Branching Unit for Undersea Power Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3-port electrical branching configurations in undersea optical fiber transmission systems face limitations during shunt faults, as the virtual ground point cannot be moved, and power feed equipment farthest from the fault must generate additional power, constraining communication capacity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A novel branching unit with a dual-conductor branching configuration that allows power distribution to both outbound directions of the trunk path, enabling shunt fault recovery on all paths without direct grounding of optical cables, and dividing cables into shunt fault recovery zones to reduce PFE voltage requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional 3-port electrical branching configuration is used, then the branching unit can interconnect power conductors of three cables, but the virtual ground point cannot be moved when a shunt fault occurs, limiting fault recovery capability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single power conductor connection into multiple independent sub-ports (first sub-port and second sub-port), each capable of independently connecting to different cables. This segmentation allows the system to isolate fault sections and reconfigure connections to move the virtual ground point, thereby improving fault recovery capability while maintaining adaptability.
2Power
If power feed equipment farthest from the shunt fault generates additional power, then the system can maintain operating current, but traffic capacity is constrained and communication efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables dynamic reconfiguration of power conductor connections through the controllable switching elements in the sub-ports. When a shunt fault occurs, the system can dynamically change the connection topology to route power through optimal paths, distributing power more efficiently and reducing the burden on distant power feed equipment, thereby maintaining communication capacity and efficiency.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the power conductor of one cable is always physically connected to a local sea ground connector, then the branching unit provides stable grounding, but the virtual ground point is fixed and cannot be relocated for fault recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The invention prepares multiple pre-configured connection paths through the sub-ports before faults occur. Each sub-port can independently connect to different cables and ground connectors, creating redundant pathways in advance. When a shunt fault occurs, the system can immediately switch to alternative pre-prepared configurations, maintaining both grounding stability and fault recovery flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel branching unit provided. The branching unit may include a first port for connecting a first power conductor disposed in a first optical cable, a second port for connecting a second power conductor disposed in a second optical cable, and a third port for connecting a third power conductor and a fourth power conductor disposed in a branch cable. The third port may include a first sub-port and a second sub-port. The first sub-port may be configured to connect the third power conductor of the branch cable. The second sub-port may be configured to connect the fourth power conductor of the branch cable.