Interface, method and system for connecting electrical elements

Abstract

Provided is an interface for connecting a cable arranged in a shell to a receiving structure, the interface including: a connector including a connection area for fixing the connector to a cable support of the receiving structure and a transmission area for receiving the cable and the shell, a lower seal, an upper seal, a chamber element configured to coat the cable between the lower seal and the upper seal. Also provided is a hang-off system and a method for connecting a cable arranged in a shell to a receiving structure.

Claims

1. An interface for connecting a cable arranged in a shell to a receiving structure, the interface comprising: a connector having a connection area for fixing the connector to a cable support of the receiving structure and a transmission area for receiving the cable and the shell; a lower seal; an upper seal; a chamber element configured to coat the cable between the lower seal and the upper seal; wherein the chamber element is configured to form a gas chamber between an inner core of the cable and an inner surface of the chamber element for collecting gases streaming out of the cable; wherein the lower seal is configured to seal a space between an outer surface of the cable and the shell; and wherein the upper seal is configured to seal a space between a sealing area on the inner surface of the chamber element above the gas chamber and the inner core of the cable.

2. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the upper seal is shaped to connect with the inner core of the cable in a positive form locking and sealing connection.

3. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises a mechanical clamping element configured to be arranged between the shell in which the cable is arranged and the connector and configured to provide for a clamping force to minimize movement of the shell in the connector.

4. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the chamber element is configured to envelop both a first part of the cable, where an outer layer of the cable is present, and a second part of the cable, where the outer layer of the cable is stripped off and only the inner core of the cable is present.

5. The interface according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper seal and the lower seal are configured to extend in a linear direction in a mounting stage, when there is no compression force applied on the particular seal and to extend further in a radial direction than in the mounting stage when a compression force is applied on the particular seal.

6. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the upper seal and/or the lower seal each comprise receiving sections for receiving compression elements that apply a compression force on the upper seal and/or the lower seal to expand the upper seal and/or the lower seal further in a radial direction.

7. The interface according to claim 1, wherein at least one, each of the connector, the lower seal, the upper seal and the chamber element includes at least a first part and a second part that are configured to be reversibly disassembled.

8. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the interface comprises an extension element for connecting with a floating structure, wherein the extension element is configured to be arranged between the chamber element and the connector to provide for a space in which the cable can move when a load is applied on the cable.

9. The interface according to claim 8, wherein the extension element comprises at least one stopper for stopping movement of the cable relative to the extension element.

10. The interface according to claim 1, wherein the chamber element comprises an access interface, wherein the access interface is one of a plug, a valve or a membrane, for transmission of gas out of the gas chamber.

11. The interface according to claim 10, wherein the interface comprises a storage system for storing gas or a ventilation system for venting gas out in an environment, wherein the storage system or the ventilation system is connected to the access interface by a connection system.

12. A method for connecting a cable arranged in a shell to a receiving structure, the method comprising the following steps: inserting the cable together with the shell into a cable support of the receiving structure; fixing a connector surrounding the cable at the cable support, arranging a lower seal between the shell and an outer surface of the cable; forming a gas chamber between an inner core of the cable and an inner surface of a chamber element for collecting gases streaming out of the cable by arranging the chamber element in an area of the cable above the lower seal; and arranging an upper seal between a sealing area on the inner surface of the chamber element above the gas chamber and the inner core of the cable.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises fixing the connector at the shell of the cable.

14. A hang-off system for connecting a number of elements, the hang-off system comprising: an interface according to claim 1, a cable arranged in the interface.

15. The hang-off system according to claim 14, wherein the cable is selected from the following list of cables: unarmored multicore cable, three phase electricity cable, umbilical cable and unarmored umbilical cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following Figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an interface according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of an upper seal according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows the upper seal according to FIG. 2 in a closing position;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a chamber element according to FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a chamber element according to another embodiment of the interface, according to embodiments of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a hang-off system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) In FIG. 1, an interface 100 is shown. The interface 100 comprises a connector 101. The connector 101 comprises a connection area 103 for fixing the connector to a cable support of the receiving structure and a transmission area 105 for receiving a cable arranged in a shell.

(10) Further, the interface 100 comprises a lower seal 107 configured to seal a space between an outer surface of the cable and the shell.

(11) Moreover, the interface 100 comprises a chamber element 109 configured to coat the cable between the lower seal 107 and an upper seal 111. The chamber element 109 is further configured to form a gas chamber between an inner core of the cable and an inner surface of the chamber element 109 for collecting gases streaming out of a space between an outer layer of the cable and the inner core of the cable.

(12) Additionally, the interface 100 comprises the upper seal 111. The upper seal 111 is configured to seal a space between a sealing area on the inner surface of the chamber element 109 above the gas chamber and an inner core of a cable.

(13) In FIG. 2, the upper seal 111 is shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper seal 111 comprises three elements 111a, 111b and 111c that are configured to be brought into engagement to form the upper seal 111.

