Offshore Transformer Station with Integrated Strand Jacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The availability of barges with jack-up cranes for replacing transformers in offshore power transmission substations is limited, leading to long lead times and substantial offline periods, resulting in lost revenue and inconvenience in power supply.

Innovation Solution

A substation platform with a primary floor featuring an opening for transformer replacement, equipped with strand jacks that can lift and lower transformers through this opening, eliminating the need for jack-up cranes and allowing for quick and safe transformer replacement, along with a secondary floor for additional support and modular compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If jack-up cranes are used to replace transformers, then heavy lifting capability is achieved, but availability is limited and lead time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidlead time for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The substation platform is self-sufficient with integrated strand jacks that can independently perform transformer replacement operations without requiring external jack-up cranes from transport barges, eliminating waiting time for crane availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting function is segmented from the transport barge and integrated into the substation platform itself, allowing the platform to perform lifting operations autonomously at any time without coordinating with external crane resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Force

If jack-up cranes are used for transformer replacement, then lifting capability is provided, but platform complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifting capabilityVSAvoidplatform equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The strand jacks serve multiple functions: they act as lifting devices for transformer replacement, positioning mechanisms for equipment installation, and safety support systems, eliminating the need for separate dedicated crane equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The platform uses its own integrated strand jacks for all lifting and positioning operations, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the need for complex external crane coordination and associated safety systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If transformers are replaced using conventional methods, then replacement is possible, but downtime increases resulting in lost revenue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransformer replacement capabilityVSAvoidpower generation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The strand jacks are pre-installed and positioned on the platform, ready for immediate use when transformer replacement is needed, eliminating setup time and enabling rapid response to failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The platform can perform transformer replacement operations continuously without interruption or waiting for external equipment, maintaining near-continuous power generation capability and minimizing revenue loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Productivity

If strand jacks are installed on the platform, then quick replacement is enabled, but platform weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereplacement speedVSAvoidplatform weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The strand jacks use high-strength steel strands and cables that are relatively lightweight compared to equivalent crane structures, achieving the required lifting capacity with minimal weight addition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The heavy crane structure is extracted from the system and replaced with lightweight strand jack mechanisms that achieve the same functional outcome with significantly reduced weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the lead time for transformer replacement, enhances safety, and minimizes the risk of accidents, ensuring constant availability and reducing downtime, while also providing cost savings through reduced material usage and improved worker safety.

Implementation Method 1

the or each strand jack being operable to lower or lift the respective transformer through the respective opening in the primary floor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

strand jack including one or more cables

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic Press: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2553174B1Off-shore transformer station with exchangeable transformer assembly

Publication Date: 2017.03.01 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH

AI summary

A substation platform (10) for use in offshore power transmission comprises a primary floor (12) including at least one opening, at least one transformer assembly (14) including one or more transformers (24) for connection in use to one or more electrical networks, the or each transformer assembly (14) being releasably connected to the primary floor (12), and at least one strand jack (16) including one or more cables (28), the or each cable (28) being operable to releasably connect to a respective transformer assembly (14) and the or each strand jack (16) being operable to lower or lift the respective transformer (24) through the respective opening of the primary floor (12).