Wire Cage Ethernet Cable Termination for Subsea High-Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ethernet cables face challenges in subsea applications due to corrosive and high-pressure environments, requiring complex and expensive terminations that demand specialized skills and testing.
Innovation Solution
A termination system for ethernet cables featuring a wire cage with arms, contact sleeves, and a termination cap, allowing for easy assembly without specialized tools or skills, and forming a high-pressure seal to facilitate subsea use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complicated and expensive terminations are used for subsea ethernet cable applications, then reliability in corrosive high-pressure environment is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The termination system is divided into distinct modular components: a connector housing, a separate cable assembly with conductors, and individual contact elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for corrosion resistance and pressure containment while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates universal features that enable it to serve multiple functions: providing electrical connection, sealing against corrosion, withstanding high pressure, and facilitating easy assembly. The standardized interface allows the same connector design to be used across different subsea ethernet applications, reducing the need for specialized custom terminations.
2Reliability
If complicated and expensive terminations are used for subsea ethernet cable applications, then reliability in corrosive high-pressure environment is improved, but manufacturing cost and testing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector and cable assembly are pre-configured with integrated sealing elements and corrosion-resistant coatings during manufacturing. The contact elements are pre-positioned within the connector housing with built-in alignment features, eliminating the need for complex field assembly procedures and reducing the need for specialized testing and inspection after installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The termination design incorporates self-aligning and self-sealing features that automatically ensure proper configuration during assembly. The sealing elements automatically engage with the cable assembly to create pressure-resistant seals without requiring specialized tools or procedures, and the structure itself provides corrosion protection without additional maintenance or testing.
3Reliability
If specialized skills and technical processes are required for termination, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation and assembly time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The termination system is divided into distinct modular components: a connector housing, a separate cable assembly with conductors, and individual contact elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for corrosion resistance and pressure containment while simplifying the overall assembly process and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing serves as an intermediary component that simplifies the connection process by providing a pre-configured interface between the cable assembly and the ethernet connector. It includes integrated sealing elements and alignment features that automatically ensure proper configuration, eliminating the need for specialized skills during assembly.
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 system enables cost-effective and efficient termination of ethernet cables for subsea use, reducing assembly time and costs, eliminating the need for specialized training and testing, and allowing reuse without damage.
Implementation Method 1
a termination boot positioned to cover the termination cap and form a high-pressure seal therebetween
Implementation Method 2
a compression ring is positioned between the termination cap and the outer wall, the compression ring compressing the termination boot against the outer wall and the termination cap
Implementation Method 3
each of a plurality of contact sleeves are disposed within one of the apertures and are sized to receive one of the arms. The conductor associated with the arm is in electrical contact with the contact sleeve
Data Source
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AI summary
A termination system includes an ethernet cable including eight conductors, a wire cage coupled to the ethernet cable and including eight arms arranged in a pattern, each arm including a first recess that extends to an end of the arm. Each conductor is associated with one of the arms and includes a portion positioned within the first recess. The termination also includes a connector having eight apertures arranged in the pattern, and eight contact sleeves, each disposed within one of the apertures and sized to receive one of the arms. The conductor associated with each arm is in electrical contact with the associated contact sleeve, and a termination cap is coupled to the cable.