Underwater Cable Protector Groove Structure for Low-Stress Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater electricity-carrying cables face challenges during installation and maintenance due to complex handling, stress, and mechanical loads, leading to wear and potential breakage, particularly when using protectors like I-tubes and J-tubes.
Innovation Solution
A protector design featuring a cover with a groove and a blocking device that allows easy cable introduction and minimizes stress through a narrow portion and complementary shapes, along with stabilizers to absorb impacts and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cable is pulled through the tube during installation, then the cable can be installed in the protector, but the cable is subjected to stress and friction which may wear or break the cable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of pulling the cable through the tube from one end, the invention introduces the cable through a first opening into a groove, and the blocking device is introduced through a second opening into the groove. The blocking device then blocks the groove to retain the cable. This inverted approach avoids pulling stress on the cable while achieving the same installation goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove acts as an intermediary space that receives both the cable and the blocking device separately. The blocking device serves as a mediator that blocks the groove to retain the cable without requiring the cable to be pulled through the entire tube length, thereby eliminating friction and stress on the cable.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cable is firmly fixed with the tube, then the cable is secured in the protector, but mechanical loads are concentrated in the fixation portion causing wear and fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The groove has a narrow portion at its end where the blocking device blocks it. This creates a localized retention point rather than firm fixation along the entire cable length. The cable is secured at the narrow portion through the blocking device, distributing mechanical loads away from concentrated fixation points and reducing wear and fatigue.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If complex handling is performed offshore to install the cable in the tube, then the cable is protected from impacts, but the installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protector is segmented into a cover with a groove, a blocking device, and multiple openings. The first opening allows cable introduction while the second opening allows blocking device introduction. This segmentation enables simpler, parallel installation operations rather than complex sequential handling, reducing installation time while maintaining impact protection through the cover structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove serves multiple functions: it receives the cable through the first opening, receives the blocking device through the second opening, and provides a path for the blocking device to move to the narrow portion. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall installation process while maintaining protective capabilities.
4Ease of repair
If the cable is deinstalled from the tube for maintenance or replacement, then the cable can be replaced, but the deinstallation process is more complex and expensive than desirable
Solution Approach 1:
The installation process introduces the cable and blocking device separately through different openings into the groove. For deinstallation, the blocking device can be removed through the second opening, allowing the cable to be withdrawn through the first opening without complex manipulation. This inverted approach simplifies both installation and deinstallation compared to traditional tube methods.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a protector for a portion of an underwater electricity-carrying, fluid-carrying and/or data-carrying cable and to a method for protecting a portion of the cable. The protector comprises: - a cover (1) comprising a first open end (2) for receiving a cable (7) and a second open end (3) for receiving a cable (7); the cover comprising a groove (4) from the first end (2) to the second end (3); the groove (4) being for housing a portion of a cable; the groove (4) comprising a first opening (41) of the cover (1) from the first end (2) of the cover to the second end (3) of the cover, the first opening (41) being for introducing a portion of a cable into the groove (4); and - a supporting body (6) for supporting a cable, the supporting body (6) comprising a blocking device (61, 23); the supporting body (6) being attachable to a cable so that when the supporting body (6) is attached to the cable the blocking device (61, 23) comprises a section having a direction outwards from the cable (7); wherein the groove (4) comprises a narrow portion (5); the cover (1) comprises a second opening for introducing the blocking device (61, 23) into the groove (4); the blocking device (61, 23) being small enough with respect to the groove to move within the groove from the second opening to the narrow portion (5) of the groove.