Sleeve Lock Assembly for Seismic Cable Penetration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cabling penetrations in buildings fail to effectively seal against elements like dirt, debris, and water while also stabilizing cables against movement, especially during seismic activity, and require costly and time-consuming installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A sleeve installation system with a sleeve lock assembly that includes a female ring member, a male ring member, and an annular locking member, which engages the sleeve surface to prevent axial movement and ensure sealing against moisture and debris, using a threaded interior and exterior portions and annular gripping flanges to secure the sleeve in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sleeve is installed in a penetration to route cabling, then the penetration can be sealed against elements, but the sleeve may move during seismic activity compromising seal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve lock assembly is installed beforehand to secure the sleeve in place before seismic activity occurs. The locking mechanism with gripping flanges is pre-positioned to engage with the sleeve surface, ensuring that when movement forces occur, the sleeve is already constrained and cannot compromise the seal integrity.
2Reliability
If traditional penetration sealing methods are used, then sealing against elements is achieved, but installation is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The penetration sealing system is divided into separate functional components: the sleeve that routes cables, the lock assembly with male and female ring members that secures the sleeve, and the sealing elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled efficiently, reducing overall installation time while maintaining seal effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve lock assembly is designed to be self-securing through its threaded engagement mechanism. Once the male and female ring members are engaged, the threading automatically locks the assembly in place without requiring additional fastening operations or complex installation procedures, significantly reducing installation time.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a secure locking mechanism is added to prevent sleeve movement, then sleeve stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve lock assembly serves multiple functions within a single integrated design: the male and female ring members provide both the locking mechanism and the sealing surface, the gripping flanges simultaneously secure the sleeve and distribute load, and the threaded engagement provides both structural connection and adjustment capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall complexity despite the enhanced stability function.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of installing a sleeve lock assembly may include mounting a male ring member on a sleeve, installing an annular locking member of the male ring member into the female ring member, and threadably engaging a threaded interior portion of the female ring member to a threaded exterior portion of the male ring member. The method may additionally include rotating the male and female ring members relative to one another, compressing the locking member radially inwardly in response to rotating the male and female ring members relative to one another, and preventing movement of the sleeve lock assembly relative to the sleeve in response to engaging annular gripping flanges of the annular locking member to the sleeve outer surface.