Inductive Cable Coupler (Version 4)
ICC

DESCRIPTION

The ICC is a link in Sea-Bird’s inductive modem (IM) telemetry systems. The ICC is used in applications where the plastic-jacketed wire termination is grounded to seawater (at a chain, for example). The ICC clamps to the jacketed mooring wire, and makes electrical connection with the Surface Inductive Modem (SIM) via a cable housed in reinforced-rubber conduit. The conduit’s upper end is fixed to the buoy hull with the provided clamps. The conduit/cable must be long enough to prevent buoy motion from pulling it completely straight and putting tension on the ICC.

An IM telemetry system typically includes:

• Surface Inductive Modem (SIM), housed in a buoy or on land. The SIM provides the link between the underwater IM instruments and the computer / buoy controller.

• Inductive Cable Coupler (ICC), which links the underwater IM and the SIM for typical buoy applications.

• Underwater IM instruments, up to 100 inductively coupled instruments on a jacketed mooring wire. Compatible instruments include:

• SBE 37-IMP MicroCAT C-T (optional pressure) Recorder with integral Pump.

• SBE 37-IM MicroCAT C-T (optional pressure) Recorder.

• SBE 39-IM Temperature (optional pressure) Recorder.

• SBE 16plus-IM SEACAT C-T (optional pressure) Recorder, which can acquire additional data from optional auxiliary sensors (oxygen, fluorescence, etc.).

• SBE 44 Underwater IM, which links to a current meter, Doppler profiler, etc. with a standard serial interface.

• Instruments by other manufacturers with built-in Sea-Bird underwater inductive modems.

Inductive Modem System
Note: ICC includes pigtail cable, conduit, and buoy hull clamp; molded-on cable connector and bulkhead connector optional.

PRINCIPLES OF INDUCTIVE COUPLING

A transformer has two or more coils that share a magnetic field. Materials such as ferrite can be used to form a transformer core that ensures the necessary sharing of magnetic fields.

When using the ICC with Sea-Bird’s IM telemetry system, the ends of the mooring cable are grounded to the seawater. This causes a current to flow through the mooring wire and seawater. The ICC senses this current, providing a voltage for presentation to the SIM.