Structural Cable Energy Absorber Using a Sacrificial Spacer
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a simple and easy-to-implement device to safely cut structural cables, which are subjected to high mechanical tension and often encased in a cementitious material, without requiring complex bridging devices or external jacks.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a retaining collar, a hammer collar, a reaction element, and a sacrificial spacer that absorbs the energy released during cable relaxation, allowing safe cutting by deforming under the movement of the hammer collar, with the option to use multiple devices to manage the energy release and featuring a connection system with bars and injection orifices for wedging material to enhance anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bridging device with jacks is used to relax the cable before cutting, then the cable can be safely cut, but the device becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of energy absorption from the complex jack system. Instead of using jacks to actively control relaxation, the patent uses a passive sacrificial spacer that absorbs energy only when needed (during cable rupture), eliminating the need for complex active control mechanisms while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial spacer is a disposable component designed to be consumed during the energy absorption process. It is a simple, inexpensive element that deforms or breaks to absorb the energy released by cable detensioning, replacing the need for expensive, complex reusable jack systems.
2Device complexity
If a sacrificial spacer device is used to absorb energy, then the device becomes simpler, but it must effectively absorb all energy released by cable detensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the sacrificial spacer (material properties, geometry, thickness) to match the energy absorption requirements. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the simple spacer structure can absorb the specific amount of energy released by cable detensioning without requiring complex mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting location is restricted to be close to a structure surface, then reaction force can be taken up by structure stops, but the freedom in choosing cutting location is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sacrificial spacer acts as an intermediary that absorbs the reaction force generated during cable relaxation. Instead of requiring the structure itself to provide reaction stops (which limits cutting location), the spacer mediates the force absorption, allowing cutting to occur at any location along the cable.
4Reliability
If multiple devices are used on the same cable, then all energy can be absorbed, but the device installation becomes more extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the energy absorption function into multiple identical, simple sacrificial spacer units that can be distributed along the cable. Each unit handles a portion of the total energy, and they can be installed independently using the same simple procedure, making the segmentation approach easier to implement than alternative complex solutions.
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 safe cutting of structural cables by absorbing energy released during tension relief, is simpler and easier to implement than existing solutions, and can be used on various cable types without direct reaction on the structure, providing flexibility in cutting location and improved anchoring force.
Implementation Method 1
The sacrificial spacer is preferably configured to deform plastically, particularly by buckling
Implementation Method 2
configured to deform under the effect of the movement of the hammer collar towards the reaction element when the cable is detensioned following its cutting, and to absorb at least part of the energy released by this detension
Implementation Method 3
a cushioning material is placed between the collar and the cable... to improve the hold of the retaining collar or hammer on the cable
Implementation Method 4
The connecting system advantageously comprises bars connecting the retaining collar and the reaction element, for example two or more bars. These bars may have threaded ends allowing the screwing of bolts
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
Disclosed is a device for absorbing energy released by the detensioning of a structural cable, comprising at least one retaining collar, to be fastened to the cable, at least one collar acting as a hammer, to be fastened to the cable, the retaining collar and the collar acting as a hammer being arranged to either side of the cutting zone, at least one reaction element to be arranged around the cable such that the collar acting as a hammer is situated between this reaction element and the retaining collar, a connection system between the retaining collar and the reaction element, for keeping the reaction element at a given distance from the retaining collar, at least one sacrificial spacer arranged between the reaction element and the collar acting as a hammer, in order to be deformed as a result of the collar acting as a hammer moving towards the reaction element when the cable is detensioned after being cut.