TW202004781A - Cooling system and method for cooling a power cable - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling system and a method for cooling a continuous power cable, wherein the cooling system comprises a first sleeve for receiving an intermediate section of the continuous power cable, wherein the first sleeve defines a first volume that extends around the intermediate section, wherein the cooling system is provided with a second sleeve that defines a second volume separate from the first volume, wherein the cooling system is provided with a first end sealing member at a first end, wherein the first end sealing member comprises a first sealing part and a second sealing part for sealing the first volume and the second volume, respectively, at the first end, wherein the cooling system further comprises a connector that connects the first volume and the second volume in fluid communication at or near the first end.

Description

Cooling system and method of cooling cable

The invention relates to a cooling system and a method for cooling cables.

Electric cables, especially power cables, are often used to transport electrical energy between offshore locations such as wind farms and onshore land stations. A shell was drilled at a certain depth below the coastal defense at the landing position to protect the cable from sea wave impact and seabed erosion. The cable is guided from the land station through the housing. Due to the surrounding of the deeply buried power output cable and the housing, the cable has a relatively high insulation in part. As a result, the cable cannot dissipate as much heat as possible at that location compared to the rest of the cable, thus limiting the transmission capacity of the entire cable.

To eliminate this bottleneck, the landing section of the cable is usually replaced with a section with a larger cross-sectional area or a material with higher conductivity. During the replacement process, the cable production process is interrupted and the cable core is carefully connected in the replacement section. As a result, the production of cables with different sections is complicated, time-consuming, and therefore expensive. In addition, the connection forms a vulnerable point in the cable that is prone to failure.

Alternatively, it is known that a cable provided with one or more cooling channels can be integrated into the cable design, as disclosed in WO 2013/125962A1.

In WO 2013/125962 A1, these cooling channels are integrated into the cable design. Such cooling channels extend along the entire length of the cable, so considerable pressure is required to obtain a forced cooling medium flow through the cable. Such cooling channels are also provided in the sections where the cable does not necessarily need to be cooled. When water is used as a cooling medium, WO 2013/125962 A1 proposes to simply discharge the water into the sea. The cable may also be provided with a drainage pipe extending laterally to discharge the cooling medium into the sea and into a slit or opening to fill the internal channel of the cable with water for further heat dissipation. When ethylene glycol is used, WO 2013/125962 A1 proposes to use a closed circuit that also integrates a return channel in the cable design, and a cross channel between the supply channel and the return channel at a predetermined distance into the ocean.

In all conventional cable designs, cables are relatively complex, need to interrupt the cable production process, and connect differently designed cable segments. Interruption or connection will increase the fragile points on the cable, thereby considerably reducing the service life of the cable.

DE 102015101076 A1 discloses a device for cooling cables. The device includes an outer tube and an inner tube respectively defining an outer volume and an inner volume. At one end of the outer tube, the device is provided with an end that seals the outer volume relative to the inner tube. One end of the inner tube extends beyond the seal and is no longer surrounded by the outer volume. An external conduit is used to connect the internal volume and the external volume to a pump unit. Alternatively, the conduit may feed the cooling medium from the inner volume back into the outer volume in a short circuit. The conventional device according to DE 102015101076 A1 does not seem to be used in the seabed condition of the landing position. The disadvantage of the conventional device is that the external conduit is easily damaged by severe seabed conditions, that is, due to the continuous movement of the ocean and the influence of salt on the connection. When the conventional device is at least partially buried in the landing position, the above problem is more serious. These systems must be durable for up to 25 years. Conventional external catheters will be damaged long before this deadline.

Conventional devices seem to be inherently unsuitable for being pulled out through horizontal drilling, which is a typical practice when installing power cables between offshore and landing locations. Therefore, the external conduit of the conventional device must be installed after the cable has been pulled through the horizontal borehole, which makes the installation unnecessarily complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling system and a method of cooling a cable, in which at least one of the above problems is solved.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a cooling system for cooling a continuous cable, wherein the cooling system includes a first sleeve that extends in a longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis for Receiving a middle section of the continuous cable at or along the longitudinal axis, wherein the first sleeve defines a first volume that extends around the middle section in use; wherein the cooling system is provided with a second sleeve , The second sleeve defines a second volume separated from the first volume, wherein the first volume and the second volume are configured to receive a cooling medium for cooling the middle section, wherein the cooling system has a A first end and a second end, the second end being opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction, wherein the cooling system is provided with a first end sealing member at the first end, wherein the first end sealing member includes a A first sealing portion and a second sealing portion are used to seal the first volume and the second volume at the first end respectively, wherein the cooling system further includes a connecting member at the first end or The first volume and the second volume are connected in fluid communication nearby, wherein the second sleeve is configured to surround the first sleeve with the longitudinal axis as the center, wherein the connecting member is formed at the first end At or near the second sleeve surrounding the first sleeve, a hole in the first sleeve is formed, wherein the hole connects the first volume and the second volume in fluid communication.

