Subsea Connector With MEMS Switching for Selective Power Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea connectors lack the necessary switching granularity for independent power distribution, leading to widespread shutdowns during maintenance and repair, and pose safety risks during mating and de-mating due to the need for wholesale power shutdowns, which can disrupt operations and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A switchable subsea connector system utilizing micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switches, integrated into a pressurized housing or as a separate module, allows for individual control of electrical conductors or groups of conductors, enabling targeted power management and isolation, even at high pressures, using a controller connected via Ethernet or CAN bus for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual switching devices (MEMS switches) are integrated into the connector to enable selective power distribution, then maintenance and repair can be performed on individual units without shutting down the entire system, but the device complexity increases due to the integration of multiple switching components
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into multiple independently controllable electrical conductors, each with its own switching device. This allows individual conductors to be switched off for maintenance while others remain operational, resolving the contradiction by enabling selective power distribution without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching unit is merged with the connector body, integrating the switching functionality directly into the existing connector structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate switching equipment, thereby maintaining device complexity at acceptable levels while achieving selective power control for improved productivity.
2Reliability
If wholesale power shutdown is implemented to ensure safety during connector mating and de-mating, then operator safety is protected, but operational disruption and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution is segmented into individually controllable conductors. During connector mating and de-mating operations, only the specific conductors involved are switched off, while other conductors remain active. This segmented approach maintains operator safety by isolating the operational hazard while minimizing system downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of shutting down the entire power system (excessive action), only the specific conductors requiring maintenance or involved in the mating operation are switched off (partial action). This partial switching approach provides sufficient safety for the operation while avoiding unnecessary system-wide shutdowns that would increase downtime.
3Speed
If conventional switching mechanisms are used in the connector, then the connector structure remains simple, but the switching speed and precision are insufficient for fast and efficient power isolation
Solution Approach 1:
Conventional mechanical switching mechanisms are replaced with MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) switches. MEMS technology provides significantly faster switching speeds and more precise control compared to mechanical systems, while the miniaturized nature of MEMS devices minimizes the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching characteristics are changed from mechanical operation to electrostatic actuation typical of MEMS devices. This parameter change enables switching speeds in the microsecond range and precise control through voltage modulation, achieving fast and efficient power isolation without substantially increasing device complexity.
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 system provides fast, safe, and efficient switching with reduced downtime and costs by allowing selective disconnection of power to faulty units, enabling precise maintenance and fault identification without halting the entire system, while ensuring operator safety during connector operations.
Implementation Method 1
each of the individual switching devices comprises a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch
Data Source
AI summary
A switchable subsea connector includes a first connector part, a second connector part removably connected to the first connector part; and a switching unit. The connector parts each include at least one electrical conductor and each switching unit includes at least one individual switching device. Each electrical conductor in at least one connector part is allocated to an individual switching device of the switching unit; wherein each of the individual switching devices includes a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) switch.