WHOI-91-02

(!lr1 :L
Woods Hole

Oceanogrphic

Intitution

'r

;i

190
Development

and Evaluation.
of

Electromechanical Cables
for

Deep Sea Buoy Applications

by
A. Bocconcell
January 1991

Technical Report
Funding was provided by the Ofice of Naval Research under
Contract No. N00014-84-C-0134.

Approved for

public release; distnbution unlimited.

WHOI-91-02

Evuation
Elecmechaca Cable

Development and

of

for

Dep Se Buoy Applitions

by

A. Bocconcell

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543

January 1991

Tecca Report
Funding was provided by the Offce of Naval Research under
Contract No. N00014-84-C-0134.

Reproduction in whole or in part is pennitted for any purpose of the United States

Government. This report should be cited as Woods Hole Oceanog. Inst. Tech. Rept.,
WHOI-91-02

Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Approved for Ditrbution:

IT

=r
=r

_ .J

o
:i =r
=r
3:
0
:i
ID-0

::_rr
-0,.
o
o

Albert J. ilias 3rd, Chairn

Departme t of Applied Ocean Physics
and Engineering

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The cables reviewed in this report have been designed, built, tested

and used as essent i a 1 components of complex, moored and free dri ft i ng buoy
systems deployed at sea in the recent past. R.G. Walden, H.O. Berteaux,
P. Clay, S. Kery, P. O'Malley and the author have all participated in one
form or another, to the engineering and development of these cables and
thei r termi nat ions.

Also thanks are due to G. McPhee for her expert assistance with the
writing and re-writing of this report and to R. Arthur and B. Pratt for the
art work and CAD drawi ngs.

Electromechanical cable data were provided by S. Whitehill, President

of Whitehill Manufacturing and W. Tell, President of Consolidated Products

Corporat ion.
Appreciation should alse be given to Dr. S. Ramberg of the Office of

Naval Research (ONR) for his continued personal interest and support. This
work was performed under ONR Contract Number N00014-84-C-0134.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paoe

Acknowl
edgments
2
Tabl
e
of
Contents
3
List of Figures 4

List
of
Tables
5
Abstract 6

1
Introduction
7
2 Cable Development 8
2 .1 General Requ i rements 8
2.2 Specific Oceanographic Applications 9

2.2. 1 Free Dri ft i n9 Buoy Systems 9

2.2.2 Subsurface Moori ngs Wi th No Permanent

Surface Expression 16
Surface Express ion 30

2.2.3 Subsurface Moori ngs Wi th Permanent

2.2.4 Surface Moori ngs 36

References 47

LIST OF FIGURES

Paoe

1. RELAYS Buoy Systems 10

2. RELAYS ElM Cabl e 11

3. RELAYS Boot Termination 15

4. RTEAM Moori ng Schemat i cs 17

5. RTEAM Umbilical Cable 18

6. BIW
ElM
Cable
23
sol idated Steel Double Armor ElM Cable 31
8. TETHERMOOR 32

9. MOIST 33
7. Con

10. ABRUPT TOPOGRAPHY Moori ng Schematics 34

11. STEM Moori n9 Schemat i cs 37

12. 3x18 MacWhyte and 3x19 Consolidated ElM Cables 42

13. 3x18 - 7/16" ElM Cabl e45

14. ESOM Mooring Schematics 46

lIST OF TABLES

I Oceanographic electromechanical cable specifications for free drifting

applications (RELAYS, Kevlar)

II Tether ElM cable specifications (RTEAM, umbilical.cable, Kevlar)

III Oceanographic electromechanical cable specifications for subsurface

applications (RTEAM, Kevlar)

iv Oceanographic electromechanical cable specifications for subsurface

appl ications (RTEAM, steel)

V Oceanographic electromechanical cable specifications for subsurface

appl ications (improved RTEAM, steel)

Vi 3x19 Oceanographic electromechanical cable specifications for surface

appl ications (STEM)

VIi 3x18 Oceanographic electromechanical cable specifications for surface

appl ications (ESOM)

1 INTRODUCTION
The need for real time data telemetry from oceanographic moorings has
contributed to the development and proliferation of electromechanical (ElM)

andlor electro-optical-mechanical (EO/M) cables. ElM cables constitute the

mai n system component 1 i nki ng both sensors and the transmi tt i ng surface

module. In a typical surface or sub-surface mooring the ElM cable fulfills

two di fferent tasks: it acts as the moori ng strength member and also

provides the electrical connection between sensors and surface buoy. ElM

cab 1 e termi nat ions are needed whenever a connect ion is made between sensors

and instrument packages andlor secti ons of ElM cabl e.

This report describes certain ElM cables designed and developed at
W. H. O. I. by the Ocean Systems and Moori ngs Lab in cooperation wi th pri vate

industry. Surface and sub-surface moorings are both covered. Electrooptical-mechanical cables (fiber optics) which have been successfully
deve loped by the Deep Submergence Laboratory for R. O. V. tethers are not

i nc 1 uded in th is report.
Eight ElM cables made by different U.S. manufacturers have been
eva 1 uated by the Ocean Systems and Moori ng Lab in the past six years. Sea

trials included shallow water deployment at the Buoy Farm and deep water
deployment in several oceanographic moorings: MOIST, RELAYS, STEM, R-TEAM,

TETHERMOOR, ESOM and ABRUPT TOPOGRAPHY. Post recovery analysis includes:

tensile machine test, electrical tests and visual inspection for corrosion
or jacket damage.

Three different ElM terminations have been developed to suit the

construction of the cables presented in this report. Their design,

construction and testing procedures will be covered in a following technical

report.

2 . CABLE DEVELOPMENT

2.1 General Requirements

mechanical strength:

The first requirement to be satisfied is that of

the moori ng array must be kept in station and abl e to wi thstand drag and

tension forces, cyclic stress caused by wave action and vibrations

(strumming) and fishbite attacks. Therefore, the safe working load of the
ElM cable must exceed the expected mooring load. Usually a safety factor of

three for subsurface moori ngs and fi ve for surface moori ngs is speci fi ed.
To avoid damage to the conductors the cabl e modul us of el ast i ci ty must be
high enough to minimize tension induced elongation. To ensure fishbite
protection a jacket is extruded over the cable andlor the conductors are

strategically placed in the cable structure (Reference 1). Slip-on plastic

fairings may be used to lower the cable drag coefficient and reduce

vibrations.
Corrosion and fatigue factors must also be taken into account in cable

construction. The contrahelical, torque free, double armor construction is

widely used. This design ensures good torque balance and reduced kinking
danger during slack conditions or mooring deployment. Galvanized improved
plough steel (GIPS) is the preferred armor material and once covered by a

p 1 ast i c jacket it offers good corros i on res i stance.

Modern, hard wire telemetry uses low voltage, low power digital signal

transmission. These requirements are easily satisfied with small gauge

conductors, typically AWG #20 (.812 mm) or #22 (.644 mm). Conductor
insulation, material and thickness must be specified not only to comply with

the electrical requirements but also to ensure perfect and easy bonding at
the termination ends and maximum protection from mechanical abuse.

