Fiber Termination Monitoring for Hidden Strand Slippage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synthetic filament cables lack reliable and practical methods for inspecting and monitoring the integrity of their strands within and just outside the termination, which is critical for ensuring their health and performance, especially in large-load applications.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system is introduced that allows for visual inspection and automated monitoring of cable strands, utilizing features such as marking bands, molded frangible collars, optical distance sensors, and frangible conductors to detect strand slippage and degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If synthetic filament cables are used for high-strength applications, then the strength-to-weight ratio is improved, but the ability to inspect and monitor strand integrity is worsened due to lack of visible indicators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color-coded marking bands wrapped around individual synthetic filaments to provide visual indicators of strand position and integrity. These colored bands enable inspectors to easily identify and monitor specific filaments for signs of wear, slippage, or degradation without compromising the high-strength properties of the cable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frangible collars as intermediary components that mechanically connect to the synthetic filaments. These collars serve as mediators between the invisible filament integrity and visible monitoring indicators, allowing detection of strand slippage and degradation through external observation points
2Reliability
If automated monitoring systems are added to detect strand slippage, then the reliability of cable performance is improved, but the device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic monitoring systems with simple mechanical indicators - specifically, frangible collars that visually indicate strand slippage through their position or condition. This mechanical approach achieves reliable monitoring while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is designed to be self-indicating through the natural position and condition of the frangible collars and marking bands. The system automatically provides visual feedback about strand integrity without requiring active sensors, power sources, or complex processing, thereby reducing overall system complexity
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
Enables accurate and non-destructive monitoring of cable strand integrity, providing early detection of issues like slippage and wear, thereby ensuring the reliability and safety of synthetic filament cables in critical applications.
Implementation Method 1
optical distance sensors... to detect strand slippage
Implementation Method 2
frangible conductors to detect strand slippage and degradation
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for monitoring the performance of a multi-stranded tensile member where a portion of the strands are concealed within a termination. The invention provides a monitoring system that allows the user to determine when one or more of the strands has degraded to a point of concern. In some embodiments the monitoring system depends on visual inspection and in other embodiments the monitoring system is automated.