Method of inspecting and monitoring a fiber termination
View Patent ↗A system for monitoring the performance of a multi-stranded tensile member where a portion of the strands are concealed within a termination. The invention provides a monitoring system that allows the user to determine when one or more of the strands has degraded to a point of concern. In some embodiments the monitoring system depends on visual inspection and in other embodiments the monitoring system is automated.
1. A monitoring system for a cable made of multiple synthetic strands, comprising:
(a) said multiple synthetic strands being connected to a collector;
(b) said multiple strands passing from a diverging region proximate said collector to a normal cable lay distal to said collector;
(c) a plurality of strand collars, wherein each of said strand collars is attached to one of said strands within said diverging region;
(d) a strand guide/cover surrounding said strands in said diverging region; and
(e) a plurality of displacement sensors, each of said displacement sensors being configured to measure a displacement of one of said strand collars with respect to said strand guide/cover.
2. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said strand guide/cover is attached to said collector.
3. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
(a) a plurality of anchors, wherein each of said anchors is attached to an end of one of said strands; and
(b) each of said anchors is connected to said collector.
4. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said displacement sensor is an optical sensor.
5. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein said displacement sensor is a mechanical sensor.
6. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
(a) each of said strands has a strand axis; and
(b) said displacement measured by each of said displacement sensors is along a said strand axis of a particular one of said strands.
7. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 2 , wherein each of said displacement sensors is attached to said strand guide/cover.
8. A monitoring system for a cable made of multiple synthetic strands, comprising:
(a) a strand having an end;
(b) an anchor attached to said end of said strand;
(c) a collector;
(d) said anchor being connected to said collector
(e) said strand passing from a diverging region proximate said collector to a normal cable lay distal to said collector;
(f) a strand collar attached to said strand within said diverging region, said strand collar being separated from said anchor;
(g) a strand-guide/cover surrounding said strand in said diverging region; and
(h) a displacement sensor configured to measure a displacement of said strand collar with respect to said strand guide/cover.
9. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said strand guide/cover is attached to said collector.
10. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said displacement sensor is an optical sensor.
11. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein said displacement sensor is a mechanical sensor.
12. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 8 , wherein:
(a) said strand has a strand axis; and
(b) said displacement measured by said displacement sensor is along said strand axis.
13. The monitoring system for a cable as recited in claim 9 , wherein each of said displacement sensors is attached to said strand guide/cover.