Method for Insulation System Restoration of a Power Cable

Abstract

A method of restoring an insulation system around a conductor of a power cable, using an induction heating system for heating the conductor of the power cable to restore an insulation system of the power cable, wherein the induction heating system includes: a first high frequency, HF, coil configured to receive the power cable, a water-cooling system configured to cool the first HF coil, and a power supply system configured to power the first HF coil, wherein the first HF coil is configured to be openable or splitable into at least two parts, the method including: a) placing a pressurisation and heating device around the power cable having a restoration insulation system layer arranged around the conductor, b) opening and placing the first HF coil around the power cable adjacent to the pressurisation and heating device, c) closing the first HF coil, and d) heating the restoration insulation system layer by outer heating of the restoration insulation system layer inside the pressurisation and heating device and by inner heating of the restoration insulation system layer provided by feeding the first HF coil with current from the power supply system inducing a current in the conductor, wherein the method includes performing steps a)-d) for each of a plurality of restoration insulation system layers.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A method of restoring an insulation system around a conductor of a power cable, using an induction heating system for heating the conductor of the power cable to restore an insulation system of the power cable, wherein the induction heating system comprises: a first high frequency, HF, coil configured to receive the power cable, a water-cooling system configured to cool the first HF coil, and a power supply system configured to power the first HF coil, wherein the first HF coil is configured to be openable or splitable into at least two parts, the method comprising: a) placing a pressurisation and heating device around the power cable having a restoration insulation system layer arranged around the conductor, b) opening and placing the first HF coil around the power cable adjacent to the pressurisation and heating device, c) closing the first HF coil, and d) heating the restoration insulation system layer by outer heating of the restoration insulation system layer inside the pressurisation and heating device and by inner heating of the restoration insulation system layer provided by feeding the first HF coil with current from the power supply system inducing a current in the conductor, wherein the method comprises performing steps a)-d) for each of a plurality of restoration insulation system layers.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, comprising e) opening the first HF coil after the jointing operation has been performed, and removing the first HF coil from the power cable.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein in step d) the outer heating and the inner heating are performed simultaneously.

18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first HF coil comprises a first coil part having a first end and a second coil part having a first end, the first end of the first coil part being configured to be connected to the first end of the second coil part, and wherein the first end of the first coil part is mechanically disconnectable from the first end of the second coil part.

19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first coil part has a second end having a pivot connection to enable rotation of the first coil part away from the second coil part when the first ends of the first coil part and the second coil part have been disconnected from each other.

20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first HF coil comprises a latch configured to lock the first end of the first coil part to the first end of the second coil part.

21. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first coil part and the second coil part are hollow, wherein the water-cooling system comprises a first water pipe connected to the first coil part and a second water pipe connected to the second coil part for flowing water through the first coil part and the second coil part.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first coil part has a second end and the second coil part has a second end, and wherein the water-cooling system includes a first intermediate water pipe connecting the first water pipe with the second water pipe, the first intermediate water pipe extending between the second end of the first coil part and the second end of the second coil part connecting the hollow interior of the first coil part with the hollow interior of the second coil part.

23. The method as claimed claim 15, wherein the induction heating system comprises a second HF coil configured to receive the power cable, wherein the power supply system is configured to power the second HF coil, and wherein the second HF coil is configured to be openable or splitable into at least two parts.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the water-cooling system is configured to cool the second HF coil, wherein the second HF coil has a third coil part and a fourth coil part, each having a respective first end, the first end of the third coil part being configured to be connected to the first end of the fourth coil part, and wherein the first end of the third coil part is mechanically disconnectable from the first end of the fourth coil part.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the second HF coil comprises a latch configured to lock the first end of the third coil part to the first end of the fourth coil part.

26. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the third coil part and the fourth coil part are hollow, wherein the water-cooling system comprises a third water pipe connected to the third coil part and a fourth water pipe connected to the fourth coil part for flowing water through the third coil part and the fourth coil part.

