Subsea Chain Cutter

Background
Currently, the installation of subsea cables is done in two steps: first the digging of the trench for the cable, then cable laying and burying of the cable. Furthermore, cables are installed at relatively shallow depths. 80% of offshore wind farm insurance claims are related to cable failures, and a decent number of these failures is caused by cable exposure. This creates demand for deeper burial of the cables.  

Objective
The objective of this project is to develop a new way to install cables under the seafloor that is both cost-effective and would reduce maintenance and cable failures. The subsea chain cutter would be able to dig and simultaneously install the cable at larger depth in multilayered soil

Expected results
The research will lead to different concepts of a subsea chain cutter, out of which the best will be chosen. This will result in a subsea chain cutter that is developed with the following specifications in mind: folding mechanism, hydraulic drive, interchangeable underwater for maintenance, spray-cleaning of the chain, easy to control, and more.