Patent Abstract:
Cable terminations having features which reduce stress in the transition between the potted region and the freely flexing region of a cable when the cable flexes laterally with respect to the anchor. Several favorable geometries are disclosed. The use of a supplemental buffer material to reduce stress is also disclosed.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to the field of synthetic cables. More specifically, the invention comprises a cable termination which allows a cable to freely flex without placing excessive stress on the cable strands.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Devices for mounting a termination on the end of a cable are disclosed in detail in copending U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/404,973 to Campbell, which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0005]     The individual components of a wire rope are generally referred to as “strands,” whereas the individual components of synthetic cables are generally referred to as “fibers.” For purposes of this application, the term “strands” will be used generically to refer to both.  
         [0006]     Some type of fitting must typically be added to a cable in order to transmit a load to the cable. An old example of this idea is to wrap one end of a cable back upon itself—usually around an “eye” or “thimble” device—then clamp the cable to itself with one or more U-bolts. The resulting assembly on the end of the cable is referred to as a “termination.” 
         [0007]     It is known to terminate the strands of a synthetic cable by locking them into an anchor. The strands can be locked in place using a mechanical clamp, solidified potting compound, or other known approaches. The use of potting compound is perhaps the most common. For this approach, the strands are typically splayed into a diverging pattern and infused with liquid potting compound (using a variety of known techniques). The liquid potting compound is any substance which transitions from a liquid to a solid over time. The most common example would be a cross-linking adhesive such as an epoxy. Those skilled in the art know that such adhesives use two separate liquids which cross-link when mixed together. Such a liquid is mixed just prior to wetting the strands.  
         [0008]     The wetted strands are at some point placed in a cavity within the anchor (in some cases prior to wetting and in some cases after wetting), so that when the liquid potting compound hardens the strands will be locked to the anchor. The anchor and the portion of cable locked therein are then collectively referred to as a termination.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a prior art termination  14  for a synthetic cable (in a sectional view). Anchor  18  features an expanding cavity  28  joined to a straight portion  38 . The hardened potting compound forms potted region  16 , in which the strands are locked rigidly in place. The portion of cable  10  below the anchor (with respect to the orientation shown in the particular view) is relatively free to flex. The transition from the freely flexing portion of the cable to the portion locked within the potting compound is denoted as potting transition  20 .  
         [0010]     The reader should at this point consider the differences between traditional wire rope strands and modern synthetic cable strands. Wire rope strands are relatively large, relatively stiff, and have a moderate surface coefficient of friction. Synthetic cable strands are, in comparison, quite small, have very little stiffness, and have a very low coefficient of friction. Synthetic strands are analogous to human hair in terms of size and stiffness. These differences mean that termination techniques traditionally used for wire rope cannot be used for synthetic cables—or at least not without substantial modification.  
         [0011]     Those skilled in the art will know that the maximum theoretical stress a cable can withstand (force per unit area) is 100% of the maximum theoretical stress an individual strand can withstand. In practice, of course, the cable as a whole never reaches 100% of the strand strength. In wire rope applications, an ultimate cable stress of 70% of the individual strand stress is quite good.  
         [0012]     Of course, numerous other factors degrade the ultimate stress a cable can withstand. Bending of the cable is perhaps the most significant of these. A cable is ideally loaded while in perfect alignment. Deviations from this alignment degrade the performance. One particularly worrisome situation is where a cable is fixed at one end within an anchor and the freely flexing portion is then bent with respect to the anchor.  FIG. 9  shows such a situation.  
         [0013]     Wire ropes tolerate this condition fairly well. Their strand stiffness—the strands are typically steel—preserves the cable&#39;s circular cross section as it passes through an arcuate bend. The stiffness—as well as the internal friction between the strands—means that the strands stay well organized. Thus, the loss of ultimate tensile strength a wire rope experiences when undergoing a bend is manageable.  
         [0014]     This is not true for synthetic cables.  FIG. 2  shows a synthetic cable termination undergoing a significant bend. Flexible region  30  of cable  10  has been pulled to one side, forming a first kink  22  where the cable exits the anchor and a second kink  72  where the cable exits the potted region. These two kinks—which may be significantly different in nature—place considerable stress on the individual strands, and may even break or cut some strands. The cable has also flattened substantially in the region of second kink  72 . The result is that the majority of the load is carried by a relatively small number of strands.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows another type of prior art anchor  18 . The version shown does not include a straight portion. A relatively sharp corner is present proximate potting transition  20 . This sharp corner exacerbates the problem seen in  FIG. 2 , since the sharp corner may actually cut synthetic strands which are forced against it (Solidified potting compound often creates a very sharp edge).  
         [0016]      FIG. 3A  shows a greatly magnified view of potting transition  20 . The portion of the strand  32  lying within potted region  16  is held in alignment. Where it exits the hardened potting compound, however, it undergoes an immediate sharp bend. This bend produces stress concentration  66 .  FIG. 3A  represents a very uniform (“good”) potting transition. However, the reader will perceive how substantial stress concentration in individual strands can nevertheless occur.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  shows the kinking of the individual fibers against a sharp corner where they exit an anchor. Strands at this point are subject to axial compression and bending compression. Such lateral loading are often cyclic in nature, resulting in “flex fatigue” (a condition of accumulating plastic deformation or outright breakage of the individual cable strands).  
