Subsea Connector Earth Link Design for Reliable Electrical Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a reliable and durable electrical connection between an earth link wire and the outer shielding layer of subsea cables is challenging due to the ductile nature and plastic deformation properties of the materials involved, leading to issues like abrasion, air entrapment, and limited flexibility in cable arrangement.
Innovation Solution
A subsea connector design featuring a housing with a recess for a canted coil spring that provides multi-point electrical contact and a threaded link for secure attachment of the earth link wire, allowing for thermal expansion and contraction while minimizing friction and air entrapment, and enabling flexible cable arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a constant force coil is used to hold the earth link wire in electrical connection with the outer shielding layer, then the electrical connection is maintained, but friction and abrasion occur between the outer shielding layer and the coil due to cable movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful friction interface by removing the constant force coil that was in direct contact with the outer shielding layer. Instead, the earth link wire is clamped directly to the connector housing, eliminating the source of abrasion while maintaining electrical connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housing serves as an intermediary element that provides the electrical connection path. The earth link wire connects to the housing, which then provides the electrical connection to the outer shielding layer, eliminating the need for the constant force coil intermediary that caused friction.
2Reliability
If a large connector is used to accommodate the constant force coil and earth breakout boot, then the electrical connection is secured, but cable flexibility is limited requiring splaying of multiple cables
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the constant force coil and earth breakout boot components, the connector size is significantly reduced. This enables multiple subsea cables to be arranged in close proximity without requiring splaying, maintaining cable flexibility and adaptability while securing the electrical connection through the simplified direct clamping design.
3Reliability
If soldering is used to connect the earth link wire to the outer shielding layer, then electrical connection is established, but the connection has limited durability due to stress from cable manipulation and thermal expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the soldering mechanical-thermal process with a mechanical clamping system. The earth link wire is clamped to the connector housing using a clamping element, providing a durable mechanical connection that accommodates cable manipulation and thermal expansion without the limitations of soldered joints.
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 solution ensures a durable, fail-safe electrical connection that maintains contact during thermal changes and prevents damage to the outer shielding layer, while allowing for close packing of subsea cables and reducing the risk of air entrapment.
Implementation Method 1
The recess is configured to receive a canted coil spring such that it provides an electrical multi-point contact to an outer shielding layer of a subsea cable
Implementation Method 2
The link is provided on the outer surface of the housing. The link is configured to releasably attach an earth link wire to the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A subsea connector (120) comprises a recess (150) arranged on an inner surface (141) of the housing (131) of the subsea connector (120). The recess (150) is configured to receive a canted coil spring (171) such that it provides an electrical multi-point contact between an outer shielding layer (112), sometimes referred to as a screen, of a subsea cable (111). The subsea connector (120) further comprises a link (132) configured to releasably attach an earth link wire to the housing (131).