Cable Accessory Switching for Dual Resistance Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable testing systems can only test either direct current resistance of the conductor structure or insulation resistance of the insulation structure, not both simultaneously, leading to incomplete investigation of cable failures and increased costs for locating and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A cable accessory device with a one-way conducting element and grounding electrode that switches between grounding and open-circuit modes, allowing simultaneous testing of direct current resistance and insulation resistance by changing the polarity of applied voltage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a traditional cable testing system is used, then either direct current resistance or insulation resistance can be tested, but not both simultaneously, leading to incomplete cable failure investigation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of cable failure investigationVSAvoidtesting system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable accessory device is designed with a switchable connection configuration that enables it to perform multiple testing functions. By switching between different connection states (grounding electrode connected/ disconnected), the same device can test both direct current resistance of the conductor structure and insulation resistance of the insulation structure, eliminating the need for separate testing equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates a switchable connection configuration that dynamically changes the grounding electrode's connection state. This dynamic switching capability allows the device to adapt between different testing modes (DC resistance testing mode and insulation resistance testing mode), enabling comprehensive cable diagnostics with a single flexible system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If only one type of resistance testing is performed, then the testing process is simple, but cable damages cannot be comprehensively investigated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable damage detection accuracyVSAvoidtime for locating and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs both DC resistance testing and insulation resistance testing in sequence during a single cable diagnostic session. By preliminarily establishing the switchable connection configuration and conducting both tests comprehensively in one operation, the system identifies all potential cable issues (conductor damage, insulation damage, or intact cable) simultaneously, eliminating the need for repeated testing trips and reducing overall maintenance time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 comprehensive investigation of cable damages by flexibly switching between grounding and open-circuit states, reducing the time and cost associated with locating and maintaining cable failures.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way conducting element (301) and a grounding electrode (102), one end of the one-way conducting element being connected to a conductor structure in the cable, and the other end of the one-way conducting element being connected to the grounding electrode; the conductor structure in the cable is configured to enable, when being applied with voltages with different polarities, the one-way conducting element to have different on/off states

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way conduction (rectification): Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3761466B1Cable assist device, and submarine cable assist system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HMN TECH CO LTD
  • EP3761466B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3761466B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~6
  • EP3761466B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

A cable accessory device, including a one-way conducting element and a grounding electrode. One end of the one-way conducting element is connected to a conductor structure in a cable, and the other end is connected to the grounding electrode. By applying voltages with different polarities to the one-way conducting element, the one-way conducting element is enabled to have different on/off states. When the on/off state of the one-way conducting element is an on state, the conductor structure in the cable is connected to the grounding electrode via the one-way conducting element, so as to measure direct current resistance of the conductor structure. Moreover, when the on/off state of the one-way conducting element is an off state, the one-way conducting element breaks connection between the conductor structure and the grounding electrode, so as to measure insulation resistance of an insulation structure. In this way, tests for measuring direct current resistance of the conductor structure and insulation resistance of the insulation structure may be facilitated, so that failures of the cable may be comprehensively investigated to damages in the cable may be found in time, thus reducing subsequent costs in locating and maintenance.