Patent Application
20170005468
Embodiments of the present invention relates generally to a power supply and distribution system, and more specifically to a subsea magnetic device installed in a subsea vessel for use in a subsea production facility.
A reliable power supply and distribution system is important for subsea production facilities. Various industrial components such as a subsea transformer, a subsea switchgear, subsea variable speed drives, and a power control and communication system are employed in the subsea production facility for electrical power supply and distribution. These industrial components are placed in a subsea vessel in deep water far below surface of the sea. In general, the subsea transformer is employed for providing power to equipment, such as boosters, pumps, compressors, pipeline heating systems, electrical distribution systems, frequency converters, and wave hubs.
Typically, subsea transformers are bulky and non-flexible structures. Moreover, the subsea transformers are traditionally positioned proximate to a longitudinal axis of the subsea vessel. Due to such a positioning of the subsea transformer, the subsea transformer occupies lot of the space inside the subsea vessel. As a result, minimal space remains in the subsea vessel to accommodate other industrial components. Moreover, the conventional subsea transformers require a dedicated cooling system to adequately cool the transformer. The use of a dedicated cooling system increases the size, cost, and complexity of the subsea transformer.
Therefore, there is a need for an enhanced subsea magnetic device.
In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a power supply and distribution system is presented. The power supply and distribution system includes a subsea magnetic device disposed in a predefined pattern along a wall of a subsea vessel. The subsea magnetic device includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a plurality of cores. At least one of the first conductor and the second conductor extends through at least one of the plurality of cores. A first geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device is substantially larger than a second geometrical dimension or a third geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device. Further, the power supply and distribution system includes a power converter coupled to the subsea magnetic device.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for installing a power supply and distribution system is presented. The method involves disposing a subsea magnetic device in a predefined pattern along a wall of a subsea vessel. Disposing the subsea magnetic device involves disposing a plurality of cores and disposing at least one of a first conductor and a second conductor extending through at least one of the plurality of cores. A first geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device is substantially larger than a second geometrical dimension or a third geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device. Furthermore, the method involves coupling a power converter to the subsea magnetic device.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for operation of a subsea magnetic device employed in a power supply and distribution system is presented. The method of operation involves providing a current to at least one of a first conductor and a second conductor of the subsea magnetic device through a power converter. The subsea magnetic device is disposed in a predefined pattern along a wall of a subsea vessel. The subsea magnetic device further includes a plurality of cores, where at least one of the first and second conductors extends through at least one of the plurality of cores. A first geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device is substantially larger than a second geometrical dimension or a third geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device. Also, the method involves generating a first magnetic field due to the current flowing through at least one of the first and second conductors. In addition, the method involves interacting the first magnetic field with a second magnetic field generated from at least one of the plurality of cores.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present specification will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this specification belongs. The terms “first”, “second”, and the like, as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The term “or” is meant to be inclusive and mean one, some, or all of the listed items. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. Furthermore, the terms “circuit”, “circuitry”, and “controller” may include either a single component or a plurality of components, which are either active and/or passive and are connected or otherwise coupled together to provide the described function. Also, the term “operatively coupled” as used herein includes wired coupling, wireless coupling, electrical coupling, magnetic coupling, radio communication, software based communication, or combinations thereof.
As will be described in detail hereinafter, various embodiments of an exemplary power supply and distribution system in a subsea production facility and method of installing a power supply and distribution system in a subsea production facility are disclosed. Specifically, a subsea magnetic device employed in the power supply and distribution system in a subsea production facility is disclosed. In one embodiment, the subsea magnetic device may be an inductor. In another embodiment, the subsea magnetic device may be a subsea transformer. Moreover, by employing the subsea magnetic device as described herein the space inside a subsea vessel may be adequately utilized for other electrical and electronic installations.
Turning now to the drawings and by way of example in
The power converter 110 may include an alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) converter, a DC to DC converter, a DC to AC converter, or the like. Electric power is fed via the subsea magnetic device 108 and the power converter 110 to an electrical component 104. In one embodiment, the electrical component 104 may be a motor. The electrical component 104 is operatively coupled to the subsea pump 106 and configured to operate the subsea pump 106.
Furthermore, the subsea magnetic device has a first geometrical dimension, a second geometrical dimension, and a third geometrical dimension. The first geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device 108 is substantially larger than a second geometrical dimension or a third geometrical dimension. In one embodiment, the first geometrical dimension, the second geometrical dimension, and the third geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device 108 are measured in same measurement unit. In one non-limiting example, the first geometrical dimension is at least five times the second geometrical dimension or the third geometrical dimension of the subsea magnetic device 108. In one embodiment, the first geometrical dimension is a length of the subsea magnetic device 108, the second geometrical dimension is a breadth of the subsea magnetic device 108, and the third geometrical dimension is a height of the subsea magnetic device 108.
In addition, the plurality of cores includes a flexible core, a rigid core, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the flexible core is disposed along a whole length of at least one of the first and second conductors and a rigid core may be disposed over the flexible core. However, in another embodiment, the flexible core is disposed along a part of the length of the at least one of the first and second conductors. In yet another embodiment, the flexible core and the rigid core may be alternately disposed along the length of the at least one of the first and second conductors.
Furthermore, the subsea magnetic device 108 includes a plurality of cores 206 spaced apart from each other. Each of the plurality of cores 206 includes a hole 207. Each core 206 is a rectangular shaped core. The first conductor 202 and the second conductor 204 extend through the holes 207 of the plurality of cores 206. In another embodiment, each of the plurality of cores 206 may include a plurality of holes 207. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of cores 206 is disposed proximate to each other.
