Quick Release Flange for Offshore Cable Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical connections between cables and structures, particularly in offshore applications, face challenges in ensuring secure engagement and easy release of cables within protective conduits, especially when cables need to be freely movable and resistant to environmental and physical forces.
Innovation Solution
A quick release flange system with a rotatable locking arm, biased by an elastomeric collar or spring, is mounted on the structure's opening, allowing secure locking and easy disengagement of the conduit connection collar, utilizing a weak link latch mechanism for controlled cable pull and a failsafe release mechanism for jammed situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lockable pull-in member with spring-loaded fingers is used to secure the conduit to the foundation, then the conduit is prevented from being pulled back out, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two functional segments: a flexible bend restriction section made of polymer material and a rigid locking segment made of steel. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while reducing overall complexity compared to a fully rigid spring-loaded finger system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using spring-loaded fingers that actively engage with the foundation, the invention uses a passive abutment portion with a larger diameter than the entry hole. The conduit is locked by the geometric constraint of the abutment fitting into the foundation opening, rather than by active spring pressure, simplifying the mechanism.
2Productivity
If wire leaders with different breaking strengths are used in a weak link arrangement, then the conduit and cable can be pulled in sequence, but the device complexity and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex weak link arrangement with a simple shear pin that is designed to break at a predetermined force. The shear pin is a simple, inexpensive, disposable component that fails in a controlled manner to release the locking arm, eliminating the need for multiple wire leaders with different breaking strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical weak link arrangement with multiple wire leaders is replaced by a simpler shear pin mechanism. The shear pin provides a predetermined breaking point through a simple mechanical design, reducing the number of components and potential failure points while maintaining the sequential pulling function.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatable locking arm with shear pin is used for quick release, then cable installation and release become easier, but the reliability under high pulling forces may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shear pin is designed with a predetermined breaking strength that is carefully selected to be higher than the maximum pulling force expected during normal cable installation but lower than the force required to fail the locking arm or damage the foundation. This parameter optimization ensures reliable locking during installation while enabling controlled release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shear pin acts as a predetermined failure point that protects the locking arm and other critical components from excessive forces. By designing the shear pin to break at a specific force level, the system provides a safety mechanism that prevents catastrophic failure while maintaining reliability under normal operating conditions.
4Reliability
If the abutment portion has a larger diameter than the entry hole, then the conduit is mechanically blocked from being pulled back out, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The abutment portion is designed with a localized increase in diameter that is specifically positioned to engage with the foundation opening. This local geometric feature provides reliable mechanical blocking without requiring high precision throughout the entire conduit, as only the abutment portion needs to match the foundation opening dimensions.
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 system ensures secure engagement and easy release of cables, preventing conduit pull-back and facilitating cable installation while providing a failsafe mechanism for jammed conditions, enhancing operational efficiency and safety in offshore cable installations.
Implementation Method 1
A quick release flange mounted to a mouth of a J-Tube or other opening in a structure. The quick release flange is an essentially cylindrical body having a cylindrical opening. Mounted on the outside surface of the cylindrical body is a rotatable locking arm having a downwardly projecting shoulder member biased downward by an elastomeric collar arranged about the outer circumference of the flange, with the shoulder member underneath and pressed downward by the elastomeric collar.
Implementation Method 2
According to another aspect, the shoulder member is downwardly biased by a spring, by magnetic forces or other means.
Data Source
AI summary
A quick release cable pull-in system for securing a conduit (28) in which is arranged a cable (38) to the mouth of a J-Tube (12) or other opening in a structure. The system includes a collar (30) with a groove (32) attached to the end of the conduit. A rotatable locking arm (20) releasably engages the collar when a tapered nose (34) cone is pulled into the J-Tube. The rotatable locking arm has a shoulder member (44) that is biased downward into the interior of the cylindrical opening. According to one aspect, the shoulder member is downwardly biased by an elastomeric collar (46. According to another aspect, the shoulder member is downwardly biased by a spring, by magnetic forces or other means.