Feeder Circuit Switching Apparatus for Underwater Cable Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In submarine cable systems, feed line switching apparatuses can fail to function when feed lines have a predetermined connection relationship, leading to power disruptions and requiring costly maintenance, as they rely on power from the feed lines for operation and may not receive power if connected incorrectly.

Innovation Solution

A feed line switching apparatus with a command acquisition unit, determination unit, switching execution unit, and switching control unit that acquires and processes feed line switching commands to maintain or change the connection relationship of feed lines, preventing unnecessary power disruptions by suppressing switching for predetermined commands and ensuring continuous power supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the feed line switching apparatus switches feed lines in accordance with any received command signal, then the network can be reconfigured to accommodate growing mesh requirements and reduce construction cost, but the apparatus may enter an irrecoverable situation where it loses power supply and cannot function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidapparatus operational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention determines whether a received command signal is a predetermined command that would cause power loss before executing the switching operation. By performing this determination in advance, the system prevents switching operations that would lead to an irrecoverable state, thus maintaining reliability while still allowing necessary reconfigurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the power supply status and connection relationships of feed lines, and uses this information to control whether switching commands are executed. This feedback mechanism ensures that switching operations are only performed when they will not result in power loss, thereby maintaining apparatus functionality and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the feed line switching apparatus executes all switching commands, then the network can be flexibly reconfigured, but the apparatus may lose power supply when feed lines have predetermined connection relationships

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching operation flexibilityVSAvoidpower supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines whether a command signal is predetermined (and would cause power loss) before executing the switching operation. This preliminary check prevents power supply interruption while maintaining the flexibility to execute valid switching commands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback about the current connection relationships and power supply status to control switching operations, ensuring that commands are only executed when they will not interrupt power supply, thus maintaining both operational flexibility and power continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If the feed line switching apparatus performs switching operations without verification, then response time is reduced, but maintenance effort and expense increase due to irrecoverable situations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching response speedVSAvoidmaintenance effort and expense
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a quick determination of whether a command is predetermined before executing switching. This preliminary check is designed to be fast, minimizing the impact on switching response speed while preventing costly maintenance situations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to quickly assess whether switching would cause power loss, enabling fast decision-making that prevents irrecoverable situations without significantly delaying valid switching operations, thus reducing maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2709284B1Feeder circuit switching apparatus, optical underwater branching apparatus, underwater cable system, and feeder circuit switching method
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 NEC CORP
  • EP2709284B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2709284B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2709284B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a feed line switching apparatus, a situation in which the feed line switching apparatus cannot work when feed lines have a predetermined connection relationship is prevented. The feed line switching apparatus includes a command acquisition unit which acquires a feed line switching command which designates a connection relationship of feed lines, a switching execution unit which switches the connection relationship of the feed lines in accordance with the feed line switching command acquired by the command acquisition unit, and a switching control unit which suppresses switching of the connection relationship of the feed lines in the switching execution unit for a predetermined feed line switching command.