Dynamic Submarine Cable Water Barrier for Fatigue and Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic submarine power cables face challenges with corrugated metallic water barriers at deep sea depths due to hydrostatic pressure, leading to buckling and reduced fatigue life, especially when subjected to wave motion and constant movement.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic submarine power cable design featuring a corrugated metallic water blocking layer for the top section to enhance fatigue resistance and a smooth metallic water blocking layer for the bottom section to withstand hydrostatic pressure, eliminating deformation and stress concentrations, with a polymeric layer and adhesive for added durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a corrugated metallic water blocking layer is used throughout the cable, then fatigue resistance is improved, but the cable becomes susceptible to buckling under hydrostatic pressure at deep sea depths
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic water blocking layer is divided into two distinct sections: a corrugated section for the top portion of the cable and a smooth section for the bottom portion. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific functional requirements without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the metallic water blocking layer are given different structural qualities - the top section has corrugated structure for fatigue resistance while the bottom section has smooth structure for hydrostatic pressure resistance. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by applying the appropriate structure in the appropriate location.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a smooth metallic water blocking layer is used throughout the cable, then resistance to hydrostatic pressure is improved, but fatigue resistance is reduced due to stress concentrations during wave motion
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic water blocking layer is segmented into smooth and corrugated sections, allowing the smooth section to resist hydrostatic pressure while the corrugated section provides fatigue resistance during wave motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom section of the cable is equipped with smooth metallic water blocking layer specifically where hydrostatic pressure resistance is critical, while the top section uses corrugated structure where fatigue resistance is more important.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the metallic water blocking layer deforms under hydrostatic pressure, then adaptation to deep sea environment is improved, but stress concentrations reduce the fatigue life of the metallic water barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth section of the metallic water blocking layer is specifically designed to maintain its shape under hydrostatic pressure without deformation, preventing stress concentrations that would reduce fatigue life.
Data Source
AI summary
A dynamic submarine power cable having: a conductor, an insulation system arranged around the conductor, wherein the insulation system includes an inner semiconducting layer arranged around the conductor, an insulation layer arranged around the inner semiconducting layer, and an outer semiconducting layer arranged around the insulation layer, and a metallic water blocking layer arranged around the insulation system, wherein the metallic water blocking layer is formed by a first section that is a corrugated metallic water blocking layer and a second section that is a smooth metallic water blocking layer.