Abstract:
An apparatus that allows for the testing of multiple wraps of cable in environments of varying temperature, pressure, and in different fluids in a single apparatus, and can be tested against the varying loads the cable may encounter is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the multiple wraps of cable are simulated by layering electrically-insulated portions of the cable on top of one another inside an environmentally controlled container. This container has two parts: a thermally-insulated container and a pressure container.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates to quality testing in general, and, more particularly, to the testing of cables. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    Cables are used for the transporting energy and information. Often, these cables are very long and even stretch across oceans. Different environments pose different challenges to the cables. When a cable has to cover a long distance, it will face different environments. 
         [0003]    In order to determine which cables are best for a particular environment, it would have to be tested in the different environments. This means that the cable would have to be tested against different temperatures, different fluids, different levels of pressure, etc. 
         [0004]    For each of these variables, the cable would have to be tested against the varying loads that pass through the cables. Testing any particular type of cable against these variables is very difficult. 
         [0005]    Often these cables are wrapped on spools. When wrapped on a spool, a cable is often underneath several layers of itself, and the additional pressure of the mass of the cable and the heat from the layers of cable above and below it can damage the cable. 
         [0006]    To test cable, it would have to be taken to the place in which it is to be used, and then subjected to all the environmental factors and varying loads it can be expected to face. This, however, is not practical. 
         [0007]    Often these cables are intended to be used at the bottom of the ocean, with salt water, low temperatures and high pressures. Other times cables are used in very frigid environments with extremely low temperatures, high winds, and freezing rain and snow. It is not practical to monitor cable at these locations for extended periods of time under varying power loads. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]    The present invention allows for the testing of multiple wraps of cable in environments of varying temperature, pressure, and in different fluids in a single apparatus, and can be tested against the varying electrical loads the cable may encounter. 
         [0009]    In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the multiple wraps of cable are simulated by layering electrically-insulated portions of the cable on top of one another inside an environmentally controlled container. This container has two parts: a thermally-insulated container and a pressure container. 
         [0010]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, portions of the cable are stripped of its insulation and placed outside the pressure container to allow thick cable to lie on top of itself as it would in a large spool. 
         [0011]    The pressure container can be filled with air, water, or other fluid and the temperature and pressure inside the container can be controlled. This allows for testing of the different environments that the cable might encounter. 
         [0012]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the ends of the cable are then connected to semi-conductors which allow for energy to pass through the cable and thus the cable can be tested against the various loads that the cable may encounter in the different environments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of the cable temperature monitor  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of the cable temperature monitor  100 , in cross-section, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  depicts a schematic diagram of the cable temperature monitor  100 , in cross-section, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts a schematic diagram of the cable temperature monitor  100  in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Cable temperature monitor  100  comprises: thermally-insulated container  101 , pressure container  102 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 2 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3 , un-insulated cable  104 - 1 , un-insulated cable  104 - 2 , temperature sensor  105 - 1 , temperature sensor  105 - 2 , semi-conductor  106 - 2 , semi-conductor  106 - 2 , and temperature-control device  107 , and fluid  108 . 
         [0017]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises one insulated container, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number of insulated containers. 
         [0018]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises one pressure container, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number of pressure containers. 
         [0019]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises three wraps of electrically-insulated cable, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number wraps of electrically-insulated cable. 
         [0020]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises two bends of un-insulated cable, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number bends of un-insulated cable. 
         [0021]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises two temperature sensors, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number temperature sensors. 
         [0022]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises two semi-conductors, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number semi-conductors. 
         [0023]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises one temperature-control device, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number temperature-control devices. 
         [0024]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use cable temperature monitor  100 . 
         [0025]    Thermally-insulated container  101  is a container that is insulated in order to maintain a constant temperature inside the thermally-insulated container and to reduce the rate of heat transfer. 
         [0026]    It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use thermally-insulated container  101 . Although in the illustrative embodiment, thermally-insulated container  101  is a double-walled vacuum container, but it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which thermally-insulated container  101  is comprised of another material, for example, and without limitation: cellulose, fiberglass, polystyrene, aramid fiber, and urethane foam. 
