Emergency Cable Repair Using Priority Conductor Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical systems on vehicles, such as ships and aircraft, face challenges in quickly and efficiently repairing damaged cables and conductors, particularly in emergency situations where prioritization of repairs is critical for maintaining essential systems.

Innovation Solution

An emergency repair system comprising a case with a handheld electronic tester, electrical extension cables, connectors, and a priority guide, which allows for rapid identification and repair of critical conductors, using a daisy chain configuration to reconnect damaged sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional electrical system repair methods are used, then all damaged conductors must be identified and repaired, but this process is time-consuming and inefficient for emergency situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair speedVSAvoidtime to restore critical systems
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrical system into critical and non-critical conductors by implementing a priority-coded identification system. Conductors are assigned priority levels (e.g., P1 for critical, P2 for non-critical) that enable repair personnel to quickly identify and repair only the most essential conductors first, rather than treating all conductors equally. This segmentation directly addresses the contradiction by enabling selective repair of critical systems while deferring non-critical repairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-identifying and marking critical conductors with priority indicators before damage occurs. The system includes pre-established conductor identification codes and priority markings that are prepared in advance, allowing repair personnel to immediately begin repairing critical conductors when damage occurs, without needing to analyze or determine priority during the emergency repair process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If all conductors are inspected and repaired, then complete system restoration is achieved, but the complexity and time required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operational statusVSAvoidrepair process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces repair process complexity by segmenting conductors into priority groups with distinct identification codes. Instead of a uniform inspection and repair process for all conductors, the system divides conductors into critical (P1) and non-critical (P2) groups, allowing repair personnel to focus on P1 conductors first with a simplified process, then proceed to P2 conductors if time permits. This segmentation maintains system reliability by ensuring critical systems are restored while reducing overall process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different priority levels and identification characteristics to different conductors based on their criticality to system operation. Critical conductors have distinctive markings and codes that differentiate them from non-critical conductors, allowing repair personnel to apply different repair priorities and resources to different locations in the electrical system, thereby managing complexity while ensuring essential systems are restored.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of time

If conductor identification is performed without a priority system, then all conductors can be repaired uniformly, but critical systems cannot be restored quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to restore critical systemsVSAvoidconductor priority information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prevents loss of priority information by implementing preliminary action - priority identification codes and markings are established and applied to conductors before damage occurs. The system includes pre-defined conductor identification schemes where critical conductors are marked with specific codes (e.g., P1, P2) that remain intact through normal operation. When damage occurs, this pre-established information is immediately available to repair personnel, eliminating the need to determine priority during the emergency and preventing any loss of critical information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual identification methods including color-coded markings and labels on conductors to encode priority information. Critical conductors may have distinctive color markings or tags that make them immediately identifiable during repair operations. This visual encoding system ensures priority information is not lost and can be quickly perceived by repair personnel, directly addressing the contradiction between rapid restoration and information retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS12573821B2Systems and methods for emergency electrical systems repair
Publication Date: 2026.03.10 DIT-MCO INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • US12573821B2 patent drawing
  • US12573821B2 patent drawing
  • US12573821B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments provide a method for repairing an electrical system. The method can include detecting a disruption to the electrical system. The method can include identifying, at a damaged end, a first conductor within a first portion by sending a signal from one of the handheld electronic testers to the other handheld electronic testers through a first conductor. The method can include locating a non-damaged end of the second portion and connecting the non-damaged end of the second portion to a handheld electronic tester. The method can include locating a damaged end of the second portion and connecting the damaged end of the second portion to a handheld electronic tester. The method can include identifying the first conductor within the second portion by sending a signal from one electronic tester to the other electronic testers through the first conductor. The method can include connecting the first connector with the second connector.