SBIR-STTR Award

An all-composite naval tow cable is proposed with enhanced compressive buckling and cut / abrasion resistance. Using a modified pultrusion injection process this approach considers new technology wireline development used in oil industry applications addressing similar current shortcomings.

Benefit:
Improved compression / buckling performance; harder outside surface; weight reduction; avoidance of tension / torsion coupling; avoidance of conductor herniation under high tension re-wind; improved corrosion resistance. Immediate application in oil industry wireline applications including greater depths.

Keywords:
tow cable, tow cable, Composite, Wireline, Pultrusion, spooled., coaxial

This phase II proposal continues the development of long length Navy tow cables incorporating both copper and fiber optic conductors.  Increasing data and power transmission capability also increases weight and cross-section with implications for bending rigidity, handling, and storage dimensions.  Optimizing these along with tensile strength and fluid interaction in seawater is one major project goal.  An additional goal of this high value product development is the achievement of a reliable multi-week process operating 24/7.