Abstract: A modular substation (10) for subsea applications includes a plurality of modular DC/AC converters (32) configured for converting DC electrical power transmitted along a DC transmission link (24) into AC electrical power for supplying to a plurality of subsea loads (56). The plurality of modular DC/AC converters (32) is configured to couple in series to the DC transmission link (24) and couple in parallel to an AC distribution network (52). At least a first modular DC/AC converter (32) is configured to be selectively electrically and mechanically disconnected from the DC transmission link (24) and the AC distribution network (52) to facilitate maintenance of the first modular DC/AC converters (32) while the AC distribution network (52) continues to supply AC electrical power to at least one of the plurality of subsea loads (56). The modular substation (10) also comprises protection and bypass circuits (26) intended to isolate faulty DC/AC converters (32) and to facilitate safe maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A method and system for a control power supply system is provided. The control power supply system includes a first conductor configured to carry a direct current (DC) electrical current from a source to a load, a second conductor configured to carry the DC electrical current from the load to the source, and an AC power source coupled to at least one of the first and the second conductors, the AC power source configured to superimpose a selectable relatively high frequency AC component onto the DC electrical current to generate a composite power signal.

Abstract: A power system for offshore application includes a plurality of power circuits. Each of the power circuit includes an alternating current (AC) bus which supplies power to an auxiliary load and is connected to a generator. The power circuit further includes a first direct current (DC) bus having a first DC voltage supplying power to a first load and a second DC bus having a second DC voltage supplying power to a second load. The power circuit also includes a first DC to DC converter coupled between the first DC bus and the second DC bus, wherein the first DC to DC converter is configured for bidirectional power flow and an AC to DC converter coupled between the AC bus and the first DC bus. The first DC bus of at least one power circuit is coupled to the second DC bus of at least another power circuit with a second DC to DC converter.

Abstract: A subsea boosting module for use with an alternating current (AC) power system includes a housing defining at least one interior chamber. A fluid pump is disposed within the interior chamber. An electric motor is disposed within the interior chamber and drivingly coupled to the fluid pump. A plurality of power components is disposed within the interior chamber to deliver power to the electric motor.

Abstract: A direct current power system includes a common direct current (DC) bus configured to supply power to a plurality of loads. A plurality of alternating current (AC) to DC converter bridges supply DC power to the common CD bus. Each of the AC to DC converter bridges is connected to the common DC bus by at least one split DC link. The at least one split DC link includes a small capacitor connected across output terminals of the respective AC to DC converter bridge and at least one diode coupled between two terminals of the small capacitor and the large capacitor in a way to block an instantaneous current flow from the common DC bus to the respective AC to DC converter bridge in case of a fault of the AC to DC converter bridge.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) power system includes a plurality of energy sources supplying power to a plurality of loads via a DC bus having at least one positive rail. The DC bus includes two DC bus subsections and a DC bus separator coupled between the two DC bus subsections. The DC bus separator includes a controllable switch with at least one of its terminals coupled with a terminal of an inductor to provide a current path between the two DC bus subsections during normal operation via the inductor. The controllable switch is switched off to break the current path when a fault on the positive rail is detected. Furthermore, the DC bus separator includes a diode connected in parallel to the inductor and arranged to provide a circulating current path to dissipate an inductor current in the inductor when the controllable switch is switched off.

Abstract: A disk brake system includes a magnetically encoded disk brake rotor having at least one magnetized section encoded therein and a disk brake caliper comprising a plurality of disk brake pads attached thereto, the disk brake pads positioned adjacently to the disk brake rotor and configured to frictionally engage the disk brake rotor upon operation of the disk brake caliper. The disk brake system further comprises a sensor assembly mounted proximately to the disk brake rotor and comprising at least one magnetic field sensor configured to detect the at least one magnetic field, and a controller configured to receive signals from the at least one magnetic field sensor. The controller is further configured to enable selective operation of the disk brake caliper based on the signals received from the at least one magnetic field sensor.

Abstract: A subsea power distribution module includes an outer vessel defining an interior chamber and a plurality of power modules disposed within the interior chamber. The outer vessel is configured to maintain a pressure within the interior chamber substantially the same as an ambient pressure outside the outer vessel. Each power module includes a pressure vessel defining an interior chamber and a power converter disposed within the interior chamber of the pressure vessel. Each pressure vessel is configured to maintain a substantially constant pressure within the interior chamber of the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A power system for offshore application includes a plurality of power circuits. Each of the power circuit includes an alternating current (AC) bus which supplies power to an auxiliary load and is connected to a generator. The power circuit further includes a first direct current (DC) bus having a first DC voltage supplying power to a first load and a second DC bus having a second DC voltage supplying power to a second load. The power circuit also includes a first DC to DC converter coupled between the first DC bus and the second DC bus, wherein the first DC to DC converter is configured for bidirectional power flow and an AC to DC converter coupled between the AC bus and the first DC bus. The first DC bus of at least one power circuit is coupled to the second DC bus of at least another power circuit with a second DC to DC converter.

Abstract: A modular substation (10) for subsea applications includes a plurality of modular DC/AC converters (32) configured for converting DC electrical power transmitted along a DC transmission link (24) into AC electrical power for supplying to a plurality of subsea loads (56). The plurality of modular DC/AC converters (32) is configured to couple in series to the DC transmission link (24) and couple in parallel to an AC distribution network (52). At least a first modular DC/AC converter (32) is configured to be selectively electrically and mechanically disconnected from the DC transmission link (24) and the AC distribution network (52) to facilitate maintenance of the first modular DC/AC converters (32) while the AC distribution network (52) continues to supply AC electrical power to at least one of the plurality of subsea loads (56). The modular substation (10) also comprises protection and bypass circuits (26) intended to isolate faulty DC/AC converters (32) and to facilitate safe maintenance and repair.