(14) Further each of three elements 111a, 111b and 111c comprises part-recesses 200 for receiving an inner core 113 of a cable. Thus, the elements 111a, 111b and 111c are configured to positively fit to the inner core 113 and to seal the gas chamber formed beyond the upper seal 111 against an environment, when an inner core 113 of the cable extends therethrough, as shown in FIG. 3.

(15) In FIG. 3, the elements 111a, 111b and 111c are brought into engagement around an inner core 113 of a cable. The upper seal 111 is configured to be brought into a fluid tight engagement with the chamber element 109, such that a gas chamber is formed between an inner surface of the chamber element 109, the inner core 113 of the cable and the lower seal 107, for example.

(16) In FIG. 4, the chamber element 109 according to FIG. 1 is shown in detail. It can be seen that bolts 401 are tightening the chamber element 109 to the connector 101 and a cable support 403 of a receiving structure.

(17) Further, optional rubber extensions 405 are shown that are brought into engagement with corresponding extensions 407 of the connector 101 or the lower seal 107, which in FIG. 4 is covered by the cable support 403, for sealing an inner space of the interface 100 against an environment.

(18) Optionally, the chamber element 109 comprises an access interface 409, such as a plug, a valve or a membrane, for transmission of gas out of the gas chamber formed by the chamber element 109.

(19) In FIG. 5, a chamber element 500 is shown. The chamber element 500 comprises a first element 501 and a second element 503. The first element 501 and the second element 503 can easily be assembled and disassembled by tightening or loosening screws in the slots 505.

(20) As the first element 501 and the second element 503 are combined, the upper seal 111 can be brought into engagement with the chamber element 500 from above, such that a gas chamber is formed under the upper seal 111 in the chamber element 500. The chamber element 500 may be made from non-magnetic steel in order to minimize building of gases by the chamber element 500 itself.

(21) Thus, service of the interface 100 or a cable extending through the interface 100 can be carried out easily by disassembling and reassembling the chamber element 500.

(22) In FIG. 6, a method 600 according to an embodiment of the method disclosed herein is shown.

(23) The method 600 comprises an insertion step 601 for inserting the cable together with the shell into a cable support of the receiving structure, a fixating step 603 for fixating a connector surrounding the cable at the cable support, a first sealing step 605 for arranging a lower seal between the shell and an outer surface of the cable, an assembling step 607 for forming a gas chamber between an inner core of the cable and an inner surface of the chamber element for collecting gases streaming out of the cable, by arranging a chamber element in an area of the cable above the lower seal, and a second sealing step 609 for arranging an upper seal between a sealing area on the inner surface of the chamber element, above the gas chamber, and the inner core of the cable.

(24) In FIG. 7, a hang-off system 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The hang-off system 700 comprises an interface according to an embodiment. The interface of the hang-off system 700 comprises a connector 703 that is configured to be brought into engagement with a cable support 701 and a shell in which a cable 707 is arranged. The connector 703 may comprise a mechanical clamping element that provides for a clamping force, that minimizes a movement of the shell in the connector 703.

(25) The cable support 701 may be arranged at a receiving structure, such as a floating substation to be electrically connected to an offshore wind turbine.

(26) Optionally, the hang-off system 700 comprises an extension element 705, which provides a space in which the cable 707 can move when a load is applied on the cable.

(27) Further, the hang-off system 700 comprises a lower seal 709, a chamber element 711, each consisting of two parts, and an upper seal 715. The upper seal 715 is configured to positively fit with an inner core 713 of the cable 707.

(28) The chamber element 711 is configured to form a gas chamber 717 between the inner core 713 and an inner surface of the chamber element 711, together with the upper seal 715 and the lower seal 709.

(29) The hang-off system 700 may comprise any cable for transmitting electrical power, such as an unarmored three-phase cable, for example. The hang-off system 700 may be part of a receiving system such as an offshore wind turbine generator, a substation or any other offshore structure. In particular, as the inner core 713 of the cable 707 may move relative to the cable support 701, the hang-off system 700 may be used to connect floating structures with other structures, such as non-floating substations, for example. Thus, the hang-off system 700 may be used to compensate or tolerate a relative movement between a floating structure and a non-floating structure.

(30) The connector 703 of the hang-off system 700 may comprise a shell connection area for connection with a shell of the cable 707 in order to fix the shell at the connector 703. The shell connection area may be configured to be welded to the shell.

(31) Further, the connection area, which may be a circular flat element providing receptors for fasteners, such as screws or bolts, can be used to connect the cable 707 with the cable support 701.

(32) The fasteners used for connecting the cable 707 with the cable support 701 may extend through the shell connection area of the connector 703 only or through a plurality of elements of the cable 707, such as the chamber elements 711 and/or the upper seal 715 and/or the lower seal 709.

(33) By using the lower seal 709, the shell of the cable 707 may be clamped in the connector 703.

(34) As the connector 703 is fixed to the cable support 701 and the shell of the cable 707 is welded to or clamped in the connector 703, the shell is also fixed with respect to the cable support 701.

(35) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(36) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements.