Dual Output Subsea Sensor Connection Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea pressure and temperature sensor configurations require significant space and are costly due to the need for multiple sensors and cables, which can be damaged by water ingress, disrupting operations.
Innovation Solution
A dual output subsea sensor connection assembly that connects two oil-filled hoses to a dual output sensor using separate penetrators with O-ring seals and a barrier penetrator, allowing for redundant data and power transmission while maintaining isolation between the cables, enabling operation even if one cable is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate pressure sensors are used to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but space requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate pressure sensors into a single dual-output pressure sensor unit. This merged sensor provides redundant measurements through two separate output channels while occupying significantly less space than two independent sensors would require on the flow line or Christmas tree.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the oil-filled hoses into separate isolated volumes for each output channel. Each hose contains its own oil volume that is prevented from mixing with the other, ensuring that damage to one hose does not affect the other channel's functionality.
2Reliability
If two separate pressure sensors are used to achieve redundancy, then reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate pressure sensors into a single dual-output pressure sensor unit. This merged sensor provides redundant measurements through two separate output channels while occupying significantly less space than two independent sensors would require on the flow line or Christmas tree.
3Device complexity
If a single cable is used for each sensor, then simplicity is maintained, but vulnerability to water ingress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the oil-filled hoses into separate isolated volumes for each output channel. Each hose contains its own oil volume that is prevented from mixing with the other, ensuring that damage to one hose does not affect the other channel's functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oil as an intermediary fluid filling the hoses. This oil creates a barrier that prevents water from penetrating into the cable interior, thereby protecting the electrical conductors and sensor connections from water ingress while still allowing electrical signals to pass through.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces space requirements and costs while ensuring continuous operation by isolating oil volumes and providing redundant communication and power, protecting against water ingress and penetrator failures.
Implementation Method 1
A sealing between the first penetrator and the first port may be provided by at least one O-ring seal, preferably by at least two O-ring seals
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection assembly (100) for connecting at least two subsea cables (301, 302) to a dual output subsea sensor (220) is provided. The connection assembly (100) comprises an adapter piece (110) configured to be mounted to a rear part of the subsea sensor (220), a sensor port (115) in the adapter piece (110) through which at least a first sensor connection (131) and a second sensor connection (132) are led to the subsea sensor (220), a first port (111) for providing a connection to a first (301) of the subsea cables (301, 302), a second port (112) for providing a connection to a second (302) of the subsea cables (301, 302), a first penetrator (121) arranged in the first port (111) providing a liquid tight seal between an interior space (105) of the adapter piece (110) and a duct connected to the first port (111) leading the first sensor connection (331) through the first port (111), and a second penetrator (122) arranged in the second port (112) providing a liquid tight seal between the interior space (105) of the adapter piece (110) and a duct connected to the second port (112) and leading the second sensor connection (132) through the second port (112), wherein the sealing provided by the first penetrator (121) and by the second penetrator (122) is such that there is no fluid communication between the duct connected to the first port (111) and the duct connected to the second port (112) through the adapter piece (110).