Subsea Splice Termination Unit for Rapid Fiber Optic Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for splicing subsea umbilicals are time-consuming, often taking around 12 hours per splice, and are sensitive to weather conditions, leading to safety issues and significant downtime during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A subsea splice termination unit that allows for the quick connection of fiber optic cables within a compact, pressure-resistant enclosure, using glass-to-glass seals and a fiber management system to facilitate fluid-tight connections without molding, enabling splices to be completed in approximately 2 hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional splicing methods are used for subsea umbilicals, then the splice operation can be completed with standard equipment, but the splicing time is excessively long (12 hours per splice) and the process is highly sensitive to weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the splicing operation into distinct modular components: a splice housing assembly that can be pre-assembled onshore, and separate umbilical sections. The splice housing contains all necessary splicing equipment and sealing mechanisms, allowing the actual splicing to be performed quickly in a controlled environment while the housing itself can be prepared in advance. This segmentation enables parallel preparation activities and eliminates the need for lengthy on-site splicing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice housing assembly is pre-assembled, pre-tested, and prepared onshore before deployment to the subsea location. This preliminary preparation includes installing the splicing equipment, sealing mechanisms, and testing the entire assembly in a controlled factory environment. By performing these actions beforehand, the invention eliminates time-consuming on-site preparation and reduces the actual splicing operation to a simple connection and activation process, dramatically reducing ship waiting time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple splices are performed during umbilical deployment, then the umbilical can be assembled from manageable sections, but the cumulative splicing time causes significant deployment delays
Solution Approach 1:
The splice housing assembly is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can be used for all splicing operations regardless of the specific umbilical section being joined. The same standardized housing contains all necessary equipment for splicing, sealing, and testing, making it applicable to every connection point in the umbilical assembly process. This universality eliminates the need for different equipment or procedures for different splices, enabling rapid repeated operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the splicing process by performing the actual splicing in a pressurized environment within the splice housing that matches subsea conditions. This parameter change allows the splice to be made under realistic pressure conditions, eliminating the need for lengthy post-splice testing and validation that would be required if splicing were performed in atmospheric conditions. The pressure parameter is adjusted to match the deployment environment, streamlining the entire process.
3Productivity
If splicing operations are performed in heavy seas, then the umbilical deployment can continue in adverse weather, but safety issues arise and operations must be aborted
Solution Approach 1:
The splice housing assembly incorporates pre-installed sealing mechanisms, pressure equalization systems, and safety features that are tested and validated before deployment. The housing is designed with built-in protection against pressure differentials, water ingress, and environmental stresses. By cushioning against potential failures beforehand through robust design and pre-testing, the invention enables safe operation in adverse weather conditions without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice housing acts as an intermediary protective enclosure that isolates the splicing operation from the harsh external environment. The sealed housing creates a controlled micro-environment that shields the splicing equipment and operators from heavy seas, waves, and weather conditions. This intermediary structure allows the splicing to proceed uninterrupted regardless of external conditions, maintaining both safety and productivity.
4Ease of manufacture
If a large splicing box is used to accommodate all splicing equipment, then all necessary tools and materials are available, but the physical size increases and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The splice housing assembly employs a nested structure where splicing equipment, tools, and materials are compactly arranged within the housing in a space-efficient manner. Components are integrated and layered, with smaller elements fitted within larger structures. The splicing equipment is mounted on foldable or retractable mechanisms that allow compact storage when not in use. This nesting approach maximizes equipment capacity while minimizing the external dimensions of the housing, making it easier to handle and deploy.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice housing incorporates dynamic, movable components rather than fixed rigid structures. The housing can be opened and closed to access the splicing area, and equipment within can be moved or reconfigured as needed. This dynamic design allows the housing to be compact during transport and deployment, then expanded or opened during the splicing operation. The ability to change configuration reduces the required volume while maintaining full equipment functionality.
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 solution significantly reduces splicing time by 10 hours, leading to substantial time and cost savings while ensuring the splice unit can withstand harsh environments and rough handling.
Implementation Method 1
The fiber optic penetrator comprises a glass to glass seal for sealing against the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
a subsea enclosure (12) configured for maintaining a predetermined pressure inside the chamber (26)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A subsea splice termination unit (10) for terminating and splicing two fiber optic cables (18, 49), in particular of an umbilical (42), is provided. The subsea splice termination unit (10) is configured for deployment in an underwater environment. The subsea splice termination unit (10) comprises a subsea enclosure (12), a first termination assembly (11) for terminating a first fiber optic cable (18) at the subsea splice termination unit (10), a second termination assembly (48) for terminating a second fiber optic cable (49) at the subsea splice termination unit (10), a chamber (26) inside the subsea enclosure (12), a first penetrator leading at least a first optical fiber (22) of the first fiber optic cable (18) into the chamber (26), and a second penetrator leading at least a second optical fiber (50) of the second fiber optic cable (49) into the chamber (26), wherein a splice (23) between the first optical fiber (22) and the second optical fiber (50) is arranged in said chamber (26).