Conductive Shield Pipe Transition for Sealed Fibre Cable Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical fibre cables lack electromagnetic shielding when passing through partitions, which can lead to interference with electrical and electronic equipment, and often require additional sealing and fire protection depending on the installation context.
Innovation Solution
A shield pipe made of conductive material, designed to act as a waveguide, is used in conjunction with a holding means that provides sealing and optional fire protection, utilizing intumescent material and conductive components to block electromagnetic disturbances and ensure proper fit around the optical fibre cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a waveguide shield pipe is used to block electromagnetic disturbances, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated transition component: electromagnetic shielding through the conductive shield pipe, sealing through gaskets or seals, and fire protection through fire-resistant materials. This merging eliminates the need for separate shielding devices, sealing elements, and fire protection components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining all required protection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition component is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously provides electromagnetic shielding, sealing, and fire protection capabilities. The shield pipe serves multiple purposes: it acts as a waveguide for EM wave attenuation, provides a sealed passage for the optical fibre cable, and incorporates fire-resistant properties. This universal design simplifies the overall system by replacing multiple specialized components with one integrated solution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the shield pipe length is increased to improve electromagnetic shielding, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but the loss of time and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the shield pipe dimensions by establishing specific relationships between length, inner diameter, and outer diameter. The length is set to at least 4-5 times the inner diameter to achieve effective electromagnetic shielding through waveguide attenuation, while the outer diameter is constrained to be at most 10 mm larger than the optical fibre cable diameter. These parameter optimizations ensure adequate shielding performance while minimizing the extension beyond the cable, thereby reducing installation time and space requirements.
3Reliability
If additional sealing and fire protection components are added, then sealing and fire protection are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transition integrates sealing elements (such as gaskets or seals) and fire protection materials directly into the shield pipe structure. Rather than adding separate sealing components and fire protection devices, these functions are merged into the transition body itself, maintaining reliability for sealing and fire protection while avoiding the complexity increase that would result from multiple discrete components.
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 solution effectively shields optical fibre cables from electromagnetic interference, seals the passage, and provides optional fire protection, ensuring reliable performance and safety across various installations.
Implementation Method 1
A transition for an optical fibre cable (11) is provided. The transition comprises a shield pipe (1, 4) made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the shield pipe (1, 4) is intended for blocking electromagnetic disturbances from reaching the optical fibre cable (11)
Implementation Method 2
A common method to shield an optical fibre cable is to use waveguides. A waveguide is basically a pipe of an electrical conductive material. It is known that the shielding result depends on the length and inner diameter of the pipe.
Implementation Method 3
The dependent claims specify further features. In one embodiment, there will be up to three different types of protection, namely shielding, sealing, and optionally fire protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A transition for an optical fibre cable through a partition. The optical fibre cable is received inside a shield pipe, which shield pipe is of an electrically conductive material. The shield pipe is received in an axial through opening of the holding means. One end of the shield pipe is received inside a holding means having a sealing function.