A water-filled cable trench and its laying structure

Abstract

This invention provides a water-filled cable trench and its laying structure, comprising: a main shell disposed in a mudflat section, the main shell having a receiving cavity; a wiring hole disposed on the main shell, the wiring hole communicating with the receiving cavity, through which the submarine cable passes through the main shell; and a water inlet disposed on the main shell, communicating with the receiving cavity, and the water inlet being located above the wiring hole. This design uses the main shell to form a receiving cavity for the submarine cable to pass through. During high tide, seawater submerges the main shell, and seawater enters the receiving cavity through the water inlet. The submarine cable passing through the receiving cavity is in direct contact with the seawater, which absorbs the heat emitted by the cable, thus aiding in heat dissipation. During low tide, the seawater leaves the mudflat section, but a certain amount of seawater remains in the receiving cavity. Therefore, the submarine cable remains surrounded by seawater and can still maintain effective heat dissipation through the seawater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cable laying technology, specifically to a water-filled cable trench and its laying structure. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore wind power and tidal power are the future directions of clean energy development. Offshore power generation facilities transmit electricity outwards via submarine cables.

[0003] Coastal areas experience high and low tides. At low tide, the sea recedes outwards, exposing parts of the beach. At high tide, the seawater spreads towards the coast, covering parts of the beach and creating two boundaries on the shore: high tide and low tide. The coastline between high and low tide is called the mudflat, which is the area submerged when the tide is at its highest point and exposed when the tide is at its lowest point.

[0004] Within the tidal flat area, the water level rises and falls periodically, resulting in significant temperature variations between when the tidal flat is submerged and when it is exposed.

[0005] Because submarine cables need to pass through tidal flats when transmitting electrical energy, in actual engineering projects, they are generally buried directly on the seabed in these areas. However, because the tidal flats are exposed to the air at low tide, solar radiation causes them to heat up rapidly, leading to a rapid increase in the ambient temperature around the submarine cable.

[0006] Current carrying capacity is the maximum current a conductor can continuously carry under specified conditions without causing its stable temperature to exceed a specified value. Determining the current carrying capacity of a cable is a crucial step in the planning and design of cable lines. Submarine cables are also a type of cable. Increased ambient temperature around submarine cables affects their temperature and heat dissipation performance, thus impacting their current carrying capacity. Consequently, the current carrying capacity of submarine cables in tidal flat sections is generally only 60%-70% of that in the seabed section. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the defect in the prior art that the heat dissipation conditions of submarine cables in tidal flat sections are greatly affected by the rise and fall of tides, thus affecting the current carrying capacity of submarine cables, thereby providing a water-filled cable trench and its laying structure.

[0008] A water-filled cable trench, comprising:

[0009] The main outer shell is located in the tidal flat section, and the main outer shell has a receiving cavity inside;

[0010] A wiring hole is provided on the main body shell, the wiring hole is connected to the receiving cavity, and the submarine cable passes through the main body shell through the wiring hole;

[0011] A water inlet is provided on the main body shell, communicating with the receiving cavity, and the water inlet is located above the wiring hole.

[0012] The water inlet is located on the side of the main body shell.

[0013] The main body shell has two water inlets symmetrically arranged on both sides.

[0014] Also includes:

[0015] A filter assembly is disposed on the main body shell, and the filter assembly is disposed corresponding to the water inlet.

[0016] The main outer shell is composed of multiple water-filling units.

[0017] Each of the water filling units is provided with a water inlet.

[0018] A sealing structure is provided between the submarine cable and the wiring hole.

[0019] A cable trench laying structure includes:

[0020] The foundation pit is located in the tidal flat section;

[0021] In any of the above-described water-filled cable trenches, the main body shell is located inside the foundation pit, the top of the main body shell protrudes from the foundation pit, and the water inlet protrudes from the foundation pit.

[0022] Also includes:

[0023] The reinforced structure includes multiple protective stones stacked on both sides of the foundation pit, extending along the length of the water-filled cable trench.

[0024] The water-filled cable trench extends obliquely towards the seawall.

[0025] The technical solution of this invention has the following advantages:

[0026] 1. The present invention provides a water-filled cable trench, comprising: a main shell disposed in a tidal flat section, the main shell having a receiving cavity; a wiring hole disposed on the main shell, the wiring hole communicating with the receiving cavity, through which a submarine cable passes through the main shell; and a water inlet disposed on the main shell, communicating with the receiving cavity, and the water inlet being located above the wiring hole.

[0027] This design uses a main outer shell to create a cavity for the submarine cable to pass through. At high tide, seawater submerges the main outer shell and enters the cavity through the inlet. The submarine cable, passing through the cavity, is in direct contact with the seawater, which absorbs the heat emitted by the cable, thus aiding in heat dissipation. At low tide, as the seawater moves away from the mudflat section, some seawater in the cavity flows out through the inlet. Because the inlet is located above the cable routing hole, a certain amount of seawater remains in the cavity after low tide, enough to submerge the cable. Therefore, the submarine cable is enclosed in a seawater environment, enabling effective heat dissipation.