By arranging the cooling system around the middle section of the continuous cable, the middle section of the cable can be effectively cooled without modifying the continuous cable itself. Therefore, the continuous cable can be uniform over the entire length. In particular, the continuous cable may have a uniform cross-section throughout the size and/or material. In addition, because the first volume and the second volume are connected at the first end, the first end can effectively return the cooling medium to the second end. This design may be particularly useful when the first end is difficult to access, such as when the first end is buried in the seabed at the landing position. The connection between the two volumes can be achieved by a connecting piece extending between the two volumes. Thus, the connector can be kept inside the cooling system without being exposed to the harsh subsea environment. Therefore, the life of the cooling system can be significantly increased.

In a preferred embodiment, the first volume and the second volume are configured to be connected to a pump in fluid communication at or near the second end of the cooling system to communicate with the pump at the first end The connectors together form a closed recirculation circuit for the cooling medium. Thus, the cooling medium can be supplied from the second end and returned to the second end. Again, this design may be particularly useful when the first end is difficult to access, such as when the first end is buried in the seabed at the landing site. Furthermore, by forming the closed recirculation loop only in the middle section (between the first end and the second end), the length of the recirculation loop can be kept relatively short compared to the total length of the continuous cable.

In yet another embodiment, the middle section is a landing section, the landing section has an ocean side and a land side in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first end is the ocean side and the second end is the land side. Thus, the pump can be conveniently arranged on the land side, and the cooling medium can be returned via the connection at the first end.

In another embodiment, wherein the continuous cable has a section of sea extending from the first end to the outside of the cooling system, wherein the first sealing portion includes a first opening, the first opening is used to enable the continuous cable The first seal portion is passed along the longitudinal direction at the transition from the middle section to the sea section, wherein the first seal portion is configured to jointly seal the first volume with the cable at the first opening. Thus, the continuous cable can be allowed to pass through the first end and leave the cooling system, while the first volume can be effectively sealed at the first end and thus terminated.

In a preferred embodiment, the first sealing portion includes a first flange connected to the first sleeve, and the first flange is configured to sealingly abut the first opening at the first opening Continuous cable. Therefore, the first flange can effectively seal the first volume together with the continuous cable.

In yet another embodiment, the first opening is concentrically positioned relative to the first sleeve. Therefore, it can be ensured that the continuous cable leaves the first sleeve concentrically at least at the first end of the cooling system.

In another embodiment, the cooling system includes a plurality of spacers for separating the middle section from the first sleeve to form the first volume. By separating the middle section from the first sleeve, the space between the continuous cable and the first sleeve is formed, thus defining the first volume. In particular, the plurality of spacers can provide a uniform first volume along the continuous cable in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the plurality of spacers are configured to keep the middle section concentric or substantially concentric with respect to the first sleeve. In particular, the plurality of spacers are configured to keep the continuous cable away from the first sleeve. In this way, hot spots can be avoided.

In another embodiment, the second sleeve is configured to surround the first sleeve about the longitudinal axis. Thus, the second volume can be formed between the first sleeve and the second sleeve.

In a preferred embodiment, the second sealing portion includes a second opening for the first sleeve to pass through the second sealing portion in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the first sleeve can extend through the second seal.

In yet another embodiment, the second sealing portion includes a second flange connected to the second sleeve and configured to sealingly abut the first sleeve at the second opening. Therefore, the second flange can effectively seal the second volume together with the first sleeve.

In yet another embodiment, the second flange connects the first sleeve and the second sleeve at the same time. Therefore, the first sleeve, the second sleeve, and the second flange can form interconnected and/or sturdy components, such as end caps, and can be more easily installed on the continuous cable.

In yet another embodiment, the second opening is non-concentrically positioned relative to the second sleeve. For example, the second opening may be located at or near the bottom of the second sleeve. Therefore, the first sleeve can be positioned off center, for example, at the bottom of the second sleeve. This means that no spacer is required between the first sleeve and the second sleeve. The first sleeve can simply be placed at the bottom of the first sleeve, and the second volume is formed above the first sleeve.

In yet another embodiment, the cooling system is provided with a second end sealing member at the second end, wherein the second end sealing member includes a third sealing portion and a fourth sealing portion for use in the second The first volume and the second volume are respectively sealed at the ends, wherein the cooling system further includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet is at or near the second end and one of the first volume and the second volume Connected in fluid communication for connecting to the output of a pump, and the outlet is connected in fluid communication with the other of the first volume and the second volume at or near the second end, Used to connect to the input of the pump. Thus, a closed recirculation loop extending along the middle section only between the first end and the second end of the cooling system can be formed.

