Subsea Connector Visual Indicator Powered by Cathodic Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea connectors' engagement status is difficult to visually verify remotely due to hydraulic actuators' location within the frame structure, and existing solutions complicate the system by requiring additional power lines or mechanical solutions.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the cathodic protection system as a galvanic cell to generate voltage or multiply it for small voltage devices, such as visual engagement status indicators, eliminating the need for additional power lines and mechanical solutions by interfacing with the cathodic protection system's anode and cathode to power visual indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If additional power lines or mechanical solutions are used to power visual engagement status indicators, then the visual indication capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cathodic protection system is made multi-functional by using it both for corrosion protection and as a power source for visual engagement indicators. The existing CP system's electrical potential is utilized to power the indicator, eliminating the need for separate power lines and reducing system complexity while maintaining visual detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cathodic protection system serves itself by using its own generated electrical potential to power the visual engagement status indicator. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external power sources or additional complex wiring, allowing the system to provide visual indication using its inherent resources.
2Use of energy by moving object
If long power lines are used to supply power to subsea equipment, then the power supply capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea equipment uses the cathodic protection system's electrical potential as its own power source, eliminating the need for long external power lines. The system serves itself by utilizing the CP potential already present at the equipment location, thereby reducing power line complexity and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply function is merged with the existing cathodic protection system. Instead of adding separate power transmission infrastructure, the visual engagement indicator is powered through the CP system's electrical circuit, combining multiple functions (corrosion protection and power supply) into a single integrated system.
3Reliability
If hydraulic actuators are located within the frame structure, then the mechanical engagement capability is improved, but the visual verification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A visual engagement status indicator serves as an intermediary between the hydraulic actuators (located within the frame) and the remote observer. This indicator, powered by the cathodic protection system, provides visual feedback about the engagement status of the hydraulic actuators, allowing reliable mechanical engagement to be verified remotely without exposing the actuators to the external environment.
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
Provides a visual indication of subsea connector engagement without complicating the system, reducing the need for long power lines or mechanical solutions, and ensuring reliable operation through the use of the cathodic protection system's electrical potential.
Implementation Method 1
A widely-used form of CP is the galvanic anode-type cathodic protection, in which a sacrificial metal surface is positioned proximate to the metal items to be protected. The sacrificial metal material is chosen which has a greater magnitude electrochemical potential than the item to be protected.
Implementation Method 2
the cathodic protection system of the subsea emergency disconnect package equipment could be used as a galvanic cell to generate supply voltage or voltage multiplication for a small voltage/low-power minor device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for visually indicating an engagement status of a submerged subsea connector are provided. An example of a system includes a measurement device positioned to provide a signal indicating positive engagement of a locking mechanism for a submerged subsea connector, and a visual engagement status indicator assembly including a visual engagement status indicator positioned on an outside portion of a surrounding frame to provide a visual indication corresponding to an engagement status of the locking mechanism provided by the measurement device. A power supply assembly is configured to interface with portions of an adjacent cathodic protection system to provide supply power or voltage multiplication to the visual engagement status indicator.