27. The method as claimed in claim 23, comprising: opening and placing the second HF coil around the power cable adjacent to the pressurisation and heating device, wherein the first HF coil is placed at a first side of the conductor joint and the second HF joint is placed at a second side of the conductor joint, and closing the second HF coil, wherein step d) involves feeding the second HF coil with current from the power supply system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The specific embodiments of the inventive concept will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0068] FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of an induction heating system;

[0069] FIG. 2 schematically shows a close-up view of an HF coil;

[0070] FIG. 3 schematically shows a longitudinal part of a power cable with a power cable joint arranged in a pressurisation and heating device; and

[0071] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method of restoring the insulation system of a power cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplifying embodiments are shown. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0073] FIG. 1 depicts an example of an induction heating system 1. The induction heating system 1 is adapted for heating a conductor of a power cable when restoring an insulation system of the power cable.

[0074] The induction heating system 1 comprises a power supply system 3. The power supply system 3 is configured to generate an alternating current with a frequency in the kilohertz range. The power supply system 3 may for example be configured to generate an alternating current with a frequency in the range 1-500 kHz, or 5-300 kHz.

[0075] The induction heating system 1 comprises a first HF coil 5.

[0076] The power supply system 3 is connected to the first HF coil 5 and is configured to power the first HF coil 5. The power supply system 3 is configured to feed alternating current to the first HF coil 5.

[0077] The first HF coil 5 is openable. The first HF coil 5 is configured to be opened to enable placement of a power cable inside the first HF coil 5.

[0078] The induction heating device 1 comprises a second HF coil 7.

[0079] The power supply system 3 is connected to the second HF coil 7 and is configured to power the second HF coil 7. The power supply system 3 is configured to feed alternating current to the second HF coil 7.

[0080] The second HF coil 7 is openable. The second HF coil 7 is configured to be opened to enable placement of a power cable inside the second HF coil 7.

[0081] Although the induction heating system 1 in the present example comprises two HF coils 5, 7, it is envisaged that in some examples the induction heating system may comprise only one HF coil.

[0082] The induction heating system 1 comprises a water-cooling system 9 configured to cool the first HF coil 5. The water-cooling system 9 is configured to cool the second HF coil 7.

[0083] The water-cooling system 9 may comprise a single cooling system configured to cool the first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil. Alternatively, the water-cooling system 9 may comprise a first sub-cooling system configured to cool the first HF coil 5 and a separate second sub-cooling system configured to cool the second HF coil 7.

[0084] The first HF coil 5 is hollow. The water-cooling system 9 comprises a first water pipe 9a and a second water pipe 9b configured to be connected to the hollow first HF coil 5. The water-cooling system 9 is configured to flow water inside the first HF coil 5 by means of the first water pipe 9a and the second water pipe 9b. The first water pipe 9a may be an inlet pipe and the second water pipe 9b may be an outlet pipe.

[0085] The second HF coil 7 is hollow. The water-cooling system 9 comprises a third water pipe 9c and a fourth water pipe 9d configured to be connected to the hollow second HF coil 7. The water-cooling system 9 is configured to flow water inside the second HF coil 7 by means of the third water pipe 9c and the fourth water pipe 9c. The third water pipe 9c may be an inlet pipe and the fourth water pipe 9d may be an outlet pipe.

[0086] FIG. 2 shows a close-up sideview of the first HF coil 5. The second HF coil 7 has the same general structure as the first HF coil 5 concerning the features described.

[0087] The first HF coil 5 has a first coil part 5a and a second coil part 5b. In the example, the first coil part 5a forms one half of the first HF coil 5 and the second coil part 5b forms the other half of the first HF coil 5.

[0088] The first coil part 5a has a first end 5c and a second end 5d. The second coil part 5b has a first end 5e and a second end 5f.

[0089] The first coil part 5a may be hollow between the first end 5c and the second 5d. The end faces at the first end 5c and the second end 5d may be closed.

[0090] The second coil part 5b may be hollow between the first end 5e and the second 5f. The end faces at the first end 5e and the second end 5f may be closed.

[0091] The first end 5c of the first coil part 5a is configured to be connected to the first end 5e of the second coil part 5b. The first end 5c of the first coil part 5a is disconnectable from the first end 5e of the second coil part 5b. The first end 5c of the first coil part 5a can thus be connected to and disconnected from the first end 5e of the second coil part 5b. The first HF coil 5 can thus be opened by disconnecting the first end 5c of the first coil part 5a from the first end 5e of the second coil part 5b.