         [0018]     The strands actually forced against the corner may even be cut. Synthetic cable strands have little cut resistance in comparison to wire rope strands. This fact represents yet another difference between synthetic cables and wire ropes. Strand cutting is a much larger concern for synthetic cables.  
         [0019]     Looking now at  FIG. 5 , the reader will note that the potting transition  20  is typically irregular in shape, since the infusion of the liquid potting compound through the strands may not be uniformly planar. A portion of hardened potting compound can extend into the freely flexing region of cable near the cable&#39;s centerline. This portion often breaks free when the cable is flexed laterally. The existence of the solid region—even when broken free—tends to kink and abrade the cable&#39;s strands.  
         [0020]     Some prior art anchors have included features which could mitigate the aforementioned problems somewhat (at least insofar as they reduce an edge actually cutting into the cable). These features are typically the result of manufacturing convenience or cosmetics, rather than any specific attempt to address the problem of flexural loads.  FIG. 6  shows an anchor  18  having a small fillet  24  around its lower edge (the fillet joins the lower surface and, in this case, the wall of straight portion  38 ). (Throughout this disclosure, directional terms such as “upper” and “lower” will be understood to refer only to the orientation shown in the view. The devices disclosed will obviously function in any orientation).  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  shows an anchor  18  having a small chamfer  26  around its lower edge. Such a chamfer is sometimes added to prevent a sharp corner existing at the bottom of expanding cavity  28  (For an anchor having no straight portion, this feature can be particularly important). Such fillets and chamfers have traditionally been added to facilitate machining of the anchors on a lathe or automatic screw machine. Those skilled in the art will know that a sharp corner at the mouth of a bore is undesirable for such machining.  
         [0022]     While some flex-mitigating features are found in the prior art terminations, they do not readily accommodate substantial lateral flexing of the cable. Thus, when such terminations are attached to an object, the attachment must allow the anchor to move freely so that it remains aligned with the cable. Suitable attachments include ball and socket joints. However, it is often desirable to attach the anchor to an object without allowing any movement. An example would be an externally threaded anchor which is threaded into a hole in a plate. Once installed, the anchor will be rigidly held.  
         [0023]     The prior art includes certain strain-relieving devices.  FIG. 16  shows the addition of a soft boot  44  encircling the portion of cable  10  which is immediately adjacent to anchor  18 . Made of a pliable material—such as a hard rubber—the soft boot can reduce strand kinking.  FIG. 17  shows another type of boot—designated as external boot  46 . This version attaches to the outside surface of anchor  18 , while still surrounding the portion of the cable which is adjacent to the anchor.  
         [0024]     Unfortunately, it is difficult to design a soft boot which can accommodate the different loads and different bending angles which can be placed on a cable.  FIG. 18  shows a soft boot using a relatively stiff material. The cable tends to bend near the exit of the boot, causing bend point  48 . Thus, the unwanted bend has merely been shifted downward rather than eliminated.  
         [0025]     In order to reduce this phenomenon, the designer will often substitute a more pliable compound. Such a pliable compound has been used in  FIG. 19 . However, at higher loads or angles, a bend point  48  still results, albeit in a higher location. The reader will thereby appreciate the difficulty in optimizing the boot stiffness using the prior art approach. Thus, while the prior art devices can reduce problems associated with the lateral flexing of a cable, a more advanced solution is desirable.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0026]     The present invention comprises terminations having features which reduce and control stress in the transition between the portion of the cable locked within the termination and the freely flexing region of a cable when the cable flexes laterally with respect to the anchor. Several favorable geometries are disclosed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is a sectional perspective view, showing a prior art termination.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a sectional perspective view, showing bending in a prior art termination.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a sectional perspective view, showing a common prior art anchor.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3A  is a detail view, showing the bending of an individual strand.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a detail view, showing strands bending around a corner.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a sectional perspective view, showing an irregular potting transition.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a sectional perspective view, showing manufacturing features of the prior art.  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a sectional perspective view, showing manufacturing features of the prior art.  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a sectional perspective view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0043]      FIG. 16  is a sectional perspective view, showing a prior art boot.  
         [0044]      FIG. 17  is a sectional perspective view, showing a prior art boot.  
         [0045]      FIG. 18  is a sectional perspective view, showing a prior art boot.  
         [0046]      FIG. 19  is a sectional perspective view, showing a prior art boot.  
         [0047]      FIG. 20  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0048]      FIG. 21  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0049]      FIG. 22  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0050]      FIG. 23  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 24  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0052]      FIG. 25  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0053]      FIG. 26  is a sectional elevation view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]      FIG. 27  is a sectional perspective view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0055]      FIG. 28  is a sectional perspective view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0056]      FIG. 29  is a sectional perspective view, showing an intermediate termination.  
         [0057]      FIG. 30  is a sectional perspective view, showing one embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0058]      FIG. 31  is a sectional perspective view, showing one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS  
       [0059]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 cable 
                 14 
                 termination 
               
