Pivoting Latch Protection Device for Offshore Turbine Cables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protection devices for elongate flexible members passing through apertures in offshore turbine generators are either costly due to the need for robust materials or require complex and expensive installation procedures, and often rely on a close fit with the aperture, making removal difficult and reliant on significant ROV load capacity.
Innovation Solution
A protection device with a body portion and pivotally mounted latching elements that can move between insertion, locking, and removal positions, allowing for a loose fit and easy installation and removal, utilizing a collar member and biasing elements to facilitate the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a J-tube is mounted to the support pillar before installation into the seabed, then the cable protection function is provided, but the J-tube becomes damaged or dislodged during installation or must be made sufficiently robust that the cost becomes prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into separate components: a body portion that inserts into the aperture and latching elements that are pivotally mounted. This segmentation allows the device to be installed after the support pillar is in place, avoiding the problem of damage during seabed installation while maintaining cable protection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching elements are pre-configured on the body portion to automatically engage with the aperture edge upon insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures the cable protection function is established immediately upon installation without requiring additional robustness or complex assembly procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If a J-tube is mounted to the support pillar after installation of the support, then the installation cost is reduced, but the installation becomes extremely expensive requiring specialist equipment and personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The latching elements are designed to be pivotally mounted, allowing them to move between a first position during insertion and a second position for securing. This dynamic mechanism enables simple post-installation attachment without requiring specialist equipment, as the latching action occurs automatically upon insertion of the body portion.
3Ease of operation
If an I-tube is used instead of a J-tube, then the installation is easier and less expensive, but it is difficult to provide an I-tube having performance as satisfactory as that provided by a J-tube
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the cable guide function (body portion) from the securing function (latching elements). This segmentation allows the body portion to be designed for easy insertion while the latching elements provide reliable cable protection performance by engaging the aperture edge, achieving both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching elements act as an intermediary mechanism between the body portion and the aperture edge. They mediate the connection by providing a secure engagement point that prevents cable damage while allowing simple insertion of the body portion, thus achieving both ease of installation and satisfactory protection performance.
4Reliability
If current protection devices rely on a close fit with the aperture, then the cable is protected, but the removal becomes difficult and reliant on significant ROV load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The latching elements are designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions. During removal, the latching elements can be actuated to disengage from the aperture edge, allowing the body portion to be withdrawn without requiring significant ROV load capacity. This dynamic design maintains cable protection during operation while enabling easy removal when needed.
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
Enables quick and cost-effective installation with reduced reliance on ROV load capacity, minimizes the impact of marine growth and sedimentation, and allows for flexible installation angles, improving the efficiency and feasibility of protecting cables from damage.
Implementation Method 1
at least one biasing element for applying a force to the at least one latching element
Data Source
AI summary
A protection device for preventing damage to an elongate flexible member passing through an aperture including a body portion adapted to be inserted into the aperture in a first direction and having an internal passageway for allowing movement of an elongate flexible member therethrough, and at least one latching element pivotally mounted on the body portion. The protection device can be used for protecting an elongate flexible member passing through an aperture in a support pillar of an offshore turbine generator. A method of removing the protection device from an aperture is also disclosed.