Segmented Aerial Cable Conduit Without Lashing Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead cable support systems face issues with weight-related structural costs due to heavy polymer ducts, sagging conduits that can accumulate water, and the risk of broken lashing wires causing wildfires, along with limitations in upgrading or replacing cables without significant infrastructure changes.
Innovation Solution
Aerial segmented virtual conduit system using interconnected polymer tubes with connecting rods to attach cables to a messenger wire, allowing for easy addition or removal of cables without rebuilding infrastructure, reducing strain on poles and eliminating the need for lashing wires, while preventing water accumulation and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy polymer ducts are used to protect cables from environmental hazards, then cable protection is improved, but pole structural costs increase due to added weight
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous polymer duct is divided into multiple separate cable holder units spaced along the messenger wire. Each unit provides localized protection for cables at specific attachment points, eliminating the need for a continuous heavy duct spanning the entire distance between poles. This segmentation maintains cable protection where needed while dramatically reducing the total weight that poles must support.
2Strength
If lashing wires are used to attach cables to messenger wire, then cable support is achieved, but wildfire risk increases due to broken lashing wires causing sparks
Solution Approach 1:
The lashing wires are completely removed from the system and replaced with a non-conductive polymer cable holder that attaches cables to the messenger wire through friction and geometric constraints. This extraction eliminates the source of sparks that could ignite wildfires while maintaining the essential function of supporting cables along the messenger wire.
3Ease of manufacture
If sagging conduits are used to span between poles, then installation simplicity is improved, but water accumulation occurs that can freeze and crush cables
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple discrete cable holder units distributed along the messenger wire rather than a single continuous sagging conduit. Each holder is individually attached at controlled intervals, preventing water accumulation between holders while maintaining installation simplicity. The segmented approach allows proper drainage at each attachment point without creating sagging sections where water can pool and freeze.
4Reliability
If heavy polymer ducts and robust pole structures are used to support cables over ravines, then cable support reliability is improved, but infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable support system is divided into multiple lightweight cable holder units spaced along the messenger wire span over the ravine. Each unit independently supports cables at its location, distributing the load across many small attachment points rather than requiring a single heavy continuous duct and robust intermediate pole structure. This maintains cable support reliability over the ravine while dramatically reducing infrastructure cost.
Data Source
AI summary
An aerial cable support system includes a first cable holder with a first tubular member and a second tubular member attached thereto. First and second elongated links are attached within first and second opposed openings of the first tubular member. A messenger wire is inserted through a sidewall of the second tubular member. At least one cable is either inserted through the sidewall of the second tubular member or through a sidewall of a third tubular member attached to the first and/or second tubular members. By attaching a series of cable holders together using a series of elongated links, a virtual conduit system is created to push cable(s) along a messenger wire between two poles and to support the cables from the messenger wire.