Instrumented Cable Termination for Precise Deepwater Payload Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable termination methods for high-strength synthetic fibers, particularly in deep water lifting and lowering operations, face challenges in accurately positioning payloads and monitoring load conditions due to the difficulty in handling and organizing these fibers, which are prone to low surface friction and lack rigidity, leading to inefficiencies in load transmission and positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An integrated cable termination package with an instrument package containing a processor and communication link, which includes a housing to transmit tensile loads and a collector that slides over strands to attach to a perimeter, enabling precise position determination and real-time load monitoring, thereby improving payload placement accuracy and automation of lifting processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high-strength synthetic filaments are used in cables, then cable strength-to-weight ratio is improved, but handling and organization difficulty increases due to low surface friction and lack of rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple individual filaments or strands that can be separately managed. Each filament is processed individually through the termination fitting, allowing for systematic organization and reduction of handling complexity despite the low friction characteristics of the synthetic materials.
Solution Approach 2:
A potting compound is introduced as an intermediary substance between the synthetic filaments and the end fitting. This compound fills the spaces between filaments, provides friction and structural support, and enables the filaments to be securely anchored within the fitting without relying on the inherent rigidity or surface friction of the filaments themselves.
2Reliability
If traditional potting compounds like molten lead are used, then cable termination reliability is improved, but environmental and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using molten lead to alternative potting compounds such as epoxies, polyesters, or other polymers that solidify through different mechanisms (chemical curing rather than freezing). This parameter change in material composition eliminates the toxic hazards associated with lead while maintaining the functional requirements of securing the filaments within the end fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material systems where synthetic polymer-based potting compounds are used instead of metallic lead. These composite materials provide similar structural support and anchoring functions while being environmentally friendly and free from the harmful effects of heavy metals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid cable designs combining metal and synthetic materials are used, then overall cable performance is improved, but termination complexity increases due to differential stiffness between materials
Solution Approach 1:
The end fitting and potting compound system is designed to universally accommodate different types of filaments regardless of material composition. The same termination mechanism effectively handles both rigid metal wires and flexible synthetic filaments, as well as hybrid combinations, by relying on the potting compound to provide uniform support and anchoring for all filament types within the fitting.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cable termination including, an integral instrument package providing intelligence. The instrument package may assume many forms and may serve many purposes. In a preferred embodiment, the termination includes a position-determining system and an on-board processor.. The processor determines a current location in space for the termination based on the information it is receiving. This positional information may then be transmitted to an external receiver. In the scenario where the termination is attached to a payload, the positional information may be used by an external positioning device (such as a crane) to control the motion of the termination and thereby place the payload in a desired position. The termination also preferably includes load-monitoring and recording features. The termination may also carry one or more ROV's/AUV's.