Flexible Guiding Member for Submarine Cable Pulling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable drawing devices are not adapted to handle transverse pulling loads when submarine cables need to be pulled around bends, leading to potential damage or entanglement with obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A pulling assembly with a flexible guiding member that can transition from a straight to a bend state, allowing the cable to be guided around bends while exerting a bending moment to facilitate easier pulling, and a coupling mechanism to securely attach to the cable, including a tensioning system to adjust flexibility and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid cable drawing device is used to pull the cable in a straight line, then the pulling load is efficiently transmitted through the traction-resistant strands, but the device cannot handle transverse pulling loads when the cable needs to be pulled around a bend
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a coupling member for attaching to the cable, a flexible guiding member with articulating joints for navigating bends, and a pulling member for applying force. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively enabling the assembly to handle both straight-line pulling and bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member incorporates articulating joints that allow the structure to dynamically change its configuration from a straight state during normal pulling to a bent state when navigating around obstacles. This dynamic adaptability enables the assembly to respond to varying operational requirements without requiring multiple separate devices.
2Ease of operation
If the cable is pulled around a bend using a rigid device, then the pulling operation can proceed, but the cable may collide with or get stuck behind obstacles due to its stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guiding member acts as an intermediary between the rigid pulling assembly and the stiff submarine cable. It gradually introduces the necessary bend to the cable, allowing it to follow the desired path around obstacles without sudden movements that would cause collision or entanglement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member is constructed with flexible segments and articulating joints that can bend and flex, creating a flexible pathway that guides the stiffer cable around bends. This flexibility allows the system to accommodate the cable's resistance to bending while still achieving the necessary directional change.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guiding member is made highly flexible to navigate tight bends, then the cable can be guided around sharp corners, but the guiding member may exceed the flexibility and tensile strength limits of the submarine cable
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating joints in the guiding member allow it to dynamically adjust its bending angle, enabling it to navigate tight bends by distributing the bend across multiple segments rather than requiring a single sharp bend. This progressive bending reduces the stress concentration on the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding member creates a curved, gradual transition path rather than a sharp angle, distributing the bending stress along a longer arc. This curved geometry reduces the maximum bending moment applied to the cable at any single point, protecting it from exceeding its flexibility and tensile strength limits.
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 safe and efficient pulling of submarine cables around bends by distributing the pulling force effectively, preventing damage and entanglement, and ensuring the cable follows the desired path.
Implementation Method 1
the guiding member is flexible between a straight state in which the guiding member extends over a guiding length along a straight line between the pulling member and the second end of the coupling member and a bend state in which the guiding member extends along a bend line
Implementation Method 2
a coupling member for coupling of the pulling assembly to the submarine cable, wherein the coupling member is provided with an open first end for receiving a stripped end of the submarine cable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a pulling assembly and a method for pulling a submarine cable, wherein the pulling assembly comprises a pulling member facing in a terminal direction for connection to an external pulling means and a coupling member for coupling of the pulling assembly to the submarine cable, wherein the coupling member is provided with an open first end for receiving a stripped end of the submarine cable in a receiving direction in line with the longitudinal direction of said submarine cable, wherein the pulling assembly further comprises a guiding member that is flexible between a straight state in which the guiding member extends over a guiding length along a straight line between the pulling member and the second end of the coupling member and a bend state in which the guiding member extends along a bend line between the pulling member and the second end of the coupling member.