2.2 Specific Oceanographic Appl ications

The following reviews, in chronological order, the buoy systems which,
over the past few years, requ i red the use of meta 11 i c and non meta 11 i c

electromechanical cables. In each case, a description,of the mooring type

and purpose is fi rst presented. Next the characteri st i cs, mechan i ca 1 and

e 1 ectri ca 1, of the cables used are 1 i sted, together wi th appropri ate

comments as to design criteria and rationales. Finally a brief account is
given of the cable deployment history and of its success or mode of failure
at sea.

2 .2. 1 Free Dri ft i ng Buoy Systems

In 1982 the Ocean Structures and Moori ngs (OS&M) Laboratory together

with the Advanced Engineering Laboratory (AEL), both from the Appl ied Ocean

Phys i cs and Engi neeri ng Department, Woods Hole Oceanograph i c Ins i tut ion,
undertook the development of a deep sea, free drifting Real-Time Link and

Acquisition Yare System (RELAYS) (Reference #2). The purpose of the buoy

system was to recei ve acoustic oceani c parameters from the surface down to
the depth of the SOFAR sound channel. Data thus acquired were processed on

board the buoy and transmitted via the ARGOS system. The main components of

the system are shown in Fi gure #1.

Desirable features for the ElM cable connecting the surface buoy to the
hydrophone array included: three electrical conductors, materials which
would bond well to polyurethane, lightweight in water, 150 m of the total

1150 m to be positively buoyant, and adequate strength to account for cable

degradat i on due to fat i gue. Kevl ar was chosen as strength member because of
its light weight in water. The cable, shown in Figure #2, was jointly
designed with Blake Wire and Cable Co., Torrance, CA. The floating portion
of the cable acts as a comp 1 i ance element wh i ch decoup 1 es and fi 1 ters the

wave action thus reducing tension variations and induced displacements of

the sensors.

SURFACE BUOY WITH

-'Yy SATELLITE COMMUNICATION

--- ~ --- ._~

\1
~
~ .~-=-------

150 m. BUOYANT SECTION

OF ElM CABLE.

SYNTACTIC FOAM
SUBSURFACE BUOY

fOOOm (+)

.. 950 m. NON BUOYANT SECTION

OF ElM CABLE

.. OCEANIC SENSOR (TYP.)

/ACOUSTIC PROCESSOR
.. 20m. HYDROPHONE ARRAY

~ 125 Ib SINKER

Figure 1: Relays Buoy Systems

10

Yy

(3) COPPER _ COND~CTORS AWG No. 20~

0.0. - 0.04 (.10 em)

PVC COND~CTO~1 INSULATION~

0.0. - 0.08 ( .20 em)

EXTRUD~D PO~YURETHANE~

0.0. - .260 (.66 em) --

ANr SECrlON

150~r~ ~om

NON6iJO'( l'

~ BUTYL FILLED NYLON TAPE

0.0. = 0.28" (.71 em)

KEVLAR 49- 1420 DENIER (58) ENDS

6lJ~~crION

0.0. = .31" (.7gem)

KEVLAR 49-1420 DENIER

(64) ENDS 0.0. =.34" (.86em)

HYTRELL 6346 JACKET

0.0. = 0.45" (1.43 em)

EXTRUDED CLOSED CELL POLYETHY LENE FOAM

0.0. = 1.0" (2.8em)

BUOYANT
NONBUOYANT

WEIGHT
IN WATER
IN AIR
Ibl.
kgl
Ibl.
kgl
ft
m
ft
m

.303 .453 +.098 +.146

.082 .122 -.011 -.016

NOTE: CABLE BREAKING STRENGTH = 6000lbs (2725 kg)

Figure 2: Relays ElM Cable

11

--

A stress relief tapered polyurethane boot terminates the cable at the

bow of the surface buoy . All the sensors are attached in 1 i ne to the cable
and termi nated through small er polyurethane boots. Cab 1 e ma in
characteri st i cs are shown in the fo 11 owi ng table:

TABLE I
OCEAOGRAPHIC ELECTROMECHAICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS
FOR FREE DRIFTING APPLICATIONS (RELAYS, KEVLAR)

Cable Denomi nat i onlDescri pt ion

112" Kevlar Double Armor Cable with. (3) #20 AWG conductors in the

core, 1150m long

150 m foamed over at one end to a 1.1 0.0. Polyethylene foam

with 0.31 specific gravity.

Manufacturer
Conductors & cable: Bl ake Wire and Cable , Torrance, CA

Conductors
Number of conductors and confi gurat ion: 3 twi sted in central

core
Gauge: AWG #20

Conductor Materi a 1: Ti nned copper

0.0.: 0.04 in.

Insulation Material: PVC

O. D.: 0.08 in.

Electrical Specs:

Resistance: 11 OHMSIIOOO ft.

Voltage: 600 Volts

Strength Member
Material: Kevlar 49-1420 Denier

Type of Construction: Double contrahelical armor

Bra i d: Dacron

Strength
Ultimate Breaking Strength: 6000 lbs. (nominal)

12

Cable Construction and Dimension

Core
Filler - 3 filler rods of Polypropylene
Wa 11 Materi a 1: Polyurethane

Thickness: 0.09 in.

0.0.: 0.260 in.

Armor - 0.0.: 0.31 in.

Jacket
1st Jacket

Material = Hytrell 6346 0.0. = 0.45 in.

2nd Jacket (Foamed section only)

Material = Polyethylene foam 0.0. = 1.1 in.

Weight
In air = 0.303 lbslft (Buoyant); 0.82 lbs/ft (Non Buoyant)
In Water = +0.98 lbslft (Buoyant); -0.11 lbs/ft (Non Buoyant)

Bendi ng Radi us: 30 in.

13

Pri or to fi na 1 system deployment the fo 11 owi ng tests were performed on

the ElM cabl e:

Cont i nui ty and break test for non buoyant section. The sample
failed at 3,150 lbs. pull at the spelter socket termination.

Tensile test on ElM cable termination at hydrophone end.

Termination failed at 2,600 lbs. pull.

Tensile test on polyurethane boot, buoy to cable termination.

Sample failed at 4,800 lbs. pull.

Buoyancy test for foamed section of ElM cabl e.

It was found to be: 0.122 lbs/ft.

Deep water system test from the RIV FLORIDA (December 1982).

Following the first deployment at sea with three prototype RELAYS

drifting system (1984) a mechanical failure mode was identified as wave

induced flexing fatigue at the cablelbuoy termination (Figure #3). The

polyurethane boot appeared to fail at the base of the cone, where the boot

base is bolted to the buoy forward bul khead. Two di fferent sol ut ions were
adopted and tested at the Buoy Farm in order to reduce the stress action and
stress at the buoy termination: a long tapered boot (50 inch) and a foamed,

buoyant sect i on made of different materi a 1 s (foamed P. E., polyurethane and

TPR) . The TPR sample offered the best performance over an extended

deployment and was therefore chosen for the fi na 1 experiment.

14

-.

~ ~~
Q: ~

C:

-.

~~ ~
~

s
'-t\

Ie

a.
)I-

I~~lY

0z

l-I

!1

e:
a:

l(/

a:
e:

..

::

a: 0

U
a:
IU
w
..
w

a.
a.

