Flexible Rope Termination Device for Marine Geophysical Surveying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rope terminations in marine geophysical prospecting often result in increased stress and friction wear due to fleet angles, leading to premature wear and the need for frequent replacements, causing idle time in the industry.
Innovation Solution
A rope termination device featuring a connector with a passage that allows the rope to rotate and move freely in a centerplane, combined with a flexible tail that distributes rope tension and minimizes fleet angles, reducing stress and wear by absorbing misalignment and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional sheave-to-bolted connections or thimble to shackle connections are used, then the rope termination is constrained to move substantially in a plane perpendicular to the axial centerline, but this constraint introduces fleet angles that increase stress and friction wear on the rope
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by allowing the connector to rotate freely about its axial centerline, transforming the static constrained connection into a dynamic system. This rotation capability enables the connector to automatically adjust and align with the rope tension direction, eliminating fleet angles and the associated stress and friction wear while maintaining connection stability through controlled movement rather than rigid constraint
2Device complexity
If the connector is constrained to move in a fixed plane, then structural simplicity is maintained, but rope wear increases due to inability to accommodate misalignment and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates a simple rotational degree of freedom about its axial centerline, adding minimal structural complexity while dramatically improving reliability. This single rotational movement allows the connector to accommodate misalignment between sheaves, vibration, and strumming of the rope, thereby eliminating fleet angles and extending rope service life without requiring complex multi-axial adjustment mechanisms
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional fixed-plane connectors are used, then manufacturing and installation are straightforward, but frequent rope replacement is required due to excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
The connector maintains ease of manufacture by implementing a single rotational degree of freedom about the axial centerline, which can be achieved through simple bearing or bushing arrangements. This dynamic capability prevents rope wear and eliminates the need for frequent rope replacement, thereby reducing operational downtime and improving productivity without complicating the manufacturing process
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
The solution effectively reduces rope wear and extends the lifespan of rope terminations by minimizing fleet angles and distributing tension, thereby reducing maintenance and operational downtime in marine surveying operations.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible tail that distributes rope tension and minimizes fleet angles, reducing stress and wear by absorbing misalignment and vibration
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide rope termination devices with flexible members for accommodating fleet angle in the rope without undue frictional wear on the rope. A metal connector is fastened to a tail with a flexure in a direction perpendicular to a plane through an axial centerline of the rope termination device. The rope wraps around the tail and the metal connector, lying in a passage formed around an exterior of the components, and may be secured by an overbraid jacket applied around the tail portion of the rope termination device.