A submarine line brancher and a submarine observation network

Abstract

This invention discloses a submarine line splitter and a submarine observation network, relating to the field of submarine observation technology. The submarine line splitter includes: an A port, a B port, a C1 port, a C2 port, an SE port, a switching unit, and a control unit. The switching unit includes a first relay, a second relay, a third relay, a fourth relay, and a fifth relay. The first relay is located between the A port and the B port; the second relay is located between the A port and the SE port; the third relay is located between the B port and the SE port; the fourth relay connects to the C1 port, the A port, and the SE port; and the fifth relay connects to the C2 port, the B port, and the SE port. The control unit is connected to the switching unit and configured to control the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line splitter, thereby adjusting the power supply path of the submarine line splitter. This invention can achieve load fault isolation or main submarine cable fault isolation, providing conditions for subsequent uninterrupted power maintenance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of seabed observation technology, and in particular to a seabed line branch and a seabed observation network. Background Technology

[0002] Submarine observation networks are crucial infrastructure for marine scientific research, resource exploration, and national defense. Within these networks, the submarine branching unit is a key node device used to establish electrical connections and signal transmission between the main submarine cable and branch cables or load equipment.

[0003] Existing traditional submarine line splitters typically employ a three-port configuration: two main ports and one load port. In practical applications, existing submarine line splitters lack fault isolation capabilities when a load fault (such as a short circuit or leakage) or a fault occurs in the connected main submarine cable. This often necessitates a complete power-down operation of the entire submarine system for maintenance. This not only affects the continued normal operation of non-faulty equipment and reduces system availability, but also makes the power-down and restart process complex and risky, failing to meet the requirements for safe maintenance and reliable operation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve existing submarine line splitters to address these issues. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a submarine line splitter and a submarine observation network to solve the technical problem in the related art where existing submarine line splitters lack fault isolation functions when there is a load failure or a main submarine cable failure, resulting in the need to power down the entire submarine system for maintenance.

[0005] In a first aspect, a submarine line splitter is provided, comprising: an A port, a B port, a C1 port, a C2 port, an SE port, a switching unit, and a control unit, wherein the A port and the B port are used to connect to the main submarine cable, and the C1 port and the C2 port are used to connect to the load; The switching unit includes a first relay, a second relay, a third relay, a fourth relay, and a fifth relay. The first relay is connected between port A and port B; the second relay is connected between port A and port SE; the third relay is connected between port B and port SE; the common terminal of the fourth relay is connected to port C1, its first contact is connected to port A, and its second contact is connected to port SE; the common terminal of the fifth relay is connected to port C2, its first contact is connected to port B, and its second contact is connected to port SE. The control unit is connected to the switching unit and is configured to: control the operation of each relay of the switching unit according to the working state of the submarine line branch, so as to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch; wherein the working state includes an initial state, a normal state, a state for responding to load faults, and a state for responding to main submarine cable faults.

[0006] In some embodiments, controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line splitter to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line splitter includes: When the submarine line branch unit is operating in its initial state or in a state to handle load faults, it controls the first relay to turn on, connecting port A to port B; controls the second relay to turn off; controls the third relay to turn off; controls the common terminal of the fourth relay to connect with the second contact of the fourth relay, connecting port C1 to port SE; controls the common terminal of the fifth relay to connect with the second contact of the fifth relay, connecting port C2 to port SE.

[0007] In some embodiments, controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line splitter to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line splitter includes: When the submarine line branch is operating normally, the first relay is controlled to disconnect; the second relay is controlled to disconnect; the third relay is controlled to disconnect; the common terminal of the fourth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay, so that port C1 is connected with port A; the common terminal of the fifth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay, so that port C2 is connected with port B.

[0008] In some embodiments, controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line splitter to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line splitter includes: When the submarine line splitter is operating in a state to handle a main submarine cable fault, and the fault is in the main submarine cable connected to port A, it controls the first relay to disconnect; controls the second relay to turn on, so that port A is connected to port SE; controls the third relay to disconnect; controls the common terminal of the fourth relay to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay; controls the common terminal of the fifth relay to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay, so that port C2 is connected to port B.

[0009] In some embodiments, controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line splitter to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line splitter includes: When the submarine line splitter is operating in a state to respond to a main submarine cable fault, and the fault is in the main submarine cable connected to port B, the first relay is controlled to disconnect; the second relay is controlled to disconnect; the third relay is controlled to connect, so that port B is connected to port SE; the common terminal of the fourth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay, so that port C1 is connected to port A; and the common terminal of the fifth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay.

