Subsea Cable End Sealing With Mouldable Watertight Sealant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sealing off subsea cables are time-consuming, sensitive to handling errors, and require heating or splicing, which can be dangerous and inefficient, especially in offshore conditions, and do not effectively address voids between cable jackets.
Innovation Solution
Applying a mouldable sealant to the exposed cut-off end of subsea cables, which cures to prevent water ingress and contact with cores, potentially eliminating the need for individual core sealing and reducing the number of workers required, using an intermediate and outer layer for enhanced watertightness, and allowing the sealant to set at ambient temperatures without external heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual core sealing using hot or cold shrink end caps is applied, then watertight seal is achieved, but time consumption and labor requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual core sealing operations into a single collective sealing operation. Instead of sealing each core separately with individual end caps, the invention uses a single mouldable sealant that is applied to seal all cores simultaneously, merging multiple steps into one efficient process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouldable sealant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals all cores together, provides watertight protection, and eliminates the need for separate end cap applications on each core. This universal sealing approach replaces multiple specialized sealing operations with one multi-functional material.
2Reliability
If individual core sealing with shrink end caps is used, then watertight seal is achieved, but complexity of operation and sensitivity to handling errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual core sealing operations into a single collective sealing operation. Instead of sealing each core separately with individual end caps, the invention uses a single mouldable sealant that is applied to seal all cores simultaneously, merging multiple steps into one efficient process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouldable sealant is applied in a manner that allows it to self-distribute and self-seal around all cores automatically. The material's mouldable properties enable it to conform to the cable structure and create effective seals without requiring precise manual positioning or complex handling procedures for each individual core.
3Reliability
If heating is applied for sealing, then sealant cures effectively, but safety risks and equipment requirements increase in offshore conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing parameters of the sealant from thermal (heat-based) to alternative methods such as chemical curing, UV curing, or moisture-curing. This parameter change eliminates the need for heating equipment and associated safety risks while still achieving effective sealant curing in offshore environments.
4Reliability
If cable stripping and core cutting is performed for end cap application, then individual core sealing is achieved, but time consumption and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual core sealing operations into a single collective sealing operation. Instead of sealing each core separately with individual end caps, the invention uses a single mouldable sealant that is applied to seal all cores simultaneously, merging multiple steps into one efficient process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary steps of individual core stripping and cutting that are required for end cap application. By using a mouldable sealant that can seal cores in their original state, the patent removes these time-consuming preparatory operations while maintaining effective sealing.
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 method significantly reduces the time and risk associated with sealing subsea cables, provides a high-quality watertight seal, and can be performed by a single worker, ensuring the cable lay project proceeds efficiently while maintaining the integrity of the cable.
Implementation Method 1
applying an at least partly mouldable sealant to the exposed cut off end of the subsea cable and allowing the sealant to cure or set
Data Source
AI summary
While laying a subsea cable, an exposed cut off end of the cable is exposed to water prior to permanently sealing off this cable end. To prevent damage to the cable due to contact with the often salt water, due to for example oxidation, a temporarily watertight seal is to be applied to the cut off end. A method for applying this seal is provided which comprises applying a mouldable sealant to the exposed end wherein the sealant acts as a watertight barrier between the water and the cut off end of the cable. The sealant may comprise an intermediate layer between the cut off end and a watertight outer layer arranged to increase adhesion between the cut off end and the outer layer. This allows a broader range of outer layer materials to be used as the outer layer material does not need to adhere directly with the cable.