Seabed Cable Recovery Duct and Winding Assembly for Offshore Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recovering electrical cables from seabeds are bulky, complex, dangerous, costly, and time-consuming, posing risks to personnel and the cables due to marine conditions and equipment complexity.
Innovation Solution
A rigid, non-deformable duct system with a winding device and guide mechanism is installed on the foundation platform, allowing safe and efficient recovery of electrical cables by minimizing exposure to marine currents and reducing the need for heavy equipment unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cranes and bulky equipment are used for cable recovery, then the cables can be recovered from the seabed, but the equipment becomes particularly bulky and the operations become complex and dangerous for personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery system is segmented into modular components: a foundation platform with integrated winding device, a separate duct system with J-shaped configuration, and a recovery line with connecting elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies unloading operations as components can be installed separately rather than as a single bulky assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
A recovery line acts as an intermediary element between the winding device on the foundation platform and the electrical cable on the seabed. This intermediary allows the cable to be recovered without direct manipulation by personnel, eliminating the need for complex crane operations and reducing personnel exposure to dangerous marine conditions.
2Productivity
If cranes and bulky equipment are used for cable recovery, then the cables can be recovered from the seabed, but the operations become particularly long and costly to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is pre-installed on the foundation platform before cable recovery operations begin. The J-shaped duct is positioned and secured in advance, with access mouths prepared for receiving the recovery line and cable. This preliminary preparation eliminates time-consuming on-site assembly operations and allows recovery operations to proceed directly without delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The winding device on the foundation platform performs the recovery operation autonomously by winding the recovery line and attached cable directly onto the platform. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external crane operations and multiple handling steps, significantly reducing the time and cost of recovery operations.
3Reliability
If a rigid, non-deformable duct system is used, then the cables are protected from damage during recovery, but the system requires precise installation and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system incorporates a J-shaped curved configuration with a curved section that provides a gradual transition between the horizontal seabed level and the vertical foundation platform level. This curvature protects the cable from sharp bends and mechanical damage while the modular design of the curved section simplifies installation by allowing pre-formed segments to be assembled on-site without complex bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The recovery line is nested within the duct system during installation, with the duct providing a protective conduit that guides the recovery line from the foundation platform to the seabed. This nested configuration ensures proper alignment and protection during installation, as the recovery line is guided through the pre-installed duct rather than requiring simultaneous alignment of multiple components.
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 system ensures safe, quick, and cost-effective cable recovery with reduced personnel risk and equipment complexity, protecting the cables from damage during the process.
Implementation Method 1
a winding device (7), fixed to the base plane (3) of the foundation platform (2) and connectable to a first end (51) of the recovery line (5), for winding the recovery line (5)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Assembly for recovering cables from a seabed comprising a foundation platform (2) provided with a base plane (3) from which a support pole (101) of a wind turbine (100) is adapted to be elevated; a duct (4) which is extended between the base plane (3) and a seabed (F) and at whose interior a recovery line (5) is housed that is susceptible of projecting beyond the two access mouths of the duct (4) and intended to be connected to an electrical cable (200) to be recovered that lies on the seabed (F). The assembly also comprises recovery means (6) connected to the recovery line (5) and susceptible of driving the electrical cable (200) through the duct (4) up to the base plane (3) of the foundation platform (2). Such recovery means (6) comprise a winding device (7), connectable to the recovery line (5), and a guide device (8), which is adapted to guide the recovery line (5) towards the winding device (7) and is fixed to the base plane (3) and is adapted to be housed within the support pole (101) of the wind turbine (100).