[0092] The induction heating system 1 may comprise a rigid first electrical conductor 13a connected to the power supply system 3. The first coil part 5a may be pivotally connected to the first electrical conductor 13a. The second end 5d of the first coil part 5a may have a pivot connection 11a with the first electrical conductor 13a.

[0093] The induction heating system 1 may comprise a rigid second electrical conductor 13b connected to the power supply system 3. The second coil part 5b may be pivotally connected to the second electrical conductor 13b. The second end 5f of the second coil part 5b may have a pivot connection 11b with the second electrical conductor 13b.

[0094] Alternatively, only the first coil part could be configured to pivot.

[0095] The first electrical conductor could alternatively be connected pivotally or rigidly to any point of the first or the second coil part. The second electrical conductor could alternatively be connected pivotally or rigidly to any point of the first or the second coil part.

[0096] The second end 5d of the first coil part 5a is connected to one terminal of the power supply system 3 via the first electrical conductor 13a. The second end 5f of the second coil part 5b is connected to another terminal of the power supply system 3 via the second electrical conductor 13b. For each half cycle of the alternating current, the current thus flows from one terminal to one of the second ends 5d, 5f then along the corresponding coil part 5a, 5b, through the mechanically connected first ends 5c, 5e and back to the power supply system via the other coil part and its second end 5d, 5f.

[0097] The first HF coil 5 comprises a latch or locking member 5g. The latch 5g is configured to lock the first end 5c of the first coil part 5a to the first end 5e of the second coil part 5b. The latch 5g is a mechanical latch and may be of any type that keeps the two first ends 5c and 5e locked to each other. The latch 5g can be manoeuvred between a locking position in which it locks the first end 5c and 5e to each other, and an unlocked position in which the first coil part 5a and second coil part 5b are unlocked, enabling movement of the first coil part 5a relative to the second coil part 5b for opening the first HF coil 5. The movement may be rotational motion provided by the pivot connections 11a and 11b.

[0098] Instead of an openable configuration of the first HF coil, the first HF coil could alternatively be splittable into two or more parts.

[0099] The first coil part 5a is hollow. The first water pipe 9a is connected to the hollow interior of the first coil part 5a. The first water pipe 9a is connected to the first coil part 5a at the first end 5c. In the example, the first water pipe 9a is an inlet pipe. The first water pipe 9a may be connected to the first coil part 5a by means of pipe fittings.

[0100] The second coil part 5b is hollow. The second water pipe 9b is connected to the hollow interior of the second coil part 5b. The second water pipe 9b is connected to the second coil part 5b at the first end 5e. In the example, the second water pipe 9b is an outlet pipe. The second water pipe 9b may be connected to the second coil part 5b by means of pipe fittings.

[0101] The water-cooling system 9 comprises a first intermediate water pipe 9e connecting the first water pipe 9a with the second water pipe 9b. The first intermediate water pipe 9e extends between the second end 5d of the first coil part 5a and the second end 5f of the second coil part 5b connecting the hollow interior of the first coil part 5a with the hollow interior of the second coil part 5b. The first intermediate water pipe 9e may be a flexible pipe, such as a flexible hose.

[0102] According to the example during cooling, water flows into the first coil part 5a via the first water pipe 9a. The water then flows along the first coil part 5a and out from the first coil part 5a at its second end 5d via the first intermediate water pipe 9e. Next, the water flows into the second coil part 5b at its second end 5f from the first intermediate water pipe 9e and flows along the second coil part 5b. The water then exits the second coil part 5b at its first end 5e via the second water pipe 9b.

[0103] According to one variation, the first coil part 5a and the second coil part 5b could be cooled by separate water flows. In this case, a first water flow would enter e.g., at the first end of the first coil part 5a and exit at the second end of the first coil part 5a. A second water flow would enter e.g., at the first end of the second coil part 5b and exit at the second end of the second coil part 5b. The water flow would not be series connected as in the example shown in FIG. 2.

[0104] According to yet another variation, the water flow direction could be reversed. The first water pipe and the second water pipe could then be connected to a respective second end, and the first intermediate water pipe could connect the two first ends, or alternatively two separate water flows could be provided.

