STAY CABLE ASSESSMENT

摘要

The disclosure concerns monitoring cables, such as stay cables used to support bridges. A cable comprises multiple strands which are electrically connected to each other at one or both ends of the cable and insulated from each other between the ends. A cable monitor selectively activates one or more inductive coils, such that electrical signals are 5 suppressed on a first set of the multiple strands and electrical signals are allowed to pass through a second set of the multiple strands. The monitor then applies an electrical stimulus signal to the cable and senses on the cable a reflection signal of the stimulus signal. Finally, the monitor determines based on the reflection signal a continuity of one or more of the second set of the multiple strands. Since reflections 10 are suppressed on some strands by the coils, the sensed reflections can be attributed to the strands without the suppression.

主权项

1. A method for monitoring a cable comprising multiple strands which are electrically connected to each other at one or both ends of the cable and insulated from teach other between the ends, the method comprising:
selectively activating one or more inductive coils, such that electrical signals are suppressed on a first set of the multiple strands and electrical signals are allowed to pass through a second set of the multiple strands; applying an electrical stimulus signal to the cable; sensing on the cable a reflection signal of the stimulus signal; and determining based on the reflection signal a continuity of one or more of the second set of the multiple strands.