Underwater Cable Seal Non-Circular Diaphragm Pressure Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater cable termination and connecting technologies face challenges with seal integrity due to compression set and pressure differentials, leading to potential leakage and material degradation over time.
Innovation Solution
The use of an annular seal member with axially extending portions exposed to different pressures to form a seal, and a flexible diaphragm with a non-circular profile to maintain pressure balance and accommodate volume changes, reducing the risk of leakage and material degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hard plastic cone seal is compressed radially inwardly onto the cable jacket to form a seal, then seal integrity is improved, but the cable jacket softens and loses seal integrity over time due to compression set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sealing mechanism from radial compression to axial compression. The elastomeric seal member is compressed axially between the seal holder and the cable jacket end, rather than compressing radially inwardly onto the jacket. This parameter change in compression direction eliminates the softening and compression set issues that occur with radial compression, while maintaining effective sealing over the service life of the apparatus.
2Force
If back-to-back elastomeric seals are pushed against a seal holder by pressure differential, then sealing force is improved, but the seal breaks by forcing itself between the cable jacket and seal holder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the sealing approach by using a single elastomeric seal member that engages with the cable jacket end surface and peripheral surface, rather than using back-to-back seals that push against each other. The seal member is compressed axially between the seal holder and cable jacket end, creating sealing force without the risk of the seal breaking by forcing itself between the jacket and holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the seal holder that was positioned between the cable jacket and the elastomeric seal in back-to-back configurations. By eliminating this intermediate component, the seal member can be directly compressed against the cable jacket end surface, preventing the seal from breaking by forcing itself between components.
3Stress or pressure
If a flexible diaphragm with circular profile is used to balance pressure, then pressure balancing is achieved, but the diaphragm undergoes significant stretching which degrades material over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using a non-circular (e.g., square or rectangular) profile for the flexible diaphragm instead of a circular profile. This geometric change allows the diaphragm to accommodate volume changes in the chamber without undergoing significant stretching of the material, as the non-circular shape can deform in a way that maintains material integrity while balancing pressure differential.
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 solution effectively minimizes compression set and pressure differential issues, enhancing seal integrity and reducing the likelihood of leakage and material degradation, while maintaining effective pressure balancing across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
In use, the first portion of the annular seal member is exposed to the pressure inside the chamber of the cable termination housing, and the second portion of the annular seal member is exposed to pressure in the region outside the chamber. In each case, the pressure may urge the respective annularly and axially extending portion against the cable to form a seal.
Implementation Method 2
The flexible diaphragm is exposed on an outer surface thereof to pressure outside of the chamber, thereby providing pressure balancing between the inside of the chamber and the outside of the chamber.
Implementation Method 3
a flexible diaphragm with a non-circular profile to maintain pressure balance and accommodate volume changes
Data Source
AI summary
Underwater connecting apparatuses include a flexible diaphragm that at least in part defines a wall of a chamber configured to contain a fill material, the wall having a perimeter with a non-circular profile when the chamber is viewed in cross-section. The non-circular profile of the perimeter is configured to allow a volume of the chamber to change without substantially changing a length of the perimeter.