Submarine Cable Heterogeneous Armor Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submarine cables face issues with damage and corrosion due to local decreases in tensile strength at butt-welded parts of armor formed from different metals, leading to structural instability and increased external diameter, which complicates manufacturing and installation.
Innovation Solution
A submarine cable design with a first section installed underwater and a second section on land, using a combination of steel and non-ferromagnetic metal wires for the armor, with electrolyte blocking films, polymer coatings, and galvanic anodes to prevent corrosion and control connection points, ensuring precise distribution of bimetallic connections to maintain tensile strength and prevent unnecessary diameter increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If different types of metal wires (steel and non-ferromagnetic metal) are used for the armor in different sections, then corrosion resistance and magnetic hysteresis loss are improved, but tensile strength decreases at connection parts and structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different metal materials (steel for underwater sections, non-ferromagnetic metal for land sections) to different locations of the armor based on local environmental requirements. This local quality differentiation improves corrosion resistance and reduces magnetic hysteresis loss in respective sections while maintaining overall structural integrity through controlled connection point distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The armor is segmented into multiple sections with controlled connection points between different metal types. By distributing these connection points along the cable length rather than concentrating them, the patent reduces local stress concentration and maintains tensile strength while allowing material optimization for different environments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of metal wires are connected at boundary parts, then adaptability to different installation environments is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent tailors the armor material composition to local environmental conditions - using steel wires in underwater sections where corrosion resistance is less critical but magnetic properties are acceptable, and non-ferromagnetic metal wires in land sections where corrosion resistance is paramount. This localized adaptation simplifies the overall design by addressing specific environmental challenges rather than using a complex uniform structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-plans and pre-distributes connection points between different metal types along the cable length during manufacturing. By establishing this distribution pattern in advance rather than creating complex现场 connections, the patent reduces installation complexity while maintaining environmental adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If connection points between different metal wires are concentrated, then manufacturing process is simplified, but local tensile strength decreases and structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the armor into multiple sections with distributed connection points between different metal types. This segmentation approach maintains manufacturing simplicity by using standardized connection procedures at each point while preventing local stress concentration that would occur if all connections were clustered together, thereby preserving structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic distribution pattern of connection points along the cable length, spacing them out to allow stress dissipation. This dynamic arrangement maintains ease of manufacture through repetitive standardized connections while ensuring structural stability by preventing stress accumulation at any single location.
4Strength
If more connection points are added to distribute bimetallic connections, then tensile strength is maintained, but external diameter increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a limited number of connection points distributed along the cable length, rather than attempting to connect every wire at every section boundary. This partial connection strategy maintains adequate tensile strength distribution while avoiding the excessive external diameter and manufacturing complexity that would result from too many connection points.
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
Effectively suppresses corrosion and maintains tensile strength, preventing structural instability and damage during manufacturing and installation, while optimizing cable performance and reducing external diameter.
Implementation Method 1
the cable protective layer may include an electrolyte blocking film configured to protect a connection part of the first metal wire and the second metal wire from an electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
the armor may include a galvanic anode wire arranged in parallel to the metal wire, and formed of a fourth metal material having a lower self-potential than those of the first metal material and the second metal material
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a submarine cable having a bimetallic armor. In particular, the present invention relates to a submarine cable capable of effectively suppressing damage to and corrosion of an armor formed of different types of metals due to a local decrease in tensile strength thereof and capable of avoiding an increase in an external diameter of the cable, the structural instability of the cable, and damage to the cable during the manufacture and installation thereof.