Wind Turbine Cable Hang-Off Sealing Without Resin Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable hang-off devices for wind turbines rely on resin to form a seal, which takes time to cure, disrupts maintenance, is difficult to handle, and deteriorates over time, posing safety and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A cable hang-off device with a main body, temporary clamps, a clamping plate, a sealing sleeve, and solid sealing elements that eliminate the need for resin, allowing for onshore assembly and easy maintenance, while providing a reliable seal without curing times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin is used to form a seal around cable conductors, then sealing properties are improved, but curing time is required and maintenance access is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the resin component from the sealing system entirely. Instead of using resin that requires curing time, the invention employs a mechanical sealing system with a sealing element (such as a gasket or O-ring) that provides immediate sealing upon installation, eliminating the curing time bottleneck while maintaining reliable sealing properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical sealing mechanism (resin curing) with a mechanical sealing mechanism. The sealing element is compressed between the hang-off device body and the cable conduit using a clamping mechanism, creating an immediate airtight seal through mechanical pressure rather than chemical bonding, thus avoiding curing time delays
2Reliability
If resin is used to seal the cable conductors, then sealing is achieved, but the resin hardens and blocks access to inner parts for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the resin component that permanently blocks access. The mechanical sealing element can be compressed and decompressed, allowing maintenance personnel to access inner parts of the hang-off device when needed, while still providing reliable sealing during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system is made dynamic rather than static. The sealing element can be compressed to provide sealing during operation, and the clamping force can be released to allow maintenance access. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between sealed and accessible states, unlike the permanently hardened resin
3Reliability
If resin is used for sealing, then sealing is provided, but resin deteriorates over time and may expire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, replaceable sealing element that can be easily replaced if it deteriorates. Rather than relying on long-term resin that degrades, the mechanical sealing component is designed to be swapped out during routine maintenance, ensuring continuous reliable sealing throughout the system's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters from organic resin (which deteriorates) to inorganic or highly stable materials for the sealing element and cable conduit. This parameter change in material selection significantly extends the service life and maintains sealing reliability over time without expiration concerns
4Reliability
If resin is used to seal, then sealing is achieved, but dangerous fumes are produced during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the resin component that produces dangerous fumes during installation. The mechanical sealing system requires no chemical application, thus completely removing the source of harmful fumes and improving safety for installation personnel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical sealing process (resin application and curing) with a purely mechanical sealing process. The sealing element is simply compressed into place using mechanical force, eliminating all chemical reactions and associated fume production during installation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for holding a cable in a wind turbine transition piece by a cable hang-off device, the method includes providing a cable hang-off device comprising a main body with a first flange, an opposed second flange and a through passage, a sealing sleeve with a sealing passage, at least one temporary clamp, located in the through passage, a clamping plate, and at least one solid sealing element, attaching the main body to the wind turbine transition piece with the first flange, attaching the sealing sleeve to the second flange, inserting the cable through the through passage and the sealing passage sleeve, clamping an outer serving of the cable with the at least one temporary clamp, pealing the outer serving of the cable to reveal armour wires of the cable, folding the armour wires over the second flange in a radially outward direction, with respect to a longitudinal direction of the cable hang-off device, inserting the clamping plate in the sealing passage, clamping the armour wires against the second flange, by the clamping plate, releasing the at least one temporary clamp from outside the main body to release a clamping force from the at least one temporary clamp, inserting the at least one solid sealing element in the sealing passage to at least partially surround one or more conductors of the cable, and sealing the sealing passage with the at least one solid sealing element.