Fibre-Reinforced Composite Cable Sleeve Self-Forming Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting and repairing cables, especially long or inaccessible cables, face challenges in securely applying a protective sleeve that can bend with the cable and maintain its position during use, as polymer-based sleeves suffer from creep and loss of shape when coiled.
Innovation Solution
A fibre-reinforced composite sleeve with a slit design that self-forms around the cable due to its resilient properties, allowing it to maintain shape and flexibility, and can be coiled for storage, featuring a bistable form for stability and ease of handling, with optional adhesive application for secure bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polymer-based protective sleeve is applied to the cable, then the cable is protected from damage and environmental factors, but the sleeve suffers from creep and loses its shape when coiled, making it unsuitable for long or inaccessible cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer matrix with fibre reinforcement (such as aramid, carbon, or glass fibres) to create a sleeve that maintains structural integrity and shape retention. The fibre reinforcement prevents creep while the polymer provides flexibility and protective properties, resolving the contradiction between protective capability and shape stability.
2Strength
If a rigid protective sleeve is used to protect the cable, then the cable is securely protected, but the sleeve cannot bend with the cable during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible shells by designing the protective sleeve as a thin-walled composite structure that can bend and deform with the cable while maintaining protective strength. The fibre-reinforced polymer construction allows the sleeve to flex without breaking, providing both strength and adaptability to cable movement.
3Reliability
If a long protective sleeve is applied to cover the entire cable length, then complete protection is achieved, but the sleeve occupies large volume and is difficult to store and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by designing the protective sleeve to be coilable into a compact form that fits within a small storage volume. The sleeve can be uncoiled to cover the entire cable length when needed, providing complete protection while occupying minimal space during storage and transport.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the sleeve is made from material with high structural properties to maintain shape, then the sleeve can self-form around the cable, but the sleeve cannot be coiled for storage and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using composite materials where the fibre reinforcement provides structural stability for self-forming, while the polymer matrix maintains flexibility that enables coiling. The composite structure allows the sleeve to be both structurally stable when applied and easily coilable for storage.
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 fibre-reinforced composite sleeve effectively protects cables from damage, corrosion, and environmental factors while allowing for bending and easy application to long or inaccessible cables, reducing downtime and maintenance costs by enabling in-situ repairs and compact storage.
Implementation Method 1
the sleeve comprises a fibre-reinforced composite body which has an extended form in which it is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube having a slit along its length by which the sleeve can be opened to receive the cable or cables so that the sleeve self forms around the cable or cables due to its resilience
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to methods of protecting a cable or cables, methods of repairing a cable or cables, to a sleeve, to a cable or cables in combination with a sleeve, and to a dispenser for a sleeve. The method of protecting a cable or cables comprises uncoiling a protective sleeve (1) and forming the sleeve around a length of the cable or cables (10). The sleeve comprises a fibre-reinforced composite body which has an extended form in which it is resiliently biased in the form of an elongate tube (4) having a slit along its length by which the sleeve (1) can be opened to receive the cable or cables (10) so that the sleeve self forms around the cable or cables due to its resilience. When coiled (5) the sleeve is opened out at the slit to assume a flattened cross section.