[0105] According to another variation, the first water pipe may be connected along any point of the first HF coil and the second water pipe may be connected along any point of the second HF coil. Moreover, depending on the configuration more than one intermediate water pipe may be used to connect water flow between the first HF coil to the second HF coil.

[0106] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a method of restoring the insulation system of a power cable, using the induction heating system 1 will now be described.

[0107] In the example below, the restoration is in the context of jointing. The method would however involve the same steps in case the insulation system of a power cable that has been damaged is restored. Moreover, in the present example the insulation system is being cured by the heating, but the method also works when using thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene.

[0108] FIG. 3 schematically shows a power cable 16 comprising two cable lengths 15a and 15b that are in the process of being jointed. In the state shown in FIG. 3, the conductors 17a and 17b of the two cable lengths 15a and 15b have been jointed and a conductor joint 17c has thus been created. The two conductors 17a, 17b thus form a single conductor.

[0109] The jointing of the conductors 17a, 17b may for example be performed by welding, brazing or by using mechanical connectors.

[0110] Each cable length 17a, 17b has an insulation system 19a, 19b which has been shaped conically adjacent to the conductor joint 17c. A region comprising the conically shaped insulation systems 19a, 19b and the conductor joint 17c is the power cable joint.

[0111] The joint insulation system, i.e. the insulation system around the conductor joint 17c and between the conically shaped ends of the insulation systems 19a and 19b is then rebuilt layer by layer.

[0112] A first restoration insulation system layer 23, which is uncured, is provided around the conductor joint 17c and arranged overlappingly with the corresponding insulation layer of the insulation systems 19a, 19b at their conically shaped ends. The first restoration insulation system layer 23 may for example be formed by tape wound around the exposed conductor.

[0113] FIG. 3 depicts a pressurisation and heating device 21. The pressurisation and heating device 21 comprises two parts 21a and 21b which can be opened and closed.

[0114] The pressurisation and heating device 21 has a heating chamber 25 formed by the two parts 21a and 21b, configured to receive the power cable joint. The heating chamber 25 may be pressurised to a plurality of bar, such as higher than 4 bar but lower than 15 bar, for example lower than 10 bar.

[0115] The heating chamber 25 may be filled with noble gas during curing, to prevent oxidation while rebuilding the insulation system over the conductor joint 17c. The noble gas may be pressurised.

[0116] The pressurisation and heating device 21 may comprise a heating device configured to heat the heating chamber 25 to a predefined temperature. The heating device may be configured to directly heat the heating chamber for example by means of heating coils or similar means. Alternatively, or additionally, the noble gas may be heated before it flows into the pressurisation and heating device 21.

[0117] In the jointing operation, in a step a) the pressurisation and heating device 21 is placed around the power cable joint after the first restoration insulation system layer 23 has been provided around the conductor joint 17c.

[0118] In a step b) the first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil 7 are opened and placed around the power cable formed by the two cable lengths 15a and 15b. The first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil 7 are arranged at opposite sides of the pressurisation and heating device 21. The first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil 7 may be arranged at an equal axial distance from the conductor joint 17c.

[0119] In a step c) the first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil 7 are closed.

[0120] It is to be noted that steps b) and c) could be performed before or after step a).

[0121] In a step d) the restoration insulation system layer 23 is heated by outer heating inside the pressurisation and heating device 21 and by inner heating of the restoration insulation system layer 23 provided by feeding the first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil 7 with current from the power supply system inducing current in the conductor. The restoration insulation system layer 23 is thereby cured.

[0122] In step d) the outer heating and the inner heating are typically performed simultaneously.

[0123] According to one variation the method comprises a step of cooling down the insulation system layer 23 after step d) has been performed, before the next restoration insulation system layer is provided onto the first restoration insulation system layer 23 and steps a)-d) are performed again.

[0124] In a step e) the first HF coil 5 and the second HF coil 7 are opened after the insulation system of the power cable joint has been restored. The first HF coil 5 and the second coil 7 are then removed from the power cable.

[0125] Steps a)-d) are typically performed for each of a plurality of restoration insulation system layers, each for example initially being uncured, of the power cable joint.

[0126] The inventive concept has mainly been described above with reference to a few examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.