Floatable Offshore Structure Anchor Break Detection and Cable Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Floatable offshore structures face safety risks due to the potential breakage of anchor connections, which can lead to short circuits and high safety hazards when submarine power cables are severed during operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a detection arrangement to monitor anchor connection conditions and a switching equipment to immediately disconnect electrical power to the submarine power cable upon detection of a breakage indication, preventing unintended short circuits and ensuring operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a floatable offshore structure uses anchor connections to secure the structure to the seabed, then the structure can be anchored in deep water areas, but the anchor connections may breakage during operation leading to safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing detection arrangements on the anchor connections before operation begins. These detection arrangements continuously monitor the anchor connection status and can detect breakage indications in advance, allowing the system to take preventive measures before the broken anchor causes the floatable structure to drift or collide with submarine power cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through detection arrangements that continuously monitor anchor connection integrity and provide real-time information to the control system. When a breakage indication is detected, the system receives feedback and automatically triggers switching equipment to disconnect power cables, creating a closed-loop safety mechanism that responds to changing conditions.
2Productivity
If the submarine power cable remains connected during anchor breakage, then power transmission can continue, but the broken anchor may cause the structure to drift and sever the power cable leading to short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing a preventive safety mechanism that counteracts the potential harmful effect before it occurs. The detection arrangement monitors anchor connections and, upon detecting breakage, automatically triggers switching equipment to disconnect the submarine power cable. This preliminary protective action prevents the drifted structure from severing the cable and causing a short circuit, prioritizing safety over continuous power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary safety system consisting of detection arrangements and switching equipment that mediates between the floatable structure and the submarine power cable. This intermediary mechanism detects anchor breakage and controls the electrical connection state, acting as a buffer that prevents direct harmful interaction between the drifting structure and the power cable.
3Reliability
If detection arrangements and switching equipment are added to monitor and disconnect power cables, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing detection arrangements that can monitor multiple anchor connections simultaneously and switching equipment that can disconnect multiple power cables. This multi-functional approach consolidates safety monitoring and control functions into integrated systems, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each anchor or cable, thereby mitigating the increase in device complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A floatable offshore structure includes at least one submarine power cable connector configured to connect a submarine power cable. At least one anchor connector is configured to connect at least one anchor connection for anchoring the floatable offshore structure to an underwater bottom, at least one detection arrangement configured to detect an anchor connection breakage indication, and at least one switching equipment configured to at least electrically disconnect the electrical connection to the submarine power cable connected to the submarine power cable connector upon or after the detection of an anchor connection breakage indication.