Open-Channel Cable Insertion for Faster Sea Floor Trench Deployment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatus for inserting cables into sea floor trenches are limited by slow deployment speed and risk of cable damage due to enclosures that restrict accurate positioning and emergency retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with an engaging device defining an open channel for precise cable engagement, equipped with position detectors, clearing means, thrusters, and buoyancy features to enhance deployment speed, accuracy, and emergency recovery, allowing compact design for stern launch and optimized cable path adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the apparatus encloses the cable during deployment, then the cable is protected from damage, but the deployment speed is limited and emergency retrieval becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the enclosing structure from the cable deployment apparatus, extracting the protective function while eliminating the speed limitation. The cable is deployed through an open channel rather than being enclosed, allowing faster deployment and emergency retrieval while maintaining adequate protection through the structured open path that guides and supports the cable.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of enclosing the cable to protect it, the apparatus uses an open channel structure that protects the cable through guidance and support rather than containment. This inverted approach achieves protection without the drawbacks of enclosure, enabling both high speed and safety.
2Reliability
If the apparatus encloses the cable, then the cable is contained, but accurate positioning becomes difficult and emergency retrieval requires subsea intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosing structure is removed, extracting the containment function while improving position determination. The open channel provides visual and physical reference points that enable accurate positioning without the obscuring effects of enclosure, allowing precise cable location and easy emergency retrieval.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the apparatus is designed for compactness to enable stern launch, then it can be launched from vessel stern, but the structure must be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into modular segments including the body, engaging device, position detectors, clearing means, and thrusters. This segmentation enables compact configuration for stern launch while maintaining full functionality, as each module can be independently positioned and configured to optimize both compactness and capability.
4Measurement precision
If position detectors are added to determine cable path, then deployment accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position detectors serve multiple functions: determining cable position, tracking cable path, enabling emergency retrieval, and optimizing deployment. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive measurement capabilities from a single integrated system rather than multiple specialized sensors.
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
The solution enables faster and more accurate cable deployment with reduced risk of damage, enabling emergency retrieval without subsea intervention and optimizing cable path for improved deployment rates.
Implementation Method 1
The clearing means may include at least one jetting device
Implementation Method 2
means for increasing the buoyancy of the apparatus in water
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle for deploying a cable into a trench in the sea bed is disclosed. The vehicle comprises a body adapted to move relative to the trench in the sea bed, and a bellmouth for engaging the cable and mounted to the body, wherein the bellmouth is adapted to define an open channel in a direction facing the trench for engaging the cable.