Experimental investigation of an electromechanical swivel/slipring assembly

Destructive kinking of electromechanical cables, when used to lower heavy objects to the seafloor, has been a serious ocean engineering problem. In an effort to find a solution to these problems, CEL conducted a test and evaluation program on a commercially available swivel/ slipring assembly and a modified version of the same unit. Both units were subjected to mechanical and electrical testing in the laboratory and deep ocean. The units proved to be mechanically reliable, requiring no repair throughout the test program. Electrically, the original slipring assembly would not carry the power required by the operational equipment selected for the deep ocean tests. A new slipring assembly was installed. The ocean tests were conducted using equipment with a history of cable-kinking problems. During two deployments with the swivel/slipring assembly to 3,000 feet, no further problems occurred. This swivel/slipring assembly met all operating requirements and proved to be a reliable system.