Subsea Electric Machine Monitoring via High-Speed Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in accurately monitoring and maintaining subsea electrical equipment due to inaccurate estimates of equipment condition and performance, especially in remote and hard-to-access locations, leads to difficulties in identifying component failures and optimizing power supply adjustments in subsea power transmission systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for monitoring subsea electric machines using high-speed data from sensors positioned between the AC power line and the machines, with a controller comparing these measurements to predetermined values, enabling accurate condition assessment and control actions to prevent faults and optimize operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If subsea equipment is operated remotely at great distances from land or platforms, then the equipment can be installed in accessible locations for power supply, but the difficulty of accessing the equipment for maintenance and monitoring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive monitoring systems with sensors that continuously measure electrical parameters (voltage, current, power, frequency) and mechanical parameters (vibration, temperature) of subsea equipment. This feedback is transmitted to surface control systems, enabling remote diagnosis and condition-based maintenance planning, which resolves the contradiction by making remote equipment as maintainable as onshore equipment through real-time information feedback.
2Device complexity
If traditional monitoring methods are used with local measurements only, then the system complexity is reduced, but the accuracy of equipment condition assessment and performance estimation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional monitoring system that simultaneously measures multiple electrical parameters (voltage, current, active power, reactive power, frequency) and mechanical parameters (vibration, temperature) using integrated sensor packages. This universal approach provides comprehensive equipment condition assessment without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same communication infrastructure transmits all parameter types to surface systems.
3Speed
If high-speed data transmission is implemented from subsea sensors to controllers, then the speed of fault detection is improved, but the data transmission requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by continuously monitoring electrical parameters and comparing them against predetermined thresholds before faults actually occur. The system detects anomalies, trends, and deviations from normal operation in real-time, enabling preventive maintenance and avoiding catastrophic failures. This approach transforms the system from reactive to proactive, improving fault detection speed while using existing communication infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for monitoring at least one subsea electric machine supplied by a system for electric power transmission. The system has a power supply, a controller and an AC power line connecting the at least one machine with the power supply. The method includes the steps of: receiving at the controller, high speed data from at least one subsea sensor arranged between the subsea side of the AC power line and the at least one subsea electric machine, wherein the high speed data includes measurements of an electrical parameter for the at least one machine; and comparing the one or more measurements to a predetermined value. A system for electric power transmission arranged for operating at least one subsea load or electric machine is also described.