Subsea Repeater Sensor Link With Optical Power Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea optical communication systems face challenges in integrating environmental sensors due to high voltages and potential reliability degradation, as well as difficulties in coupling sensing elements to optical repeaters, which can be affected by the seawater environment and electrical potential differences.
Innovation Solution
A subsea environmental sensing system where an environmental sensor assembly is coupled to a repeater assembly via an optical link, allowing power delivery over an optical fiber to maintain the sensor at ground potential while the repeater operates at high voltage, using optical fibers for galvanic isolation and power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If environmental sensors are integrated inside the repeater, then sensing capability is improved, but reliability of the optical communication system degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function from the repeater unit by placing external sensor assemblies near the repeater. The sensor assembly operates independently at ground potential while the repeater operates at high voltage, allowing sensing capability to be added without compromising repeater reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical fiber link serves as an intermediary between the external sensor assembly and the repeater. This optical interface provides galvanic isolation, allowing sensor data to be transmitted to the repeater without creating electrical potential conflicts or reliability issues.
2Reliability
If sensors are placed outside the repeater, then reliability is improved, but coupling difficulty increases due to electrical potential differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical fiber as an intermediary medium to couple the external sensor assembly with the repeater. This optical interface eliminates the direct electrical coupling problem, allowing sensors to operate at ground potential while the repeater operates at high voltage, thus reducing coupling complexity despite external placement.
3Power
If high voltage power is transmitted to the repeater, then power delivery capability is improved, but interference with ground potential sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber link acts as an intermediary that transmits sensor data from ground potential to the high voltage repeater environment without allowing electrical interference. This galvanic isolation protects sensors from high voltage effects while maintaining full power delivery capability to the repeater.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces electrical signal transmission with optical signal transmission for sensor data communication. This substitution eliminates electrical interference issues entirely, as optical signals are immune to electromagnetic fields and high voltage effects.
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
Enables reliable and accurate environmental monitoring by maintaining sensors at ground potential, reducing interference from high voltages and ensuring minimal impact on the optical communication system's reliability, while allowing for efficient power and signal transmission.
Implementation Method 1
an environmental sensor assembly, disposed proximate to the repeater assembly, the environmental sensor assembly being coupled to receive power from the repeater assembly over an optical link
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for subsea environment sensing. In one aspect, the apparatus may include a repeater assembly, disposed in an optical repeater; and an environmental sensor assembly, disposed proximate to the repeater assembly, the environmental sensor assembly being coupled to receive power from the repeater assembly over an optical link.