Study on the Configuration of Towed Flexible Cables

Based on the fundamental equation of flexible cable dynamics for a towed system, an easily solved mathematical model is set up in this paper by means of appropriate simplification. Several regular patterns of spatial motion of towed flexible cables in water are obtained through numerical simulation with the finite difference method, and then modification and verification by trial results at sea. A technical support is provided for the towing ship to maneuver properly when a flexible cable is towed. Furthermore, the relations between two towed flexible cables, which are towed simultaneously by a ship, are investigated. The results show that the ship towing two flexible cables is safe under the suggested arrangement of two winches for the towing system, and the coiling/uncoiling sequences of the cables as well as the suggested way of maneuvering.

Random vortex induced vibration response of suspended flexible cable to fluctuating wind

A popular dynamical model for the vortex induced vibration(VIV)of a suspended flexible cable consists of two coupled equations.The first equation is a partial differential equation governing the cable vibration.The second equation is a wake oscillator that models the lift coefficient acting on the cable.The incoming wind acting on the cable is usually assumed as the uniform wind with a constant velocity,which makes the VIV model be a deterministic one.In the real world,however,the wind velocity is randomly fluctuant and makes the VIV of a suspended flexible cable be treated as a random vibration.In the present paper,the deterministic VIV model of a suspended flexible cable is modified to a random one by introducing the fluctuating wind.Using the normal mode approach,the random VIV system is transformed into an infinite-dimensional modal vibration system.Depending on whether a modal frequency is close to the aeolian frequency or not,the corresponding modal vibration is characterized as a resonant vibration or a non-resonant vibration.By applying the stochastic averaging method of quasi Hamiltonian systems,the response of modal vibrations in the case of resonance or non-resonance can be analytically predicted.Then,the random VIV response of the whole cable can be approximately calculated by superimposing the response of the most influential modal vibrations.Some numerical simulation results confirm the obtained analytical results.It is found that the intensity of the resonant modal vibration is much higher than that of the non-resonant modal vibration.Thus,the analytical results of the resonant modal vibration can be used as a rough estimation for the whole response of a cable.

Analysis and Experimental Study on the Friction Force at the Binding Point of Flexible Cable on Satellite

Mainly for the problem that the friction force generated by the existing process of bind-ing,fixing and fastening the flexible cable on the satellite is unknown,the friction force analysis and experimental research on the binding point of the flexible cable are carried out.The equivalent model of the cable bundle bound by nylon cable ties is established,the force on the binding point is analyzed,and the empirical formula for calculating the friction force at the binding point is estab-lished.The formula shows that the friction force is related to the cable bundle diameter,the number of winding cycles of silicone rubber tape,the width of nylon cable ties,and the binding force.The friction force tests of the cable diameter of 5.06 mm,8.02 mm,24.02 mm,38.04 mm under different winding turns of tape were carried out,which was compared with the theoretical calculation value.It is concluded that the calculation accuracy of the theoretical model is more than 95%,which can estimate the actual friction force value accurately.This provides a reference and basis for the theoretical and experimental research on the friction force of the flexible cable binding point on satellite.

An Overview of Structural Design,Analysis and Common Monitoring Technologies for Floating Platform and Flexible Cable and Riser

Offshore oil and gas development plays an important part in the global energy sector.Offshore platforms and flexible pipes are the key equipments in the whole offshore oil and gas development system.Because of the randomness and uncertainty of wave and current loads in the ocean environment,the structural design and mechanical analysis of the marine equipment can be highly complicated.Therefore,this paper reviews the recent works of the theoretical model,numerical simulation,and experimental test in three research areas:hydrodynamic analysis of offshore platforms,structural mechanics analysis of flexible pipe and cable,and monitoring technology of offshore floating structures under marine loads.By analyzing their main research methods and key technical difficulties,this paper provides theoretical basis and technical support for the reliability engineering application of offshore platforms and flexible pipelines.Also,China is relatively backward in the design of marine floating platform,the design,analysis and testing of flexible pipeline and cable,as well as the marine equipment prototype monitoring technology research.Calling for breakthroughs at the earliest possible stage in the above fields,prime research should be focused on and strategic planning should be made to deal with“key areas and stranglehold problems”.It is of great significance for the development of China's deep-sea energy and resource development of independent technology and on time to achieve the“carbon peak”national strategic objectives.

DYNAMIC MODELING AND SIMULATION OF FLEXIBLE CABLE WITH LARGE SAG

Discrete model of flexible cable with large sag is established by using multiple rigid body-spherical hinge model, and dynamic equation of that discrete model is derived according to dynamics theory of multiple rigid body system. Displacement and velocity of system are revised to eliminate violation phenomenon of the differential-algebra equation in numerical simulation based of the theory of generalized inverse of matrices. Numerical simulation proves the validity of our method.

Cosserat Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Mobile Cable on Satellite

Mainly for the problems that the configuration of the mobile cable on the satellite is very easy to change,the motion trajectory and dynamic characteristics of the cable can not be accu-rately predicted,which affects the laying quality seriously,the dynamic modeling and simulation of mobile cable on the satellite are carried out.On the basis of referring to the previous papers,the existing mathematical model is improved.The equations of the base vector of the cable section principal axis coordinate system with respect to the arc coordinate s,the distribution force of cable balance equation,the matrix expression of the base vector after the rotation motion transformation in the section principal axis coordinate system,the angular velocity of cable,the section elastic strain and velocity calculation equations are given,and the Cosserat dynamic modeling of the mobile cable is established.Finally,the dynamic simulation model of the mobile cable assembly of the kinematic mechanism is established,and the changes of the force and torque on the cable con-straint end are obtained,which provides a reference for the dynamic modeling and simulation of the mobile cable on satellite.

Development of Chinese large-scale space end-effector

In order to achieve large tolerance capture and high stiffness connection for space payload operations,a Chinese large-scale space end-effector (EER) was developed.Three flexible steel cables were adopted to capture the payload with large capture allowance.Ball screw transmission mechanism and plane shape-constraint four bar linkage mechanism were utilized to connect the payload with high stiffness.The experiments show that capture tolerances in X,Y,Z,Pitch,Yaw,Roll directions are 100 mm,100 mm,120 mm,10.5°,10.5°,12°,respectively.The maximum connection stiffness is 4 800 N·m.The end-effector could meet the requirements for space large tolerance capture and high stiffness connection in the future.

A review of cable layout design and assembly simulation in virtual environments

The layout and assembly of flexible cables play important roles in the design and development of complex electromechanical products.The rationality of cable layout design and the reliability of cable assembly greatly affect product quality.In this paper,we review the methods of cable layout design,cable assembly process planning,and cable assembly simulation.We first review research on flexible cable layout design(both interactive and automatic).Then,research on the cable assembly process planning,including cable assembly path and manipulation planning,is reviewed.Finally,cable assembly simulation is introduced,which includes general cable information,cable collision detection data,and cable assembly process modeling.Current problems and future research directions are summarized at the end of the paper.