Subsea Cable Engagement System for Tidal Turbine Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional subsea cable engagement systems for water power generation systems, such as tidal and wave power, require frequent cable replacements due to high failure rates, leading to increased costs and downtime, as existing systems necessitate the removal of the entire hub to replace damaged cables, which is time-consuming and risky.
Innovation Solution
A subsea cable engagement system with a stabbing mechanism and actuation mechanism that allows for relative movement between the engagement member and hub-mounted cable connector, enabling individual cable replacement without removing the hub, reducing the number of connections and allowing other turbines to remain operational during maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the entire hub is removed to replace damaged cables, then cable replacement can be completed, but the time required increases significantly and the risk of further cable damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the hub structure into separate functional components: a stationary base remaining on the seabed and a removable hub body. Cable connectors are segmented into base-mounted connectors and hub-mounted connectors that can be independently engaged and disengaged. This segmentation allows cable replacement without removing the entire hub, reducing vessel time and operational disruption.
2Ease of repair
If the entire hub is removed to replace damaged cables, then cable replacement can be completed, but the risk of further cable damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector system into base-mounted and hub-mounted components, the invention allows cable replacement to occur with the hub remaining in place. This eliminates the need to handle and reposition heavy hub structures, thereby reducing the risk of accidental cable damage during the replacement process.
3Reliability
If all turbines connected to a hub must be shut down for cable replacement, then complete system safety is ensured, but revenue loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design enables individual cable replacement at the hub level without affecting other turbine connections. Each turbine-spur-cable assembly can be independently maintained, allowing partial system operation during repairs and minimizing revenue loss while maintaining safety through isolated work zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows continuous operation of unaffected turbines while cable replacement is performed on a single turbine's cable. This partial continuity of useful action maintains revenue generation during maintenance activities, contrasting with complete shutdown requirements of conventional systems.
4Ease of repair
If a removable hub system is used to replace faulty cables, then cable replacement becomes easier, but the number of wetmate connectors required doubles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the cable connector functionality directly into the hub structure through integrated hub-mounted connectors. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate wetmate connectors on both hub and base sides, reducing the total connector count while maintaining the benefits of removable hub capability for cable replacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A subsea cable engagement system for connecting at least one cable end connector in communication with a power generation unit to a hub mounted cable connector of a hub. The system comprises a base; and at least one hub. The base comprises an engagement section for receiving a hub(s); and at least one engagement member for engaging a cable-end connector. The hub(s) comprises at least one hub-mounted cable connectors. The engagement member(s) of the base and/or the at least one hub-mounted cable connector are arranged to provide relative movement therebetween for engagement of at least one cable-end connector with at least one hub-mounted cable connector.