Sheave-Roller Cable Feeding Unit for Single-Person Vessel Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Connecting multiple heavy power and data communication cables to a vessel's power connection requires significant manual effort and time, especially in harsh weather conditions, and existing cable management systems fail to facilitate efficient, single-person operation due to the weight and bulk of the cables.
Innovation Solution
A cable feeding unit with sheave rollers and drives that allow cables to be reeled in and out independently or together, supported by transmission mechanisms, enabling efficient transfer and connection to a vessel's power connection cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple heavy power cables are reeled in together through the hatch, then all cables can be transferred to the power connection cabinet simultaneously, but the operation becomes extremely difficult and requires multiple crew members due to the heavy weight
Solution Approach 1:
The cable reel is divided into multiple independent cable spools, each capable of feeding cables separately. This allows cables to be reeled in individually or in groups, reducing the weight burden on crew members while maintaining efficient transfer capability. Each spool can be operated independently to feed cables of different weights and lengths as needed.
2Ease of operation
If cables are reeled out one by one from the CMS, then the weight burden on crew members is reduced, but the connection time increases and valuable port time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cable feeding system allows dynamic adjustment of cable feeding mode - cables can be reeled out one by one or multiple cables can be reeled out simultaneously by operating multiple spools in parallel. This dynamic flexibility enables optimization between operational ease and connection speed based on the specific situation, vessel requirements, and weather conditions.
3Device complexity
If all power cables are transferred together as a bundle, then the transfer process is simplified, but the heavy weight makes the operation problematic and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cable management system uses multiple independent spools instead of a single bundled cable approach. Each spool handles specific cables independently, which simplifies the transfer process for each individual cable while improving overall efficiency by allowing parallel operation of multiple spools to feed multiple cables simultaneously to different locations on the vessel.
4Reliability
If multiple crew members are deployed to pull heavy cables, then the cable transfer can be completed, but the operation becomes complex and coordination becomes difficult especially in harsh weather
Solution Approach 1:
The cable spools are equipped with drive mechanisms that automatically reel in and feed cables, reducing the need for manual pulling by crew members. The system performs the heavy lifting and cable feeding operations itself, requiring crew members only to guide and monitor the process, thereby reducing coordination complexity and improving reliability in harsh weather conditions.
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
Enables safe, fast, and reliable connection of cables to a vessel's power connection, reducing the need for multiple crew members and minimizing time, while accommodating various vessel configurations and weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pairs of sheave rollers attached between the first side structure and the second side structure, wherein the one or more pair of sheave rollers comprises a first sheave roller and a second sheave roller facing with rim parts to one another; a cable feeding passage formed at least between a rim part of the first sheave roller and a rim part of the second sheave roller
Data Source
AI summary
A cable feeding unit (108) of a cable management system (100) comprising one or more feeding sections (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 302), having a body (202), a first side structure (208) and a second side structure (210), an inlet opening (212, 314) and an outlet opening (214) of a cable (124, 230, 410); one or more pairs of sheave rollers (216, 218, 220) attached between the first side structure and the second side structure; a cable feeding passage (222) formed at least between a rim part of the first sheave roller and a rim part of the second sheave roller of the one or more pairs of sheave rollers; one or more drives (160, 226A, 226B) connected to at least one of the sheave rollers; and one or more transmission mechanisms (224A, 224B) connecting the one or more drives with at least the first or second sheave roller.