At United Equipment Accessories, we offer a diverse range of solutions to cater to various customer applications. Specifically, we specialize in providing custom designs for compact stainless-steel requirements in FORJ housings, marine winch applications, radar-mounted units, deep-sea exploration, sea maintenance equipment, drilling facilities, and equipment manufacturing. Many of these applications demand a slip ring capable of withstanding challenging environmental conditions, for which we utilize stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic to safeguard the internal components.
One of our notable designs is an independently pressure-compensated slip ring for an underwater winch. In subsea applications, pressure compensation is essential to maintain consistent pressure between the subsea environment and the internal system. Our slip rings are typically integrated into a standalone pressure compensator, but in certain system configurations, independent pressure compensation for the slip ring is necessary.
For this specific application, we employ a Pressure-Balanced Oil Filled (PBOF) cable on one side of the slip ring to act as the compensating reservoir, with a bulkhead connector on the other side. The slip ring and PBOF cable are fully filled with oil, eliminating all air from the system. A one-way valve and a purge valve ensure that the unit is filled with oil and slightly over-pressurized (approximately 5-10 PSI). The required volume of oil for the reservoir depends on the depth and temperature range of operation. The 3 ft long PBOF cable contains over 90% of the volume of the slip ring, providing ample compensating volume for almost any water depth.
This slip ring boasts an IP68 sealing level, effectively guarding against seawater ingress while securely containing the oil within the system. The slip ring enclosure, constructed from 316 stainless steel, adheres to industry standards for subsea applications.
UEA offers the flexibility to customize circuits within the slip ring to match specific customer requirements. In this instance, the slip ring featured three circuits for power at 400 VDC and 2.5 amps, along with four circuits for signals.
Should you require a tailored slip ring solution for your subsea application, UEA is ready to assist. From size to circuits to sealing, each aspect of the slip ring can be designed according to your specifications. Contact us today to initiate the creation of your custom solution.
-JORDAN RIECKENBERG
Design Engineer