[0010] In some embodiments, the submarine line splitter further includes: The power supply unit is connected to the A port and the B port, and is also connected to the switching unit and the control unit. The power supply unit is used to draw power from the A port or the B port and output it to the switching unit and the control unit.

[0011] In some embodiments, the power supply unit includes a power-taking module and a DC-DC converter connected to the power-taking module.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are monostable relays.

[0013] In some embodiments, the second relay and the third relay are bistable relays.

[0014] Secondly, a submarine observation network is provided, including the aforementioned submarine line brancher.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the technical solution provided by this invention include: This invention provides a submarine line splitter and a submarine observation network. The submarine line splitter, through a switching unit consisting of five relays and in conjunction with a control unit, enables flexible configuration of the power supply path between ports A, B, C1, C2, and SE. It can achieve multiple working states such as direct connection of the main submarine cable, normal load access, and port grounding, thereby enabling load fault isolation or main submarine cable fault isolation, providing conditions for subsequent uninterrupted power maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a submarine line brancher provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first operating state of a switching unit of a submarine line branch provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the second operating state of a switching unit of a submarine line branch provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a structural schematic diagram of the third operating state of a switching unit of a submarine line branch provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a structural schematic diagram of the fourth operating state of a switching unit of a submarine line branch provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the power supply path in four operating states of a switching unit of a submarine line branch provided in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the power supply unit of a submarine line branch provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. 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.

[0019] This invention provides a submarine line splitter that solves the technical problem that existing submarine line splitters lack fault isolation functions when there is a load fault or a main submarine cable fault, requiring the entire submarine system to be powered down for maintenance.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a submarine line splitter, including: an A port, a B port, a C1 port, a C2 port, an SE port, a switching unit, and a control unit. The A port and the B port are used to connect to the main submarine cable, enabling access to the backbone link; the A port or the B port provides power. The C1 port and the C2 port are used to connect to loads, such as seabed observation instruments and sensors. The SE port is a grounding port, connected to the sea earth.

[0021] The switching unit includes a first relay RL1, a second relay RL2, a third relay RL3, a fourth relay RL4, and a fifth relay RL5. The first relay RL1 is connected between port A and port B, with its common terminal connected to port A, its first contact left floating, and its second contact connected to port B. The second relay RL2 is connected between port A and port SE, with its common terminal connected to port SE, its first contact connected to port A, and its second contact left floating. The third relay RL3 is connected between port B and port SE, with its common terminal connected to port SE, its first contact connected to port B, and its second contact left floating. The fourth relay RL4 has its common terminal connected to port C1, its first contact connected to port A, and its second contact connected to port SE. The fifth relay RL5 has its common terminal connected to port C2, its first contact connected to port B, and its second contact connected to port SE.

[0022] The control unit is connected to the switching unit and is configured to: control the operation of each relay of the switching unit according to the working state of the submarine line branch, so as to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch; wherein the working state includes an initial state, a normal state, a state for responding to load faults, and a state for responding to main submarine cable faults.

[0023] Specifically, controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line branch to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch includes: like Figure 2 As shown, when the submarine line branch unit is operating in its initial state (not configured at the factory) or in a state to handle load faults (such as short circuits or leakage), it controls the first relay RL1 to conduct, connecting port A and port B; it controls the second relay RL2 to deactivate; it controls the third relay RL3 to deactivate; it controls the common terminal of the fourth relay RL4 to conduct with the second contact of the fourth relay RL4, connecting port C1 and port SE; it controls the common terminal of the fifth relay RL5 to conduct with the second contact of the fifth relay RL5, connecting port C2 and port SE. At this time, the power supply path is either port A-port B or port B-port A, meaning the main submarine cable is directly connected through ports A and B, without affecting the main link. Ports C1 and C2 are grounded and isolated, achieving load fault isolation. This allows for repair of the faulty load without powering down the entire system.

[0024] like Figure 3As shown, when the submarine line branch unit is operating normally, it controls the first relay RL1 to disconnect; controls the second relay RL2 to disconnect; controls the third relay RL3 to disconnect; controls the common terminal of the fourth relay RL4 to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay RL4, making port C1 connected to port A; controls the common terminal of the fifth relay RL5 to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay RL5, making port C2 connected to port B. The power supply path at this time is: port A - port C1 - load - port C2 - port B or port B - port C2 - load - port C1 - port A, and the load is normally connected to the system and operating.

