Submarine Cable Armor Earthing for Floatable Offshore Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore structures without steel foundations, such as floatable structures, face challenges in establishing a reliable earthing connection to the underwater ground, leading to increased installation and maintenance efforts due to the use of non-conducting synthetic materials for mooring lines.

Innovation Solution

An earthing connection device that utilizes the armoring layer of a submarine cable to establish a permanent electrical connection between the offshore structure and the underwater ground, using an earthing connector and electrical connector to connect with the armoring wire of the submarine cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If floatable offshore structures are used to install in deep water areas, then the adaptability to different installation environments is improved, but the earthing connection reliability deteriorates due to lack of natural connection to earth potential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to deep water installationVSAvoidearthing connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The armoring layer of the submarine cable is utilized for dual purposes: mechanical protection of the cable and electrical earthing connection. This multi-functional use resolves the contradiction by providing earthing capability without adding separate earthing infrastructure, thus maintaining reliability while adapting to floatable structure installations in deep water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The submarine cable's own armoring layer serves the earthing function, eliminating the need for separate earthing wires or connectors. The cable structure itself provides the earthing connection, which simplifies the system and ensures reliable electrical connection to the underwater ground for floatable offshore structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Strength

If non-conducting synthetic materials are used for mooring lines, then the corrosion resistance is improved, but the earthing connection capability deteriorates due to lack of electrical conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidearthing connection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The earthing function is extracted from the mooring line system and transferred to the submarine cable's armoring layer. Since the armoring layer is inherently conductive and already present in the cable structure, this extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining the corrosion-resistant synthetic mooring lines while establishing earthing capability through the cable armor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If additional earthing connection lines are installed to provide earthing potential, then the earthing connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and installation effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveearthing connection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The earthing connection function is merged with the existing submarine cable structure by utilizing its armoring layer. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate earthing connection lines and reduces installation complexity while ensuring reliable earthing connection through the already-deployed cable infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 significantly reduces the installation and maintenance efforts by leveraging the existing armoring layer of the submarine cable as an earthing connection, providing a reliable and efficient means to connect the offshore structure to the earthing potential.

Implementation Method 1

at least one earthing connector (110) configured to be inserted in an underwater ground (252) in an installed state of the earthing connection device (100)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

at least one electrical connector (112) configured to connect the electrical connector with at least one armoring wire (214) of at least one armoring layer (216) of a submarine cable (208)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250266627A1Earthing connection device

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 RWE OFFSHORE WIND GMBH

AI summary

An earthing connection device for an earthing system of an offshore structure includes at least one earthing connector configured to be inserted in an underwater ground in an installed state of the earthing connection device. At least one electrical connector is electrically connected to the at least one earthing connector. The least one electrical connector is configured to connect the electrical connector with at least one armoring wire of at least one armoring layer of the submarine cable.