Tapered Cable Seal Assembly Eliminates Radial Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable sealing techniques apply radially compressive forces that can deform, generate friction, and cause stress in cables, leading to damage and reduced longevity, especially when cables flex or bend.
Innovation Solution
A pass-through assembly with a gland that is axially tapered and integrally formed with the cable sheath, featuring a radially extending annular seal face, which engages a receiver to create a seal without applying compressive forces to the cable, allowing for frictionless movement and reduced stress during bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cable sealing techniques are used, then ingress protection is provided, but radially compressive forces are applied to the cable causing deformation, friction, and stress
Solution Approach 1:
A seal assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the sealing structure. The seal assembly includes a seal member that contacts the cable while a compression member applies force to the seal assembly, not directly to the cable. This intermediary arrangement protects the cable from direct compressive forces while still achieving ingress protection through the seal member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical compression of the cable with an indirect mechanical system. Instead of applying radial compressive forces directly to the cable, the system uses a compression member that acts on a seal assembly, which in turn creates sealing pressure on the cable through a seal member. This substitution reduces harmful mechanical stresses on the cable.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If radially compressive forces are applied to seal the cable, then ingress protection is achieved, but friction is generated amongst internal wires and between wires and cable coating
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member acts as an intermediary between the compression force and the cable, distributing the sealing pressure in a way that minimizes friction. The seal member is positioned to contact the cable in a manner that allows internal wires to move relative to each other without generating excessive friction, while still preventing contaminant ingress.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If radially compressive forces are applied to the cable, then sealing is achieved, but stress concentrations are exacerbated during cable bending and flexing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes direct mechanical compression of the cable with an indirect compression system using a seal assembly. This allows the cable to bend and flex without direct compressive forces from the sealing structure, reducing stress concentrations and improving reliability during dynamic operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the sealing system by introducing a compliant seal member that can deform and adapt to cable movement. The seal member's material properties and geometric configuration are optimized to maintain sealing effectiveness while accommodating cable bending and flexing without creating stress concentrations.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for a longitudinally extending cable comprises a gland shiftable between an unsealed position and a sealed position, and a receiver including an inner portal-defining wall that defines a portal configured to receive at least a portion of the cable. The gland is at least in part received within the portal when in the sealed position. The receiver defines a radially extending, annular receiver face. The gland includes a tapered body configured to circumscribe the cable. The gland further includes a head including an outwardly extending flange. The flange presents a radially extending, annular seal face that engages the receiver face when the gland is in the sealed position. The tapered body presents an axially tapering outer wall that is spaced in its entirety radially inwardly from the portal-defining wall when the gland is in the sealed position, such that an annular buffer is defined therebetween.