Armored HV Cable Mooring Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional offshore wind farms require complex and expensive mooring systems with numerous lines and dynamic high voltage cables, which are costly and difficult to maintain, especially when connecting surface assemblies to underwater anchors in harsh marine environments.
Innovation Solution
A high voltage cable with an external armor layer and end fitting that enhances tensile strength, allowing for a simpler and more cost-effective mooring structure that combines mechanical anchoring with electrical connectivity, eliminating the need for complex subsea power stations and dynamic cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mooring lines and dynamic high voltage cables are used to connect surface assemblies to underwater anchors, then mechanical anchoring and electrical connectivity are achieved, but the system becomes complex and expensive to set up and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mechanical mooring function and electrical power transmission function into a single integrated high voltage cable structure. The cable includes both the electrical conductor for power transmission and external armor layers that provide mechanical tensile strength for mooring, eliminating the need for separate mooring lines and dynamic cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The high voltage cable is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits electrical power from the surface assembly to the subsea power station, while also serving as the mooring line that mechanically connects and anchors the surface assembly to the seabed through its armored structure.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional dynamic high voltage cables and subsea power stations are used, then electrical power transmission is achieved, but capital expenditures and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical conductor and mechanical armor into a single cable structure, eliminating the need for separate subsea power stations and reducing the number of components required for both mechanical and electrical functions, thereby reducing capital expenditures.
Solution Approach 2:
The armored high voltage cable serves dual purposes as both power transmission medium and mooring line, replacing the traditional separate systems of dynamic cables and mooring lines, which reduces overall system cost and simplifies installation.
3Strength
If armor elements are added to the high voltage cable to enhance tensile strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but cable structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable employs composite construction with multiple armor layers (first and second external armor layers) made of different materials or configurations, combined with the electrical conductor and insulation layers, creating a multi-layer composite structure that achieves high tensile strength while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable structure uses nested layers where the electrical conductor is surrounded by insulation, which is in turn surrounded by armor layers, with end fittings containing chambers that receive and secure the armor element ends, creating a compact nested structure that maximizes strength within a confined geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
The offshore mooring structure comprises: - a high voltage cable (70) comprising at least one conductor (80A, 80B, 80C; 80); - at least an external armor layer (72A, 72B) surrounding the high voltage cable (70); - an end fitting, mounted on the high voltage cable (70), the end fitting defining at least one chamber receiving and immobilizing an end segment of at least an armor element (110) of the armor layer (72A, 72B). The high voltage cable (70) has a free end portion extending beyond the end fitting opposite a main portion of the high voltage cable (70).