I- )-

w a:

-0
~ ..

a: w

w
w

ze:

:r
I-

w
a:

::
~

0a.

w (/

a:

0:i
(/

Z
e:

:r
I-

w
a:

::
~

0a.

w
..
a:

1-1Ww

ze:

e:
U

:i

"-

a: ::

:: U
~ e:
OJ
a.

I-

0~::

a:

Figure 3: Relays Boot Termination

15

0
U
w
a:
e:
a:

0
wwO

:: ::
U a:
e:
J I-0
w

ZW

W ..

a:a:
a. e:
OU
w
Z

-.
~

,~~
-~
'-e)

2.2.2

Subsurface Moorings with No Permanent Surface Expression

These moored systems are designed for collecting ~nd recording

oceanographic data in situ and occasionally relaying the data to shore with
the help of a temporary surface expression (gas inflated or winch operated

modules, free drifting capsules). A wide variety of sensors can be

accommodated to collect data as a function of depth. Telemetry is achieved

via satellite or direct radio relay to a nearby shore station. The system
described in this section has two major components: a single point mooring

with a shallow subsurface float and a variable ballast module that ascends
from the subsurface float to the ocean surface on a prescri bed schedul e.

Radio transmitters send the data either directly to shore or satellite.

The Real Time Environmental Arctic Monitoring (RTEAM) is a prototype

system of th is kind (Reference 3). The RTEAM is spec i fi ca 11 y des i gned to

collect oceanic environmental data in the Arctic region and to transmit

these data to shore on a daily basis. To this end a variable buoyancy

ascent module comes to the surface once a day and transmits directly to

ARGOS (ice free surface) or indirectly through a relatively close by MF

receiving station (ice covered surface) (Figure #4). When not transmitting
the module remains in its rest position most of the time, well away from the

surface, thus diminishing the risks of damage at the ice interface. The
moori ng is capable of deployment in depth of up to 4500 m and is able to

operate in a maximum current speed of 2 knots at the surface. Design life

for each deployment is one year.

The 1 ink between the subsurface buoy and the vari abl e ball ast ascent
module is a critical component of the R-TEAM system. In order to provide a
mechanical, electrical and pneumatic connection an electromechanical

umbilical cable, 220 m. long, was designed. The Kevlar armored, buoyant
umbil ical cable with three conductors was then built by Consol idated Cable

Corp. (Figure #5). The cable was terminated at WHOI with a polyurethane

boot simi 1 ar to the one used for the RELAYS project. The CO2 gas used to

16

~~
sz

DEEP WATER DESIGN (2500m)

~~

Om

ELEVATOR MODEL HF ANTENNA

220m UMBILICAL (200 ft)

(20) SYNTACTIC FOAM FlOATS (+30 Ibs'i

40m
- - . -~ - - REST POSITION
2000 Ib SYNTACTIC FOAM SPHERE

75m

- w / MOORING CONTROL COLlR

-O.Om

+25m

25m 1/2" STEEL E/M CABLE

VMCM (123 &. HYDROPHONE #1

100m
95m 1/2" STEEL ElM CABLE
VMCM #25

200m

298m 1/2" STIR ~/M CABLE

500m--1000m

VMCM #27 &. HYDROPHONE #2

493m 1/2" STE ElM CABLE

VMCM 1 &. HYDROPHONE (13
5m 3/8" CHAIN

- "! -1000 Ib SYNTACTIC FOAM SPHERE

1200m

1m 3/8" CHAIN
200m 1/4" WIRE ROPE w/ JACKET

383m 1/4" KEVlR ROPE

383m 1/4" KEVlR ROPE
383m 1/4" KEVlR ROPE
ENGINEERING INSTRUMENT

2m 1/2 " CHAIN

-(11) 17" GLASS BALLS

2m 1/2" CHAIN

--DACS ACOUSTIC RELEASE

. SPARES PREPARED FOR EVERY COM-

5m 1/2" CHAIN

PONENT BELOW ACOUSTIC RELEASE

--93rr 5/i" KEVLAR ROPE (adjustable she!)

_'. ANCHOR WET WEGHT =

3500 Ibs + (2) I.ACE PLATES

Figure 4: R TEAM Mooring Schematics

17

\ - Eb.. 1- a S E :

3 _:i 2.0 AW6 SING-LE:S:

::O~t)UCO~: la x; .008" Ole.
i t-SU\.TIO ~ PV c

. \88 ,. i. P.. )( . i- z:i." o. D. M..ix..

S)'Ni:LE.iC ': ~130-03

3000 P.s~ ""OR'I\~G-?P..5SVKc.

12000 PSI ..,IN. U~T PiE.SSuRE

\q-t:. ?\-sTIe. ROD FILLS

pvc- /V'\'fLA?- TA?ES

gLOC~.\ "-Go ~

EIATO"'i:~\C .

ST~\oG-iH N\MBER. ~R\)

Al.LG-RDE. .

('E'\I-AR '2a.

I 5'0

0 - ""0

.1Z-!" 0.. P.
JA.c.~E.i ;
POL""UR~"Tl-~;:.

f\.TA-r\ON. ...l(,E\,:

uic. K. .

FoPoN'"!'t Po\."'oiTLl'tL~E-

,bC\;"'I(NOM.:) O.:D.

. 1&15'1" (NON\~ ",Aol.\.

. Ol5""(N()~ WALL.

B LAc.K .

I. ~ S-o \I (NON\.) O..D.

JACKET:
N'lLON.

ACK.E"T :

i3 u.'i .

N'ji.N.

.1"Z7" (NOM..)\N..L.
. tr15''' (NOM. 0.~.

B LJ K ..
. etO" (NOr/".) 'NA.LL
i.;.qo"(NOM.) c.~-

~O"ES:
*1. ~Ae\.~ WlGL, PER 1000 FEi";
~5"O~ IN .t:\R.
-i-iq~ !l-.sEA \(..o'''K.-

* z. . .$:f: \ R C GRPv 'i : . g ~

~". i:="v
""~=\.\""---'
:: ,t""'V",
(i.j."""
~~.
....~
-..I"~~ln"
~..vv~ \"
vf".'j
..

M-l.. f'. '''ORK\NG i.A.t;: 6~O T"

t.k. N\\N. S,ND "D\:"i'\::-;:=: .. g"

"* A " ZERO pS I E; 1" RNl' \. FKr C Si. e. ~

ANt) INnH EMPT'l 1-0.5.

k-~ WITH I-SE. ~R\~.

c
CABLE, E. ~\'/
SPECIAL PURPOSE.

lSB-373b7
,

Figure 5 R TEAM Tether Umbilcal Cable

1&

displace water from the variable ballast module flows from the subsurface
buoy tanks through a high pressure hose located at the core of the cable.

The same umbilical cable has already been deployed four times and it is at
sea at thi s moment for a year long experiment.

The RTEAM tether was designed to satisfy the following requirements:

a) Minimum drag and maximum buoyancy for a given diameter;

b) Strength to exceed 3000 lbs. which is much less than the strength
of the rest of the moori ng 1 i ne, Thi s woul d prevent total loss of

the moori ng in the event that the upper sect i on was caught and

dragged away;

c) Fishbite and ice protection, achieved by covering the tether with

a Zyte 1 jacket and by p 1 ac i ng the conductors wi th the air hose at

the core of the cable;

d) Three watertight conductors to carry signals to the elevator

modul e;

e) 3000 ps i hose at the core of the tether.

