Subsea Power Umbilical Parallel Cable Triads
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea power umbilicals face challenges in increasing current carrying capability without enlarging conductor cross-sections, leading to increased weight and cost, especially at greater water depths where longer lengths and higher power transmission are required.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves configuring power cables in parallel and bundling them in triplex formations to form power cable triads, which reduces reactive power losses and avoids the skin and proximity effects, allowing for higher ampacity without increasing conductor size, and optionally arranging these triads symmetrically within the umbilical.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the cross-section of copper conductors is increased to increase current carrying capability, then the power transmission capability is improved, but the weight and dimensions of the umbilical increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the single large conductor into multiple smaller conductors (at least two conductors per phase) that are connected in parallel. This segmentation allows the same current carrying capability to be achieved with smaller individual conductor cross-sections, thereby reducing the overall umbilical weight and dimensions while maintaining the required power transmission capability.
2Length of moving object
If the length of umbilical is increased to work at greater water depths, then the operational depth is improved, but the electrical power losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting each phase into multiple parallel conductors with smaller cross-sections, the invention reduces the skin effect and proximity effect that cause increased electrical losses in long umbilicals. This allows the umbilical to be extended to greater water depths while minimizing the increase in electrical power losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the local electrical properties of the conductors by using multiple smaller conductors instead of one large conductor. This local change in conductor configuration reduces the skin effect and proximity effect, thereby reducing electrical power losses along the entire length of the umbilical, especially critical for deep water applications.
3Power
If the amount of power to be transmitted is increased to meet subsea equipment demands, then the power delivery capability is improved, but the conductor size and umbilical cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention achieves higher power delivery capability by using multiple smaller conductors in parallel rather than increasing the cross-section of a single conductor. This approach reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity while meeting the increased power demands of subsea equipment.
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
This configuration enhances the current carrying capability of power cables, reduces electrical power losses, and maintains a smaller umbilical diameter and weight, effectively addressing the need for increased power transmission at greater depths.
Implementation Method 1
Power cables are used for transmitting high electrical power (typically a few MW) to powerful subsea equipment such as pumps
Implementation Method 2
avoiding the skin and proximity effects
Implementation Method 3
avoiding the skin and proximity effects
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an umbilical 10 comprising a first independent 3- phase power supply circuit 14, the 3-phase power supply circuit 14 comprising at least six power cables 12 wherein each phase R,T,S of the 3-phase power supply circuit 14 consists of at least two power cables 12 connected in parallel with each other.