               
                 16 
                 potted region 
                 18 
                 anchor 
               
               
                 20 
                 potting transition 
                 22 
                 kink 
               
               
                 24 
                 fillet 
                 26 
                 chamfer 
               
               
                 28 
                 expanding cavity 
                 30 
                 flexible region 
               
               
                 32 
                 strand 
                 34 
                 circular expansion 
               
               
                 36 
                 parabolic expansion 
                 38 
                 straight portion 
               
               
                 40 
                 linear expansion 
                 42 
                 buffer material 
               
               
                 44 
                 soft boot 
                 46 
                 external boot 
               
               
                 48 
                 bend point 
                 50 
                 smooth expansion 
               
               
                 52 
                 angular range 
                 54 
                 shoulder 
               
               
                 56 
                 relieved portion 
                 58 
                 step relief 
               
               
                 60 
                 jacket 
                 62 
                 slotted expansion 
               
               
                 64 
                 intermediate termination 
                 66 
                 stress concentration 
               
               
                 68 
                 middle expansion 
                 70 
                 expansion bell 
               
               
                 72 
                 second kink 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0060]      FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of an anchor  18  made according to the present invention (Those skilled in the art will know that such anchors are generally radially symmetric). It features an expanding cavity  28  and a straight portion  38  as in the prior art. Circular expansion  34  is added to the bottom of straight portion  38 . The radius of this circular expansion is quite large, being at least equal to the radius of the cable to be locked into the anchor.  
         [0061]      FIG. 9  is an elevation sectional view through the anchor of  FIG. 8 , with a cable being installed and flexed laterally. In this particular example, the cable has been locked in the anchor via potting. The reader should bear in mind that the particular method of locking the cable strands into the anchor is not particularly important to the present invention. The invention can function for terminations where the strands are mechanically clamped in place within the anchor. Because potting is a very common approach, however, potting is used as the means of locking the strands within the anchor throughout the illustrations. Throughout this disclosure, the reader should bear in mind that other methods of locking the strands within the anchor could be substituted.  
         [0062]     Those skilled in the art will also realize that the inventive features disclosed are not dependent upon the use of a particular expanding cavity  28 . A linear expansion profile (conical) is shown. A curved expansion could just as easily be used. By the same token, the potted region can be locked to the anchor by using a straight cavity having threads, serrations, or other mechanically interlocking features.  
         [0063]     In  FIG. 9 , potted region  16  occupies the expanding cavity and a portion of the straight portion. Potting transition  20  lies well inside the anchor, near the commencement of expanding cavity  28  (though it can lie higher up—well into the expanding cavity—or lower down in the straight portion). The present invention incorporates a smooth expansion proximate the potting transition on the side of the freely flexing portion of the cable (distal to the potted region). This smooth expansion can assume many forms.  
         [0064]     The version shown in  FIG. 9  includes a simple arcuate expansion, denoted as circular expansion  34 . If the flexible region  30  of the cable is flexed laterally as shown, circular expansion  34  provides a smooth “bending shoulder” around which the cable can bend. Since the circular expansion is radially symmetric, it allows the cable to flex laterally in any direction. The reader will also note that potting transition  20 , while still irregular, has been moved significantly away from the point where the cable bends.  