Abstract: A submersible power system includes at least one DC power source and at least one submersible power distribution system electrically coupled to the at least one DC power source. The at least one submersible power distribution system includes at least one receptacle configured to be exposed to an underwater environment. The at least one submersible power distribution system also includes a plurality of power conversion modules removably positioned within the at least one receptacle. Each power conversion module of the plurality of power conversion modules includes an enclosure configured to be exposed to the underwater environment. The at least one submersible power distribution system further includes at least one switchyard module selectably coupled to and uncoupled from the plurality of power conversion modules. The at least one switchyard module includes a plurality of switches configured to electrically bypass and isolate each power conversion module from the DC power source.

Abstract: A subsea boosting module for use with a direct current (DC) power system includes a housing defining at least one interior chamber. A fluid pump is disposed within the interior chamber. An electric motor is disposed within the interior chamber and drivingly coupled to the fluid pump. A plurality of power components is disposed within the interior chamber to deliver power to the electric motor.

Abstract: A sub-sea power supply includes a plurality of transformers, a wet-mateable connector, and a plurality of passive rectifier circuits. Each transformer includes a primary coil and secondary coil. The primary coils are coupled in parallel. The wet-mateable connector is coupleable to a sub-sea AC power source. The wet-mateable connector is coupled to the primary coils. The plurality of passive rectifier circuits is respectively coupled to the secondary coils. The plurality of passive rectifier circuits is configured to generate substantially uniform polarity voltage outputs coupled in series.

Abstract: A bus for distributing electrical power to a plurality of sets of electrical devices is disclosed. The bus includes one or more bus separators and a plurality of bus sections. The plurality of bus sections includes at least a first bus section and a second bus section electrically coupled to each other via a bus separator, where the first bus section is electrically connectable to a first set of electrical devices having a first importance metric and the second bus section is electrically connectable to a second set of electrical devices having a second importance metric different from the first importance metric. The bus separator is configured to isolate the first bus section and the second bus section based on occurrence of a fault condition. A Direct Current power distribution system employing the bus and a method for distributing electrical power via the bus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combined direct current DC power transmission and heating system is provided. The system includes a rectifier station configured to generate a DC link current. The system also includes a downstream converter station positioned remotely from the rectifier station. The downstream converter station is configured to generate power supplied to an electrical load using at least a portion of the DC link current. The system also includes a return conductor electrically coupled to the rectifier station and the downstream converter station. The return conductor is configured to transmit a return current from the downstream converter station to the rectifier station. The return conductor is also configured to generate heat from resistive losses induced by the return current; and conduct the heat generated by the return current to a fluid being transported from a proximity of the downstream converter station to a proximity of the rectifier station.

Abstract: A method and system for a control power supply system is provided. The control power supply system includes a first conductor configured to carry a direct current (DC) electrical current from a source to a load, a second conductor configured to carry the DC electrical current from the load to the source, and an AC power source coupled to at least one of the first and the second conductors, the AC power source configured to superimpose a selectable relatively high frequency AC component onto the DC electrical current to generate a composite power signal.

Abstract: A method and system for a control power supply system is provided. The control power supply system includes a first conductor configured to carry a direct current (DC) electrical current from a source to a load, a second conductor configured to carry the DC electrical current from the load to the source, a electrical device electrically coupled in series with at least one of the first and second conductor. The electrical device is configured to fail in a shorted condition such that failure of the electrical device maintains a direct current (DC) ring bus including the first and second conductor. The control power supply system also includes a control power circuit electrically coupled in parallel with at least a portion of the electrical device such that a DC voltage across at least a portion of the electrical device provides a DC voltage supply to the control power circuit.

Abstract: A submersible power distribution system is provided. The system includes at least one receptacle configured to be exposed to an underwater environment and a plurality of power conversion modules positioned within the at least one receptacle. Each of the plurality of power conversion modules includes a first enclosure configured to be exposed to the underwater environment, the first enclosure defining a first interior cavity configured to have a first pressure. Power conversion modules also include at least one second enclosure positioned within the first interior cavity. The at least one second enclosure defines a second interior cavity configured to have a second pressure that is lower than the first pressure. The at least one second enclosure is configured to restrict exposure of non-pressure-tolerant power electronics in the second interior cavity to the first pressure.

Abstract: A DC power transmission system is configured to generate an electric field including components substantially constant with respect to time and varying with time. The DC power transmission system includes an AC stage configured to receive AC electrical power. The AC stage includes a transformer including primary windings and secondary windings configured to be electromagnetically coupled to, and electrically isolated from, each other. The AC stage also includes an AC/AC converter having substantially no insulating features against the at least one substantially constant component of the electric field. The AC/AC converter is electrically coupled to the primary windings. The DC power transmission system also includes an AC/DC conversion stage positioned downstream of the AC stage. The AC/DC conversion stage includes an AC/DC rectifier configured to convert AC electrical power to DC electrical power without external control. The AC/DC rectifier is coupled to the secondary windings.

Abstract: An electromagnetic braking system of a power generation system includes an electrically conductive disc coupled to a rotatable shaft operatively coupled between a prime mover and a generator; a controller for receiving a status signal from the power generation system and for generating a control signal based on the status signal; and an inducting unit for applying an electromagnetic braking force on the electrically conductive disc when commanded by the control signal to regulate a rotational speed of the rotatable shaft.