Angularly Offset Parabolic Wall Profile for Cable Anchor Stress Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable termination designs, particularly those using revolved linear and parabolic wall profiles, face stress concentration issues in the neck region, leading to premature failure under tensile loads due to inadequate stress distribution and mechanical interference.

Innovation Solution

An anchor with a revolved wall profile defined by a portion of a parabola, angularly offset from its axis of rotation, is used to create a tangency condition at the neck boundary, a shoulder in the mid region, and a controlled slope transition, optimizing stress distribution across the neck, mid, and distal regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a revolved linear or parabolic wall profile is used in the anchor, then the anchor can provide mechanical interference to retain the potted region, but stress concentration occurs in the neck region leading to premature failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveultimate tensile strengthVSAvoidpremature failure under tensile loads
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by angularly offsetting the parabolic wall profile from the anchor's central axis. This creates an asymmetric geometry where the wall slope varies around the circumference, producing a more uniform stress distribution in the neck region compared to symmetric profiles. The asymmetric design eliminates stress concentration points while maintaining mechanical interference retention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes curvature by employing a parabolic wall profile instead of linear or constant-radius arc profiles. The parabolic curve provides a gradually varying slope that better distributes stresses. When angularly offset, this curved profile creates optimal stress flow paths through the neck region, preventing stress concentration and improving both strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Stress or pressure

If the wall profile is optimized for stress distribution, then peak stress concentrations are reduced, but the anchor geometry becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepeak stress concentrationVSAvoidanchor geometry complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the parabolic wall profile through angular offset from the central axis. This single geometric parameter change (angular offset) transforms a simple symmetric profile into an asymmetric profile that optimizes stress distribution. The solution achieves stress concentration reduction through parameter modification rather than introducing complex multi-component structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2250394B1Cable termination with an angularly offset parabolic wall profile
Publication Date: 2014.07.09 BRIGHT TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP2250394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2250394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2250394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An anchor having an internal passage defined by a revolved wall profile. The anchor is conceptually divided into four regions: a neck region, a transition region, a mid region, and a distal region. Each of these regions has its own design considerations. A portion of a parabola is used to define at least part of the revolved wall profile. The parabolic portion is preferably used in at least the neck and mid regions. In order to create a tangency condition proximate the neck anchor boundary, the parabola used to create the wall profile is angularly offset from the wall profile's axis of rotation.