The RTEAM tether specifications are summarized in Table II below.

TABLE II

TETER ElM CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

(RTEA UMBILICAL CABLE, KEVLAR)
Cab 1 e Denomi nat i onlDescri pt ion

Umbi 1 i ca 1 cable wi th 3 conductors and air hose placed in the core.

Manufacturer
Consolidated Cable Corporation, Idyllwild, CA

is

Conductors
Number and confi gurat ion: 3 s i ngl e conductor, twi sted around

core.
Gauge: #20 AWG

Materi a 1: Ti nned copper

0.0. : 0.04 in.

Insulation Material: PVC

Thickness: 0.015" Wall
Core Material: Synflex #3130-03 air hose, 3000 psi maximum

worki ng pressure.
0.0.: .422"

Filler: 19 each plastic rods

Water block: Elastoremic

Electrical specs

Resistance: 10 OMS per 1000 feet

Voltage: 500 volts

Strength Member
Type: Braid

Material: Kevlar 29-1500-960

0.0.: 0.721"

U. B. S. = 3,200 1 bs .
Y i e 1 d St rength = 2000 1 bs .
Umbil ical Cable Construction and Dimensions

Core: Synflex air hose #3130-03

1.0.: 0.188"
0.0.: 0.042211

Armor: 0.0. = .721"

20

Jacket:
1st Jacket

Materi al = Bl ack polyurethane

0.0. = 0.695"
2nd Jacket

Materi a 1 = Bl ack nylon

0.0. = 0.975"
3rd Jacket

Materi a 1 = Bl ack foamed polyurethane

0.0. = 1.350"
4th Jacket

Materi a 1 = Bl ack nylon

0.0. = 1.490"

Overall Outside Diameter: 1.490"

Weight

In Air = 650 lbsll000 ft.

In water = -124 1 bsllOOO ft.

Bending Radius: 24"

The tether cable was tested before and after termination for electrical

and pneumatic integrity. A sample was pull tested with the tensile machine
and broke at 2,800 1 bs. The si te "0" prototype test and two deployments in

the Arctic prove the validity of this cable design and its construction.
The tether has been retri eved in August 1990 at the end of a one year

deployment in the Arctic regi on.

Two ElM cables were purchased from B.I.W. Corp., Boston, MA for the
RTEAM prototype deployment at Si te "0" duri ng the summer of 1987. Both

cables had a double armor, torque balanced construction. One cable was made
of steel whilst the other was made of Kevlar. Electrical characteristics

21

were the same for both versions. The double armor design satisfies the
RTEAM moori ng requ i rements: long term deployment, 1 i mi ted fi shbi te danger

(in the Arctic), three electrical conductors for the SFK Sail cablelsensors
ci rcui t. Si nce the moori ng is ope

rat i ng as a subsurface system the wave

induced stress and bending cable fatigue is minimal. This allows for the
use of a more rigid double armor cable vs. a more flexible 3 x 19 design.

Cable samples were pull tested at WHOI prior to shallow water

deployment at the buoy farm (Figure #6). The steel cable broke at 10,650
lbs. whilst the Kevlar sample failed at 4,800 lbs. Several tests were
performed on the Kevlar cable, with different termination designs, without

achieving a higher breaking strength. Due to the test results and the
difficulty of terminating the cable, Kevlar was not used for the deep sea

dep 1 oyment.
A steel cable length was then terminated by D.G. O'Brien, Inc.,

Seabrook, NH and successfully pressure tested at 3000 psi. An endurance

test was subsequently performed at the Buoy Farm with a subsurface mooring
arrangement in which a continuity meter monitored the ElM cable electrical

functioning. The test assembly was on station for over three months without

failures of any kind. As the cable passed all the preliminary tests five
ElM assemblies were prepared and terminated by D.G. O'Brien for the deep

water RTEAM prototype moori ng.

22

3 X NO. 20 AIJG, TINNED

COPPER, PYC INSULATED

CONDUCTOR IJITH PLASTIC
FILLER IN BETIJEEN.

O.D. = 0.064'

3 X NO. 20 AIJG, TINNED

COPPER, PYC INSULATED

CONDUCTOR VITH PLASTIC
FILLER IN BETIJEEN.
O.D. = 0.064'

II

PRESSURE EXTRUDED
PU-JACKET, 0.090' IJALL.

MYLAR TAPES

PRESSURE EXTRUDED
BLACK PU-JACKET,

0.050' VALL.

III

KEYLAR SERVES
0.044' GIPS IJIRES

DACRON BRAID

0.031' GIPS IJIRES

PRESSURE EXTRUDED
HYTREL JACKET

PRESSURE EXTRUDED
HD/PE JACKET

0.045' VALL

0.035' VALL

O.D.= 0.478'

O.D.= 0.475'

KEVLAR ARMOR (BIV)

STEEL ARMOR (BIV)

STRENGTH = 1Q300 LBS

STRENGTH = 8,300 LBS

IJEIGHT = 257 LBS/1000'

IJEIGHT = 94.1 LBS/1000'

ElM CABLES

FOR SUB

SURF ACE

MOORING APPLICA TIONS

Figure 6: BIW ElM Cable

23

The Kevlar and steel ElM cable specifications are as follows:

TABLE III

OCEAOGRAPHIC ELECTROMECHAICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

FOR SUBSURFACE APPLICATIONS (RTEA, KEVLAR)

Cab 1 e Denomi nat i on/Descri pt ion

Kevlar armored cable, 0.475" 0.0. with (3) #20 AWG Conductors
in the core

Manufacturer
Cable: Boston Insulated Wire Cable Systems Inc., Plymouth, MA

Conductors
Number of conductors and confi gurat ion: (3) conductors twi sted
in central core wi th p 1 ast i c fi 11 er in between

Gauge: AWG #20

Conductor Materi a 1: Ti nned copper

0.0.: 0.064
Insul at ion Materi a 1: PVC

Thickness: 0.013"
Core Material: Pressure extruded polyurethane jacket,

0.090" wall
Electrical specs:

Resistance: 11.2 OHMS/IOOO ft.

Voltage: 600 volts

24

Strength Member
Materi a 1: Kevl ar

Type of construction: Contrahelical s~rves

Bra id: Dacron

UBS = 8,300 lbs. (rated)

Yield strength = 7,400 lbs. (rated)

Cable Construction and Dimensions

Core
Filler: Plastic filler between conductors

Wall material: Pressure extruded polyurethane jacket wrapped

wi th myl ar tapes
Thickness: 0.013"
0.0.: 0.090 II

Armor
0.0. = 0.40511

Jacket
Material: Pressure extruded high density polyurethane jacket

Thickness: 0.035"
0.0.: 0.47511

Overall Outside Diameter = 0.47511

Weight
In air = 94.1 lbs/l000 ft.

In water = 15.3 lbs/l000 feet

Bending Radius = 1811

25

TABLE iv

OCEAOGRAPHIC ELECTROMECHAICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

FOR SUBSURFACE APPLICATIONS (RTEA, STEEL)

Cable Denomi nat i onlDescri pt ion

Torque balanced, double armor steel cable wi th (3) #20

conductors in the core; 0.478" 0.0.

