SOSI Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Press Release

2/9/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

S

OSI Celebrates its 30th Anniversary with Record Sales Year and Deliveries of Generator Power Buoys, Large Umbilical Winches, Launch and Recovery Systems, Third Generation US Navy USV Winch, and New Variable Ballast Control System.

Redmond, Washington - Sound Ocean Systems, Inc. (SOSI) announced today that the end of the third quarter saw annual sales exceeding its previous record set in 2007. Included in these sales is the recent delivery of the last of twenty eight Submersible Diesel Generator Buoys on order from ION Marine Imaging Systems of Houston Texas. The buoys will serve as power sources for ION’s VectorSeis Ocean (VSO) seismic survey system. This brings the total number of Submersible Diesel Generator Buoys delivered to ION to fifty nine. The Generator Power Buoys provide up to 90 hours of run-time at 24 volts and 80-100 amps. SOSI’s first involvement in these buoys began as a single prototype in 2005.

SOSI’s unique design features diesel generators housed in water tight self-contained buoys. The submersible generator units are supplied complete with hull, fenders, ballast, batteries, fuel tank, diesel engine, alternator, cooling system, ventilation system, controller, and software. As the power module is completely underwater during operation, each unit is supplied with snorkels for combustion air, ventilation, and exhaust.

SOSI also delivered the first of two large integrated umbilical winches and ramp style launch and recovery systems. The winches are rated at 40,000 lb line pull and hold 3100 meters of 36.8 mm diameter umbilical. As pictured here, the full winch and LARS system was tested to 60,000 lb. The second system is about to be delivered.

The systems were delivered with separate 200 HP electro-hydraulic power units and wireless remote controls used to operate both the winches and the LARS. The winches feature hydrostatic drives, electro-active overhead right angle levelwinds, spring applied pressure release fail-safe brakes, grooved Lebus covers, stainless steel drip pans, and stainless steel piping & fittings. The winches have variable line speed up to a maximum of 100 feet per minute at full drum. SOSI’s umbilical cable winches can also be supplied with goal post style levelwind assemblies.

SOSI has also recently delivered to ITT in Panama City, FL a third generation winch for autonomous operations in the U.S. Navy’s Mine Warfare Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) Program. Similar to the previous deliveries the mine countermeasures winch is an all aluminum design of very small foot print capable of fitting completely enclosed in the USV. The drum and levelwind are capable of handling the 460’ tow cable of variable diameters up to 2.25”. Two 750 amp slip rings are used, one on each side of the drum. The winch is built and tested to various EMI, shock & vibration, and human safety standards. The closed loop control system is ideal for autonomous operation allowing the winch functions to be pre-programmed or remotely controlled.

To complete this busy period SOSI delivered its first Variable Ballast Control System (VBCS) to the Japan Agency for Marine and Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The system was purchased under contract by Nichiyu Giken Kogyo Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan and will be used by JAMSTEC on their Hyper Dolphin ROV systems (built by ISE of Port Coquitlum, BC, Canada). The VBCS is rated to operate in 5000 meters of seawater and has a variable ballast capacity of 150 liters (~330 lb). The system consists of two large Ti-6Al-4V titanium ballast tanks which have internal level and pressure sensors. The housings are connected to the high pressure water pump by stainless steel tubing. Also included are electrically operated water inlet, water exhaust, and pressure vessel fill/drain solenoid valves along with various check valves located to ensure proper system operation. Quarter turn stainless steel ball valves are used to fill and drain the housings, isolate components and allow different operational configurations. The high pressure water pump is hydraulically operated and controlled by the servo valve pack which in turn is supplied hydraulic power from the host Hyper-Dolphin ROV. The system’s elegant low maintenance design and proven technology insure reliable operation.

Sound Ocean Systems, Inc. (SOSI) is located in Redmond, Washington, USA and for more than 30 years has provided commercial, academic and governmental customers around the world with a variety of quality marine products and services including oceanographic data buoys, ocean data platforms, moorings & instrumented moored systems, diesel generator power modules for buoys, high and low-speed tow bodies, self-propelled and towed seafloor vehicles, marine instrumentation and ROV umbilical winches, launch & recovery systems, and other specialized deck equipment.

For more information or a quotation on your project requirements, please contact SOSI.