Process and device for the transport of electrical energy to high voltage, by underwater way.

The present invention aims at providing the operation and the potential development of submarine cables linear, autonomous, armed a sheath which protect the pressure depths, both mechanically flexible and float-free, including undersea cables energy transmission, and particularly a high-voltage power, beyond areas (or in some cases even within these areas) where marine applications are presently practicable, maximum depths ranging from 2,000 meters currently up to, using a cuirass adapted sheath type, and especially in the regions of the world where the depth of the body of water in which the cable is deployed exceeds the adaptability of pressure-depth of the cuirass, prevents the repair, maintenance, replacement and/or addition of one or more cables on a base and/or materially practical economically justifiable, at points where the profile of the bottom of the sea, being rugged, could prevent deployment and/or satisfactory operation, and when this depth limits the maximum and minimum tolerance of mechanical strain during the maneuver for deployment and operation.

Thus the invention provides a method and device that can always keep, of position and stabilize said flexible cable -, ee.t float-free or more such cables at any depth level determined, sufficiently below the surface of a body of water to avoid impeding the shipping or underwater nor the marine life, and in conditions hydroatmospheric dense permanent (such those found to average depth of the region intense pycnocline upon application to deep ocean) contribute the most favorable to the stabilization of said cable deployed, but sufficiently in the range capabilities of resistance of the cuirass to the pressure of the depth of said cable and requirements for access to the surface for any full or partial deployment of the device.

The inventive device includes several modular support floatable and flexible lines mooring attached to motor and anchored to the sea bottom, deployed along the linear course of the cable so as to provide a permanent support, placement and stability to neutral buoyancy to a predetermined depth.

A main object of the invention is to provide means for deployment, between the surface and the bottom of any body of water, of any type of submarine cable transmission energy autonomous, self-protecting and float-free nature, or more thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means

safe to stabilize one or more underwater cable power transmission confectioneries a depth set during a period of time corresponding to the maximum service of all system components when subjected to different conditions hydroatmospheric ocean as may be encountered during a particular operation of deployments.

Another object of the invention is to provide an access means economically and physically refined (the X) cable (e) undersea transmission (e) and reduce the amount of such cables needed for a given application.

Another objective of 1¹ invention is to provide a means for extending the practical use of such a cable to any marine application throughout the world regardless of the depth or length of said cable, in the range of physical and functional parameters of said cable such as may exist currently or in the future.

Another object of the invention is to provide more buoyant spread so as to support said cable so as to provide a bearing buoyant in the event one or more sections floatable collecition become inoperative.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for maintaining a constant horizontal sheet of said cable deployment, without having to take into account the Hydrography boat.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fully flexible support device adaptable independently, immersion or floated as at will during a given use of the cable or circuits thereof, and hydroatmospheric in all conditions, regardless of the number of cables used, and extent, and which may be independent or crossed with other similar systems.

Other features of the invention will appear in the course of the description which will ' track.

The appended drawings given solely by way of example:

Figure 1 represents a vertical section of the device. ^ as it appears when deployed along a continental shelf in an ocean deep ' a representing a cable suspended between vehicles b of individual support, c being a mooring line/or clip, and d is a further line that can be added or removed. The identical elements bear the same references in all Figures.

Figure 2a represents a plan view of several parallel cables attached to motor support modular floating, themselves attached in parallel above a two-dimensional horizontal sheet in an area where the depth remains constant.

Figure 2b represents a plan view similar to Figure 2a, to] has difference that said cables are deployed in a pattern horizontally expandable, the dotted lines indicating the possibility of variation of the degree and dimensional width of the pattern of the cable deployed.

Figure 3a is an elevation view/cutting of a portion of fig. 1, in which the distance between the floating support vehicles is indicated on an arbitrary basis, Bb represents a larger size of watercraft capable of supporting a larger number of cables, are supported in parallel both verticalment that horizontally.

Figure 3b is a view to the same scale as the fig..

3a used herein except that double the number of vehicles floating support; the spacing distance floating buoys being substantially half of that used in Figure 3a and these buoys having theoretically half as large and having half the flotation capacity (d) of Figure 3a.

Figure 3c represents: floating buoys whose dimensions and spacing are reduced from the fig.3b (the two figures being to the same scale), in the Figure 3a to 3c, the d line in dotted line indicates the optional use of consecutive lines of attachment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device during various phases of deployment from a point on the sea bed. _c representing the mooring line, £dampening means, and H a further line mooring stabilizer that may be required and fig. 5 is a frontal cross-section of a single floating buoy, b and showing the manner of PAI " which said vehicle as well as the cable attached thereto are brought to the surface. In addition to the illustration of the invention, deployment of the willwill réferrera you cable as shown in Figure 2b.

To facilitate the deployment of an underwater cable linear high-voltage transmission, flexible and float-free, at a given constant depth below the surface and above the bottom of any body of water, ' the invention provides a novel method and a novel device exposed hereinafter.

