Power electronic conversion systems for deepwater applications

This paper describes the research program devoted to the study of electronic components and its function in the power conversion systems to be used on deepwater applications. Frequent approaches for operation of electronic equipment include: hard shell enclosures maintained at normal air pressure, soft shell with a pressure compensating fluid and free-flooded equipment. This article discusses the last two techniques taking in account the overall cost. In those viewpoints the characteristics and the influence of high hydrostatic pressure on the components and incompatibility of the components with the immersion fluid (if needed), will be presented. Guidelines necessary to alleviate anticipated and known problem areas are proposed.