Manufactrer
Cable: Boston Insulated Wire Cable Systems, Inc., Plymouth, MA

Conductors
Number of conductors and configuration: (3) conductors twi sted
in central core wi th p 1 ast i c fi 11 er in between

Gauge: AWG #20

Conductor Materi a 1: Ti nned copper

0.0.: 0.064"

Insulation Material: PVC

Thickness: 0.013"

Core Material: Pressure extruded black polyurethane jacket,

0.050" wall
Electrical specs:

Res i stance: 11.2 OHMS/IOOO feet

Voltage: 600 volts

Strength Member
Construction: Double contrahelical armor
Material: Galvanized improved plow steel (GIPS)
Armor Dimensions: 0.388" 0.0.

1 st Layer: Number of Wi res = 19

Wire Size = 0.044"
0.0. = 0.326"

26

2nd Layer: Number of Wi res = 40

Wire Size = 0.031"

0.0. = 0.38811

Cable Construction and Dimension

Core
Filler: Plastic filler in between conductors
Wall Materi al: Pressure extruded bl ack polyurethane jacket

Thickness: 0.050"
0.0.: 0.23811

Armor
0.0.: 0.38811

Jacket
Material: Pressure extruded Hytrel

Thickness: 0.045"
0.0.: 0.47811

Overall Outside Diameter = 0.47811

Strength
UBS = 10,300 lbs.

Yield strength = 9,400 lbs.

Weight
In air = 257 lbsll000 feet

In water = 177 1 bsll000 feet

Bending Radius = 1811

27 .

Following the Site "0" test of summer 1987 a new, less expensive,

electromechanical cable was developed with the cooperation of Consolidat~d

Cable Products. The new design is an improved version of the original

double armor construction (Figure #7). Each RTEAM cable assembly was

termi nated by D. G. 0' Bri en us i ng the same hardware deployed in the prototype
mooring. The performance of this cable has been excellent and the same
assemb 1 i es have been redeployed twi ce in the Arct i c Sea. The same cable

des i gn was also used for the Tethermoor moori ng off Bermuda and the Abrupt
Topography moori ngoff Northern California.

Cable samples were tested at WHOI for rotation, break and continuity.

The breaki ng load for several samples was above 11,400 1 bs. and e 1 ectri ca 1
continuity was maintained throughout the tensile test until mechanical

fa i 1 ure occurred. Each term; nated as semb 1 y was pressure tested at 3000 ps;.

This cable main features are as follows:

TABLE V

OCEAOGRAPHIC ELECTROMECHAICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

FOR SUBSURFACE APPLICATIONS (IMPROVED RTEA7 STEEL)

Cab 1 e Denomi nat i on/Descri pt ion

Torque balanced, double armor steel cable with (3) #20 AWG
conductors in the core;
0.0. = 0.480"

Manufacturer
Cable: Consolidated Cable Products Corp., Idyllwild, CA

28

Conductors
Number of conductors and confi gurat ion: (3) conductors twi sted
in central core with plastic filler in between

Gauge: AWG #20

Conductor Materi a 1: Ti nned copper

0.0.: 0.064"

Insulation Material: PVC

Thickness: 0.013"

Core Material: Black, polyurethane jacket

Wall thickness: 0.051"
Electrical specs.

Resistance: 10.47 OHMS per 1000 feet

Voltage: 1500 volts

Insulation breakdown: +100 Megaohms at 500 volts DC

Strength Member

Doub 1 e Cont rahe 1 i ca 1 Armor

Material: Galvanized improved plow steel (GIPS)
Armor dimensions: 0.384" 0.0.

1st layer: Number of wires = 16

Wire Size = 0.047"
0.0. = 0.324"

2nd Layer: Number of wi res = 33

Wire Size = 0.030"
0.0. = 0.384"

Strength
UBS = 10,000 lbs.

Yield strength = 9,000 lbs.

Peak load = 2,500 lbs.

29

Cable Construction and Dimensions

Core
Fi 11 er = pl ast i c fi 11 er between twi sted conductors
Wa 11 Materi a 1 = Bl ack polyurethane jacket

Thickness = 0.051"
0.0. = 0.138"

Armor

0.0. 0.384"

Jacket
Black HOPE jacket; Thickness: 0.048"
0.0. = 0.478"

Overall Outside Diameter: 0.478"

Weight
In Air = 247 lbs. per 1,000 feet
In water = 167 1 bs. per 1,000 feet

Minimum Bending Radius: 18"

2.2.3 Subsurface Moorings with Permanent Surface Expression

A typical mooring system of this kind includes a small, low drag
surface buoy with telemetry unit connected to a subsurface mooring by an

electromechanical tether. This particular configuration decouples the waves

act i on from the subsurface sect i on of the moori ng and insures more accurate
oceanographi c measurements and longer components 1 i fe. Thi s approach has

been followed for the MOIST, TETHERMOOR and ABRUPT TOPOGRAPHY projects
(Figures #8, #9, #10).

30

3 X NO. 20 A'WG, TINNED

COPPER. PVC INSULA TED

CONDUCTOR. O.D. = 0.064'

BLACK P /U JACKET
0.051' 'WALL

16 X 0.047' GIPS 'WIRES

33 X 0.030' GIPS 'WIRES

.....
.....
... ... ... ... ...
.. .. .. .. ..
.....

...............................

.. .. .. .. .. ..
.. ... ... .4. ... ...
....................
..............
.. ..
.. .. .. .. .. .
.
.
.
.
. .. ... ... ........
.....
. .. .. ........
. .....
.. ..............
......
. .. ........
....
.. ... .... ...
.....
.....
...........
. . . . . .

BLACK HDPE JACKET

0.048' 'WALL O.D. = 0.478'

ElM CABLE FOR SUBSURF ACE

MOORING APPLICA TIONS

Figure 7: Consolidated Steel Double Armor ElM Cable

31

PROTOTYE S-TElHER BUOY w/ SOLAR PANEL.

1000lb FLT LOAD CELL and (2) ARGOS ANTENNAS

~ ~

B.S.R. BOOT

195m TPR JACKETE

--"' 9q ~ y

TETHER CABLE (CONTINUOUS)

SOlb LEAD SOCKET

~
8~ PLASTIC FISHING FLOATS LASHED ON
in

B.S.R. BOOT

(1) 61' Sl'EL SPHERE

1m 3/a~ CHAIN w/ URE1ANE FlUER OVER PIGTAIL

DRAPER LAB FORCE VECTOR RECORDER

106m -

~ 4

VMCM

9Zam Sl'EL ARMORED ElM CABLE

1043m -

t.
VMCM

48~ S'iTACTIC SPHERE

9Zam Sl'EL ARMORED ElM CABLE

t
..

2912m -

9Zam SlEL ARMORED ElM CABLE

VACM w/ Z GLASS BALL TIGHllY ATTACHED
2m 3/8~ CHAIN
(31) 17" GLASS BALLS

2m 3/8" CHAIN

AMF RELEASE
5m 1/2" CHAIN

37m 3/4 N'iON

5m 1/2" CHAIN
3100 Ib WET WEIGHT ANCHOR

3000m

Figure 8:

TETHERMOOR Mooring Schematics

32

~
-~
""
-=-~:: ---~
..
-~~
--~ _/
---- --~ -- -- ..
- --~
-- --.