In a preferred embodiment, the continuous cable has a land segment extending from the second end to the outside of the cooling system, wherein the third sealing portion includes a third opening, the third opening is used to make the continuous cable The third sealing portion is passed along the longitudinal direction at the transition from the middle section to the land section, wherein the third sealing portion is configured to jointly seal the first volume with the cable at the third opening. Thus, the continuous cable can be allowed to pass through and leave the cooling system at the second end, while the first volume can be effectively sealed at the second end and thus terminated.

In yet another embodiment, the third sealing portion includes a third flange connected to the first sleeve, and the third flange is configured to sealingly abut the third opening Continuous cable. Therefore, the third flange can effectively seal the first volume together with the continuous cable.

In still another embodiment, the fourth sealing portion includes a fourth opening for the first sleeve to pass through the fourth sealing portion in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the first sleeve may extend through the fourth seal.

In yet another embodiment, the fourth sealing portion includes a fourth flange connected to the second sleeve and configured to sealingly abut the first sleeve at the fourth opening. Therefore, the fourth flange can effectively seal the second volume together with the first sleeve.

In yet another embodiment, the first sleeve protrudes from the second sleeve by a second protrusion distance at the second end. Thus, the first sleeve can be exposed outside the second end, for example, for connection to the pump.

In still another embodiment, the third sealing portion and the fourth sealing portion are separated by the second protruding distance. Thus, the first volume and the second volume can be sealed at the gap.

In yet another embodiment, wherein one of the inlet and the outlet is connected to the first volume in fluid communication at the second end, where the first sleeve protrudes outside the second sleeve. Thus, the connection of one of the inlet and the outlet to the first volume can be made outside the second volume.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for cooling a continuous cable using the cooling system of any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the method includes the steps of: receiving the middle section of the continuous cable in the first sleeve; forming a surround The first volume extending in the middle section; the first volume is sealed at the first end with the first sealing portion; the second sleeve is disposed outside the first sleeve; the first volume is formed apart from the first volume Two volumes; using the second sealing portion to seal the second volume at the first end; connecting the first volume to the second volume in fluid communication; and circulating the cooling medium through the first volume and The second volume cools the middle section.

The method and its embodiments refer to the actual implementation of the cooling system of any of the foregoing embodiments, and therefore have the same technical advantages, and will not be repeated hereafter.

Preferably, the method further comprises connecting the first volume and the second volume in fluid communication to a pump at or near the second end of the cooling system to communicate with the pump at the first end The connecting pieces together form a closed recirculation circuit for this cooling medium.

In another preferred embodiment of the method, the continuous cable includes a sea segment and a land segment, the sea segment and the land segment extending from the first end and the second end to the outside of the cooling system, wherein The first volume and the second volume are sealed in the middle section relative to the sea section and the land section.

Preferably, the continuous cable has a uniform cross section in the sea section, the middle section and the land section.

In another embodiment, the cooling medium is a fluid, in particular the fluid has a freezing point of minus 20 degrees Celsius or lower, and more particularly the fluid is a glycol-water mixture.

Wherever possible, the various aspects and features described and illustrated in the specification can be individually applied. These individual aspects, especially the aspects and features described in the attached subsidiary claims, can be the subject of divisional patent applications.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cooling system 1 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The cooling system 1 is arranged around a middle section 90 of a continuous cable 9 (especially a power cable). In this particular example, the middle section 90 is a landing section of the continuous cable 9 at a landing position. The landing position is where the ocean S contacts the land T. In particular, the landing position includes a coastline between the ocean S and the land T. The length of the middle section 90 of the continuous cable 9 is preferably in the range of several hundred meters to/or more than one thousand meters. The continuous cable 9 further includes a sea segment 91 and a land segment 92, the sea segment 91 is located on or in the seabed of the ocean S, and the land segment 92 is connected to the coastline or the inland.

As shown in FIG. 1, the continuous cable 9 has a uniform cross section in terms of material and size. Thus, the continuous cable 9 can be made of a single length, for example without connection. In this exemplary embodiment, the continuous cable 9 is an offshore copper cable used to transport power from an offshore wind farm to a land base station. Alternatively, other suitable conductive materials may be used. Such offshore copper cables generally have a diameter of about at least 250 millimeters, and the offshore copper cable may include one or more cores. Alternatively, the cable may include additional conductors, namely one or more fiber optic cables. Such cables can reach temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius or even higher, especially when buried deep underground in the landing site.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the cooling system 1 includes a first sleeve 11 that extends along a longitudinal axis A in a longitudinal direction L. The first sleeve 11 is configured to receive the middle section 90 at or parallel to the longitudinal axis A. The first sleeve 11 defines a first volume V1 which, in use, is partially occupied by the middle section 90 and/or extends around the middle section 90. As best seen in FIG. 4, the cooling system 1 includes a plurality of spacers 8 for spacing the middle section 90 from the first sleeve 11. In particular, the plurality of spacers 8 are arranged to keep the continuous cable 9 in a concentric position relative to the first sleeve 11. Thus, in this example, the first volume V1 is an annular volume extending completely around the continuous cable 9. This can avoid direct contact between the relatively hot continuous cable 9 and the first sleeve 11, otherwise the contact may cause hot spots and damage to the first sleeve 11 and the continuous cable 9 itself.