[0028] 2. The present invention provides a water-filled cable trench, further comprising: a filter assembly disposed on the main body shell, and the filter assembly being disposed corresponding to the water inlet.

[0029] The filter assembly can filter seawater before it passes through the inlet, preventing sediment and impurities from entering the containment chamber or clogging the inlet.

[0030] 3. The present invention provides a water-filled cable trench, wherein the main body shell is composed of multiple water-filling units.

[0031] Multiple water-filling units can be prefabricated in batches, which facilitates engineering transportation and allows for targeted replacement of damaged parts of the water-filling cable trench, reducing maintenance costs.

[0032] 4. The present invention provides a water-filled cable trench, wherein a sealing structure is provided between the submarine cable and the wiring hole.

[0033] The sealing structure serves two purposes: it supports and positions the submarine cable, and it isolates the cavities within adjacent water-filled units. When the water-filled cable trench is laid at an angle, the cavities are not interconnected, preventing seawater from flowing from the higher-level cavities to the lower-level cavities and increasing the water storage capacity within each cavity.

[0034] 5. The present invention also provides a cable trench laying structure, comprising: a foundation pit located in a tidal flat section; a water-filled cable trench as described in any of the above embodiments, wherein the main body shell is located in the foundation pit, the top of the main body shell protrudes from the foundation pit, and the water inlet protrudes from the foundation pit.

[0035] The foundation pit provides depth and support for cable trench laying, allowing the submarine cable to be located away from the ground within permissible limits, reducing the impact on the cable when the exposed tidal flat section is exposed to sunlight and heats up during low tide. The exposed inlet allows seawater to smoothly enter the containment chamber during high tide. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure for laying water-filled cable trenches in the tidal flat section;

[0038] Figure 2 A three-dimensional diagram showing the structure of the water-filling unit;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the installation of water-filled units in the foundation pit of the tidal flat section.

[0040] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the placement of protective stones on one side of the foundation pit.

[0041] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0042] 1. Water filling unit; 2. Wiring hole; 3. Water inlet; 4. Submarine cable; 5. Seawall; 6. Filter assembly; 7. Protective stone; 8. Foundation pit. Detailed Implementation

[0043] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0044] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0047] Example 1

[0048] This embodiment provides a water-filled cable trench, such as Figure 1 As shown, the system includes: a main shell located in the tidal flat section, with a receiving cavity inside; a wiring hole 2 located on the main shell, communicating with the receiving cavity, through which the submarine cable 4 passes; and a water inlet 3 located on the main shell, communicating with the receiving cavity, and positioned above the wiring hole 2. This design uses the main shell to form a receiving cavity for the submarine cable 4 to pass through. During high tide, seawater submerges the main shell and enters the receiving cavity through the water inlet 3. The submarine cable 4, passing through the receiving cavity, is in direct contact with the seawater, which absorbs the heat emitted by the cable, thus aiding in heat dissipation. During low tide, the seawater leaves the tidal flat section, but a certain amount of seawater remains in the receiving cavity. Therefore, the submarine cable 4 remains enveloped by seawater and can still effectively dissipate heat through the seawater.

[0049] There are no specific restrictions on the material of the main shell. As a further limiting embodiment based on the above embodiments, the main shell is constructed by welding steel plates. As an alternative embodiment, the main shell is constructed by casting concrete or cement.

[0050] The shape of the inlet 3 is not specifically limited. Based on the above implementation method, as a further limiting implementation method, combined with... Figure 1 , Figure 2 The inlet 3 is rectangular, circular, or elliptical. As an alternative embodiment, the inlet 3 includes multiple through holes, which can be rectangular, circular, or elliptical, and the through holes distributed within a preset range constitute the inlet 3.

[0051] There are no specific restrictions on the location of the inlet 3. Based on the above implementation method, as a further limiting implementation method, such as... Figure 2As shown, the water inlet 3 is located on the side of the main body shell. The side-mounted water inlet 3 better avoids direct impact from seawater, preventing seawater carrying sediment from entering the containment cavity. Alternatively, the water inlet 3 can be located on the top of the main body shell.

[0052] There are no specific restrictions on the number of inlets 3 or the positional relationship between inlets 3. Based on the above implementation method, as a further limiting implementation method, such as... Figure 2 As shown, there is one water inlet. As an alternative implementation, two water inlets 3 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the main body shell. The symmetrical arrangement of the water inlets 3 on both sides of the main body shell improves the water intake efficiency of the containment space. During high tide, water can enter the containment cavity from multiple angles, creating multiple circulating water flows within the containment cavity, thereby improving the heat exchange and renewal efficiency of the seawater within the containment cavity.

[0053] Among them, such as Figure 3 As shown, the main body shell is also equipped with a filter assembly 6, and the filter assembly 6 is arranged corresponding to the water inlet 3. The filter assembly 6 can filter seawater before it passes through the water inlet 3, preventing sediment and impurities from entering the receiving cavity or clogging the water inlet 3.

[0054] The specific structure of the filter assembly 6 is not specifically limited. Based on the above embodiments, as a further defined embodiment, the filter assembly 6 includes at least one filter screen and a fixing component connecting the filter screen and the water inlet 3. As an alternative embodiment, the filter screen is welded to the water inlet 3 to form the filter assembly 6.

