Glass flotation and instrument housings for deep ocean exploration and research

Glass housings have been used since antiquity. Glass was the fabled hull material of choice for Alexander the Great's descent into the Mediterranean Sea in 332BC. Fishermen around the world have used glass fishing floats to support their nets since at least 1840, beginning in Scandinavia. Today, glass spheres find application in all the main classes of undersea vehicles: AUVs, Landers, ROVs, and manned submersibles. Glass housings, both borosilicate (Pyrex) and BK-7, possess advantages over other materials includinglower cost, corrosion resistance, optical clarity, an immense strength-weight ratio, the ability to drill and spotface for o-ring seal penetrations, and aninvisibility to radio frequencies and magnetic fields. A glass sphere has the dual advantage of being both buoyancy and a pressure resistant housing, making small and lightweight autonomous instrumentation packages possible. These in turn may be deployed from ships-of-opportunity operating from ports closer to the site of interest, lowering the cost of fieldwork. Glass is brittle and subject to damage from impact, so proper protection of exposed sealing surfaces and training of personnel on handling is required. Quality in all phases of production is crucial:superior raw materials, advanced manufacturing technology, expertise in processing, and precise quality control. VITROVEX® precision engineered glass spheres and cylinders made by Nautilus Marine Service (NMS) GmbH meet the extraordinary demands of oceanographers. They are available in different diameters and pressure ratings up to full ocean trench depth, to match different mission requirements. A large number of accessories, including swiveling sphere attachments, self-sealing vacuum ports, pressure switches, a portable deck purge box, an internal surface recovery beacon board, and more, simplify the use of VITROVEX®precision-engineered glass spheres in custom undersea vehicle development. The world of advanced applications will increase as designers adapt and build on the flexibility and cost effectiveness of precision-engineered glass housings.