Furthermore, a volume of at least one of the plurality of cores 206 is substantially lesser than a volume of the subsea magnetic device 108. In one embodiment, the volume of at least one of the plurality of cores 206 is 20% of the volume of the subsea magnetic device 108. In one example, the volume of each core of the plurality of cores 206 is 20% of the volume of the subsea magnetic device 108.
The subsea magnetic device 108 includes primary terminals 208, 210 and secondary terminals 212, 214. The subsea magnetic device 108 has a first geometrical dimension 216 substantially larger than a second geometrical dimension 218 or a third geometrical dimension 220. In one embodiment, the first geometrical dimension 216 is representative of a length of the subsea magnetic device 108, the second geometrical dimension 218 is representative of a breadth, and a third geometrical dimension 220 is representative of a height of the subsea magnetic device 108.
The subsea magnetic device includes a first half-core 706 and a second half-core 708 which together form a core 710. In one embodiment, the first half-core 706 is mechanically coupled to the second half-core 708. The core 710 is a rectangular shaped core and is made of a ferromagnetic material. The first and second conductors 701, 703 extend through the first and second half-cores 706, 708.
With continued reference to
The subsea magnetic device 1114 includes a first conductor 1116 disposed proximate to a second conductor 1118. The two ends of the first conductor 1116 forms a primary terminal 1120. Further, the two ends of the second conductor 1118 forms a secondary terminal 1122. Further, the subsea magnetic device 1114 includes a plurality of cores 1124 disposed spaced apart from each other. The first conductor 1116 and the second conductor 1118 extend through the plurality of cores 1124.
The subsea magnetic device 1114 extends in a helical pattern along the wall 1104 of the subsea vessel 1102. Particularly, the subsea magnetic device 1114 extends in a helical pattern between a lower end 1112 and an upper end 1110, along the inner peripheral surface 1106 of the subsea vessel 1102. The subsea magnetic device 1114 may be spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the inner peripheral surface 1106 or may be in direct contact with the inner peripheral surface 1106 of the subsea vessel 1102.
Referring to
The subsea magnetic device 1406 includes a first conductor 1412 disposed proximate to a second conductor 1414. The first conductor 1412 and the second conductor 1414 are disposed parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first and second conductors 1412, 1414 extend through a plurality of cores 1407.
The plurality of cores 1407 are disposed spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the cores 1407 are disposed sequentially adjacent to each other. The core 1407 includes a first half-core 1408 and a second half-core 1410. The first half-core 1408 may be mechanically coupled to the inner peripheral surface 1404 of the subsea vessel 1401 by a fastening means. The second half core 1410 is held against the first half core 1408 in such a way that the first and second half cores 1408, 1410 surround a portion of length of the first and second conductors 1412, 1414.
The subsea magnetic device 1406 is secured to the inner peripheral surface 1404 of the wall 1402 of the subsea vessel 1401 via a support structure 1418, for example, a C-shaped frame. Also, the first half-core 1408 is held against the second half core 1410 via the support structure 1418.
In addition, the subsea magnetic device 1406 includes a thermal conducting pipe 1416 extending through the plurality of cores 1407. The thermal conducting pipe 1416 is configured to circulate a coolant fluid 1417. The thermal conducting pipe 1416 facilitates heat dissipation for cooling the subsea magnetic device 1406. In one embodiment, the coolant fluid 1417 is sea water.
Specifically, the subsea magnetic device 1506 is secured to the inner peripheral surface 1504 of the subsea vessel 1502 via a support structure 1507. The support structure 1507 includes a rail 1508 and a plurality of beams 1510. The rail 1508 is a ring-like structure disposed along the inner peripheral surface 1504 of the subsea vessel 1502. The plurality of beams 1510 are spaced apart from each other and extend from an outer peripheral surface 1518 of the rail 1508 to the inner peripheral surface 1504 of the subsea vessel 1502. The subsea magnetic device 1506 is disposed along an inner peripheral surface 1516 of the rail 1508. The subsea magnetic device 1506 is mechanically coupled to the rail 1508 and disposed spaced apart from the subsea vessel 1502. In another embodiment, the subsea magnetic device 1506 may be disposed similarly along an outer peripheral surface 1505 of the subsea vessel 1502. Also, in one embodiment, the subsea magnetic device 1506 may be disposed space apart from the inner or outer peripheral surface 1504. 1505 in a helical pattern.
Referring to
Two end points of the first conductor 1604 forms a first terminal 1608 and two end points of the second conductor 1606 forms a second terminal 1610. A front end power converter 1614 is electrically coupled to the first terminal 1608 and a back end power converter 1616 is electrically coupled to the second terminal 1610. The front end and back end power converters 1614, 1616 may include an AC to DC converter, an AC to AC converter, a DC to AC converter, and the like. Electric power is supplied from a source (not shown) via the front end power converter 1614 to the subsea magnetic device 1602. Consequently, the power is transformed by the subsea magnetic device 1602 and then further transferred to the back end power converter 1616. The power is then transferred from the back end power converter 1616 to an electrical component, such as a motor which may be coupled to a pump.
At block 1704, a first magnetic field is generated due to the current flowing through at least one of the first and second conductors. Further, at block 1706, the first magnetic field interacts with a second magnetic field generated from at least one of the plurality of cores. In one embodiment, the first magnetic field from the first and second conductors interacts with the second magnetic field from a core of the plurality of cores. In another embodiment, the first magnetic field from the first and second conductors interacts with the second magnetic field from the plurality of cores.
The various embodiments of a subsea magnetic device used in an exemplary power supply and distribution system in a subsea production facility disclose a flexible and compact device. Since the subsea magnetic device is compact and flexible, the subsea magnetic device may be easily installed in a subsea vessel. The subsea magnetic device may not occupy lot of space inside the subsea vessel. As a result, adequate space may be available in the subsea vessel to accommodate other electrical components.
While the specification has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the specification. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the specification without departing from the essential scope thereof.