- --

-- -- -- --~---

SUBSURFACE FLOATATION

CURRENT 5EN50R5~

RELEASE

..

itfitit.l~t.~tt.tflr~rl;~~ilfr~t.~l~~~~t~tlt~t~~t~t~tif~ftltf~~~t-rRltftt~~tll~~~l~~itti~tft.lUl.~~~f~~~ft~~t,~~tl~~~~~~

Figure 9: MOIST - Conceptual configuration of the proposed satellite-linked,

moored oceanographic instrument system.

33

Surlyn FoaTn Surfae B'LY

w/ Boot & BeLLTnu.h Fixture

(4) tlb Syntactic

100Tn TPR

FoaTn Line Floats

Jacketed
E/M Cable

Boot Bell Mouth

40Tn _

56' Steel Sphre

(B'Lyancy = 1581 lbs)
1Tn 3/8" Chin

245Tn E/M Cable

VACM

147Tn E/M. Cable

VACM

33Tn E/M Cable

VACM w/ 2 Glass Balls

11 PaiTS of ALS Glass Balls

nACS Release

(6Tn) 3/8" Chain

3000lb Wet Weight

Figure 10 Abrupt Topography Mooring Schematics

34

40lb
Lead Socle
at 40Tn

The tether shape fo 11 ows two different approaches:

1. Concave upward float i ng tether connected to a surface buoy

(MOIST project).

2. S shaped tether connected to a surface buoy as in the

TETHERMOOR and ABRUPT TOPOGRAPHY Project.

In general the surface buoy is of small dimensions in order to achieve

a low drag profile to current and wind. A real time telemetry transmitter,
sol ar cell s, antennae and a 1 i ght marker are part of the buoy equ i pment .

The tether cabl e design vari es from moori ng to moori ng but in general
includes an armored section as strength member made of Kevlar or steel with

e 1 ectri ca 1 conductors placed in the core. A p 1 ast i c buoyant jacket is

extruded over the strength member to provi de fi shbi te protection and the

needed buoyancy. The tether US" shaping is accomplished by placing ballast

weights and extra floats in different section of the tether. This weight
distribution along the tether prevents tangling during slack current

conditions. The main cable used for the subsurface mooring in the
TETHERMOOR and ABRUPT TOPOGRAPHY projects is the doubl e armor contrahe li ca 1

des i gn model manufactured by Consoli dated Cable Products (See RTEAM Sect ion

2.2.2, Page 28).

The tether deployed for the TETHERMOOR and ABRUPT TOPOGRAPHY project

was built by simply extruding a thermoplastic rubber (TPR) jacket over the
main ElM cable made by Consolidated and already described in Section 2.2.2,

Page 28. Fi na 1 features of the tether are:

overall 0.0.: 1.4"

specific gravity: 1.18

3~

The TPR jacketed tether was selected after several tests performed at

the Buoy Farm. At the same time the proper distribution of buoyancy and
ballast along the cable was found. The final assembly is terminated at each
end with bending strain relief boots made of polyurethane similar to these
used for the RTEAM project. The add it i on of floats at the lower end of the

tether and weights at the upper end gi ves the characteri st i c S shape.
2.2.4

Surface Moori ngs

Oceanographic surface moorings are deployed allover the world to

coll ect atmospheri c data together wi th current, temperature and other

parameters in the water column. Recently surface moori ngs have undergone

design modifications to permit real time data telemetry transmissions. Such

operat i on can be ach i eved by hardwi ri ng all the surface and subsurface
sensors with ElM cables. Data are then collected by a controller usually
located in the surface module and transmitted to shore via satellite links

(Argos, Goes, etc.). This satellite linkage also allows for constant
monitoring of the surface buoy should it drift away from the known position.
The OS&M Lab at WHOI has deployed the Surface Telemetering Mooring (STEM-

1987) and the Engineering Surface Mooring (ESOM-1989). Both are

representative of a new generation of surface telemetry moorings.

The purpose of the STEM project was to demonstrate the feasibil ity of

collecting and transmitting oceanographic and meteorological data via

satellite from a moored surface platform deployed in harsh environment for a

long period of time (Reference #4). To this end a taut surface mooring
equipped with an array of sensors collecting current, temperature and

engi neeri ng data was deployed in deep water off the North At 1 ant i c coast

(Fi gure #11). The deployment 1 asted six months through the worst expected
environmental conditions at the site (WinterISpring).

A special ElM cable, cable to sensor connections and terminations were

designed and built for this specific application. The well known 3x19

36

~ A/ ARGOS 8 GOES TRANSMITTERS

." / MET SENSOR PACKAGE

/ 3m OrA. DISCUS BUOY a CENTRAL CONTROLLER
. ~I;N5)~~~~~~bL . . .... ......................
- 50m 3x19, 1/2"dia. ElM cable

- VMCM (wI TEMPERATURE) =I 1

- 200m 3xl9, 1/2 dia. ElM cable '

254m -- _ VMCM (wI TEMPERATURE) :#2

- 375m 3x 19, 5/16" dia. wire rope

- 375 m 3x19, 5/16" dia. wire rope

- 400 m 3x19, 5/16" dio. wire rope

- CONTINUITY METER
1457 m --

-- 50m 3x19, 3/8" dia. ElM cable

- ENGINEERING INSTRUMENT # 1

1557m~. - 100 m 5x 16:' dia. wire rope

1-- 500 m 13/16" dia. nylon rope

2000 m -- 500m 13/16" dia. nylon rope

- 120 m 3/4" di;:. nylon rope (adjustable)

:-BACK-UP FLOTATION (34) 17" GLASS BALLS

~ 2m 1/2" chain

- ENGINEERING INSTRUMENT #2
- 2m 1/2" chain

-- ACOUSTIC RELEASE

BOTTOM
DEPTH =

- 5m 1/2" chain
- 20 m I" dia. nylon rope
- 5m 1/2" chain

--

SITE "0" TEST: 3910.S'N, 70000.55'E

SURFACE TELEMETRY MOOR ING (STE M)

NOVEMBER 21, 1987 - MAY 2, 1988

Figure 1 i: STEM Mooring Schematics

37

oceanograph i c wi re rope des i gn was chosen as strength member for the ElM
cable. Its advantages can be summarized as follows:

High rel i abi 1 i ty, as proven by hundreds of deep water moori ng

dep 1 oyments ;
To 1 erance to wave induced stress, necessary for a surface moori ng;

Abil ity of being easily interfaced with electrical conductors

which can be either placed in the center of the strand or in the

valleys between strands.

A high degree of mechanical and fishbite protection is achieved by

placing the conductors in the center of the strands. However, this design
presents some difficulties at the manufacturing level. In fact, great care
must be taken when stranding the cable in order to avoid pinching the

central conductors. To avoid this, a thicker and tougher conductor

insulation is strongly recommended. The manufacturing of ElM cable with
conductors placed in the valleys is less complicated even though some extra

protect i on must be added since the conductors are now located on the outs ide
diameter of the cable. To this purpose a plastic braid or a steel tape can
be inserted between the cable and the outside jacket.

