Rotatable Cable Manifold for Pressure Sewer Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to efficiently lay and connect glass fibre cable networks in pressure sewers due to the inability to introduce robots or open the system for cable installation, leading to blockages and difficulty in tracing conduit locations underground.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable cable passage manifold system is introduced, allowing the cable to be exposed and protected during excavation, with additional features like cable tensioners and inspection wells to manage cable placement and prevent damage, and a liquid pressure generator for navigating obstacles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a robot is introduced into the pressure sewer for cable laying, then cable installation becomes automated and efficient, but the system cannot be opened due to pressure and the robot cannot navigate the constrained environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable installation efficiencyVSAvoidaccessibility for cable installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is extracted from the pressure sewer through a cable passage that allows temporary removal of the cable at specific locations. This enables cable installation without introducing complex robotic systems into the pressurized environment, as the cable can be fed through and secured at access points along the sewer line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A cable passage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the external cable laying equipment and the pressurized sewer interior. This mediator allows cable installation without direct robotic intervention in the high-pressure zone, bridging the gap between external control and internal deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the pressure sewer is opened to make connections, then cable access becomes possible, but the pressurized system cannot be opened and connections cannot be made

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessVSAvoidsystem integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable passage enables extraction of the cable at specific locations without opening the pressurized sewer system. The cable can be accessed, connected, and secured while the sewer maintains its sealed, pressurized state, preserving system integrity while enabling cable operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable passage provides dynamic access points that can be opened and closed as needed for cable installation and maintenance, while the main sewer system remains sealed. This dynamic access mechanism allows operational flexibility without compromising the overall system pressure and integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the cable is drawn through the pressure sewer, then cable installation is achieved, but the cable location cannot be determined and blockages are difficult to trace

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable installation speedVSAvoidcable location tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The cable passage provides feedback points where the cable can be monitored, tracked, and secured at known locations along the sewer. These access points enable verification of cable position and detection of potential blockages, providing spatial reference information that would otherwise be unavailable in the buried, pressurized system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If the cable lies inside the pressure sewer, then the system remains sealed, but blockages occur and the cable cannot be accessed for maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem sealingVSAvoidcable maintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cable passage enables easy extraction and access to the cable at any location along the sewer for maintenance, repair, or reconfiguration. The cable can be removed from the pressurized environment through these access points without compromising the overall system seal, allowing straightforward maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2699954B1Optical fiber cable installation in a pressure sewerage
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 JELCER IP
  • EP2699954B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2699954B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2699954B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A house connection for a cable in a medium conduit comprises a cable passage with which the cable is taken out of the medium conduit. The cable passage is provided with a cable tensioner with which a portion of the cable can be tensioned in the medium conduit. The cable passage is preferably part of a rotatable manifold.