The cooling system 1 is also provided with a second sleeve 12, which defines a second volume V2 separated from the first volume V1. In this exemplary embodiment, the second sleeve 12 extends around the first sleeve 11 about the longitudinal axis A, and thus forms a second volume V2 that is located outside the first volume 11.

In this example, both the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 are made of the same material, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). Alternatively, the first sleeve 11 may include additional thermal insulation, for example, by increasing the thickness of the material or adding an additional thermal insulation layer. Thus, the heat transferred from the first volume V1 to the second volume V2 can be reduced.

The first volume V1 and the second volume V2 are configured to receive a cooling medium M for cooling the middle section 90 in a manner described in more detail below. In this example, the cooling medium M is a fluid, especially a fluid having a freezing point of minus 20 degrees Celsius or lower, and more particularly a glycol-water mixture.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooling system 1 has a first end E1 and a second end E2, and the second end E2 is opposed to the first end E1 in the longitudinal direction L. It should be noted that, for the purpose of the present invention, the first end E1 and the second end E2 need not be limited to the end face of the cooling system 1. In contrast, the first end E1 and the second end E2 represent the area at or near the end face of the cooling system 1, for example, a few meters at each end E1, E2 of the cooling system 1. The first end E1 faces the ocean side, and the second end E2 faces the land side. In this exemplary embodiment, a pump P is provided on or at land. The pump P may be a hydraulic pump, an electric pump or a mechanical pump. The second end E2 of the cooling system 1 can be conveniently connected to the pump P for configuring the first end E1 such that the fluid is removed from the first volume V1 and the When one of the second volumes V2 returns to the other of the first volume V1 and the second volume V2, the cooling medium M is recirculated. The pump P may include one or more pumps, for example centrifugal pumps, to pump the cooling medium M into and out of the respective volumes V1, V2. A cooling unit (not shown) may be provided, such as an air cooler, to cool the cooling medium M before recirculation.

As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the cooling system 1 is provided with a first end sealing member 3 at the first end E1. The first end sealing member 3 includes a first sealing portion 31 and a second sealing portion 32 for respectively sealing the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 at the first end E1.

The first sealing portion 31 includes a first opening 33 for the continuous cable 9 to pass through the first sealing portion 31 in the longitudinal direction L at the transition from the middle section 90 to the sea section 91. The first sealing portion 31 is configured to seal the first volume V1 together with the continuous cable 9 at the first opening 33. In particular, the first sealing portion 31 includes a first flange 34 connected to the first sleeve 11, and the first flange 34 is configured to sealingly abut on the first opening 33 The continuous cable 9. The first flange 34 may be a detachable flange, and once the cable 9 is positioned within the first sleeve 11, the first flange 34 may be installed sealingly adjacent to the continuous cable 9. In this exemplary embodiment, the first opening 33 is positioned concentrically with respect to the first sleeve 11. Thus, the first opening 33 can concentrically guide the continuous cable 9 through the first sealing portion 31. In conjunction with the aforementioned spacer 8, the continuous cable 9 can be guided concentrically or substantially concentrically through the first end E1 of the cooling system 1.

