Direct-Contact Ceramic Cable Layer for Compact Fire Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fire-resistant cables, despite using composite materials and ceramifiable layers, do not always achieve optimal fire resistance and often require significant space and transformation during a fire to provide resistance, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A cable design featuring a ceramic layer directly in contact with the electrically conductive element, obtained through heat treatment of a liquid ceramic composition, which is already in a ceramic state and resistant to high temperatures, eliminating the need for intermediate layers and optimizing fire resistance while reducing cable dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ceramifiable layer is used to provide fire resistance, then fire resistance is achieved through transformation during fire, but the cable requires significant space and the fire resistance properties are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the ceramic layer in its final fire-resistant state before cable assembly, rather than relying on transformation during fire. The ceramic layer is applied as a slurry or suspension coating on the conductor, then dried and sintered to create a dense, fire-resistant ceramic structure that is already in its protective state, eliminating the need for space-consuming ceramifiable layers that must transform during fire exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the protective layer by using a ceramic material with controlled composition (including metal oxides, silica, and other inorganic components) and processing it through sintering at specific temperatures to achieve optimal density and fire resistance. This parameter optimization allows the ceramic layer to provide superior fire protection in a thinner configuration compared to traditional ceramifiable layers
2Reliability
If a ceramifiable layer is used to provide fire resistance, then fire resistance is achieved, but the fire resistance properties are not optimized and transformation during fire is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complexity of transformation during fire by performing the ceramic formation process in advance. The ceramic layer is applied to the conductor as a coating slurry, dried, and sintered during normal manufacturing processes, creating a stable, dense ceramic structure that provides fire resistance without requiring any further transformation when exposed to fire conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite ceramic materials comprising multiple inorganic components (metal oxides, silica, fillers) that work synergistically to provide enhanced fire resistance. The composite nature of the ceramic layer, combined with its direct application to the conductor, creates a sophisticated protective system that outperforms simple ceramifiable layers while eliminating the need for complex transformation processes during fire
3Reliability
If intermediate layers are used between the conductive element and fire-resistant layer, then protection is provided, but cable dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates intermediate layers from the cable structure by applying the ceramic protective layer directly to the conductor surface. This direct application removes unnecessary intermediary materials and layers, reducing the overall cable diameter while maintaining comprehensive protection. The ceramic layer serves both as the primary protective barrier and as the fire-resistant layer, consolidating functions that would otherwise require separate layers
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 ceramic layer provides enhanced fire resistance and reduced dimensions, allowing the cable to withstand higher temperatures without the need for transformation during a fire, outperforming traditional ceramifiable layer-based cables.
Implementation Method 1
said ceramic layer being obtained by heat treatment of a liquid ceramic composition
Implementation Method 2
the cable has improved fire resistance and reduced dimensions. Furthermore, said cable may be used as a telecommunication cable. Finally, the cable of the invention has, at the end of its manufacture, all the properties to resist a fire or temperatures lower than those reached in the event of a fire
Data Source
AI summary
A cable, in particular a power and/or telecommunication cable, has at least one elongated electrically conductive element, and at least one fire-resistant layer surrounding said elongated electrically conductive element. The fire-resistant layer is a ceramic layer in direct physical contact with the elongated electrically conductive element.