[0025] like Figure 4 As shown, when the submarine cable splitter is operating in a mode to handle main submarine cable faults, specifically when the fault is in the main submarine cable connected to port A, the first relay RL1 is disconnected; the second relay RL2 is turned on, connecting port A to port SE; the third relay RL3 is disconnected; the common terminal of the fourth relay RL4 is connected to its first contact; and the common terminal of the fifth relay RL5 is connected to its first contact, connecting port C2 to port B. At this time, the faulty port A is grounded, and the power supply path is port B-port C2-load-port C1. The load can still operate through port B, the faulty port A is safely grounded, and the faulty main submarine cable connected to port A can be repaired without affecting the load of the submarine cable splitter or the normal operation of the main submarine cable connected to port B. Alternatively, the common terminal of the fourth relay RL4 can also be connected to its second contact, thus connecting port C1 to port SE.

[0026] like Figure 5As shown, when the submarine cable splitter is operating in a mode to handle main submarine cable faults, specifically when the fault is in the main submarine cable connected to port B, the following actions are taken: First, the first relay is disconnected; second, the second relay is disconnected; third, the third relay is turned on, connecting port B to port SE; the common terminal of the fourth relay is connected to its first contact, connecting port C1 to port A; and the common terminal of the fifth relay RL5 is connected to its first contact. Similarly, the faulty port B is grounded, and the power supply path is port A-port C1-load-port C2. The load can still operate through port A, the faulty port B is safely grounded, and the faulty main submarine cable connected to port B can be repaired without affecting the load of the submarine cable splitter or the normal operation of the main submarine cable connected to port A. Here, the common terminal of the fifth relay RL5 can also be connected to its second contact, effectively connecting port C2 to port SE.

[0027] like Figure 6 As shown in Table 1 below, Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the power supply path for the four operating states of the switching unit corresponding to the four operating states of the submarine line branch circuit. State 1 is the initial state or the state for responding to load faults; State 2 is the normal state; State 3 is the state for responding to main submarine cable faults when connected to port A; and State 4 is the state for responding to main submarine cable faults when connected to port B. Table 1 shows the connection to... Figure 6 The switching configuration status of the relays under different power supply paths is shown in Table 1. In Table 1, 1 represents NC normally closed and 0 represents NO normally open.

[0028] Table 1

[0029] Additionally, the control unit can be a microprocessor (MCU), which can also receive control commands from onshore equipment (such as a coherent optical time domain reflectometer, COTDR) via a receiving circuit, analyze them after photoelectric conversion and amplification, and control the relays based on the control commands. The control unit can also determine whether a load fault or a main submarine cable fault has occurred by detecting current and voltage. For example, assuming the submarine line branch is operating normally, when the detected load current is less than a first preset threshold (e.g., 1.0A), a load fault is determined; when an abnormal load voltage is detected, a load short circuit or leakage fault is determined. Once a load fault is determined, the corresponding first relay RL1, fourth relay RL4, and fifth relay RL5 are immediately activated to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch. As another example, assuming the submarine line branch is operating normally, when the detected voltage at port A or port B is less than a second preset threshold (e.g., 1000V), a main submarine cable open circuit fault is determined to occur at port A or port B. At this time, the corresponding second relay RL2 or third relay RL3 is activated to ground port A or port B.

[0030] The submarine line branch unit in this embodiment of the invention, through the setting of a switching unit composed of 5 relays and in conjunction with the control unit, realizes the flexible configuration of the power supply path between port A, port B, port C1, port C2 and port SE. It can realize multiple working states such as main submarine cable direct connection, normal load access and port grounding, and thus realize load fault isolation or main submarine cable fault isolation, providing conditions for subsequent uninterrupted power maintenance.

[0031] In an optional embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the submarine line splitter further includes: a power supply unit connected to port A and port B, and also connected to the switching unit and the control unit. The power supply unit is used to draw power from port A or port B and output it to the switching unit and the control unit. Specifically, as... Figure 7 As shown, the power supply unit includes a power acquisition module and a DC-DC converter connected to the power acquisition module. Since submarine observation networks typically use high-voltage constant-current power (e.g., voltages up to several kilovolts, constant current), the power supply unit, through the power acquisition module and the DC-DC converter connected to the power acquisition module, draws power from the submarine cable constant-current system, converting the high-voltage current input to the submarine line branch into a low-voltage weak current (e.g., 5V or 12V) to power the control unit and switching unit. Figure 7 (used in subsequent units).