The second sealing portion 32 includes a second opening 35 for the first sleeve 11 to pass through the second sealing portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L. Like the first sealing portion 31, the second sealing portion 32 includes a second flange 36. The second flange 36 is connected to the second sleeve 12 and is configured to sealingly abut the first sleeve 11 at the second opening 35. Preferably, the second flange 36 connects the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 at the same time, thereby forming a strong assembly. Different from the first opening 33, the second opening 35 is positioned non-concentrically or eccentrically relative to the second sleeve 12. Therefore, the first sleeve 11 can be installed at an eccentric position through the second sealing portion 32, for example, at the bottom of the second sleeve 12. Therefore, no spacer is required, because the first sleeve 11 is allowed to be simply placed at the bottom of the second sleeve 12, and the second volume V2 is formed between the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 In the space above the first sleeve.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sleeve 11 protrudes outside the second sleeve 12 at the first end E1 by a first protrusion distance D1. As a result, the first sealing portion 31 and the second sealing portion 32 are spaced apart by the same first protrusion distance D1. Thus, the first sleeve 11 is at least partially exposed, that is, it is not surrounded by the second sleeve 12 at the first end E1. Therefore, the first sleeve 11 and the first sealing portion 31 are exposed and can be easily used, for example, for installation or connection purposes.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling system 1 further includes a connecting member 6 for connecting the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 in fluid communication with each other at or near the first end E1. Due to the connecting piece 6, the first end E1 effectively becomes a return cover or a recirculation cover of the cooling medium M. The cooling medium M can be pumped into the first volume V1 at the second end E2, cool the middle section 90, and then flow through the connecting member 6 into the second volume V2 at the first end E1, and then pass through the The second volume V2 returns to the second end E2.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting member 6 is formed by at least one hole 6 in or near the first end E1, the second sleeve 12 surrounding the first sleeve 11, and the first sleeve 11 Formed. In this position, the first sleeve 11 is the only item that separates the first volume V1 from the second volume V2. Therefore, providing the first sleeve 11 with the hole 6 effectively forms a direct connection between the first volume V1 and the second volume V2. The hole 6 can be prefabricated or manufactured on site. More than one hole 6 can be provided. Preferably, the hole 6 can be formed as a slob hole. The hole 6 connects the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 in fluid communication. In this example, the hole 6 is spaced apart from the second sealing portion 32 in the longitudinal direction L, for example, by a distance of at least 10 cm. This prevents the hole 6 from approaching the second sealing portion 32 and may cause leakage.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cooling system 1 is provided with a second end sealing member 4 at the second end E2. The second end sealing member 4 includes a third sealing portion 41 and a fourth sealing portion 42 for respectively sealing the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 at the second end E2. Structurally, the first sealing portion 41 and the second sealing portion 42 are basically the same as the first sealing portion 31 and the second sealing portion 32, respectively, and therefore will only be briefly described.

The third sealing portion 41 includes a third opening 43 and a third flange 44 similar in structure to the first opening 33 and the first flange 34, respectively, but located at the second end E2. Therefore, the third opening 34 is provided for the continuous cable 9 to pass through the third sealing portion 41 in the longitudinal direction L at the transition from the middle section 90 to the land section 92.

The fourth sealing portion 42 includes a fourth opening 45 for the first sleeve 11 to pass through the fourth sealing portion 42 in the longitudinal direction L. The fourth sealing portion 42 includes a fourth opening 45 and a fourth flange 46 that are similar in structure and function to the second opening 35 and the second flange 36, respectively, but located at the second end E2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sleeve 11 protrudes outside the second sleeve 12 through the fourth opening 45 at the second end E2 to a position separated by a second protrusion distance D2. As a result, the third sealing portion 41 and the fourth sealing portion 42 are spaced apart by the same second protrusion distance D2. Thus, the first sleeve 11 is at least partially exposed, that is, it is not surrounded by the second sleeve 12 at the second end E2. Therefore, the first sleeve 11 and the third sealing portion 41 are exposed and can be easily used, for example, for installation or connection purposes.

The cooling system 1 further includes an inlet 71 and an outlet 72, the inlet 71 being connected to the first volume V1 in fluid communication at or near the second end E2 to connect to the output of the pump P, and The outlet 72 is connected to the second volume V2 in fluid communication at or near the second end E2 to be connected to the input of the pump P. In particular, the inlet 71 protrudes outside the second sleeve 12 at the second end E2 of the first sleeve 11, that is, at the first sleeve 11 within the second protrusion distance D2 A volume V1 is in fluid communication.

In the previously discussed embodiment, the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 continuously extend from each sealing portion 31, 32 at the first end E1 (ie, there is no connection) to the second end Each seal 33, 34 at E2. However, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 may alternatively be provided in more than two sections. In particular, the flanges 34, 36, 44, 46 can be directly connected to or integrated into a small section of the respective sleeve 34, 36, 44, 46. Therefore, the hole 6 of the first embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a small sleeve section where the first sleeve 11 is directly connected to/or integrated into the first flange 34. This allows the main section of the first sleeve 11 to be completely continuous, ie with the hole 6.

The method of cooling the middle section 90 of the continuous cable 9 using the cooling system 1 described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

In the landing position shown in FIG. 1, a hole is drilled in the ground below the coastline to accommodate the middle section 90 of the continuous cable 9. For the purposes of the present invention, the borehole is larger than the diameter of the continuous cable 9. In particular, the borehole is large enough to accommodate the outer diameter of the second sleeve 12.

