Optical Cable Tube Diameter Ratio for Aeronautics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical cable assemblies are heavy, bulky, and not suitable for aeronautical applications due to insufficient mechanical strength, fire resistance, and extreme temperature conditions, while also being difficult to install and maintain in limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
An assembly comprising a tube with an optimized diameter ratio for the optical cable, featuring a polymer-based tube with specific friction coefficients and mechanical properties, allowing for easy installation and maintenance, and accommodating multiple optical cables without bending or twisting, along with a protective jacket for the optical cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If multiple protective elements (tubes, microconduits, conduits) are used to protect optical fibres, then mechanical strength and protection are improved, but weight and volume increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protective functions into a single tube structure that simultaneously provides mechanical protection, fire resistance, and extreme temperature resistance. This eliminates the need for separate tubes, microconduits, and conduits, thereby reducing weight while maintaining comprehensive protection for optical fibres in aeronautical applications
2Strength
If multiple protective elements (tubes, microconduits, conduits) are used to protect optical fibres, then mechanical strength and protection are improved, but volume and compactness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protective layers and functions into a single integrated tube structure, eliminating the need for nested tubes, microconduits, and conduits. This reduces the overall volume and improves compactness while maintaining mechanical strength, making the assembly suitable for space-constrained aeronautical environments
3Volume of stationary object
If the tube diameter is reduced to minimize volume, then volume and weight are improved, but installation difficulty increases due to bending and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ratio between tube inner diameter and optical cable outer diameter to a specific range (0.4 to 0.8). This parameter optimization ensures the tube is compact enough to reduce volume while maintaining sufficient clearance to prevent bending and twisting during installation, thereby facilitating easy insertion and removal of optical cables
4Ease of operation
If the tube diameter is increased to facilitate installation, then installation ease is improved, but volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimized diameter ratio range (0.4 to 0.8) between the tube inner diameter and optical cable outer diameter. This precise parameter control allows the tube to be as small as possible while still providing sufficient clearance for easy installation and removal, eliminating the need for excessive volume to facilitate operation
5Ease of operation
If friction between tube and optical cable is reduced to facilitate insertion, then installation ease is improved, but mechanical grip and positioning worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface treatments to different regions of the tube. The insertion end has a low-friction surface to facilitate easy insertion of the optical cable, while other regions maintain higher friction to provide adequate mechanical grip and positioning. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between ease of installation and mechanical retention
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 assembly provides a lightweight, compact, and flexible solution for optical cable installation and maintenance in aeronautics, ensuring mechanical protection and minimal signal attenuation under impact, while facilitating easy insertion and removal of optical cables.
Implementation Method 1
the tube can have an inner surface having a static friction coefficient μs1 and the optical cable can have an outer surface having a static friction coefficient μs2, the difference between μs1 and μs2 having an absolute value ranging from 0.05 to 0.70
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly having a tube and at least one optical cable with the optical cable being placed inside the tube. The tube has an inner diameter D and in that the optical cable has an outer diameter d, the ratio d/D ranging from 0.10 to 0.80.