The device components are mainly:

Several modules of determined size (according to each particular application of the device) which are floating buoys as a vehicle for supporting and moving a fixed mass of water along the road cable linear, with the option to add as many units as necessary to permit the retention of multiple cables deployed in parallel horizontally and/or vertically proximate each other and using a complementary additional. These vehicles of predetermined size will be constructed in one dimension, and configured in a manner appropriate to maintain their shape and buoyancy when they serve as said cable and this maximum possible pressure of the depth that can be encountered out of any given deployment, as well as throughout the duration estimated usage of said vehicles. The building material of vehicles may be determined by experimentation to 3a discretion for toto offtir the greatest advantage to use..

More precisely: the dimension ' of said vehicles floating. support will be, for each application deployment is given, decided according to the following factors: has) the weight and the number of cables to be held, and b) the number of said vehicles to be used to maintain the (e) (e) said cable (e) over a given distance; this dimension which can be expressed as a ratio between, on the one hand, the number of vehicles and, on the other hand, the increase of the distance traveled by the system or a portion thereof, and c) the density factor of water at the depth of the deployment envisaged for each particular application of the system.

The shape of said vehicles when applying any given deployment will be selected based on the following factors: has) the force of the pressure of the depth at the lowest range of depth levels contemplated for deployment (it is generally presumed from similar applications such shape is, but not necessarily, spherical with a possibility of extension to two dimensions until reaching a final shape cylindrical to spherical ends and having a surface coating may be smooth or rough); and b) the number and position of (e) (e) wire with respect to each particular vehicle and/or the ratio of said number and said position (O) (O) cable with the modular vehicles attached to each other and forming an array of expandable deployment, and c) the manner in which the at least one cable (e) are attached to said vehicles, as well as the manner in which the mooring lines (described below) is attached to said vehicles (see Fig. 2,&4, b. & αBB drawings).

The position of said vehicles both relative to each other, as they relate to the linear support of the one or more cable (e) placed in parallel next to one another on a given distance (without missing considerations on the shape of said vehicles described above as this form is derived from the position), and with respect to "soft" catenary for the access requirements from the surface, will substantially determine the degree of "catenary curvature" that will form naturally the cable between said vehicles because of its flexible nature and non-buoyant and its physical characteristics when suspended in a liquid; that is why it is wished to generally that when the floating support vehicles (or more vehicles attached together as they serve as a multiple cable) are spaced such linear along the route of the cable that they do not cross (although they can intersect each other due to their modular nature and if desired) said floating vehicles are now connected to each other by the cable (in the case Ou conditions hydroatmospheric severe the would require, a flexible tension element independent could be used). The above remains valid in all cases except, as indicated, if said floating support vehicles are used in sufficient number on a given linear distance so as to form a unique vehicle support fully bound comprising more particular vehicles, not separated by cable (as estffle case when the latter functions as a support voltage), which does another function that will then be simply supported in its entirety.

With regard to the stabilization of said cable as that of said floating support vehicles or more thereof and, within a range of variations "more" or "less" as compared to that which is desired: has). depth/on development density, and b) the laterally deployable to said depth; this stabilization will be facilitated by a slight mooring line attached to said flexible floating carrier vehicle, this line will be of a size (it is to say diameter and tensile strength), will have a position and will be sufficient to meet the performance demands of any application deployment is given using in more harsh hydroatmospheric about expected in this case, and will be used to facilitate all or part of the deployment; similarly will have to take into account the.

they may have to return the complete device to the surface when in full deployment, (most likely incidentally individual portions thereof), and it will be necessary for the maintenance, repair, replacement and/or the addition of any element, and all this, without to have to dismember the entire system deployed.

More specifically, the mooring line will be in particular plastic (a nylon, a polyester, Kelvar, and so on.) having a capacitance substantially neutral buoyancy and a faculty extension up to approximately 20%, manufactured double braid, with high tensile strength in order to achieve maximum power with minimal cost and size.

The deployment of said lines will be to have one or more individual fasteners extending from the attachment of a conveyed flottaîit center depending upon conditions; with the

(see fig. 4, C. & h of drawings) deployed (e) with a GBP GBP âcteU ^ * I-|glinàglinà .ison ii up to approximately 2:1, and a shift of the I / ^ anérage on the sea floor, depending on several factors; HAS) 1# factor de trailing manner relative Sidestream, and b) the weight of the rope itself which may cause a natural inclination for an application in deep water, and c) the amount of tilt required to allow for the surface of the vehicle and the cable attached thereto (see fig. 5) as described above. The addition of consecutive lines of attachment along the path of the linear system will be determined in relation to the requirements of the system or of any parts clui thereof as described below.

Referring to the deployment and operation of the device according to the factors mentioned above as regards the components thereof, it is emphasized that the use of carriers floating support "modular" size, shape, number and position predetermined adapts to a wide number of criteria and specification development for each application deployment is given (or portion thereof). The practical significance of the different applications is from vehicles widely spaced (or groups of vehicles as multiple support cable) where said rope, as it is used as a tension connection, has a natural catenary curvature thus allowing more freedom of movement than hydrodynamic of all system components, until a very structured where the floating cars are interconnected continuously and the cable is simply supported and does not link function in the ' building (see Figure 3a, b., C.).