         [0065]     The inclusion of the circular expansion reduces or prevents the kinking of the cable&#39;s strands, as well as reducing axial compression and radial compression. Stress concentrations are thereby minimized, meaning that the load is spread more uniformly throughout the cable&#39;s cross section. The circular expansion shown in  FIG. 9  is a simple arc having a fixed radius. This radius of the circular expansion should be at least equal to the radius of the cable, though for stiffer cables (or cables having poor resistance to flexural fatigue) it may need to be up to 45 times the radius of the cable.  
         [0066]     The use of the structure shown in  FIG. 9  ensures a uniform bending radius for the cable. If, as an example, the cable is bent 5 degrees off the anchor&#39;s centerline, the bending radius will be equal to the radius of circular expansion  34 . If, on the other hand, the cable is bent 45 degrees (as actually shown in  FIG. 9 ) the bending radius will still be equal to the radius of circular expansion  34 . The length of contact between the cable and circular expansion  34  obviously varies, with the length being far less for the 5 degree bend than the 45 degree bend. The bending radius remains the same, though. This fact allows the cable designer to know what bending radius the completed assembly must endure (within a reasonable range). Since this knowledge allows the prediction of ultimate strength, flexural resistance, etc., it allows the design of a much more predictable cable termination.  
         [0067]     Other types of smooth expansions work as well.  FIG. 10  shows an anchor  18  having a parabolic expansion  36 . As for  FIG. 9 , the potting transition can be placed within the straight portion or up within the lower portion of expanding cavity  28 .  FIG. 11  shows an anchor having another parabolic expansion  36 , wherein the defining parabola has different coefficients. Those skilled in the art will know that many different parabolas could be applied.  
         [0068]     The term “smooth expansion” is not intended to be limited to tangential curves.  FIG. 12  shows an anchor  18  having linear expansion  40 . Again, the potting transition can be placed within the straight portion or up within the lower portion of expanding cavity  28 . The linear expansion allows the cable to flex laterally proximate the potting transition. While not so effective as the tangential curves, the linear expansion may be easier to manufacture, and may be suitable where only limited lateral flexing is needed.  
         [0069]     Linear expansion  40  can be improved by filleting its intersection with the straight portion. Such an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 13 , where a fillet  24  has been added to this intersection (where the fillet may be a simple arc, a parabolic arc, or a higher-order curve). This fillet again provides a bending shoulder for the laterally flexing cable.  
         [0070]     Those skilled in the art will know that the addition of fillets can be helpful at many points within the anchor.  FIG. 14  shows the addition of a fillet  24  at the bottom of linear expansion  40 . Of course, fillets can be added in both locations (the location shown in  FIG. 13  and the location shown in  FIG. 14 ). Ideally, these fillets should conform to the size constraints stated previously (i.e., having a radius at least as large as the radius of the cable).  
         [0071]     The preceding examples have shown the smooth expansion only extending out to the lower surface of the anchor (with “lower” again being understood in the context of the orientation shown in the views). The smooth expansion can be carried further. It can, in fact, be carried around the bottom of the anchor and up the outside surface.  FIG. 15  shows an anchor having a circular expansion  34  extending around to the outside surface. Such an expansion extends the “bending shoulder” so that a cable can be bent all the way around the anchor (up to 180 degrees). If the shoulder is carried over the top of the anchor, the bending angle could even exceed 180 degrees. Applications for such a termination are uncommon, but they do exist. As one example, a cable termination attached to the end of a cylinder rod may extend to the point where it bends the cable back over the anchor as shown.  
         [0072]     The anchor geometry can be optimized for a given amount of anticipated lateral cable flexing.  FIG. 20  shows an anchor  18  having a lower expanding portion designated as smooth expansion  50  (which can be a simple arc, a parabola, or higher-order curve). The angular measurement is denoted as angular range  52 , which defines the maximum (positive and negative) flexure which can be accommodated before the cable is pressed against a sharp corner. For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 20 , angular range  52  measures 119.6 degrees. Extreme examples are possible.  FIG. 24  shows a version having an angular range  52  of only 7.2 degrees, while  FIG. 25  shows a version having an angular range of 180 degrees (90 degrees per side).  
