New Flexible Buoyant Hybrid Cables

New Flexible Buoyant Hybrid Cables for Inspection Class ROVs

With the rise of smaller inspection class ROVs, the need for neutrally buoyant hybrid tethers has become clear, says Linden Photonics Inc.

Linden Photonics has introduced a new buoyant hybrid cable with extreme flexibility.  By carefully controlling the specific gravity of the cable, a density can be achieved to allow the cable to float just behind the ROV.  The precise control of buoyancy is critical so that the ROV is neither pulled up nor dragged down.

Smaller ROVs are highly maneuverable and their versatility is hampered by a tether with large diameter or low flexibility. Linden says it has carefully chosen low density materials that have high elasticity and as such, this allows us to provide a cable that is thin, buoyant and still highly flexible.

Linden can also customize size, buoyancy and strength to offer cables that float or sink at a specific rate.  Linden’s patented cable jacket construction is designed to protect the fibers in the harsh subsea environment, and its cables are compact, rugged, flexible and strong, the manufacturer said.