In view of the above with regard to the variety of arrangement of the modules, the most critical, in any given application, is that all components of the system, when fully extended, must reach and maintain, in a range of variations "more" and "less" given where resides the point density for a depth level specified, a neutral buoyancy so that said motion variation within this range driven by any change in conditions hydroatmospheric, is maintained within the limits of a maximum expected and does appreciably nor the operation or the stability of the entire system.

With regard to the variation in horizontal or vertical "more" and "less" system - when fully expanded, with respect to its desired position or to its linear course, factors such as the depth from a point of said deployment to the seabed and the resulting inclination of the line of attachment relative to this base as well as the number of individual lines of attachment used at any point of the vehicle (see fig. 4 & 5, C. & hr), geometric pattern formed by said lines, the current pressure factors, the degree of angulation in two dimensions, formed by the cable (see Figure 2b) to return to the surface sections of the system (as complementary to the elongation of the tether line (see Figure 5.)) as well as the variation of the arrangement of the vehicle support and position, all these factors will contribute to the degree of said variation with respect to each application of a dépoloiement particular or a part thereof, and accordingly will not be accurately determined that relative confectioneries particular applications defined in the system.

However, it is to be noted that the characteristics depth/density for a given deployment or a portion thereof ensuring theoretically a run-moderate vertical motion in that when the cable and the vehicles support attached thereto are raised, the density decreases, reducing the buoyancy of the craft, and conversely, when. the assembly sinks into the water, the density increases, thus increasing the stream -,

1 - 0 tability of the assembly, which in turn slows the rise respectively

or the descent. In addition, because the floating support vehicles are formed segments-modular, floatable independently of each other, the system is virtually assured of a support for its suspension, even in the case where a plurality of said vehicles 1 - 5 collecition fail to maintain their buoyancy for any reason. Similarly, if a line of attachment were to detach from any floating vehicles from which it is deployed - either consecutively or alternately during a certain deployment or as required (see fig. 1, 2a, b., C.) - the wider eco * 0 a tat would be that the cars floating support and the cable attached thereto would achieve, unhindered said line, to a positive buoyancy and thus would retain their relative position, perhaps, a slight fall in the area concerned. Thus briefly described, the system will continue to operate in * presumably 5 most cases break since the flotation will hold the cable to a point above the capabilities of pressure resistance of the depth and only in the event that several buoys floating collecition fail and this in sufficient numbers and consecutively that the cable would likewise 50 does operate because of a more substantial fall.

As regards the operations system deployment, it appears logical to use a series of buoys floating to maintain the deployed cable to the surface of the water as the ship service avaava.nce, of gradually lengthen the tie lines said buoys assembly will then descend gradually according to a gradient determined until all the buoys are removed and brought forward to help immediately to ask the other sections.

As regards the auxiliary ilage belong, the dispositi. F. may include both of the electronic equipment and/or mechanical for various roles which may be critical for device operation in extreme conditions.

Such apparatus may include apparatus of slightly different - sonar used on ships, powered by either sources of long-term energy, embedded, or powered by cables or additional connection conduits arranged along the cables of the system, in combination with other means.

These apparatuses are sonars are installed at intervals as required and in accordance with their effective range, and can provide for widely spaced and intermittent signals to conserve power supply.

Another type of apparatus operating as pressure sensor as a function of depth, can be used. Thus, if the system goes down for any reason up to a particular point at which the pressure exceeds the capacity of resistance, or potentially exceed the capacity of the system, a control device for the operation of the system is actuated to stop the operation.

Such a device can further function as automatic shut-down device to provide more immediate action in case of emergency.

In another domain, and in addition to the above, with regard to the material constituting the compensation floatable support vehicles, a material that can be used is a synthetic foam. It has been used with great success until now for floats in deep water. It can be easily molded or machined in any shape, as desired, and is extremely resistant to crushing or degradation resistance, long term.

The cables used in the device according to the invention are adapted to carry current to high voltage or extra high voltage (300 kv. and 750 kv. for example), they comprise a single insulated conductor having a section that is not less than 50 mm.

The device according to the invention can be used in combination with all the energy generating systems, such as solar, mounted offshore, the production facilities "on site" offshore, oil and/or gas, and the geothermal installation, with which the system according to the invention can be used for the transfer of the energy produced to the centers of consumption.

Further, by selecting an appropriate location for a given power generating plant, in a region in the middle of a long-distance distribution network spanning several time zones, the system according to the invention is made not to suitable for transporting energy in different directions, depending on the "spikes" in the various sectors of the cost.

Similarly the system according to the invention may be employed with all central to thermal gradient, wind turbines, solar or other, anchored in installations of any depth.