The first sleeve 11, the second sleeve 12, the first end sealing member 3 and the second end sealing member 4 can be assembled before being inserted into the drill hole. Alternatively, the second sleeve 12 may have been inserted into the borehole, and the first sleeve 11 may be inserted in the field. The second sealing portion 32 and the fourth sealing portion 42 may be mounted on the second sleeve 12 at the first end E1 and the second end E2, respectively, for guiding and pulling in the first sleeve 11. In particular, the second sealing portion 32 and the fourth sealing portion 42 may have been installed on the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12, respectively. The first sleeve 11 is temporarily provided with a pulling tool to pull the first sleeve 11 through the second sleeve 12. Once the first sleeve 11 is positioned, the temporary pulling tool can be removed. The second volume V2 between the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 is now substantially sealed. Alternatively, additional sealing means, such as elastic materials or glue, may be provided to increase the effectiveness of the sealing.

After the first sleeve 11 and the second sleeve 12 are assembled, the continuous cable 9 can be pulled through the first sleeve in the same manner as the first sleeve 11 is pulled through the second sleeve 12 11. The continuous cable 9 may be provided with the aforementioned spacer 8 at regular intervals so that the cable 9 is spaced apart from the first sleeve 11. Alternatively, a bell-shaped port (not shown) may be temporarily installed at the first end E1 and the second end E2 receiving the continuous cable 9 to more easily guide the cable 9 to each sealing portion 31, 41 in the openings 33, 43.

2 and 3 illustrate the cooling system 1 where the continuous cable 9 has been positioned, indicating that the middle section 90 is located inside the first casing 11 and the sea section 91 and the land section 92 are located opposite the cooling system 1 The terminals E1 and E2 are outside the cooling system 1. Now, the first volume V1 can be sealed with respect to the continuous cable 9. This means that the first sealing portion 31 and the third sealing portion 41 are mounted to the first end E1 and the second end E2, respectively. More specifically, the first flange 34 and the third flange 44 (preferably formed as separable flanges) are mounted to the first at the first end E1 and the second end E2, respectively The sleeve 11 is in sealing contact with the continuous cable 9. Alternatively, additional sealing means, such as elastic materials or glue, may be provided to increase the effectiveness of the sealing.

Under both the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 being sealed, the inlet 71 and the outlet 72 at the second end E2 of the cooling system 1 may be connected in fluid communication with the pump P. As shown in FIG. 5, the hole 6 has provided a direct connection between the first volume V1 and the second volume V2 at the second end E2.

Therefore, a recirculation circuit for the cooling medium M is provided, which extends locally and/or only between the first end E1 and the second end E2 along the landing section. The pump P can be activated to pump the cooling medium M into the first volume V1 through the inlet 71 at the second end E2 to cool the continuous cable 9. Then, the cooling medium M enters the second volume V2 from the first volume V1 through the connection 6 at the first end E1, and returns to the pump P at the second end E2 through the outlet 72. The cooling medium M may be processed in a cooling unit (not shown) to cool the cooling medium M back to an acceptable cooling temperature before the cooling medium M is recycled. The cooling unit may be integrated with the pump or a separate unit.

Alternatively, the inlet 71 may be connected to the inlet of the pump P, and the outlet 72 may be connected to the outlet of the pump P, so that the flow of the cooling medium is reversed.

Preferably, the middle section 90 of the continuous cable 9 will be cooled so that the temperature of the middle section 90 remains below 90 degrees Celsius or another limit related to cable design.

6 and 7 illustrate an alternative cooling system 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention for cooling a cable 9 in a substation 108. Such substations are usually used to connect cables from various sources offshore to various destinations, that is, to connect cables from wind farms to cables from wind farms to land. For this purpose, the substation may be provided with infrastructure, ie frames, connectors, shells, etc., to handle the cable network.

As shown in FIG. 6, the substation 108 is constructed on the seabed. One or more cables 9 extend along the seabed towards the substation 108. The substation 108 includes a top or a platform 180 extending above sea level and one or more tubes 181, 182, 183, 184 extending downward and/or upward from the platform 180 to the seabed for receiving the One or more cables 9. The one or more tubes 181, 182, 183, 184 may be so-called J-tubes or I-tubes. In this example, a J-tube is used because of the characteristic deflection at the end of the tube to easily receive and/or guide the bend along a more straight direction from the seabed into the platform 180 towards the substation 108 Cable 9.

The alternative cooling system 101 is provided with a pump assembly P that transfers water from the sea or other water sources upwards to the platform 180. As best seen in FIG. 7, the alternative cooling system 101 also features one or more connecting flanges 102 for connecting the pump assembly P to one or more tubes on the platform 180 Each tube in 181-184. Preferably, the connecting flange 102 is provided with one or more supply openings 121, 122, 123, and the supply openings 121, 122, 123 are distributed around the circumference of each tube 181-184, which is used to connect the pump assembly The water supply of P is led into the respective pipes 181-184 from different sides of the respective pipes 181-184.

