One-Piece Cable Protector With Spring Clamp for Pipe Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable protecting devices for wellbores are time-consuming to mount and require human intervention, increasing the risk of component failure and personnel injury, especially in the 'red zone' of the drill floor, and often consist of complex multi-part systems that are costly and prone to falling into the well.
Innovation Solution
A simplified, one-piece cable protection device with a channel for the cable and a recess to enclose the pipe feature, utilizing a spring section for engagement and a mounting tool to securely attach to a collar or sleeve without straps, allowing for robotic installation and minimizing human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable protecting devices are mounted on pipes using straps or multiple components, then the cable is securely protected, but the mounting process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (straps, clamps, and protection elements) into a single integrated cable protecting device. This one-piece construction eliminates the need for multiple mounting operations while maintaining secure cable protection, directly resolving the contradiction between protection security and mounting time.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates distinct functional zones within a unified structure: a protection zone for cable coverage, an engagement zone with gripping elements for pipe attachment, and a mounting zone interface. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently while enabling rapid single-step installation.
2Reliability
If complex multi-part cable protecting devices are used, then adequate protection is achieved, but the cost increases and the risk of component failure rises
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges protection elements, mounting mechanisms, and securing features into a single monolithic component. This eliminates interfaces between parts that could fail, reduces the total component count to one, and maintains comprehensive cable protection while lowering cost and failure risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-component device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it protects the cable from damage, secures the cable to the pipe, provides structural support, and enables rapid installation. This multi-functionality in one component reduces overall system complexity while maintaining protection adequacy.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual mounting of cable protecting devices is performed in the red zone, then proper installation is achieved, but personnel safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protecting device is pre-configured with integrated mounting features and engagement elements during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be installed as a complete unit without requiring personnel to manipulate multiple components in the hazardous red zone, thereby maintaining installation accuracy while reducing safety risks.
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 solution significantly reduces the complexity and cost of cable protection, enhances security by minimizing the risk of parts falling, and allows for robotic installation, thereby reducing human exposure to hazardous areas.
Implementation Method 1
The cable protecting device according to the invention therefore defines a clamp being longer than the feature and defines a recess in the cable protecting device for enclosing part of the outer surface and ends of the feature
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Cable protecting device (10) for protecting cables (11) extending over a feature (13) on a pipe (12) surface, said feature (13) having a known length outside said pipe circumference and having a first and second end surface, the cable protecting device (10) having a length in the direction of the pipe (12) being longer than the said feature (13), and comprising a channel for enclosing the cable (11) to be protected and a recess in the inner surface adapted for containing at least a part of the feature (13) and the features first and second end surfaces, the ends of said protecting device (10) at least partially covering the corresponding parts of the feature (13) ends, wherein the length of the recess corresponds essentially to the length of the feature (13), each end of said recess being provided with engaging means (5,6) adapted to engage with the corresponding end surfaces of the feature (13), thus fixing the cable protecting device (10) to the feature (13), and wherein the cable protecting device (10) is made in one piece, including a flexible spring section (4) in the section extending over the recess, between the first and second ends of the cable protecting device (10).