Figure 19. Connector arranged for remote 

 mating and high-power trans- 

 mission test at high pressure. 



the test. It is expected that this problem would be 

 even worse if heavy cables had been attached to the 

 connector halves, so that although this first-ever 

 attempt was successful there is a definite need for 

 further testing of the complete handling and rendez- 

 vous problem for complete cable/connector systems. 

 It is interesting to note here that the NR-1 proved an 

 excellent work platform for this operation because of 

 its considerable size, good maneuverability and long 

 bottom-time capability. 



SUMMARY 



The NCEL connector program began with the 

 SWRI Phase I study to develop a concept for deep- 

 ocean high-power electromechanical connectors in 



support of the Navy's needs for underwater construc- 

 tion. After a year of extensive sea and laboratory 

 tests the experimental models were only marginally 

 satisfactory and the basic concepts were reviewed. 

 The use of pins and wiping seals was still considered a 

 sound approach but major changes were required in 

 other parts of the hardware design philosophy, 

 including the use of fluid-filled pressure-compensated 

 components, refinements in pin design and improved 

 material selection. 



The experimental dry connector was modified 

 to a prototype configuration and used to test the new 

 termination techniques and the pressure compen- 

 sating system. The wet connectors were also modified 

 to a prototype design to demonstrate the refined pin 

 wiping system and to develop techniques for mating 

 the connectors at sea by divers and by remote 

 actuators or manipulators. General specifications for 

 these prototype connectors, from which detailed 

 designs for specific applications may be derived, are 

 to be included in Reference 7. 



The following specific capabilities were 

 demonstrated with the prototype connectors. Note 

 that the test values are not failure points, but rather 

 the limits to which tests were conducted; the 

 prototype equipment has not been tested to failure in 

 any mode. 



• Cable termination strength test to 21,000 

 pounds (design breaking strength is 50,000 pounds, 

 design working load is 14,000 pounds) 



• Sustained power at full voltage for 5 months 

 (shallow water) 



• Sustained immersion at 6,000 feet in 

 pressure vessel with full power applied for 2 hours on 

 each of three occasions over 5 days 



• Thirty-three underwater matings with no 

 degradation (21 at 6,000 feet in pressure vessel, 12 at 

 4,000 feet in open ocean) 



• Operational mating of wet connector by 

 divers at 50 feet in open ocean and transmission of 

 power through the connected system (SEACON I) 



• Sustained immersion in open ocean for one 

 year with intermittent power. 



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