360° Cable End Imaging for Reliable Power Cable Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Failures in electrical grids often occur due to improper preparation of power cables for electrical accessories, leading to higher operational costs and potential fines for electrical utilities.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for inspecting the prepared end of a power cable using a cable gripping section and an imaging device holding section, which rotates 360 degrees to capture images for digital analysis, providing feedback on the adequacy of cable preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable preparation is determined by installer skill alone, then the inspection process is simple and quick, but the reliability of cable preparation is inconsistent and prone to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and skill-based assessment with an automated imaging system that captures images of the cable preparation and uses image processing algorithms to objectively evaluate preparation quality. This substitution of mechanical/manual inspection with automated optical and computational systems resolves the contradiction by providing consistent, reliable measurements without requiring complex manual judgment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the cable preparation state and analyzes this copy to determine preparation quality. By capturing images at multiple stages of cable preparation and processing these images to extract features and assess compliance with preparation standards, the system achieves reliable, repeatable evaluation without physically altering the cable or requiring complex contact-based measurement devices.
2Measurement precision
If a 360-degree imaging system is used to capture complete cable end images, then measurement precision and defect detection are improved, but the device complexity and time required for inspection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing images at multiple predetermined stages of cable preparation (after removing cable jacket, after removing shield, after removing insulation) rather than attempting to capture everything in a single operation. This staged approach allows the system to provide feedback at each stage, enabling early detection and correction of preparation errors without requiring a complete time-consuming 360-degree inspection at the final stage only.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and analyzes specific features and characteristics from the captured images that are most relevant to cable preparation quality assessment. Rather than processing entire 360-degree images in their entirety, the system identifies and extracts key features (such as the condition of cable layers, presence of defects, dimensional measurements) for focused analysis, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple cable layers are removed and inspected at each stage, then the adequacy of preparation is thoroughly verified, but the complexity of the inspection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal imaging and analysis system that can inspect multiple different cable layers and preparation stages using the same basic device and methodology. The system captures images, processes them through the same feature extraction and analysis algorithms, and provides standardized feedback regardless of which cable layer is being inspected (cable jacket, shield, insulation, or conductor). This multi-functionality allows thorough verification of preparation conformity without requiring separate specialized inspection procedures for each layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for analyzing or inspecting a prepared portion of a power cable includes a cable gripping section to grip a portion of the power cable proximate to a prepared end of the power cable, where the cable end has been prepared by removing certain portions of the power cable so that it can properly accept an electrical or cable accessory, such as a splice or termination. The device also includes an imaging device holding section to hold an imaging device at a predetermined radial distance from the prepared cable end. In particular, the imaging device holding section is radially and axially adjustable in position. During inspection of the prepared cable end, the imaging device is fully rotated about the prepared cable end to acquire a 360 degree image of the prepared cable end.