Offshore Cable Hang-Off Arrangement with Segmented Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing transmission cables at offshore facilities are cumbersome and prone to damage due to the weight and inflexibility of armoured pipes, making vertical or horizontal cable arrangements impractical, and often result in cable damage from sharp edges.
Innovation Solution
A cable hang-off arrangement featuring a rigid pipe with protective tubes and a hang-off terminator that allows for easy installation of un-armoured tubes, enabling both vertical and horizontal cable orientations, with a secure mounting system to the elevated platform and the use of lightweight, flexible materials like HDPE for the tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If armoured pipes are used to protect transmission cables, then cable protection is improved, but handling and mounting become cumbersome and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the protective structure into two segments: a rigid outer pipe that provides structural support and protection, and flexible unarmoured inner tubes that are easy to handle and install. This segmentation allows each component to have optimized properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible unarmoured tubes are nested inside the rigid outer pipe, with the inner tubes accommodating the transmission cables and the outer pipe providing protective support. This nested structure combines the advantages of both armoured and unarmoured solutions.
2Reliability
If armoured pipes are used for cable protection, then cable strength and protection are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into a rigid outer pipe for structural protection and lightweight flexible inner tubes for cable accommodation. This allows the heavy armouring to be concentrated only where structurally necessary while using lightweight materials for the cable-carrying function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different protective qualities: the outer pipe provides rigid protection where needed, while the inner tubes provide flexible, lightweight protection suitable for cable accommodation. Each component has optimized properties for its specific location and function.
3Reliability
If transmission cables are arranged vertically from the platform, then cable protection from sharp edges is improved, but provision of suitable openings in the platform becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid outer pipe acts as an intermediary protective element that can be mounted to the platform without requiring complex openings or modifications. It provides a protected pathway for the cables while simplifying the interface with the platform structure.
4Ease of operation
If transmission cables are arranged horizontally from the platform side, then platform opening requirements are reduced, but cable weight may cause denting or cracking on sharp edges
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible unarmoured tubes are nested within the rigid outer pipe, allowing horizontal arrangement from the platform side. The rigid outer pipe protects the inner tubes and cables from sharp edges and mechanical damage, while the flexible inner tubes maintain cable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tubes are made from flexible unarmoured material that can bend and adapt to horizontal arrangements without rigid structural support, while still providing protection for the transmission cables within.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a cable hang-off arrangement (1) realised for mounting at the level of an elevated platform (20) of an offshore facility (2) and comprising a pipe (10) realized to accommodate a number of protective tubes (11), wherein a protective tube (11) is realized to accommodate a transmission cable (3) of the offshore facility (2); a tube end flange (12) arranged around an end portion (110) of each protective tube (11); and a hang-off terminator (12, 14, 15) realised for mounting at an end (100) of the pipe (10), which hang-off terminator (12, 14, 15) comprises an end-plate (14) with a number of apertures (140) for the transmission cables (3), and a flange connection interface (142, 144) for connecting to the tube end flanges (12). The invention further describes an offshore facility (2), and a method of securing a transmission cable arrangement (3, 11) at the level of an elevated platform (20) of an offshore facility (2).