Subsea Sensor Power via Optical Link
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea optical communication systems face reliability issues when external sensing elements are integrated, as they can degrade the system and pose challenges in coupling with optical repeaters due to voltage differences, making it difficult to maintain reliable operation and accurate environmental measurements.
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, maintaining 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 external sensing elements are integrated into the optical repeater, then environmental measurement capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: the optical repeater for communication and the environmental sensor assembly for sensing. The sensor assembly is physically separated from the repeater and connected via optical fiber, allowing independent operation and maintenance of each component without affecting the other, thus maintaining reliability while adding measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
An optical fiber link serves as an intermediary between the environmental sensor assembly and the optical repeater. This intermediary enables power and data transmission without direct electrical coupling, isolating the sensor from the high-voltage repeater electronics and preventing reliability degradation while maintaining functional integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensing elements are coupled to optical repeater controllers, then environmental sensing is enabled, but voltage difference challenges increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical coupling mechanisms with optical coupling. Instead of directly connecting sensing elements to repeater controllers through electrical wires that must accommodate voltage differences, the system uses optical fibers to transmit power and data. This substitution eliminates the complex voltage matching and isolation requirements while enabling seamless integration of sensing functionality.
3Power
If electrical wires are used for power delivery to repeaters, then power transmission is achieved, but galvanic isolation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes electrical power delivery through copper wires with optical power delivery through fiber optics. The optical repeater and sensor assembly communicate power and data via modulated optical signals, eliminating galvanic connections entirely. This approach maintains reliable power transmission while preserving galvanic isolation, protecting the system from voltage differences and electrical interference.
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 approach enables reliable and accurate environmental monitoring without degrading the optical communication system, allowing for efficient power delivery and data transmission while maintaining the sensor at a safe potential, thus overcoming voltage differences and enhancing system reliability.
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.