A 3x19 ElM cable was built by Consolidated Products Inc. (CA) by

inserting 3 conductors in the valleys of a 3/8" 3x19 MacWhyte torque

balanced wire rope (Figure 12). The cable specifications are as follows:

38

TABLE VI
3x19 OCEAOGRAPHIC ELECTROMECHAICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

FOR SURFACE APPLICATIONS (STEM)

Cable Denomi nat i onlDescri pt ion

3/811, 3x19 GIPS wire rope construction with (3) #20 conductors

i n vall ey s

Manufacturer
Conductors: Consoli dated Products Inc., CA

Wi re Rope: MacWhyte Wi re Rope Co., Wi s.

Cable: Consolidated Products Inc., CA

Conductors
Number of conductors and confi gurat ion: (3) conductors, each
one nested in vall ey between strands.

Gauge: AWG #20

Conductor Materi a 1: Stranded copper

Insul at ion Materi a 1: PVC

Thickness: 0.015" wall

Insulation Material: Nylon
Thickness: 0.010" Wall

El ectri ca 1 specs.
Resistance: 10.47 OHMS/I000 ft.

Voltage: 600 volts

Insulation breakdown: 100 MegaohmsllOOO ft. at 500 volts DC

Strength Member
Wi re rope construct ion:

Type:.3x19
Material: GIPS

Number of strands: 3

39

Strand construct ion:

Number of Wi res: 9

Size: .026" Dia. (Inner layer)

Number of Wi res: 9

Size: 0.43" (Outer layer)

Strength
UBS = 14,800 lbs.

Yield strength = 10,500 lbs.

Cable Construction and Dimension

Core: 3x19 3/8" wire rope torque balanced
0.0.: 3/8" Nomi na 1

Armor

0.0. :

Jacket
1 st Jacket
Materi a 1 = = Bl ack polyurethane
Thickness = 0.051" (Non Wall)
0.0. = .500"
2nd Jacket
Materi a 1 = Two 1 ayers of steel tape

Thickness = 0.008"
0.0.= .516"

3rd Jacket

Material = High density polyethylene

Thickness = 0.047" wall

0.0. = 0.610"

Overall Outside Diameter: 0.610" (Nom.)

40

Weight
In air = 360 lbsllOOO ft.
In water = 230 1 bsllOOO ft.

Bending Radius: 18"

at i on tests, conductor

Cabl e sampl es underwent strength and rot

resistance measurements and pressure tests after termination. Following

moori ng recovery the cabl e assembl i es were carefully inspected and tested
for shorts, opens and residual strength. No sign of conductor damage or

rope deteri orat i on was found.

A 3x18 ElM cable with conductors placed in the center of the core was

1 so developed. By rep 1 ac i ng the king wi res wi th the three conductors

fishbite protection is achieved without adding extra protective jackets.

The final cable has therefore a smaller diameter and lower drag. The first
3x18 cable prototype (3/8" dia.) did not function properly because one of
the conductors had been damaged during wire stranding (Fig. 12).

Subsequently the size of the wires was increased leading to the final design

with an outer diameter of 7/16" (Fig. 13). 3x18 cable samples with
different kinds of termination were electrically and mechanically tested at
WHOI and then successfully deployed on the Engineering Surface Oceanographic
Moori ng (ESOM) project (Ref. 5). The ESOM project was concei ved to assess

the long term, on site evaluation of new mooring components performed at an

open ocean, deep water location (Fig. 14).

41

(3) STRANDED

COPPER CONDUCTORS
A WG #20
INSULA TlON:

0.015" WALL PVC

0.010" WALL NYLON

(3) STRANDED

COPPER CONDUCTORS
A WG #22
'CONSOLIDATED)

5/16" 3x10

TORQUE BALANCED
WIRE ROPE

(MacWhyte)

INSULATION:
0.015" WALL PVC

3/a" 3x1a E/M

TORQUE BALANCED

INNER JACKET:
POL YURElHANE
0.054" WALL
0.0. = 0.500"

WIRE ROPE

(MacWhyte)

STEEL TAPE
(2 LAYERS)
0.0. = 0.516"

OUTER JACKET:

HYTEL

OUTER JACKET:

BLACK 7000 SERIES

HYTEL

0.0. = 0.460"

0.047" WALL
0.0. = 0.610"

3/a" 3x18 (MacWhyte)

3/a" 3x19 (CONSOLIDATED)

STRENGTH = 14,aOO Ibs

STRENGTH = 14,aOO Ibs

WEIGHT = 24a Ibs/1000'

WEIGHT = 360 Ibs/1000'

Figure 12: 3 x 18 MacWhyte and

3 x 19 Consolidated ElM Cables

42

Cable characteristics are as follows:

TABLE VI I
3xia OCEAOGRAPHIC ELECTROMECHAICAL CABLE SPECIFICATIONS
FOR SURFACE APPLICATIONS (ESOM)

, Cable Denomi nat i onlDescri pt i on

7116", 3x18 GIPS wire rope construction, with (3) #22 AWG
conductors in the center of each strand, covered with extruded
HYTREL to 0.518" 00.

Manufacturer
Conductors: Consoli dated Products Inc., CA

Wi re Rope: ManWhyte Wi re Rope Co., Wi s.

Cable: Consolidated Products Inc., CA

Conductors
Number of conductors and confi gurat ion: (3) conductors, one

each in center of rope strand.

Gauge: AWG #22

Conductor Materi a 1: Stranded copper

Insulation Material: PVC
Thickness: 0.015" Wall
Max.

0.0.: 0.071"

Electrical specs.

Res i stance: 16 OHMS/I000 ft.

Voltage: 600 volts
Insulation breakdown: 100 MegaohmsllOOO ft. at 500 volts DC

Strength Member

Size: 7x16" (nominal)

Type: 3x19 Wire Rope Construction

43

Material: Galvanized improved plow steel

Number of strands: 3

Strand Construction: (9) 0.51" dia. wires over (9) .030" dia.
wi res

Strength
Ul t i mate Breaking Strength: 20,000 1 bs .
Yield strength: l7,5001bs.
Cable Construction and Dimension

Core: 3x19 - 7/16" wi re rope torque bal anced

0.0.: 7/16" (Nominal)

Jacket:
1st Jacket

Material = Black Hytrel

7000 seri es
Thi ckness = 0.040" wall
0.0. = 0.518"

Overall Outs i de Di ameter: O. 518"

Weight
In air = 346 lbsllOOO ft.
In water = 250 1 bsllOOO ft.

Samples of 3x18 and 3x19 cables were deployed on ESOM I and ESOM II

moorings. Both types performed well on the one year ESOM I mooring (Ref.

6). One 3x18 sample placed on ESOM II failed in what appeared to be

corrosion fatigue, after 18 months of exposure, at a cable termination.

Detailed results from the ESOM test mooring are being compiled and soon will

be available (Ref. 7).