[0032] In an optional embodiment, the first relay RL1, the fourth relay RL4, and the fifth relay RL5 are monostable relays. A monostable relay automatically returns to a preset initial state after the coil is de-energized. In this invention, when the control unit fails or the power supply unit is de-energized, the first relay RL1 is turned on (main circuit direct connection), and the fourth relay RL4 and the fifth relay RL5 switch to the second contact (load ground). This ensures that the load can return to its initial state without external energy when a fault occurs, thereby ensuring that non-faulty equipment continues to operate normally.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the second relay RL2 and the third relay RL3 are bistable relays. Bistable relays maintain their current state after the coil is de-energized. This ensures that the grounding state of the main ports (Port A and Port B) is unaffected by the load state. If the main submarine cable connected to Port A or Port B fails and is switched to ground, the grounding state will remain even if the control unit restarts until a new control command is received, ensuring maintenance safety.

[0034] This invention also provides a submarine observation network, including the aforementioned submarine line brancher.

[0035] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper," "lower," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" 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; they can refer to the internal communication between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] It should be noted that in this invention, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used merely to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0037] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, enabling those skilled in the art to understand or implement the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features of the invention herein.

Claims

1. A submarine line splitter, characterized in that, include: Port A, Port B, Port C1, Port C2, Port SE, Switching Unit, and Control Unit, wherein Port A and Port B are used to connect the main submarine cable, and Port C1 and Port C2 are used to connect the load; The switching unit includes a first relay, a second relay, a third relay, a fourth relay, and a fifth relay. The first relay is connected between port A and port B; the second relay is connected between port A and port SE; the third relay is connected between port B and port SE; the common terminal of the fourth relay is connected to port C1, its first contact is connected to port A, and its second contact is connected to port SE; the common terminal of the fifth relay is connected to port C2, its first contact is connected to port B, and its second contact is connected to port SE. The control unit is connected to the switching unit and is configured to: control the operation of each relay of the switching unit according to the working state of the submarine line branch, so as to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch; wherein the working state includes an initial state, a normal state, a state for responding to load faults, and a state for responding to main submarine cable faults.

2. The submarine line splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line branch to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch includes: When the submarine line branch unit is operating in its initial state or in a state to handle load faults, it controls the first relay to turn on, connecting port A to port B; controls the second relay to turn off; controls the third relay to turn off; controls the common terminal of the fourth relay to connect with the second contact of the fourth relay, connecting port C1 to port SE; controls the common terminal of the fifth relay to connect with the second contact of the fifth relay, connecting port C2 to port SE.

3. The submarine line splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line branch to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch includes: When the submarine line branch is operating normally, the first relay is controlled to disconnect; the second relay is controlled to disconnect; the third relay is controlled to disconnect; the common terminal of the fourth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay, so that port C1 is connected with port A; the common terminal of the fifth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay, so that port C2 is connected with port B.

4. The submarine line splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line branch to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch includes: When the submarine line splitter is operating in a state to handle a main submarine cable fault, and the fault is in the main submarine cable connected to port A, it controls the first relay to disconnect; controls the second relay to turn on, so that port A is connected to port SE; controls the third relay to disconnect; controls the common terminal of the fourth relay to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay; controls the common terminal of the fifth relay to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay, so that port C2 is connected to port B.

5. The submarine line brancher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of controlling the operation of each relay in the switching unit according to the operating state of the submarine line branch to adjust the power supply path of the submarine line branch includes: When the submarine line splitter is operating in a state to respond to a main submarine cable fault, and the fault is in the main submarine cable connected to port B, the first relay is controlled to disconnect; the second relay is controlled to disconnect; the third relay is controlled to connect, so that port B is connected to port SE; the common terminal of the fourth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fourth relay, so that port C1 is connected to port A; and the common terminal of the fifth relay is controlled to connect with the first contact of the fifth relay.

6. The submarine line splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The power supply unit is connected to the A port and the B port, and is also connected to the switching unit and the control unit. The power supply unit is used to draw power from the A port or the B port and output it to the switching unit and the control unit.

7. The submarine line splitter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The power supply unit includes a power acquisition module and a DC-DC converter connected to the power acquisition module.

8. The submarine line splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first relay, the fourth relay, and the fifth relay are monostable relays.

9. The submarine line splitter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second relay and the third relay are bistable relays.

10. A seabed observation network, characterized in that, Includes the submarine line splitter as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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