Modular Power Supply System for Maritime Subsea Production

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply systems for maritime oil and natural gas production struggle to provide higher power outputs for short or continuous periods when additional components are connected, leading to reduced power supply for all connected components.

Innovation Solution

A modular power supply system with multiple data transfer/voltage conversion units and additional power supply modules that can be connected or removed based on demand, allowing for flexible power output adjustment, using modular sub-modules such as voltage converters, data modems, and communication interfaces, and employing a power bus system with UPS and coaxial cables for efficient power and data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a predetermined power supply is provided by the data transfer/voltage conversion unit, then the power supply remains constant and stable, but when additional components are connected, the power supply is reduced for all connected components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply stabilityVSAvoidpower supply adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system transitions from a static, fixed power output to a dynamic, adjustable power output. The data transfer/voltage conversion unit is configured to adapt its power supply level based on real-time demands of connected components, allowing the system to dynamically allocate power resources and maintain stability while accommodating varying power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the power supply parameter from a fixed predetermined value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted according to the number and power requirements of connected components. This allows the power supply to scale appropriately, ensuring sufficient power for all components while maintaining overall system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If the power supply is increased to meet higher power demands, then sufficient power can be provided to all components, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower outputVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into modular data transfer/voltage conversion units that can be independently configured and scaled. Each unit can serve specific components, allowing the system to increase power capacity by adding or activating additional modules rather than redesigning the entire system, thus managing complexity through modularity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data transfer/voltage conversion unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides power supply, voltage conversion, and data transfer capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby increasing power capability without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If fixed power supply units are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying power demands of different components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidpower demand adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates dynamic power allocation capabilities within the data transfer/voltage conversion unit, allowing it to adapt its power output based on the specific demands of connected components. This dynamic behavior enables the system to maintain a relatively simple structure while achieving high adaptability to varying power requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2149185B1Power supply system
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 ONESUBSEA IP UK LTD
  • EP2149185B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2149185B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149185B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power supply system, particularly to be used in maritime oil/natural gas production comprises at least one data transfer/voltage conversion unit arranged above sea level and one electrical means such as a choke, gate valve, production tree, power control/communication unit and the like arranged below sea level, which are electrically connected via a cable connection at least for power supply. To improve such a power supply system in a manner that this system has a simple structure and each data transfer/voltage conversion unit can also provide higher powers over a predetermined period of time or during continuous operation, a plurality of data transfer/voltage conversion units are arranged modularly, and one additional power supply module can be connected thereto to increase the power supply, and the electrical power, respectively.