10,000 



Figure 20. Availability of dry electrical connectors. 



Two basic types of buoys were investigated for the cable support 

 system: hollow buoyancy spheres and homogeneous buoyancy materials. 

 Various materials with acceptable weight-to-buoyancy ratios, such as glass- 

 reinforced plastics, glass, and titanium, are considered to be in the development 

 stage and were eliminated. Of the readily available materials, aluminum alloy 

 7079-T6 was selected because 'of its high yield strength, lightness, and suit- 

 ability for the marine environment. The sphere buoys must be fabricated with 

 a mechanical joint at the equator because the material has poor welding 

 characteristics. Hemispheres with a diameter of up to 84 inches are presently 

 available. This size was used as maximum to avoid unnecessary development 

 costs. At ail depths multiple spheres must be used to support the selected 

 cable sizes. 



61 



