Modular Cable Storage Unit for Offshore Wind Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for laying cables between offshore wind turbines are time-consuming and costly due to the labor-intensive process of loading long cables onto carousel vessels, which requires specialized vessels and increases mobilization and demobilization costs.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for storing, transporting, and deploying elongate coilable elements, such as cables, using a modular storage unit with a feeding unit and motion control system, allowing standard supply vessels to be used for cable installation, where the cable is loaded into containers at a manufacturing plant and transported on conventional ships with deck space, reducing the need for specialized vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cable-laying ships with carousels are used to load and deploy long cables, then cable laying capability is achieved, but mobilization and demobilization costs increase and the process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple manageable sections, each stored on separate storage units that can be independently handled. This segmentation allows for more efficient loading and unloading operations compared to handling one extremely long cable at a time, thereby reducing the time loss during mobilization and demobilization while maintaining continuous cable laying capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Storage units act as intermediary components between the cable source and the laying operation. These units pre-stage cable sections and enable quick exchange during deployment, eliminating the need for time-consuming operations of loading entire long cables onto traditional carousels. The intermediaries buffer the system, allowing continuous operation with reduced downtime.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional cable-laying ships with carousels are used, then cable deployment is possible, but the vessels require specialized equipment increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage units are designed with universal applicability, enabling standard supply vessels to perform cable laying functions previously requiring specialized carousel-equipped vessels. The storage units can be configured for different cable types and lengths, making them adaptable to various operational requirements while using conventional vessel platforms, thus reducing device complexity and increasing vessel usage flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs simpler, more economical storage units compared to expensive traditional carousels. These storage units are designed to be functional and replaceable rather than permanent installations, allowing standard vessels to be used without investing in costly specialized equipment. The simplified design reduces device complexity while maintaining the necessary adaptability for cable deployment operations.
3Ease of operation
If long cables are spooled onto smaller reels and loaded onto installation vessels, then cable can be deployed, but the loading process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
Cable sections are pre-assembled and pre-positioned on storage units before reaching the installation vessel. This preliminary preparation of cable sections in controlled conditions allows for rapid transfer and deployment operations. The pre-organization of cable sections eliminates time-consuming on-vessel assembly operations, improving ease of operation while significantly reducing loading time compared to traditional methods.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
A device (12) for storing, transporting and deploying an elongate, coilable element (14), has a feeding unit (4) releasably connected to a storage unit (1). The feeding unit comprises first guiding means (17) and second guiding means (16) for feeding the element (14) into and out of the storage unit, and the storage unit has a storage region (19) for the element