         [0027]    Pressure container  102  is a closed container designed to hold fluids at a pressure different from the ambient pressure. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, pressure container  102  is a metal container, but it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which pressure container  102  is comprised of another material. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use pressure container  102 . 
         [0028]    Electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 2 , and electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3 , are a series of strands wrapped in an electrically insulating material. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the strands would be comprised of a metal, such as copper, but it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the strands of electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1  through  103 - 3  is comprised of another material, for example, and without limitation: steel, gold, aluminum, etc. 
         [0029]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the electrical insulation would be comprised of a electrically non-conductive material, such as polyethylene, but it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the electrical insulation of cable  103 - 1  through  103 - 3  is comprised of another material, for example, and without limitation: vulcanized rubber, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (known by the brand name of Teflon®), etc. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 2 , and electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3 . 
         [0030]    Un-insulated cable  104 - 1 , un-insulated cable  104 - 2  are the portions of electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1  through electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3  with the electrical insulation removed. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use un-insulated cable  104 - 1  and un-insulated cable  104 - 2 . It will also be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which un-insulated cable  104 - 1  and un-insulated cable  104 - 2  are a series of smaller cables, which may or may not be themselves electrically insulated. 
         [0031]    Temperature sensor  105 - 1  and temperature sensor  105 - 2  are devices which measure the temperature of the cable as it is used. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, temperature sensor  105 - 1  and temperature sensor  105 - 2  are infra-red thermometers, but it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which temperature sensor  105 - 1  and temperature sensor  105 - 2  is comprised of, for example, and without limitation: a resistive temperature detector, a thermocouple, a thermistor, a mercury thermometer, an alcohol thermometer, liquid crystal thermometer, etc. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use temperature sensor  105 - 1  and temperature sensor  105 - 2 . 
         [0032]    Semi-conductor  106 - 1  and semi-conductor  106 - 2  are electrically-conductive materials to allow electricity to pass through with minimal heat transfer in order to maintain a constant temperature inside the thermally-insulated container. 
         [0033]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, semi-conductor  106 - 1  and semi-conductor  106 - 2  would be comprised of a material, such as bismuth telluride, but it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the semi-conductor  106 - 1  and semi-conductor  106 - 2  is comprised of another material that minimizes heat transfer, for example, and without limitation: lead telluride, a silicon-germanium alloy, etc. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use semi-conductor  106 - 1  and semi-conductor  106 - 2 . 
         [0034]    Temperature-control device  107  is a heat-pump that can add heat to or remove heat from inside of thermally-insulated container  101 . It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use temperature-control device  107 . 
         [0035]    Fluid  108  is a fluid in which electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 2 , and electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3  are immersed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, fluid  108  is comprised of, for example, and without limitation: air, sea water, fresh water, or any other fluid under varying temperatures and pressures. It will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure how to make and use fluid  108 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  depicts a schematic diagram of the cable temperature monitor  100 , in cross-section, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Cable temperature monitor  100  comprises: thermally-insulated container  101 , pressure container  102 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 2 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3 , un-insulated cable  104 - 1 , and un-insulated cable  104 - 2 . 
         [0037]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises three wraps of electrically-insulated cable, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number wraps of electrically-insulated cable. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3  depicts a schematic diagram of the cable temperature monitor  100 , in cross-section, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Cable temperature monitor  100  comprises: thermally-insulated container  101 , pressure container  102 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 1 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 2 , electrically-insulated cable  103 - 3 , un-insulated cable  104 - 1 , and un-insulated cable  104 - 2 , and smaller, electrically-insulated cable  301 - i , where i is a number between 0 and I, and smaller, un-insulated cable  302 - i , where i is a number between 0 and I. 
         [0039]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises three wraps of electrically-insulated cable, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments that comprise any number wraps of electrically-insulated cable. 
         [0040]    Although the illustrative embodiment comprises seven smaller electrically insulated cables, it will be clear to one skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure how to make and use alternative embodiments of smaller, electrically-insulated cable  301 - i.    
         [0041]    It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.