Wire Tensioner With Selective Rod Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wire tensioning apparatuses face issues with power loss and structural damage due to the need for high-pressure fluid to simultaneously displace multiple rods, leading to unnecessary rod movement and increased volume, which can cause interference with other apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A wire tensioning apparatus that allows individual rods connected to wires to be operated separately, minimizing power loss, and features a tapered design to reduce volume and prevent interference, with a fluid control system using valves to selectively engage and disengage fluid flow to specific rod bores, ensuring only necessary rods are activated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure fluid is supplied to simultaneously displace multiple rods, then the wires can be tensioned effectively, but power loss increases and structural damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rod system into independently controllable segments by providing individual rod bores and separate fluid control pathways for each rod. This allows selective activation of only the rods connected to wires, preventing unnecessary power consumption by inactive rods while maintaining effective wire tensioning through targeted fluid pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by enabling different rods to have different operational states (active or inactive) based on their connection status to wires. The fluid control system allows localized pressure application to specific rod bores, ensuring that only the necessary rods receive fluid pressure and perform work, thereby reducing overall power loss.
2Reliability
If multiple rods are displaced axially simultaneously, then wire tensioning is achieved, but the volume of the apparatus increases and interference with other apparatuses occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rod arrangement into individually addressable units with separate rod bores and fluid control connections. This segmentation allows the apparatus to activate only the necessary number of rods based on wire configuration, reducing the effective volume required for operation and minimizing interference with surrounding apparatuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability by allowing the number of active rods to vary based on operational requirements. The fluid control system can selectively engage or disengage individual rods, enabling the apparatus to optimize its volume footprint during operation by activating only the minimum necessary rods for effective wire tensioning.
3Reliability
If all rods are connected to the fluid system, then complete wire tensioning coverage is provided, but unnecessary rod movement occurs causing power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid control system into individual pathways for each rod, allowing selective activation. This enables the system to maintain complete coverage capability (all rods connected to fluid system) while improving productivity by activating only the specific rods needed for the current wire tensioning task, eliminating unnecessary rod movement and associated power loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different rods to have different operational states (connected but active, or connected but inactive) based on their connection status to wires. The fluid control system provides localized engagement control, ensuring that only rods with wire connections receive fluid pressure and move, thereby optimizing operational efficiency while maintaining comprehensive tensioning coverage.
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
This solution minimizes power loss and structural stress while reducing the overall volume of the apparatus, allowing for efficient and precise tensioning of wires, preventing downward deflection of structures like bridges by selectively applying tension to only the required wires.
Implementation Method 1
Fluid is introduced into the body of the wire tensioning apparatus and rods pull the wires while being displaced by the pressure of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A wire tensioner includes a plurality of rods that apply a tensile force to a plurality of wires. A fluid pressure providing means applies fluid pressure to the plurality of rods to apply the tensile force to the plurality of wires. A fluid control means is connected to the fluid providing means and to the plurality of rods to separately control a fluid pressure applied to each of the plurality of rods.