Submarine Optical Cable CNT Armor for Lower Weight and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submarine optical cables face challenges in achieving high tensile strength and light weight due to the inclusion of metallic armor layers and electric conductors, which increase weight without improving mechanical properties, and suffer from signal attenuation requiring frequent repeaters that add further weight.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles as strength components and electric conductors to replace or supplement metallic armor wires and electrically conductive layers, reducing the overall weight while maintaining mechanical and electrical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic armor layers and electric conductors are included in the submarine optical cable, then the cable can provide mechanical protection and electrical power transmission, but the cable weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining carbon nanotube bundles with metallic armor wires and semiconductive layers. The CNT bundles provide high tensile strength with low weight, while the metallic components provide electrical conductivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by achieving both strength and light weight simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by substituting traditional steel armor with carbon nanotube bundles that have superior strength-to-weight ratio. The CNT bundles have tensile strength several times higher than steel but with much lower density, directly addressing the weight issue while maintaining or improving tensile strength.
2Use of energy by moving object
If copper conductors are used to power repeaters, then electrical power can be transmitted to repeaters, but the cable weight increases without substantial improvement in tensile strength
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon nanotube bundles serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide mechanical strength as armor, electrical conductivity for power transmission to repeaters, and light weight. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate copper conductor layers, reducing weight while achieving both power transmission and mechanical protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of mechanical armor and electrical conductor into a single CNT bundle structure. Instead of having separate steel armor layers and copper conductor layers, the CNT bundles perform both functions, thereby reducing overall cable weight while maintaining both tensile strength and power transmission capabilities.
3Weight of moving object
If the cable is made lighter by removing metallic components, then the weight decreases, but the tensile strength and electrical conductivity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials where carbon nanotube bundles are combined with remaining metallic armor wires and semiconductive layers. The CNT bundles provide the primary tensile strength support with minimal weight, while the metallic components provide supplementary strength and electrical conductivity, achieving an optimal balance between weight and mechanical properties.
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 CNT bundles provide a significant reduction in cable weight and diameter, enhancing the strength-to-weight ratio and reducing the environmental impact by minimizing the use of steel and copper, while maintaining signal transmission capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
CNT bundles can be used as strength members
Implementation Method 2
CNT bundles can be used also as electrically conductive components
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a repeatered submarine optical cable comprising: one or more optical fibers; a metallic tubular buffer tube housing the one or more optical fibers; an electrically conductive layer surrounding the tubular buffer tube, and-at least one armor, wherein the at least one armor and/or the electrically conductive layer comprise carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles.