Rotary Cutting and Stripping Tool for RF Radiating Coaxial Cable
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of RF connectors on radiating coaxial cables in harsh environments, such as tunnels, is challenging due to the difficulty in cutting and stripping the cables without introducing burrs, chips, or dirt, which can lead to increased passive intermodulation (PIM) and reduce system reliability.
Innovation Solution
A tool with jaws and blades is designed to cut and strip radiating coaxial cables, allowing for burr-less and chip-less cutting and stripping, enabling precise positioning of cutting and stripping blades to minimize PIM and facilitate the attachment of RF connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hand saw is used to cut the cable, then the cable can be cut, but burrs or chips are introduced into the inner conductor increasing PIM
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hand saw mechanical cutting system with a rotary blade cutting mechanism that rotates around the cable. This substitution enables burr-less and chip-less cutting, eliminating the source of contamination that increases PIM, while maintaining ease of cable cutting through the rotary motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cutting parameters by using a rotating blade with specific speed and trajectory around the cable, rather than linear back-and-forth sawing. This parameter change allows the blade to cleanly sever the cable without generating burrs or chips, thus improving PIM performance while maintaining cutting effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a brush is used to clean the cut end, then dirt can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the cutting blade to prevent burr and chip formation in the first place, rather than requiring subsequent cleaning. The burr-less cutting mechanism proactively eliminates the contamination source, making time-consuming brush cleaning unnecessary and reducing both time loss and operational difficulty.
3Ease of manufacture
If a knife is used to strip the outer insulating jacket, then the jacket can be removed, but deep cuts in the outer conductor occur increasing PIM
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional linear knife stripping mechanism with a rotary stripping blade that rotates around the cable. This substitution allows precise control of the stripping depth, enabling clean jacket removal without creating deep cuts in the outer conductor, thus maintaining low PIM performance while preserving ease of stripping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stripping parameters by using rotary motion with controlled blade depth and rotation speed, rather than manual knife pressure. This parameter control ensures the jacket is stripped cleanly without damaging the outer conductor, eliminating the PIM increase associated with deep cuts.
4Ease of manufacture
If a knife is used for stripping, then the process can be performed, but it is dangerous and requires skilled technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the dangerous manual knife stripping operation with a controlled rotary stripping blade system. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for skilled technicians by providing inherent control through the rotary mechanism, reducing the skill requirement while maintaining effective jacket stripping capability.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a tool to cut and strip a radiating coaxial cable. The tool comprises first and second jaws, a linkage that couples the first jaw to the second jaw, a cutting blade, and a stripping blade. The tool is configured to position at least a portion of the cutting blade to cut and sever the cable at a first point along the cable when the tool is rotated around the cable while the first jaw and the second jaw are closed around the cable. The tool is configured to position at least a portion of the stripping blade to cut the jacket of the cable, without severing the cable, at a second point along the cable when the tool is rotated around the cable while the first jaw and the second jaw are closed around the cable. Other embodiments are disclosed.