Subsea DC Power and Optical Fiber Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current submarine communication and power transmission systems face limitations in coverage, efficiency, and reliability, particularly for long-distance underwater applications, with AC power transmission experiencing significant losses and low data transfer rates, and existing solutions struggling to meet increasing demands for higher bandwidth and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A network utilizing optical fiber communications with a trunk cable system that converts high DC voltage to lower DC voltage for efficient power distribution and provides reliable communication, featuring multiple power supplies for redundancy, Internet Protocol switching, and a ring network configuration to ensure continuous operation and high precision timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If AC power transmission is used for under-sea power supply, then power can be transmitted to under-sea equipment, but transmission efficiency decreases rapidly with distance due to capacitive leakage current
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of power transmission from AC to DC. DC power transmission eliminates capacitive leakage current that plagues AC systems over long distances, thereby dramatically reducing power loss and enabling efficient transmission over hundreds of kilometers under sea.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes optical fiber communication with electrical cable for power transmission functions. By using the same cable infrastructure for both optical communication and DC power transmission, the system eliminates the need for separate power cables and reduces overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional electrical cabling with AC power is used for under-sea activities, then power supply is available, but coverage is limited to short distances and number of serviceable sites is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs DC voltage at high levels (10 kV or higher) for long-distance trunk lines, then transforms to lower voltages at intermediate nodes. This voltage transformation capability enables the system to serve multiple sites at various distances, expanding coverage from point-to-point to multi-node networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the under-sea network into segmented zones with terminal stations at different locations. Each terminal station can independently supply power to multiple subsea nodes, creating a modular architecture that expands coverage area and enables service to numerous sites across large ocean regions.
3Productivity
If optical fiber communication is used for under-sea communication, then high bitrate data transfer is achieved, but power transmission capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges optical fiber communication and DC power transmission into a single integrated cable system. The same cable infrastructure carries both optical signals for high-speed data and electrical conductors for DC power, eliminating the need for separate cables and enabling simultaneous communication and power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal cable system that performs multiple functions: optical communication for high-speed data transfer and DC power transmission for electrical power delivery. This multi-functional cable replaces traditional separate systems, providing both communication and power capabilities in a single infrastructure.
4Reliability
If single power supply configuration is used in under-sea network, then system simplicity is maintained, but reliability decreases when failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates redundant power supply paths and backup terminal stations before failures occur. When a failure is detected, the system can switch to alternative power sources or reconfigure power flow through other terminal stations, ensuring continuous operation without interruption to subsea nodes.
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 enables efficient and reliable power and communication transmission over large underwater areas with high bitrates and extended operational life, minimizing maintenance needs and ensuring robustness, even in fault conditions, while supporting advanced industrial and scientific applications.
Implementation Method 1
being adapted to convert a first DC voltage received from a terminal station to a second DC voltage provided at an output, the first voltage being higher than the second voltage
Implementation Method 2
A network utilizing optical fiber communications with a trunk cable system that converts high DC voltage to lower DC voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A network for transporting communication and power is disclosed. The network comprises terminal stations branching units and subsea nodes connected to a branching unit, wherein at least one connection path between a terminal station and a first branching unit and between the first branching unit and a first subsea node is provided by means of optical fiber, and wherein said first subsea node is adapted to receive a plurality of wavelengths and provide at least one wavelength at an output thereof. The network comprises a first power supply connected to a first cable head of the trunk cable and at least a second power supply connected to a second cable head of the trunk cable. The first power supply and the at least second power supply, supply at least a minimum amount of electric current in the network either individually or in combination, under normal or faulty conditions.