Dual Output Subsea Sensor Connection Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea pressure and temperature sensor configurations require significant space and are costly due to the need for multiple sensors mounted at different locations, which complicates redundancy and increases operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A dual output subsea sensor connection assembly that connects two subsea cables to a single dual output sensor using an adapter piece with penetrators providing a liquid-tight seal, allowing for separate oil volumes and maintaining a reliable seal under high pressure, enabling redundant measurements with reduced space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate pressure sensors are provided for redundancy, then measurement reliability is improved, but space requirements and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two pressure sensing functions into a single dual-output pressure sensor (220) that can provide redundant measurements through two separate cable connections. This merging approach maintains measurement reliability and redundancy while significantly reducing the space required compared to installing two separate sensor units at different locations on the flow line or Christmas tree.
2Reliability
If two separate pressure sensors are provided for redundancy, then measurement reliability is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging two sensing functions into one dual-output sensor, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, installed, and maintained. This single sensor with dual output capability is more cost-effective than deploying two complete sensor systems, reducing both capital expenditure and operational expenses while maintaining redundant measurement capability.
3Device complexity
If a single cable is connected to a pressure sensor, then device complexity is reduced, but redundancy cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal connection assembly (100) that can accommodate multiple cable connections through a single adapter piece (110). The adapter piece with multiple ports allows one sensor to interface with multiple cables, providing redundancy while maintaining a unified, manageable connection structure rather than requiring separate mounting locations for each sensor-cable assembly.
4Reliability
If penetrators are used to provide liquid-tight seals for multiple cables, then redundancy is achieved with reduced space, but sealing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function by providing individual penetrators (121, 122) for each cable connection port. Each penetrator creates an independent liquid-tight seal, allowing cables to pass through the pressure boundary separately. This segmentation enables redundant connections with reduced space while maintaining manageable sealing complexity through modular, standardized penetrator components rather than requiring a single complex multi-cable seal.
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 allows for compact, reliable, and redundant subsea sensor operations at high depths, ensuring continued functionality even if one cable is damaged, and integrates easily with existing subsea constructions, maintaining a safe and secure operation.
Implementation Method 1
The first penetrator is sealed in the first port by a weld and the second penetrator is sealed in the second port by a weld
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
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 (145) 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 (146) 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 (145) connected to the first port (111) and the duct (146) connected to the second port (112) through the adapter piece (110).