VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE WITH TOPSIDE CONTROL AND SUBSEA SWITCHING

摘要

According to some embodiments, functionality of a conventional variable speed drive (VSD) for driving a subsea electric motor is “split” with the CPU with frequency converter control being located topside and the low-level switching hardware being located subsea with the subsea motor. The motor can be used, for driving a pumping or other fluid processing module in a subsea oil or gas field.

主权项

1. A system for operating a subsea electric motor comprising:
a subsea electric motor installed in a subsea location; a surface control system configured to adjust operating speed of said subsea electric motor by outputting a series of control signals corresponding to a selected drive frequency; a communication system configured to transmit the series of control signals from the surface control system to the subsea location; a plurality of gate drivers deployed at the subsea location and configured to receive said series of control signals and output corresponding gate signals; and a plurality of semiconductor switches deployed at the subsea location and configured to receive said gate signals and convert a source power into alternating currents (AC) at said selected drive frequency thereby driving said motor at said selected drive frequency.