Subsea Vessel Buoyancy Design for Deepwater Platform Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea platform installation technologies are limited by the inability to efficiently provide buoyancy in deepwater environments, where high pressure and economic constraints hinder the design of effective buoyancy systems, and existing methods are inefficient for transporting and positioning subsea systems exceeding 500 metric tons.
Innovation Solution
A subsea vessel system comprising a shell around a gas-filled inner enclosure with concrete filling the space between, featuring column members with buoyant material, thrusters, pontoon members, and a platform release mechanism, allowing for controlled descent and ascent to facilitate efficient subsea platform deployment and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional buoyancy systems are used in deepwater environments, then buoyancy can be provided, but high pressure and economic constraints make the design difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel employs a composite structure consisting of a concrete core surrounded by a steel shell, creating a composite material system that provides both structural integrity and buoyancy. The concrete provides compressive strength and stability, while the steel shell provides tensile strength and pressure resistance, together solving the deepwater buoyancy problem cost-effectively
2Weight of moving object
If multiple support ships are used to transport and position sub-systems, then heavy subsea systems can be moved, but the process becomes lengthy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transportation, positioning, and installation functions into a single integrated subsea platform transporter vessel. This merged system can transport heavy subsea systems (exceeding 500 metric tons) and perform precise positioning and installation in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple support ships and reducing installation time
3Weight of moving object
If traditional transport methods are used for heavy subsea systems, then systems can be moved, but multiple support ships and lengthy construction phases are required
Solution Approach 1:
The subsea platform transporter is designed as a universal vessel that performs multiple functions: transportation of heavy subsea systems, precise positioning using dynamic positioning system, installation on support structure, and even provides buoyancy for the transported systems. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized vessels for each operation
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 enables cost-effective buoyancy and efficient transport of subsea platforms, overcoming the limitations of high pressure and economic constraints, by providing a reliable and efficient method for deepwater operations, reducing the complexity and duration of subsea platform installation.
Implementation Method 1
The inner enclosure is pressurized with gas to provide buoyancy
Implementation Method 2
The concrete is poured in a liquid state and then pressurized with hydraulic pressure to ensure it fills all void spaces
Implementation Method 3
The thrusters are activated to achieve a desired alignment for resting on the supports
Implementation Method 4
controlling the buoyancy of the column members by filling the column members with sea water to facilitate a gradual descent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A subsea vessel includes filler material, which may be enclosed by an outer shell and may provide the vessel with a density for floatation. Exemplary applications for the vessels include buoyancy and tanks to hold fluids for operations subsea. The filler may include thermoplastic materials and/or concrete, which may be formed to create internal void spaces.