Swivel joint for undersea cables - for research monitors having oil filled construction with sealed mercury swivel contacts

摘要

The swivel joint has an oil filled construction with sealing gaskets at one end and a membrane at the other end. The oil is degassed before filling and the membrane compensates for pressure/volume changes. The seals are designed to cover a large pressure range so that the swivel can operate at large depths. Electric contacts are provided by mercury filled slip ring contacts which are separated from the oil by gaskets and membrane, with oil pressure compensating ducts to even out the pressure distribution on the contacts. The swivel operates without any torsion forces and is readily dismanted for repair.