Subsea Power Supply Test Point for Umbilical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power supply arrangements for subsea equipment require physical disconnection and reconnection of modules for testing, leading to inaccurate fault detection, high maintenance costs, safety risks, and infrequent testing due to the need for on-site technicians and potential exposure to high voltages.
Innovation Solution
A power supply arrangement with a test point in the electrical circuit allows the test module to conduct tests without disconnecting the power supply module from the umbilical, enabling testing of the power supply module and umbilical connections while reducing physical handling and on-site technician requirements, using a common housing or separate test module with plug-and-socket connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical disconnection is made to conduct tests, then test module can be connected to umbilical, but power supply module cannot be tested and connection damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical circuit is segmented into multiple accessible points including test points that allow selective testing. The circuit includes a power supply connector, output connector, and intermediate test points that enable the test module to access different portions of the circuit without requiring physical disconnection of the power supply module from the umbilical.
Solution Approach 2:
Test points are introduced as intermediary access points within the electrical circuit. These test points provide a mediated connection that allows the test module to interface with the circuit without requiring direct connection to the power supply module's internal components, thus avoiding disconnection while enabling comprehensive testing.
2Ease of operation
If umbilical is disconnected for testing, then tests can be conducted on umbilical and equipment, but technicians are exposed to high voltages and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary discharge of stored charges in the umbilical before testing begins. The control unit monitors and controls the discharge process, ensuring that any stored energy is safely dissipated before the test module connects to the umbilical, thereby eliminating the safety hazard of high voltage exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit provides continuous feedback monitoring of the electrical circuit state, including voltage levels and charge storage conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically control the discharge process and prevent unsafe conditions, enabling safe testing without requiring umbilical disconnection.
3Reliability
If frequent testing is conducted with physical disconnection, then system reliability improves, but maintenance costs and time increase due to technician mobilisation
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service testing capabilities through the integrated test module and control unit. The control unit automatically manages the testing process, including charge discharge control and test execution, without requiring external technician intervention. This enables frequent testing to be performed efficiently and cost-effectively.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If protection devices are present in power supply module, then safety is improved, but test accuracy decreases as faults may go undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically controls the state of protection devices during testing. It can temporarily override or bypass protection mechanisms such as relay energised contactors to allow comprehensive fault detection, then restore protection afterward. This dynamic control enables accurate fault detection while maintaining safety during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply arrangement is described that comprises a power supply module 10 including a supply connector 14 and an output connector 16, and an electrical circuit 18 interconnecting the supply connector 14 and the output connector 16, the electrical circuit 18 including a test point 30 to which a test module 36 may be connected, the test point 30 being electrically connected to the output connector 16.