44

(3) STRANDED

COPPER CONDUCTORS
A WG #22
(CONSOLIDA lED)

INSULA TlON:

0.015" WALL PVC

7/16" 3x18 t/M

TORQUE BALANCED
WIRE ROPE

(MacW'yte)

OUTER JACKET:
H YTREL

BLACK 7000 SERIES

O.D. = 0.518"

7/16" 3x18 (MacWhyte)

STRENGTH = 20,OOOIbs
WEIGHT IN AIR = 346Ibs/1000'
WEIGHT IN WATER = 250Ibs/1000'

Figure 13: 3x18 - 7/16" ElM Cable

45

'v-y

9' dia. PROTOTYPE HEMISPHERE

3m 3/4" CHAIN
1

100m

10

DUMMY VMCM at - 10m

VMCM at - 20m
DUMMY VMCM at - 30m
with WIRE COVER

11

12

13

SWAGE SOCKET TERMINATIONS

CONTINUITY METER (STEM)

EPOXY TERMINATIONS (IN-HOUSE)

DUAL CONTINUITY METER

400m

14

EPOXY TERMINATIONS (IN-HOUSE)

15 80m 5/16" WIRE ROPE (MacWhyte)

16

17 (2) 40m 5/16" WIRE ROPE (MacWhyte T.B.)

18 (2) 40m 5/16" WIRE ROPE (MacWhyte T.B.)

660m
800m

140m 5/16" (MacWhyte T.B.)

19

60m 5/16" WIRE ROPE (MacWhyte T.B.)

20
21

22

(2) 30m WIRE ROPE (MacWhyte T.B.) .

(2) 30m WIRE ROPE (MacWhyte T.B.)
50

Om 5/16" WIRE ROPE

300m 5/16" WIRE ROPE

100m 5/16" WIRE ROPE

500m 13/16" NYLON

(2) 17" GLASS BALLS

416m 3/4" NYLON

(60) 17" GLASS BALLS

2m 1/2" CHAIN

AMF RELEASE
5m 1/2" CHAIN
20m ," NYLON
5m 1/2" CHAIN

~ 3000m ~ 6000# ANCHOR

))/)Y/)Y/)Y//, /)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/)Y/;
ESOM MOORING

Figure 14: ESOM Mooring Schematics

46

REFERENCES

1. Berteaux, H.O., Prindle, B., "Deep Sea Moorings F~shbite Handbook,"

Woods Hole Oceanographic Insitution Tech. Report, WHOI-87-8.

2. Wa 1 den, R. G., Berteaux, H. 0., "Free Dri ft i ng Relays Buoy Systems,"

presented at Buoy Technology Symposium, 1983, New Orleans.

3. Bocconcelli, A., Editor. 1987. "Real Time Environmental Arctic

Monitoring (RTEAM)," Woods Hole Oceanographic Insitution Tech. Report,

WHOI-87-50.
4. Berteaux, H.O., Frye, D.E., Clay, P.R., Mellinger, E.C., "Surface
Telemetry Engineering Mooring (STEM)," presented at IEEE Oceans '88,

September 1988.
5. Bocconcell i, A., "Engineering Surface Oceanographic Mooring (ESOM)",
presented at I EEE Oceans ' 89, September 1989.

6. Berteaux, H.O., Prindle, B., Putnam, S., "Monitoring Fishbite

Act i vi ties and Protect i ng Synthet i c Fi ber Ropes Used in Deep Sea
Moori ngs," presented at MTS ' 90, September 1990.

7. Berteaux, H.O., Bocconcelli, A., Prindle, B., "ESOM I and ESOM II

Results," Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Tech. Report, WHOI-91(in preparation).

47

DOCUMENT LIBRAY
Januar 17.1990

Distrbution Listfor Technical Report Exchange

Attn: Stella Sanchez-Wade
Documents Section
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
library, Mail Code C-075C

Pell Marine Science library

University of Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Campus

Narragansett, RI 02882

La Jolla, CA 92093

Workig Collecton

Hancock library of Biology &

Texas A&M UIliversity

Oceanography
Alan Hancock Laboratory
University of Southern Caliornia

Dept. of Oceanography
College Station, TX 77843

University Park

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Gloucester Point, VA 23062
Fisheries-Oceanography library

Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371

Gifts & Exchanges

library
Bedford Institute of Oceanography
P.O. Box 1006
Dartouth, NS, B2Y 4A2, CANADA

Offce of the International

Ice Patrol

c/o Coast Guard R & D Center

Avery Point

Groton, CT 06340
IS Miami library Center
4301 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149

NOAA/ED

library
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
P.O. Box 13687

Savannah, GA 31416
Institute of Geophysics
University of Hawaii

library Room 252

2525 Correa Road
Honolulu, HI 96822
Marine Resources Information Center

Building E38-320
MIT
Cambridge, MA 02139

library
Lamont-Dohert Geological

library

151 Oceanography Teaching Bldg.

University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

library
R.S.M.A.S.

University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149
Maury Oceanographic library
Naval Oceanographic Office
Bay St. Louis
NSTL, MS 39522-5001

Marine Sciences Collection

Mayaguez Campus library
University of Puerto Rico

Mayagues, Puerto Rico 00708

library
Institute of Oceanographic Sciences
Deacon Laboratory

Wormley, Godalming
Surrey GU8 SUB

UNITED KINGDOM

The librarian
CSIRO Marine Laboratories

G.P.O. Box 1538

Hobart, Tasmania
AUSTRALIA 7001

Observatory
Colombia University
Palisades, NY 10964

library

library
Serials Departent

Bidston Observatory
Birkenhead

Oregon State University

Corvalls, OR 97331

Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory

Merseyside L43 7 RA

UNITED KINGDOM
Mac

90-32

50272-101

REPORT DOCUMENTATION 11. REPORT NO. 12.

PAGE WHOI-91-02

4. Title and Subtitle

Development and Evaluation of Electromechanical Cables for Deep Sea

Buoy Applications
, 7. Author(s)

3. Recipient's Accesion No.

5. Report Date

Janua 1991
6.

8. Perfrming Organization Repl. No.

A. Bocconcell

WHOI-91-0

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

10. ProjcaskIork Unit No.

Woo Hole Oceaogrphic Institution

Woo Hole, Masahusett 02543

11. Cotract(C) or Grant(G) No.

(C) NOO14-84-C-0134
(G)

12. Sponsring Organization Name and Address

13. Type of Report & Period Covered

Technical Report

Ofce of Naval Resh

14.

15. Supplementary Notes

This report should be cite as: Woo Hole Oceaog. Inst Tech. Rept, WHOI-91-02.
16. Abstract (Umlt: 200 words)

Electrmechanical (ElM cables have ben develope in order to satisfy the growing need for rea time data telemetr from

oceanogrphic moorigs.
Several ElM cable designs have ben implemented with the cooperation of private industr in order to accommodte ElM cable
requiements for different mooring experients.

Surace and subsurace ElM cable applications are diusse with reference to WHOI Prjects (ESOM, S1EM, R1EAM.
Floating tether and their speia designs (concave up, S-tether) are alo ilustrted together with an evaluation of their performance

at sea (R1EAM, MOIST, 1ETHOOR, ABRUP TOPOGRAPHY.

Data frm material tests performed by the OS&M Labratory are report in seven separate tables.

17. Document Analysis a. Descriptors

electrmechaca
cale
mooring
b. IdentiiersOpen-Ended Terms

c. COSATI FielclGroup

18. Availabilty Statement

Approved for public release; distrbution unlimited.

(See ANSI-Z39.18)

19. Seurit Class (This Report)

21. No. of Pages

20. Seurity Class (This Page)

22. Price

47

See Instructions on Revel'

OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)

(Formerly NTIS-3S)

Department of Commerce