Alternatively, when the individual tubes 181-184 have been installed and connected to the infrastructure on the substation 108, it is no longer possible to install the dedicated connection flange 102 to the tubes 181-184. Instead, each tube 181-184 and the pump assembly can be drilled.

When in operation, the pump assembly P delivers water to the various tubes 181 to 184 via the connecting flange 102 or boreholes, and the water travels through the tubes 181-184 toward the seabed to cool the extensions in the tubes的的电话9。 The cable 9. Since the water is transported into each tube 181-184 at a height significantly above sea level, it is convenient to restrict the outflow of water from each tube 181-184 to or near the seabed to ensure that a substantial part of it is preferably The individual tubes 181-184 of the entire height can be filled with water.

The alternative cooling system 101 can be combined with the above-mentioned cooling system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention to form a combined cooling system 1, 101 that cools two temperature critical areas of the cable, that is, the landing Section and substation section cables.

It should be understood that the above embodiments are included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. From the above discussion, many variations are obvious to those skilled in the art, and these variations will still be included within the scope of the present invention.

1‧‧‧cooling system 11‧‧‧First casing 12‧‧‧Second casing 3‧‧‧The first end sealing member 31‧‧‧The first seal 32‧‧‧Second Sealing Department 33‧‧‧First opening 34‧‧‧First flange 35‧‧‧Second opening 36‧‧‧Second flange 4‧‧‧Second end sealing member 41‧‧‧The third seal 42‧‧‧Fourth Sealing Department 43‧‧‧ Third opening 44‧‧‧third flange 45‧‧‧ fourth opening 46‧‧‧Fourth flange 6‧‧‧Connector 71‧‧‧ entrance 72‧‧‧Export 8‧‧‧ spacer 9‧‧‧Cable 90‧‧‧Middle 91‧‧‧Sea 92‧‧‧Land segment 101‧‧‧Alternative cooling system 102‧‧‧Connecting flange 108‧‧‧Substation 180‧‧‧platform 181～184‧‧‧One or more tubes A‧‧‧Vertical axis D1‧‧‧ First protrusion distance D2‧‧‧Second protrusion distance E1‧‧‧The first end E2‧‧‧Second end L‧‧‧Vertical M‧‧‧cooling medium P‧‧‧Pumps/Pump components S‧‧‧Ocean T‧‧‧land V1‧‧‧ first volume V2‧‧‧Second volume

The invention will be explained on the basis of the exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic diagram, in which: FIG. 1 shows a landing position and a cross-sectional view of a cooling system for cooling the middle section of the cable in the landing position according to the first embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows a side view of the cooling system in more detail. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooling system according to FIG. 2. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the cooling system according to line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 shows a detailed schematic diagram of the cooling system according to circle V in FIG. 3. 6 shows a side view of an alternative cooling system for cooling cables in a substation according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 7 shows a detailed isometric view of the alternative cooling system according to circle VII in FIG. 6.

1‧‧‧cooling system

11‧‧‧First casing

12‧‧‧Second casing

3‧‧‧The first end sealing member

31‧‧‧The first seal

32‧‧‧Second Sealing Department

33‧‧‧First opening

34‧‧‧First flange

35‧‧‧Second opening

36‧‧‧Second flange

6‧‧‧Connector

8‧‧‧ spacer

A‧‧‧Vertical axis

E1‧‧‧The first end

L‧‧‧Vertical

M‧‧‧cooling medium

V1‧‧‧ first volume

V2‧‧‧Second volume

Claims (25)

