Floating Cable Guide Structure for Tidal Seabed Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of electrical cables on seabeds to connect offshore power generation stations to the onshore electricity grid is complex and costly due to the need for large, expensive boats and specific climatic conditions, especially in coastal areas with varying tidal ranges and strong currents, which complicates the maintenance of the appropriate bending radius for the cable.
Innovation Solution
A floating guidance device anchored to the seabed with a metal structure and flotation buoys that guides and retains the electric cable, reducing the need for large boats by serving as a stable guide point, and is designed to accommodate varying water levels and environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large boats with significant motorization are used to guide the cable, then the cable can be maintained with the appropriate bending radius in strong currents, but the equipment cost and carbon footprint increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The floating guidance device serves itself by using buoyancy forces to maintain its position and orientation in the water, and by its very presence provides the guidance function without requiring external boats. The device's structure automatically creates the necessary curvature radius for the cable through its geometric configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating guidance device acts as an intermediary between the cable-laying vessel and the seabed, providing a stable reference point that mediates the cable routing. Instead of boats directly guiding the cable, the floating device serves as an intermediate guide point that the cable passes through.
2Ease of operation
If boats are mobilized to guide the cable during tidal changes, then cable guidance can be maintained, but the operation becomes complex and costly with specific climatic and tidal conditions required
Solution Approach 1:
The floating guidance device is designed to be dynamic in its response to environmental conditions. It can rotate and adjust its orientation passively according to current direction and strength, while maintaining its position. This dynamic adaptability allows it to function effectively across varying tidal conditions without requiring complex active control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating guidance device serves multiple functions: it acts as a guide point for cable routing, a reference for positioning, and a passive counter to environmental forces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate equipment and simplifies the overall installation process.
3Reliability
If the floating guidance device height is increased to prevent cable from leaving the guide zone, then cable retention is improved, but the device becomes more vulnerable to environmental forces
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional view (cable passing between two vertical structures) to a three-dimensional conical configuration. The cable passes through a conical space defined by the inclined structures, which provides retention through volumetric confinement rather than just lateral restriction. This dimensional change allows for effective cable retention with reduced structural height.
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
This solution reduces carbon emissions and enhances safety by minimizing the use of boats, ensuring reliable cable guidance and installation across varying tidal conditions, while maintaining the cable within the guide zone at all water levels.
Implementation Method 1
at least two floats (7) configured to ensure the flotation of the floating guidance device
Data Source
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AI summary
Floating guidance device (1), configured to be anchored on a bottom in an aquatic environment (F) and to guide and retain, before landing, an electric cable (C) provided with flotation buoys (8), the floating guidance device (1) comprising: i. a metal structure (2) comprising two half-structures (3) of a height (h) at least equal to a predetermined height, and a connecting structure (4) connecting the two half-structures (3, 3a, 3b), ii. a guiding zone (5) of the electric cable (C) forming a space comprising two opposite openings (6) for the passage of the electric cable (C), said space being delimited laterally by the two half-structures (3, 3a, ; 3b), iii. at least two floats (7) configured to ensure the flotation of the floating guidance device (1), iv.at least one mooring point (8) fixed to the metal structure (2), configured to allow at least one mooring line (22) to be fixed, the latter being intended to be connected to an anchor (23) on the bottom in an aquatic environment (F).