Offshore Wind Foundation Cable Guide for Submarine Cable Stress Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind energy systems face challenges in guiding submarine cables from foundations to underwater bottoms, including increased installation effort, complexity, and excessive stress on cables due to current forces, especially when the cable is exposed above the seabed without protection.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a cable guide arrangement at the outer shell surface of the foundation's first hollow structural element, guiding the submarine cable radially from a cable bushing to the underwater bottom, reducing stress and simplifying the installation process by allowing the cable to be guided above 5 meters above the seabed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the submarine cable is guided freely suspended through the interior space of the hollow structural element to the underwater bottom surface, then the cable routing is simplified, but the cable is exposed to excessive current forces and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (cable protection system with guide elements) between the cable and the water current. This intermediary protects the cable from excessive current forces while maintaining the simplified routing path through the hollow structural element's interior space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the cable routing in the radial direction from the outer shell surface, creating a multi-dimensional path that exits the hollow structural element at a point above the seabed. This dimensional change allows the cable to be guided safely without being fully exposed to current forces along the entire path.
2Stability of the object's composition
If two hollow structural elements are plugged together with grouted annular space to provide structural stability, then the foundation stability is improved, but the cable guiding out of the interior space becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cable guide elements and bushings into the hollow structural elements during their manufacturing or assembly phase, before the grouting operation. This preliminary action ensures that the cable routing paths are already prepared and aligned, avoiding the need for complex post-grouting cable guiding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the cable routing system within the hollow structural elements themselves, with cable guide elements integrated into the wall structure. The cable path is nested within the structural components, allowing the cable to be guided through the grouted annular space without compromising the structural integrity or requiring additional external guiding structures.
3Ease of operation
If the cable bushing is arranged close to the underwater bottom surface to simplify cable exit, then the cable installation is easier, but the cable is more vulnerable to damage and fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the cable bushing and exit point in the radial direction above the underwater bottom surface, creating a elevated exit point. This vertical positioning in another dimension protects the cable from direct contact with the seabed, reducing vulnerability to damage and fouling while still maintaining relatively simple installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces protective guide elements and routing structures as intermediaries between the cable bushing and the seabed environment. These intermediaries provide mechanical protection and prevent fouling while the cable exits above the bottom surface, maintaining both ease of installation and cable reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore wind energy system comprising a foundation having a first hollow structural element with a longitudinally extending, circumferential first wall. A cable bushing penetrates through the first wall and is arranged in the first wall. At least one cable guide arrangement extends in a radial direction and is arranged at an outer shell surface of the first wall of the first hollow structural element. The cable guide arrangement is configured to guide a submarine cable exiting the cable bushing from the cable bushing to a submarine bottom surface.