Wheel Cutter Tractor Cable Handling for Low-Stress Trench Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for inserting elongate objects, such as cables, into seabed trenches face significant stress and risk of damage due to the need to lift the cable to a high position above the trench cutting device before cutting begins, as the vertical separation is greatest at this stage.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs support means to hold the elongate object laterally displaced from the trench cutting means and transfer means to move it into this position, reducing the need for lifting and minimizing stress, while also providing retaining and urging mechanisms to facilitate safe insertion and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cable is lifted to the second position above the trench cutting means before cutting begins, then the cable can be located in position for insertion, but significant stress is applied to the cable increasing the risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is transferred to the support means at a first position before the trench cutting means begins cutting, avoiding the need to lift it to the second position above the cutting means. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the stress-inducing lift while still preparing the cable for subsequent insertion into the trench.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means acts as an intermediary structure that holds the cable at the first position laterally displaced from the trench cutting means. This intermediary positioning allows the cable to be prepared and transferred without requiring direct lifting above the cutting means, thereby reducing stress on the cable.
2Ease of operation
If the cable is held in the second position above the trench cutting means, then the cable is positioned for insertion, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The function of positioning and holding the cable is extracted from the trench cutting means and assigned to a separate support means. This separation allows the trench cutting means to focus on cutting while the support means independently manages cable positioning, reducing overall apparatus complexity while maintaining insertion readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: the trench cutting means for cutting the trench, and the support means with transfer means for cable positioning and insertion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the complexity that would arise from integrating all functions into a single structure.
3Productivity
If the cable is lifted vertically to insert it into the trench, then the cable can be placed in the trench, but excessive stress is applied to the cable
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of lifting the cable vertically to the second position above the trench cutting means, the cable is positioned horizontally at the first position laterally displaced from the cutting means. This dimensional change from vertical to horizontal positioning eliminates the stress-inducing vertical lift while maintaining the ability to insert the cable into the trench efficiently.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wheel cutter tractor (8) for inserting a cable (2) into a trench (4) is disclosed. The tractor comprises a wheel cutter (10) for cutting a trench, and tracks (14) for moving the tractor relative to the trench. A cable support tray (30) supports the cable in a first position (32) displaced from the wheel cutter in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the tractor, and in a second position above the wheel cutter. A cable grab (18) and lifting device (20) transfers the cable into the cable support tray.