Elastomeric Member Expansion With a Tensioned Textile Sock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for expanding elastomeric members for cable joints require bulky machinery, skilled operation, and have limited shelf life, necessitating improvements in portability, ease of use, and maintenance-free operation.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus with a textile friction reduction unit for expanding elastomeric members in the field, utilizing a tensioned textile sock to reduce friction and enable expansion without lubrication, allowing for easy installation on holdout elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional expansion machines are used to expand elastomeric members on holdouts, then the expansion process can be completed, but the equipment becomes bulky and requires significant storage space and skilled operation
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional expansion machine is divided into separate functional components: a portable expansion cone, a separate tensioning device with textile friction reduction unit, and a holdout element. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and lightweight while working together to achieve the expansion function, eliminating the need for a single complex bulky machine.
Solution Approach 2:
A textile friction reduction unit (sock) is introduced as an intermediary between the expansion cone and the elastomeric member. This textile element mediates the expansion process by reducing friction and enabling the elastomeric member to expand smoothly without requiring complex mechanical guidance systems or skilled operation.
2Productivity
If elastomeric members are expanded and assembled on holdouts by manufacturers, then the products are ready for installation, but the shelf life of expanded members is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric members are pre-assembled on holdout elements in a compressed, non-expanded state during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the members to be prepared in advance without expanding them, preserving their shelf life. The expansion is then performed in the field just before installation, ensuring both long-term storage stability and installation readiness.
3Ease of operation
If lubricant is used during the expansion process, then friction is reduced, but maintenance requirements increase and contamination risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The textile friction reduction unit (sock) is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. Instead of using lubricant that requires maintenance and cleaning, the textile sock provides friction reduction through its material properties and can be simply removed and replaced after use, eliminating maintenance requirements and contamination risks.
4Reliability
If multiple manual interactions are required to operate expansion machines, then the process can be controlled, but the number of steps increases and skill requirements rise
Solution Approach 1:
The tensioning device and friction reduction unit are merged into a single integrated component system. The textile sock is simultaneously tensioned and positioned by the same mechanical action, combining multiple functions into one operation. This reduces the number of separate manual interactions required while maintaining reliable process control through the inherent mechanical design.
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
Enhances shelf life and simplifies the expansion process by reducing the need for bulky machinery and skilled labor, minimizing maintenance, and ensuring safe, efficient installation with low energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A textile friction reduction unit is provided, which is operable to be arranged at least partly between an outer surface of the expansion unit and an inner surface of the elastomeric member
Implementation Method 2
an expansion unit for radially expanding the elastomeric member, wherein the expansion unit is formed to receive the holdout element, so that the expanded elastomeric member can be deposited onto the holdout element
Implementation Method 3
Tensioning means are provided for axially tensioning the textile friction reduction unit during the expanding and depositing of the elastomeric member
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for depositing an elastomeric member in an expanded state on a holdout element and to a corresponding method. An apparatus for depositing an elastomeric member (102, 302, 402) in an expanded state on a holdout element (104, 304, 404) is provided, the apparatus (100, 300, 400) comprising: an expansion unit (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606) for radially expanding the elastomeric member (102, 302, 402), wherein the expansion unit (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606) is formed to receive the holdout element (104, 304, 404), so that the expanded elastomeric member (102, 302, 402) can be deposited onto the holdout element (104, 304, 404), a textile friction reduction unit (116, 216, 316), which is operable to be arranged at least partly between an outer surface of the expansion unit (106, 206, 306, 406, 506, 606) and an inner surface of the elastomeric member (102, 302, 402), wherein tensioning means are provided for axially tensioning the textile friction reduction unit (116, 216, 316) during the expanding and depositing of the elastomeric member (102, 302, 402).