Deep-Sea Lifting Cable Structure for Low Radial Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep sea cables face challenges in maintaining lifting capacity and reducing radial deformation under high pressures and long distances, with conventional designs experiencing significant constructional stretch and low axial stiffness, limiting their effectiveness in deep sea operations.
Innovation Solution
A deep sea cable design featuring a cable core surrounded by armouring with high stiffness synthetic ropes and interstices filled with a high viscous filler, combined with a central soft polymer core in power cables, enhances elasticity and axial stiffness, minimizing radial deformation and allowing for improved signal and power transfer with reduced diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional cable designs are used, then the cable can transmit power and signals, but the lifting capacity is insufficient and radial deformation is high under deep sea pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The cable employs a composite structure combining steel wire armouring for strength, synthetic filler materials for volume stability, and polymer insulation layers. This multi-material composite approach enables the cable to simultaneously achieve high lifting capacity through steel reinforcement and resistance to radial deformation through the compressible yet structurally stable filler materials that maintain cable geometry under deep sea pressure
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cable have specialized properties: the armouring layer provides localized strength for lifting capacity, the filler materials provide localized volume stability and shape maintenance, while the conductor core provides electrical functionality. This local optimization of material properties allows each component to address specific requirements without compromising overall performance
2Ease of operation
If the cable diameter is reduced for better handling, then ease of operation improves, but lifting capacity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cable uses high-strength steel wire armouring combined with efficient synthetic filler materials that provide structural support without excessive volume. This composite construction achieves high lifting capacity in a compact diameter, improving handling ease while maintaining strength through optimized material selection and structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The cable design optimizes the diameter-to-strength ratio by changing material parameters: using high-strength steel wires with optimized diameters, selecting filler materials with appropriate density and compressibility, and configuring layer thicknesses to achieve maximum lifting capacity within minimal outer diameter for ease of handling and deployment
3Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic ropes with high elastic modulus are used in armouring, then axial stiffness increases, but manufacturing complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The armouring combines synthetic fibers with high elastic modulus in a rope construction that integrates multiple strands. This composite rope structure achieves the required axial stiffness through material selection and structural configuration, while standard rope manufacturing processes keep production complexity manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The armouring ropes are designed with localized high-stiffness characteristics where needed, using synthetic fibers with specific elastic moduli in critical load-bearing positions. This allows optimization of axial stiffness in the armouring layer without requiring all components throughout the cable to be manufactured with equally complex high-performance specifications
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 increases the elasticity and axial stiffness of the cable, reducing radial deformation and friction, enabling efficient power and signal transfer while maintaining a smaller diameter, thus enhancing lifting capacity and operational reliability in deep sea environments.
Implementation Method 1
the high viscous filler has an apparent viscosity of more than 100 Pas at 35° C., preferably the apparent viscosity is more than 500 Pas, more preferably more than 1000 Pas at 35° C.
Implementation Method 2
each stiff rope is made of yarn comprising filaments that have an axial elastic modulus of above 80 GPa, or above 120 GPa, preferably above 145 GPa or above 160 GPa
Data Source
AI summary
A deep sea lifting cable having a cable core (36) surrounded by armouring (32), wherein the armouring is surrounded by an outer jacket (33), wherein the cable core comprises at least one power cable (10) is disclosed. The armouring (32) comprises synthetic stiff ropes and interstices (35) between the stiff ropes are filed with a high viscous filler.