[0055] The structure of the main shell is not specifically limited. Based on the above embodiments, as a further defined embodiment, the main shell is composed of multiple water-filling units 1. Multiple water-filling units 1 allow for better batch prefabrication, facilitating engineering transportation and enabling targeted partial replacement when the water-filling cable trench is damaged, thus reducing maintenance costs. As an alternative embodiment, the main shell is integrally molded.

[0056] There are no specific limitations on the size ratio of the water filling unit 1. Based on the above implementation method, as a further limiting implementation method, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the length of the water-filling unit 1 is twice the width of the water-filling unit 1. Alternatively, the length of the water-filling unit 1 may be less than twice the width of the water-filling unit 1, or the length of the water-filling unit 1 may be greater than twice the width of the water-filling unit 1.

[0057] There are no specific limitations on the proportional relationship between the size of the water-filling unit 1 and the size of the submarine cable 4. Based on the above implementation method, as a further limiting implementation method, such as... Figure 2As shown, with the diameter D of the submarine cable 4 as a reference, the width of the water-filling unit 1 is 5D, and the length of the water-filling unit 1 is 10D. Alternatively, the width of the water-filling unit 1 may be greater than D and less than 5D, or the width of the water-filling unit 1 may be greater than 5D. The length of the water-filling unit 1 may be greater than D and less than 10D, or the length of the water-filling unit 1 may be greater than 10D.

[0058] There are no specific restrictions on the structure of water-filling unit 1, such as... Figure 2 As shown, each of the water-filling units 1 is provided with a water inlet 3. This improves the water-filling efficiency of the entire water-filling cable trench. As an alternative implementation, some water-filling units 1 do not have a water inlet 3, and the water-filling units 1 without water inlets 3 are connected to the receiving cavities of the water-filling units 1 with water inlets 3.

[0059] Based on the above embodiments, as a further limiting embodiment, such as... Figure 1 As shown, a sealing structure is provided between the submarine cable 4 and the wiring hole 2. This sealing structure serves two purposes: firstly, it supports and positions the submarine cable 4; secondly, it isolates the cavities within adjacent water-filling units 1. When the water-filling cable trench is laid at an angle, the cavities are not interconnected, preventing seawater in the higher-level cavities from flowing into the lower-level cavities and increasing the water storage capacity within the cavities.

[0060] Example 2

[0061] This embodiment provides a cable trench laying structure, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 As shown, the system includes: a foundation pit 8 located in the tidal flat section; and a water-filled cable trench as described in Embodiment 1. The main outer shell is located within the foundation pit 8, with the top of the main outer shell protruding from the foundation pit 8, and the water inlet 3 also protruding from the foundation pit 8. The foundation pit 8 provides depth and support for the cable trench laying, allowing the submarine cable 4 to be laid away from the ground within permissible limits, reducing the impact on the submarine cable 4 when the tidal flat section is exposed to sunlight and heats up during low tide. The exposed water inlet 3 allows seawater to smoothly enter the containment cavity during high tide.

[0062] Based on the above embodiments, as a further limiting embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the cable trench laying structure also includes a reinforcing structure, comprising multiple protective stones 7, which are stacked on both sides of the foundation pit 8 and extend along the length of the water-filled cable trench. The protective stones 7 provide support and protection for the water-filled cable trench and reduce the amount of silt carried by seawater during high and low tides, thus maintaining the integrity of the foundation pit 8. As an alternative implementation, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the protective stone 7 can be installed only on one side of the foundation pit 8.

[0063] The water-filled cable trench extends obliquely toward the seawall 5.

[0064] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A water-filled cable trench, characterized in that, include: The main shell is located on the tidal flat section and extends obliquely towards the seawall (5). The main shell is constructed of multiple water-filling units (1) welded from steel plates. Each of the multiple water-filling units (1) inside the main shell has a receiving cavity. A wiring hole (2) is provided on the main body shell. The wiring hole (2) communicates with the receiving cavity. The submarine cable (4) passes through the wiring hole (2) and passes through the main body shell. A sealing structure is provided between the submarine cable (4) and the wiring hole (2). The water inlet (3) is located on the side of the main body shell and connects to the receiving cavity. Each water filling unit (3) is provided with the water inlet (3), and the water inlet (3) is located above the wiring hole (2).

2. The water-filled cable trench according to claim 1, characterized in that, There is one water inlet (3).

3. The water-filled cable trench according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: A filter assembly (6) is disposed on the main body shell, and the filter assembly (6) is disposed corresponding to the water inlet (3).

4. A cable trench laying structure, characterized in that, include: The foundation pit is located in the tidal flat section; According to any one of claims 1-3, the main body shell is disposed in the foundation pit, the top of the main body shell protrudes from the foundation pit, and the water inlet protrudes from the foundation pit.

5. The cable trench laying structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The reinforcing structure (7) includes multiple retaining stones (7) stacked on at least one side of the pit and extending along the length of the water-filled cable trench.

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