Subsea Cable 2D Material Coating Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsea power cables face challenges with energy loss due to inefficient conductivity, high material costs, corrosion, and tensile strength issues, particularly in high-voltage and medium-voltage applications, where materials like copper and steel wires are prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a layer of two-dimensional materials such as graphene, stanene, or boron nitride on the conductive core, sheath, and electrical shield to enhance conductivity, tensile strength, and corrosion resistance, while reducing material usage and cable mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If copper is used as the conductive core, then conductivity is improved, but material cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining copper conductive core with a two-dimensional material coating layer. The 2D material forms a thin protective coating on the copper surface, creating a composite structure that maintains the electrical conductivity of copper while adding corrosion resistance and tensile strength properties, thereby reducing the need for excessive copper material and lowering material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the cable surface by applying a 2D material coating. This coating modifies the surface properties to enhance corrosion resistance and tensile strength without significantly altering the bulk electrical conductivity parameters, allowing optimization of material usage and cost while maintaining performance.
2Reliability
If lead sheath is used to provide water barrier, then protection is improved, but cable mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film technology by applying a two-dimensional material coating on the cable components. This ultra-thin coating provides effective water barrier protection and corrosion resistance without adding significant mass, replacing or supplementing traditional heavy lead sheath materials with lightweight 2D material films.
3Strength
If steel wire armour is used to provide tensile strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but corrosion resistance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by coating steel wire armour with two-dimensional materials. This creates a composite structure where the steel provides tensile strength while the 2D material coating layer provides corrosion resistance, protecting the steel from the harsh subsea environment and preventing corrosion-related failures.
4Loss of energy
If copper screen layer is used for electrical power, then conductivity is improved, but corrosion resistance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by coating the copper screen layer with two-dimensional materials. This composite structure maintains the excellent electrical conductivity of copper while the 2D material coating provides a protective barrier against corrosion, extending the service life of the screen layer in subsea environments.
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 use of 2D materials increases the tensile strength and corrosion resistance of subsea power cables, reduces material requirements, and minimizes energy loss, leading to lighter, more cost-effective, and longer-lasting cables with improved performance in subsea environments.
Implementation Method 1
graphene is 200 times stronger than steel
Implementation Method 2
can act as a barrier to corrosion
Implementation Method 3
It is a good conductor
Data Source
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AI summary
Electrical cables are disclosed, comprising a layer of a two dimensional material. In some embodiments, the cable is a subsea cable. In other embodiments, the cable may be an overhead power cable or a cable for forming electrical windings in a motor, generator or transformer. In some embodiments, the cable comprises a conductive core for carrying an electric current, and the layer of two dimensional material is disposed on the conductive core. In some embodiments, the subsea cable is a subsea power cable, umbilical cable or telecommunications cable. In some embodiments, the two dimensional material is configured to be superconducting or near-superconducting.