Closed-Cell Foam Sealing Plug for Cable Shafts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing solutions fail to effectively seal micropipe bundles of different diameters and larger cable laying pipes, leading to issues with sanding and silting up, and do not provide a watertight or airtight seal.

Innovation Solution

A sealing plug with a predominantly closed-cell foam material featuring blind holes of varying cross-sectional dimensions along its shaft, allowing for the secure insertion and sealing of cables and pipes of different diameters, with the option to modify the bottom of the blind holes for larger diameters, and small radial bores for individual cables, ensuring a tight fit and preventing ingress of sand and water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional sealing plug with uniform structure is used, then it can seal a single diameter, but it cannot seal micropipe bundles of different diameters and larger cable laying pipes simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capability for different diametersVSAvoidstructure of sealing plug

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plug is segmented into multiple functional zones with different depression types: blind holes for micropipe bundles and through holes for larger cables/pipes. Each zone is optimized for its specific sealing function, allowing the single plug to handle multiple diameter ranges effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing plug is designed as a multi-functional device that can seal various types of openings simultaneously - blind holes seal micropipe bundles (25mm or 50mm diameter), while through holes seal larger cables or pipes (110mm diameter), making it universally applicable to different sealing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the sealing plug uses open-cell foam material, then it is easier to process, but it does not provide adequate sealing against sanding and silting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing of foam materialVSAvoidsanding and silting protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies using closed-cell foam material (such as cross-linked polyethylene or polypropylene) which provides effective sealing against sanding and silting while maintaining manufacturability. The closed-cell structure prevents ingress of sand and water, solving the harmful factors issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 sealing plug effectively secures micropipe bundles and larger cable laying pipes against sanding and silting, while maintaining a secure seal against water and air ingress, with the foam material's elasticity allowing self-closure after cable removal.

Implementation Method 1

the stopper consists of a predominantly closed-cell or closed-pore foam material... the foam material lying tightly against the respective cable or pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3079214B1Closure stopper for a cable shaft or a cable laying tube

Publication Date: 2020.09.23 LIC LANGMATZ

Figure 1A~1D
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Figure 3

AI summary

The sealing plug for a cable duct or cable laying pipe, with a plug shaft and a radially projecting head section having a closed end wall, is characterized in that the plug shaft has a plurality of blind bores extending in the axial direction of the plug from its free end, and that the plug is made of a predominantly closed-cell foam material.