Hydraulic Cable Carousel Support Without Wheels or Sliprings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable carousels are expensive to build, have low operational reliability, and require complex electrical power transfer via sliprings, which can lead to cable breakage and economic losses, and they also heavily load the ground, necessitating extensive foundations.
Innovation Solution
A cable carousel is supported by a pool with a sealed, pressurized liquid chamber that provides positive pressure for rotation, eliminating the need for wheels and sliprings, and allowing for horizontal movement and rotation, while a modular construction method reduces costs and enhances reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wheel-driven systems with electric motors are used to rotate the cable carousel, then the carousel can be rotated and cable can be wound and unwound, but the operational reliability decreases due to cable breakage risks from sliprings and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the wheel-driven system with electric motors and sliprings from the carousel structure. Instead, the carousel is rotated by external rotating means positioned at the periphery, extracting the problematic components from the carousel itself and eliminating the reliability issues associated with sliprings and wheel-driven systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary liquid pressure system as a mediator between the power source and the carousel rotation mechanism. Pressurized liquid transmitted through hoses to pistons provides rotational force without direct mechanical connection, eliminating the need for sliprings and reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If electric motors on the carousel are used to drive the wheels, then the carousel can be rotated, but the construction cost increases due to the need for sliprings for electrical power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electric motors from the carousel structure and relocates them to the periphery as external rotating means. This eliminates the need for sliprings and associated electrical power transfer infrastructure, reducing both construction cost and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic or pneumatic liquid pressure system to transmit rotational force to the carousel. This alternative to electrical motor-driven wheels simplifies the system by eliminating sliprings and reduces construction costs while maintaining rotational capability
3Force
If rails and wheels are used to support and rotate the cable carousel, then the carousel can be rotated and positioned, but the ground loading increases requiring extensive foundations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rail and wheel support system from the carousel design. The carousel is instead supported by a pool structure with external rotating means at the periphery, extracting the heavy mechanical support requirements and significantly reducing ground loading and foundation needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a liquid pressure system with pistons to provide rotational force and support, replacing the mechanical rail-wheel system. This hydraulic/pneumatic support mechanism reduces ground loading compared to heavy rails and extensive foundations while maintaining the ability to rotate and position the carousel
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 reduces construction costs, enhances operational reliability by eliminating wheel-driven systems, and minimizes ground loading, providing a stable and efficient means of cable storage and handling.
Implementation Method 1
Pressurised liquid in the closed chamber provides a positive pressure for supporting the carousel and allowing rotation of the carousel
Implementation Method 2
The seal may be attached to the carousel, and slide against the pool outer wall
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for storing cable, comprising a cable carousel (1) rotatable about a vertical axis (2), and rotating means (30) for rotating (4) the carousel (1) about the vertical axis (2), for allowing winding cable (5) on the carousel (1) and unwinding cable (5) from the carousel (1). The carousel (1) is received in a pool (7), a seal (10) is arranged between an outer side (12) of the carousel (1) and a pool outer wall (9). A closed chamber (13) is defined in the pool (7) below the carousel (1), and pressurized liquid in the closed chamber (13) provides a positive pressure for supporting the carousel (1) and allowing rotation (4) of the carousel (1).