Integrated Wire Clamp for Cable Separation and Corrosion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wire supporting clamps for messenger cables and equipment ground conductors in utility-scale solar power plants require separate devices for each cable type, leading to increased installation time, material usage, and potential galvanic corrosion issues.
Innovation Solution
A single wire supporting clamp design that integrates both messenger cable and equipment ground conductor support functions, featuring a base member, support spine, cable saddles, and deformable compression legs to secure cables and prevent contact-induced corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate clamps are used for messenger cables and equipment ground conductors, then each cable type can be secured independently, but installation time increases and material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate clamp functions (messenger cable support and equipment ground conductor support) into a single integrated clamp device. The clamp includes a body with a first cable saddle for the messenger cable and a second cable saddle for the equipment ground conductor, allowing both cables to be secured simultaneously by one installation action, thus reducing installation time while maintaining reliable support for both cable types.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a multi-functional device that performs multiple functions: supporting the messenger cable, supporting the equipment ground conductor, and electrically isolating them. This universal design eliminates the need for separate clamps for each cable type, reducing both installation time and material usage while ensuring proper support and isolation.
2Reliability
If separate clamps are used for messenger cables and equipment ground conductors, then each cable type can be secured independently, but material usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate clamp functions (messenger cable support and equipment ground conductor support) into a single integrated clamp device. The clamp includes a body with a first cable saddle for the messenger cable and a second cable saddle for the equipment ground conductor, allowing both cables to be secured simultaneously by one installation action, thus reducing installation time while maintaining reliable support for both cable types.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a multi-functional device that performs multiple functions: supporting the messenger cable, supporting the equipment ground conductor, and electrically isolating them. This universal design eliminates the need for separate clamps for each cable type, reducing both installation time and material usage while ensuring proper support and isolation.
3Reliability
If separate clamps are used for messenger cables and equipment ground conductors, then each cable type can be secured independently, but galvanic corrosion risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an electrical isolation component (such as a non-conductive material or insulator) between the first cable saddle for the messenger cable and the second cable saddle for the equipment ground conductor. This intermediary prevents direct electrical contact between the two conductors, eliminating the galvanic corrosion risk while maintaining mechanical support and proper spacing for both cables within the single clamp structure.
4Productivity
If a single integrated clamp is used for both cable types, then installation complexity reduces and installation time decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated clamp is segmented into distinct functional components: a body portion, a first cable saddle for the messenger cable, a second cable saddle for the equipment ground conductor, and an electrical isolation component. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while being part of a unified structure, making the device slightly more complex but still enabling simplified one-step installation compared to using separate clamps.
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 integrated clamp solution reduces installation complexity and time, minimizes material usage, and eliminates galvanic corrosion risks by ensuring proper separation and secure fastening of both cable types.
Implementation Method 1
The first compression leg can be deformably connected to the support spine... configured to form a first cable saddle when the first compression leg is in a compressed position
Data Source
AI summary
A wire supporting clamp is provided and includes a base member, a support spine, a first cable saddle, and a first compression leg. The base member has a proximal end and a distal end. The support spine is arranged on the proximal end of the base member and extends from the base member. The first cable saddle is positioned on the base member. The first compression leg is deformably connected to the support spine and spaced apart from the first cable saddle. The base member includes a first aperture arranged therein, and the first compression leg includes a second aperture arranged therein. The first and second aperture are aligned such that the first and second aperture are configured to have a securing member pass therethrough, where the securing member is configured to apply pressure to the first compression leg to deform the first compression leg into a compressed position.