Subsea Cable Repair Capsule for Ultra-Deep Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea cable repair methods are time-consuming and costly, especially in ultra-deep water, as they require extensive excess cable lengths and rock dumping, and are limited by the weight-carrying capacity of copper conductors at deeper depths, making traditional methods impractical for water depths over 1000 meters.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for remote-controlled cable joint operations in a seawater-free environment using a capsule with a manipulator arm to perform repairs on subsea DEH cables, eliminating the need for excess cable lengths and rock dumping, and allowing repairs in deeper waters by creating a pressurized, water-free workspace for cutting, preparation, and splicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable repair method is used with excess cable length, then cable can be repaired, but repair time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable jointing operation from the water environment by using a sealed underwater jointing chamber. The chamber creates a water-free environment where cable splicing can be performed without requiring excessive cable length for water removal and rock dumping, thus reducing repair time while maintaining repair capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The underwater jointing chamber acts as an intermediary structure that enables cable repair in underwater environment without the need for traditional water removal methods. The chamber provides a controlled environment for jointing operations, eliminating the time-consuming steps of installing excess cable length and performing rock dumping.
2Reliability
If traditional cable repair method is used with excess cable length, then cable can be repaired, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the jointing operation into a sealed chamber, eliminating the need for traditional excess cable length (2.5 to 3 times water depth) that was required for water removal and rock dumping. This significantly reduces the amount of cable material needed while maintaining full repair capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the environmental parameters by creating a sealed, water-free chamber at the cable fault location. This parameter change allows jointing operations to be performed without requiring excessive cable length, thereby reducing material loss while maintaining repair effectiveness.
3Reliability
If copper conductor is used in deep water, then electrical function is provided, but weight-carrying capacity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The underwater jointing chamber serves as an intermediary structure that supports the cable assembly in deep water. By providing a structured environment for jointing operations, the chamber system enables the use of lighter copper conductors that would otherwise be unable to carry their own weight at great depths, thus maintaining electrical function while reducing weight limitations.
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 approach reduces costs and time, eliminates the need for extensive spare cable lengths, and enables feasible repairs in ultra-deep water by allowing cable joint operations in a pressurized environment with minimal differential pressure exposure, reducing weather sensitivity and weight limitations of copper conductors.
Implementation Method 1
allowing repairs in deeper waters by creating a pressurized, water-free workspace for cutting, preparation, and splicing
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided subsea repair apparatus for performing repair of a subsea cable located beneath the sea, said apparatus comprising: an environment capsule capable of providing a substantially water-free environment within the capsule; and repair equipment located within the environment capsule arranged to repair said subsea cable without the need for a person to be located within the environment capsule.