         [0073]      FIG. 21  shows an embodiment having an angular range  52  measuring only 59.8 degrees. It uses similar geometry, but altered dimensional values. The reader will therefore understand that a given anchor geometry can be optimized for a particular application by using a specific angular range.  
         [0074]     More complex geometry can also be used.  FIG. 22  shows an anchor  18  which includes a relieved portion  56  immediately below a first circular expansion  34  and above a second circular expansion  34 . This embodiment allows a completely free movement of the cable until it bends far enough to contact the circular expansion  
         [0075]     For some applications, it may be desirable to have the anchor wall contact the cable at multiple points.  FIG. 23  shows such an embodiment, which includes step reliefs  58 . These provide point contacts as the cable bends over against shoulder  54 . The size and shape of the step reliefs can be varied to produce many different effects.  
         [0076]     The previous embodiments used a straight portion immediately above the expanding portion where the cable exits the anchor. This straight portion need not be entirely straight.  FIG. 26  shows an anchor having a “straight” portion  38  which is not purely cylindrical. Parabolic expansion  36  actually extends all the way up to expanding cavity  28 . The portion right next to expanding cavity  28  is almost flat (It asymptotically approaches the vertical). It then smoothly blends into a rapidly expanding portion near the bottom of the anchor. The nearly-vertical portion of the parabolic side wall serves the purpose of the straight portion found in the other versions.  
         [0077]      FIG. 27  shows a cable  10  which is encased by an jacket  60 . Smooth expansion  50  allows the jacket to bend without abrading or kinking. Such a jacket binds the cable strands together to preserve the circular cross-sectional shape when the cable is flexed. This binding helps to eliminate the problem of uneven load sharing between strands and the creation of stress concentrations (The reader will recall illustrations of this scenario in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ).  
         [0078]     Of course, the jacket does not provide a smooth transition acting alone. It is the combination of the jacket—which substantially maintains the circular cross section—and the smooth expansion  50 , around which the jacketed cable bends. Thus, these elements must be sized to interact appropriately. The radius of the smooth expansion is ideally greater than the radius of the cable. The jacket material is preferably pliable enough to bend around the expansion without kinking.  
         [0079]     The term “jacket” can include a tape wrap, a shrink wrap tubing, an extruded plastic, a stranded braid (“over-braid”), an over-molded polymer, a string wrap, or other known binding techniques. The jacket can be applied over the length of the entire cable, over a short length in the proximity of the termination, or any length in between.  
         [0080]     Although the illustrations show radially symmetric terminations, the reader should note that not all embodiments of the present invention need to be radially symmetric. In some applications, it will be apparent that the cable will flex only in one plane. It may even be desirable to inhibit flexing out of this plane.  FIG. 28  shows an anchor having an expansion which is not radially symmetric. Slotted expansion  62  allows the cable to flex freely in only one plane.  
         [0081]     The preceding examples disclose a termination placed on an end of a cable. The principles disclosed apply equally to terminations placed somewhere between the two ends of a cable.  FIG. 29  shows intermediate termination  64 . The central portion of the cable is potted into the termination. It has two circular expansions  34 , one on each end. The two circular expansions allow both the exiting cable segments to flex laterally with respect to intermediate termination  64 .  
         [0082]     Finally, those skilled in the art will realize that the expanding portion of the passage through the anchor could be made as a separate piece in order to accommodate manufacturing concerns.  FIG. 31  shows such an embodiment, with expansion bell  70  being made as a separate piece from anchor  18 . The expansion bell can include a circular expansion, a parabolic expansion, or any other shape disclosed in the preceding.  
         [0083]     Thus, the reader should rightly view all the preceding embodiments as providing examples of the invention claimed. The scope of the invention should therefore be fixed by the following claims, and not by the examples provided.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5