft or hard polymer) without requiring material-specific approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of changing temperature parameters to soften the insulator, the patent changes the extraction approach by applying mechanical pulling force directly to the core. This parameter change from thermal to mechanical extraction makes the method universally applicable to both soft and hard polymer insulators without risking sheath damage.
3Productivity
If a pulling force is applied to the core to extract it from the sheath, then the core can be removed, but the high friction between the core and sheath causes irreversible damage to the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a preliminary opening in the sheath at the core end before applying pulling force. This preliminary action reduces the friction interface by allowing the core to be pulled through the opening rather than through the entire sheath circumference, preventing sheath damage during extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the core and insulator together as a single unit through a sheath opening, taking them out as a complete assembly. This approach minimizes friction contact during extraction and prevents damage to the sheath by removing the core through a designated opening rather than forcing it through the intact sheath.
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
Enables efficient extraction of the core and insulator from the sheath with minimal damage, allowing for reuse of the sheath and reducing the need for trench digging during optical fiber installation, while maintaining environmental safety with controlled fluid use.
Implementation Method 1
a pump operable to generate hydraulic pressure against one end of the core and insulator
Implementation Method 2
a drawing mechanism operable to simultaneously exert a pulling force on an opposite end of the core and insulator
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for extracting the core and surrounding insulator from an outer sheath of a length of data transmission cable is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pump operable to generate hydraulic pressure against one end of the core and insulator, and a drawing mechanism operable to simultaneously exert a pulling force on an opposite end of the core and insulator. The arrangement being such that hydraulic pressure applied to one end, and pulling force applied to the opposite end, together displace the core and insulator relative to its outer sheath.