Ethernet Cable Termination Assembly for High-Pressure Subsea Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethernet cables face challenges in subsea applications due to corrosive and high-pressure environments, requiring complex and expensive terminations that need specialized skills and testing.
Innovation Solution
A termination system for ethernet cables includes a wire cage with arms and contact sleeves, a termination cap, and a compression ring, forming a high-pressure seal without requiring special tools or skills, allowing for easy assembly and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complicated and expensive terminations are used for subsea ethernet cable applications, then reliability in corrosive high-pressure environment is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The termination system is divided into distinct modular components: a wire cage with multiple arms for individual conductor management, contact sleeves for electrical connections, a termination cap for sealing, and a compression ring for securing. Each component performs a specific function, allowing for simplified manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliability in subsea environments.
2Reliability
If complicated and expensive terminations are used for subsea ethernet cable applications, then reliability in corrosive high-pressure environment is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire cage arms are designed with self-aligning features that automatically position conductors into the correct locations during assembly. The compression ring provides self-adjusting compression force to secure all components uniformly. These self-service features eliminate the need for specialized tools and skilled operators, significantly improving ease of manufacture while maintaining connection reliability.
3Reliability
If complicated terminations with special technical processes are used, then reliability in subsea applications is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wire cage is pre-assembled with multiple arms positioned and configured before cable installation. The termination cap and compression ring are prepared in advance as complete sealing and securing units. This preliminary preparation of components allows for rapid assembly during field installation, significantly improving productivity while ensuring reliable subsea connections.
4Reliability
If complicated terminations requiring testing and inspection are used, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The termination design incorporates built-in features that prevent common failure modes before they occur: the compression ring ensures uniform contact pressure across all conductors, the termination cap provides environmental sealing, and the wire cage structure maintains conductor positioning. These design features inherently ensure reliability, eliminating the need for extensive post-assembly testing and inspection, thus reducing time loss.
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
Facilitates ethernet cable use in subsea environments by simplifying the termination process, eliminating the need for specialized tools and training, and reducing assembly time and costs, while ensuring reliable electrical connections and seals.
Implementation Method 1
a compression ring is positioned between the termination cap and the outer wall, the compression ring compressing the termination boot against the outer wall and the termination cap
Data Source
AI summary
A termination system includes an ethernet cable including eight conductors, a wire cage coupled to the ethernet cable and including eight arms arranged in a pattern, each arm including a first recess that extends to an end of the arm. Each conductor is associated with one of the arms and includes a portion positioned within the first recess. The termination also includes a connector having eight apertures arranged in the pattern, and eight contact sleeves, each disposed within one of the apertures and sized to receive one of the arms. The conductor associated with each arm is in electrical contact with the associated contact sleeve, and a termination cap is coupled to the cable.