Submersible Apparatus for Submarine HV Cable Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing submarine high voltage cable systems require completion of offshore substation construction, limiting the ability to test parts of the system before installation, which increases costs and safety risks due to the need for onshore commissioning and restricted maximum achievable voltage.
Innovation Solution
A submersible apparatus comprising a cable termination with an electrical insulator and shielding electrode, a cable bend restrictor, and a termination locking mechanism allows for testing of a submarine HV cable system by inserting the cable end into the apparatus, connecting it to the shielding electrode, and laying it on the sea floor for electric testing without completing the installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If onshore commissioning testing is performed to ensure system reliability, then testing comprehensiveness is improved, but project time and delivery are extended due to waiting for OSS completion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary testing of submarine cable sections before the offshore substation is fully completed. By allowing testing to be performed on available cable portions in advance, the system reduces waiting time while maintaining testing quality, as the test equipment can be deployed to test any completed cable sections independently of the overall project timeline
2Productivity
If testing is performed on a vessel with cable termination to enable early testing, then productivity is improved, but health and safety risks and maximum achievable voltage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable termination and testing equipment from the vessel environment and places it directly on the seabed at the offshore substation location. This removes the hazardous vessel working environment while enabling early testing, as the termination is installed and tested in situ before the full OSS construction is complete, eliminating vessel-related safety risks while maintaining testing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the testing operation from a vertical dimension (on vessel deck) to a horizontal dimension (on seabed). By laying the cable termination and test equipment directly on the sea floor, the system eliminates the confined vessel environment constraints while providing stable, safe operating conditions for high-voltage testing at the actual installation location
3Object-affected harmful factors
If testing is delayed until OSS construction is complete to ensure safety, then health and safety are improved, but testing comprehensiveness and early detection of anomalies are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary installation and testing of cable terminations before the offshore substation construction is fully complete. This allows anomaly detection to occur earlier in the project timeline while maintaining safety through proper installation procedures on the seabed, rather than waiting for complete OSS construction
4Power
If onshore testing is performed to maximize voltage testing capability, then maximum achievable voltage is improved, but health and safety risks and project time are increased due to vessel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-voltage testing capability from the vessel environment and establishes it directly on the seabed at the offshore substation. This allows maximum voltage testing to be performed in situ during the construction phase, eliminating the need to wait for complete OSS construction and vessel deployment, thereby maintaining full voltage testing capability while reducing project delivery time
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 testing of submarine HV cable systems before completion, reducing health and safety risks and maximizing achievable voltage, allowing for efficient and comprehensive testing without the need for onshore commissioning.
Implementation Method 1
a cable termination (100) comprising an electrical insulator (101) and a shielding electrode (102) for an electrical connection with a cable end portion (201)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a submersible apparatus (1) for testing a submarine high voltage (HV) cable system. The apparatus (1) includes a cable termination (100) including an electrical insulator (101) and a shielding electrode (102) for the electrical connection with a cable end (201). The apparatus (1) additionally includes a cable bend restrictor (300) having a through channel (301), and a termination locking (400) in through communication with the cable bend restrictor (300) and the cable termination (100). According to another aspect, a method for testing a submarine high voltage (HV) cable apparatus using the above testing apparatus (1) is additionally disclosed.