Star Connection Reconfiguration for Faulted Heated Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional triphasic trace-heating systems in subsea pipelines face challenges with redundancy and fault resistance due to the complexity and cost of adding multiple cables, as well as the difficulty in reconfiguring the star end architecture underwater, which is slow, error-prone, and vulnerable to weather interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A remedial star connection system that allows for reconfiguration of heating cables by using modular connectors and a junction box, enabling the connection of intact cables to form new heating circuits, reducing the need for additional cables and simplifying fault remediation by allowing plug-by-plug reconfiguration underwater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple redundant heating cables are added to improve fault resistance, then system reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfiguration of the heating system by allowing the star end connection to be relocated along the pipeline. When a cable fault occurs, the system dynamically adapts by reconnecting healthy cables to new star end positions, transforming the static three-phase system into a dynamic fault-tolerant architecture that maintains reliability without requiring redundant cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the topological parameter of the star end connection position along the pipeline. By moving the star end to different locations and reconfiguring cable connections, the system alters its electrical topology to bypass faulty segments, enabling fault resistance through parameter variation rather than through adding redundant components.
2Ease of repair
If traditional star end reconfiguration is performed underwater, then fault remediation is possible, but operation time increases and error probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple star end connection points along the pipeline during installation. The connectors are pre-configured with identification markers and connection schemes, allowing rapid selection and activation of alternative star end positions when faults occur, eliminating the need for complex underwater reconfiguration decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary elements in the form of pre-installed connection points and modular connectors that facilitate simplified underwater operations. These intermediaries provide standardized connection interfaces that reduce the complexity and time of fault remediation operations by eliminating the need for custom underwater cable splicing or complex reconfiguration procedures.
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 enhances redundancy and fault resistance in subsea conduits by allowing quick and efficient reconfiguration of heating cables, reducing downtime and operational complexity, and minimizing the need for additional cables, thereby reducing costs and improving system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
Heat produced by passing an electric current along the cables is conducted firstly from the cables to the pipe wall and secondly through the pipe wall to the produced fluid flowing within the flowline
Implementation Method 2
a pipe-in-pipe (PiP) assembly comprises an inner flowline pipe and an outer pipe in coaxial relation to define an annulus between them, which may be filled with gas and thermally insulating materials
Data Source
AI summary
A remedial star connection system for an electrically heated conduit. A group of heating cables powered with respective phases of multiphasic AC current are connected to a first external terminal, and at least one additional heating cable powered with a phase of AC current is connected to a second external terminal. A first connector has at least two contacts arranged to connect with opposed contacts of the first terminal and a second connector has at least one contact arranged to connect with an opposed contact of the second terminal. The connectors are coupled together so that when they are engaged with the terminals, short-circuit connection is effected between the additional cable and at least two intact cables of the group to reinstate a working heating circuit. The system can be pre-configured to remediate faults in different cables of a group. The connectors may be wet-mateable for subsea conduits.