Tube Cable Securing Band With Cam Lock for Faster Column Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of tubular hydrocarbon columns is time-consuming and complicated due to the use of protecting devices and clamps, which require manual alignment and can lead to instability and costly operations, especially when securing cables to tubes.

Innovation Solution

A securing system with a deformable band and cam mechanism that allows pre-installation on tubes, enabling easy and quick cable securing without removing the system, and includes a tube fixing mechanism for alignment and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protecting devices and clamps are used to secure cables to tubes, then cable protection and attachment are achieved, but installation time increases and operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable protectionVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The securing system is pre-assembled on the tube during manufacturing, including the outside housing with cable receiving space and the tube fixing mechanism. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site assembly and alignment operations, directly reducing installation time while maintaining cable protection capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated securing system: cable protection, cable attachment, and tube fixation are merged into one pre-assembled unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate protecting devices and clamps, reducing both installation time and operational complexity while maintaining all necessary protective and securing functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual alignment operations are performed during cable securing, then proper cable positioning is achieved, but installation complexity and operational time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable positioning accuracyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outside housing is pre-positioned on the tube during manufacturing with the opening oriented in a predetermined direction. This preliminary positioning ensures proper cable alignment is built-in from the start, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment operations on-site while maintaining precise cable positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-assembled securing system is designed to be self-aligning during installation. The tube fixing mechanism with bearing surface automatically orients the outside housing correctly when installed on the tube, eliminating the need for operator intervention for alignment while ensuring proper cable positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If protecting devices are removed during tube installation, then cable access is enabled, but operational time increases and attention requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cable protection function is extracted as a separate outside housing that can be independently opened. The lid can be removed or opened without affecting the tube fixing mechanism, allowing cable access operations to be performed quickly and independently without requiring removal or manipulation of the main securing system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing system is segmented into independent functional components: the tube fixing mechanism remains permanently installed while the outside housing with lid can be independently opened for cable access. This segmentation allows rapid cable access operations without disturbing the main securing system, reducing operational time and attention requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Significantly reduces installation time by allowing pre-installation of the securing system, ensuring quick and stable cable attachment within angular tolerances, thus reducing critical path activity and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a cam mechanism configured to modify the distance between the two ends of the band

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentEP3951131B1Securing system intended to secure a cable to a tube
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 VALLOUREC MANNESMANN OIL & GAS FRANCE
  • EP3951131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3951131B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3951131B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Securing system intended to secure a cable to a tube for a tubular column for oil & gas, energy, or storage applications, said securing system comprising: - a bearing surface and an outside surface, the bearing surface being turned inwardly, said bearing surface defining an inside housing for the tube, the outside surface being turned outward relative to the bearing surface, - a tube fixing mechanism having an open state and a closed state, the tube fixing mechanism being configured to fix the securing system on the tube in the closed state of the tube fixing mechanism, the tube being housed in the inside housing in said closed state of the tube fixing mechanism, said tube fixing mechanism being mobile relative to the tube in an open state of the tube fixing mechanism; said tube fixing mechanism comprises a band, the band extending along a longitudinal axis, the band extending radially, the band extending around the tube, said band forming the bearing surface. - a cable securing mechanism having an outside housing for securing the cable, said outside housing having an opening for receiving, through said opening, the cable inside the outside housing, said opening of the outside housing being arranged on the outside surface.