Physical Process Applicator for Buried Cable Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of new telecommunication cables often requires labor-intensive and costly processes, such as excavation and trenching, to replace existing copper cables, which are limited by data bandwidth and transmission distance, necessitating the development of more efficient methods for cable replacement and installation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a physical process applicator that attaches to an existing buried cable, applies tension, and displaces surrounding ground material to remove the old cable while simultaneously installing a new one, using mechanisms like vibration, heating, or tensioning to facilitate the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If excavation and trenching are used to replace existing copper cable, then the new cable can be installed, but the process becomes labor-intensive and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable installation efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical excavation and trenching with a physical process applicator that uses non-mechanical methods (such as thermal, acoustic, or chemical processes) to remove existing cable and install new cable through the same pathway, eliminating the need for disruptive mechanical digging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The physical process applicator serves as an intermediary device that facilitates cable replacement by creating a controlled environment for cable removal and installation without requiring direct mechanical access through excavation, acting as a mediator between the existing cable infrastructure and the new cable installation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If copper cable is used for transmission, then installation is simpler, but data bandwidth and transmission distance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission capabilityVSAvoidcable replacement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The physical process applicator is designed as a universal system that can handle multiple cable types and transmission requirements, allowing the same infrastructure to support both traditional copper cable and modern high-bandwidth cable technologies, thereby improving adaptability without requiring separate installation systems for each cable type

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If extensive excavation is performed to install new cable, then the new cable can be placed, but installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable replacement speedVSAvoidground material displaced

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The physical process applicator applies localized treatment only to the specific area where cable replacement is needed, rather than performing extensive excavation across the entire installation path, thereby minimizing the quantity of ground material displaced while maintaining high replacement speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach reduces the need for extensive excavation, lowers installation costs, and enables efficient replacement and installation of new cables with improved bandwidth and transmission capabilities, addressing the limitations of traditional copper cables.

Implementation Method 1

The physical process applicator may be configured to tension the first cable, via the first coupler

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

using mechanisms like vibration, heating, or tensioning to facilitate the process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

using mechanisms like vibration, heating, or tensioning to facilitate the process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10886712B2System and method for new cable provisioning using applied physical process

Publication Date: 2021.01.05 CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

Novel tools and techniques for new cable provisioning utilizing an applied physical process are provided. A system includes a physical process applicator and a first coupler. The first coupler may be configured to attach to a first end of a first cable. The physical process applicator may be configured to apply a physical process to the first cable, and tension the first cable, via the first coupler. The first coupler may further be configured to cause, via the physical process, the first cable to displace at least some ground material surrounding the first cable, and allow at least part of the first cable to be removed.