Custom Cable Reels with Alpha Slip Rings for Marine and Military Applications

At UEA, we are proud to own Alpha Slip Rings, a brand known for delivering top-notch integrated slip ring and cable reel systems. Recently, Alpha Slip Rings customized two such systems to meet the specific needs of distinct applications.

cable reel with alpha slip ring

The first project was for a marine client requiring a cable reel for an in-situ vertical profiling plankton camera used in scientific fisheries research. The system included a slip ring with 2 electrical passes and 1 single mode fiber, coupled with a 300-foot cable of 0.25-inch diameter. This cable housed a single mode fiber and 2 electrical conductors. The powder-coated steel reel featured a motor and speed controller, tailored perfectly to the client’s needs.

The second cable reel system was for a military application involving a tethered drone launched from a truck to monitor convoy threats. This cable reel, similar to the marine research system, had significant differences: it required 10 amps and 380 volts instead of 5 amps and included a single mode fiber. The client provided the 300-foot cable, and requested the controller be mounted on 30 feet of wire for remote placement, likely inside the truck.

At UEA, when a company presents a challenge, we deliver a solution that meets their specific needs. For these unique applications, we designed custom cable reel systems with Alpha Slip Rings that met our clients’ exact specifications.