Spring Cable Connector Assembly for Axial Tolerance Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea well cable connector assemblies face challenges in accommodating axial position variations and axial loading while maintaining a compact size and efficient electrical communication, as they often require separate load absorption and electrical conduction mechanisms, limiting the number of cables that can be routed through the wellhead.
Innovation Solution
A cable connector assembly incorporating a slotted metal spring that serves as both a load absorber and part of the electrical communication path, allowing for compact design and accommodating axial stackup tolerances, using a combination of slotted and helical springs to ensure secure electrical connection and load absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate load absorption and electrical conduction mechanisms are used, then reliability of electrical connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the load absorption function and electrical conduction function into a single integrated spring mechanism. The spring serves dual purposes: it absorbs axial loading variations through its elastic deformation while simultaneously providing the electrical conduction path between cable segments. This eliminates the need for separate mechanisms and reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It acts as both a mechanical load absorber and an electrical conductor, making it a multi-functional element. This universal component approach reduces the total number of parts needed in the connector assembly while maintaining reliable electrical connection despite axial position variations.
2Productivity
If compact connector design is implemented, then the number of cables that can be routed through wellhead is improved, but accommodating axial position variations becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the load absorption and electrical conduction functions into a single spring component, the patent achieves a compact connector design. This integration eliminates the space required for separate mechanisms, allowing more cables to be routed through the wellhead while the spring's elastic properties continue to accommodate axial position variations effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring's elastic properties allow it to change its physical parameters (length, compression) in response to axial loading variations. This parameter change capability enables the compact connector to adapt to different axial positions of cable segments while maintaining reliable electrical connection, thus preserving adaptability despite the compact design.
3Manufacturing precision
If spring is used for load absorption, then axial stackup tolerances are accommodated, but electrical resistance may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is designed with specific material and geometric parameters that allow it to change its physical state (compress, extend) to accommodate axial stackup tolerances while maintaining low electrical resistance. By carefully selecting the spring's material conductivity and dimensional parameters, the patent ensures that the elastic deformation required for tolerance accommodation does not significantly increase electrical resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring may be constructed from composite materials or materials with specific properties that combine high electrical conductivity with appropriate mechanical elastic properties. This allows the spring to function effectively as both a load-absorbing mechanical element and a low-resistance electrical conductor, resolving the contradiction between tolerance accommodation and electrical resistance.
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 provides a compact connector assembly that effectively compensates for axial stackup tolerances, maintains low electrical resistance, and ensures a sealed, reliable electrical connection, suitable for subsea well applications and other environments with varying tolerances.
Implementation Method 1
using a spring to absorb a loading placed on the first contact
Implementation Method 2
communicating an electrical signal between the first and second cable segments through the spring
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first contact to be electrically connected to a first cable segment and a second contact to be electrically connected to a second cable segment. The apparatus includes a spring to absorb a loading placed on the first contact. The spring is adapted to form at least part of an electrical communication path between the first cable segment and the second cable segment.