Lighted Heat Trace Cable Termination for Multi-Angle Status Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piping systems face challenges in verifying the operational status of heating cables, particularly in cold weather environments, due to limitations in monitoring methods such as visual inspections which are cumbersome and less accurate, especially when pipes are elevated or heavily insulated, leading to potential hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A lighted cable termination assembly with a stand and a lighted end cap device that provides illumination from multiple angles, allowing for easier verification of heating cable operation from various positions without requiring users to reposition themselves, ensuring visibility from beneath the assembly and accommodating different pipe diameters and insulation levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If visual inspection of lighted towers is used to verify heating cable operation, then the method is simple and cost efficient, but the inspection is difficult when the lighted tower is located along an elevated piping system or occluded by pipe insulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar light emission to three-dimensional omnidirectional light emission by positioning multiple light sources at different locations around the heating cable. This dimensional change allows light to reach observers from multiple angles simultaneously, solving the visibility problem when towers are elevated or occluded by insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides a single lighted tower into multiple separate light sources positioned at different locations around the heating cable. This segmentation allows each light source to illuminate from its specific position, collectively providing omnidirectional visibility that overcomes the limitations of a single centralized tower.
2Measurement precision
If electronic monitoring of heating circuits is implemented, then operational verification may be more accurate, but it is not economically feasible when many heating cable circuits are present and requires significant preventative maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex electronic monitoring systems with inexpensive visual light indicators. The light sources are simple, low-cost components that provide sufficient verification capability without requiring sophisticated electronics, extensive maintenance, or complex installation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating cable system itself generates the verification signal by powering the light sources directly through the same electrical current that heats the cable. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate monitoring equipment, reducing system complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining verification accuracy.
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
Enhances the visibility of heating cable operation from multiple angles, reducing the risk of hazardous conditions and improving safety by providing a more accurate and efficient method for verifying the operational status of heating cables, even in obstructed views.
Implementation Method 1
the heating cables are electrically powered
Implementation Method 2
a lighted end cap device that provides illumination from multiple angles
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted cable termination assembly for a heat trace cable is provided. The lighted cable termination assembly includes a stand, a base component, a lens, and a plurality of light emitting components. The stand has a first perimeter, and the base component is coupled to the stand and has a second perimeter. The lens has a proud surface and is coupled to the base component so that the proud surface extends radially outside of the first perimeter and the second perimeter. The plurality of light emitting components are disposed under the lens and configured to be powered by the heat trace cable.