A cooling system for cooling a continuous cable, wherein the cooling system includes: A first sleeve that extends along a longitudinal axis in a longitudinal direction for receiving a middle section of the continuous cable at the longitudinal axis, wherein the first sleeve defines a first volume, the first A volume extends around the middle section when in use; Wherein the cooling system is provided with a second sleeve that defines a second volume separated from the first volume, wherein the first volume and the second volume are configured to receive a Cooling medium The cooling system has a first end and a second end, the second end is opposite to the first end in the longitudinal direction; Wherein the cooling system is provided with a first end sealing member at the first end, wherein the first end sealing member includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion for respectively sealing the first volume at the first end And the second volume; Wherein the cooling system further includes a connecting member that connects the first volume and the second volume in fluid communication at or near the first end, wherein the second sleeve is configured to use the longitudinal axis Is the center surrounding the first sleeve, wherein the connecting member is formed by a hole in the first sleeve at or near the first end, the second sleeve surrounding the first sleeve, wherein the The hole connects the first volume and the second volume in fluid communication. The cooling system as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the first volume and the second volume are configured to be fluidly connected to a pump at or near the second end of the cooling system, to Together with the connection at the first end, a closed recirculation circuit for the cooling medium is formed. The cooling system as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the middle section is a landing section, the landing section has an ocean side and a land side in the longitudinal direction, wherein the first end is the ocean side, and The second end is the land side. The cooling system according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the continuous cable has a sea section extending from the first end to the outside of the cooling system, wherein the first sealing portion includes a first opening, the first opening For passing the continuous cable through the first sealing portion along the longitudinal direction at the transition from the middle section to the sea section, wherein the first sealing portion is configured to jointly seal the first sealing portion with the cable at the first opening One volume. The cooling system as described in item 4 of the patent application scope, wherein the first sealing portion includes a first flange, the first flange is connected to the first sleeve, and the first flange is configured to An opening sealingly adjoins the continuous cable. The cooling system as described in item 4 of the patent application, wherein the first opening is concentrically positioned with respect to the first sleeve. The cooling system as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the cooling system includes a plurality of spacers for separating the middle section from the first sleeve to form the first volume. The cooling system as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the second sealing portion includes a second opening for passing the first sleeve through the second sealing portion in the longitudinal direction. The cooling system according to item 8 of the patent application scope, wherein the second sealing portion includes a second flange connected to the second sleeve and configured to sealingly abut on the second opening The first sleeve. The cooling system as described in item 9 of the patent application scope, wherein the second flange simultaneously connects the first sleeve and the second sleeve. The cooling system according to item 8 of the patent application scope, wherein the second opening is non-concentrically positioned with respect to the second sleeve. The cooling system as described in item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the cooling system is provided with a second end sealing member at the second end, wherein the second end sealing member includes a third sealing portion and a fourth sealing portion For sealing the first volume and the second volume at the second end, wherein the cooling system further includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet is at or near the second end and the first volume and the One of the second volumes is connected in fluid communication to the output of a pump, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the other of the first volume and the second volume at or near the second end To connect to the input of the pump. The cooling system according to item 12 of the patent application scope, wherein the continuous cable has a land section extending from the second end to the outside of the cooling system, wherein the third sealing portion includes a third opening, the third opening For passing the continuous cable through the third sealing portion along the longitudinal direction at the transition from the middle section to the land section, wherein the third sealing portion is configured to jointly seal the first sealing portion with the cable at the third opening One volume. The cooling system as described in item 13 of the patent application scope, wherein the third sealing portion includes a third flange, the third flange is connected to the first sleeve, and the third flange is configured to The third opening sealingly abuts the continuous cable. The cooling system as described in item 12 of the patent application range, wherein the fourth sealing portion includes a fourth opening for the first sleeve to pass through the fourth sealing portion in the longitudinal direction. The cooling system as described in item 15 of the patent application scope, wherein the fourth sealing portion includes a fourth flange connected to the second sleeve and configured to be sealed in the fourth opening Adjacent to the first sleeve. The cooling system as described in item 15 of the patent application scope, wherein the first sleeve protrudes from the second sleeve by a second protrusion distance at the second end. The cooling system as described in item 17 of the patent application range, wherein the third sealing portion and the fourth sealing portion are separated by the second projecting distance. A cooling system as described in item 17 of the patent application scope, wherein one of the inlet and the outlet is connected to the second end in a fluid communication manner with the first sleeve protruding outside the second sleeve The first volume. A method for cooling a continuous cable using the cooling system as described in item 1 of the patent scope, wherein the method includes the steps of: receiving the middle section of the continuous cable in the first bushing; forming the extension extending around the middle section A first volume; using the first sealing portion to seal the first volume at the first end; disposing the second sleeve outside the first sleeve; forming the second volume separated from the first volume; at the The first end seals the second volume using the second sealing portion; connects the first volume to the second volume in fluid communication; and circulates the cooling medium through the first volume and the second volume to cool The middle section. The method of claim 20, wherein the method further includes the steps of: connecting the first volume and the second volume in fluid communication to the at or near the second end of the cooling system A pump to form a closed recirculation loop for the cooling medium together with the connection at the first end. The method as described in item 20 of the patent application scope, wherein the continuous cable includes a sea segment and a land segment, the sea segment and the land segment extending from the first end and the second end to the outside of the cooling system, Wherein the first volume and the second volume are sealed in the middle section relative to the sea section and the land section. The method of claim 22, wherein the continuous cable has a uniform cross-section in the sea section, the middle section and the land section. The method as described in item 22 of the patent application scope, wherein the cooling medium is a fluid. The method as described in item 24 of the patent application, wherein the fluid has a freezing point of minus 20 degrees Celsius or lower, or the fluid is a glycol-water mixture.

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