Modular Guide Sleeve With Rollers for Cable Pulling Around Bends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible linear members such as ropes, cables, and wires are prone to abrasion and buckling when pulled around corners or through tight spaces, leading to damage during installation, especially in confined environments where roller sheave fairing is difficult to install.
Innovation Solution
A guide sleeve kit comprising modules with internal and external guide members that reduce friction and allow for flexible linear members to be pulled through conduits and tight spaces without damage, featuring modules that can bend and move relative to each other and the conduit surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If roller sheave fairing is used to protect flexible linear members during pulling, then abrasion damage is reduced, but installation becomes difficult or impossible at sharp bends and in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve is divided into multiple modular sections that can be connected together. Each module contains its own guide members and can be independently installed or replaced. This segmentation allows the system to navigate sharp bends and reach remote locations by assembling multiple smaller units rather than installing one large rigid fairing.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members within each module are designed to be movable relative to the module body, allowing them to adjust their position and orientation dynamically. This dynamic capability enables the guide sleeve to adapt to sharp bends and varying conduit geometries, solving the installation difficulty at complex locations while maintaining protection functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the guide sleeve is made rigid to provide stable protection, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to navigate bends and tight spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the guide sleeve into multiple rigid modules connected by flexible joints, each module maintains structural stability while the connections between modules provide the necessary flexibility to navigate bends and tight spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members within each module are designed to move in multiple dimensions relative to the module body, allowing the rigid structure to adapt to three-dimensional conduit paths and sharp bends without compromising structural integrity.
3Device complexity
If internal guide members are made stationary to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but friction with the flexible linear member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal guide members are designed to move dynamically in response to the passage of the flexible linear member. This movement reduces friction by allowing the guide members to follow the contour of the pulled member rather than forcing the member to conform to a fixed guide path.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal guide members act as intermediaries between the flexible linear member and the module structure. Their ability to move independently reduces direct friction contact while still providing guidance and protection functionality.
4Ease of manufacture
If external guide members are fixed to the module to simplify mounting, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to reduce friction with conduit surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The external guide members are mounted to allow movement relative to the module body. This dynamic mounting reduces friction with the conduit surface by enabling the guide members to adjust their position and follow the conduit contour, while still maintaining secure attachment through simplified mounting features.
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 guide sleeve kit effectively protects flexible linear members from abrasion and buckling by reducing friction and allowing for flexible movement, making it suitable for use in various environments including underwater installations.
Implementation Method 1
internal guide members move relative to the flexible linear member whereby friction between the internal opening and the flexible linear member is reduced
Implementation Method 2
external guide members move relative to the inner surface of the conduit as the guide sleeve travels through the conduit whereby friction between the module and the inner wall of the conduit is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are guide sleeves and kits for guide sleeves having a plurality of modules. Each module may have an axial extending main body having first and second axially spaced apart opposed ends and an outer sidewall. The modules may also have an axially extending internal opening extending between the first and second axially spaced apart opposed ends for receiving a flexible linear member. Internal rollers may be associated with the internal opening so that as the flexible linear member travels axially through the internal opening, the internal rollers rotate relative to the flexible linear member. When the modules are connected, a first module may be axially moveable with respect to a second module and the guide sleeve may be bendable.