ICTINEU AND TRITON PRODUCE FIRST LITHIUM POLYMER BATTERY MODULE DESIGNED FOR USE AT FULL OCEAN DEPTH
Barcelona, Spain, February 2nd, 2018 – ICTINEU Submarins, the Barcelona based builders of deep sea manned submersibles-who continue the pioneering spirit of the historic Ictineo submarine of 1859- have announced, in conjunction with Triton Submarines, the successful development of the first battery module certified for operation at full ocean depth. Triton Submarines is world’s leading designer and producer of personal submersible craft for yacht and cruise ship deployment with a full research, testing, aftersales and maintenance centre for the EMEA region based in Barcelona.
The new unit, a pressure-compensated Lithium-polymer battery module producing 148V DC, 10,36kWh was developed within a partnership to further progress ICTINEU’s existing 6,700m-rated power unit to one capable of diving to any depth, from shallow to full ocean depth.
The announcement highlights the remarkable expertise and 400-years of combined intellectual capital the companies possess in designing, engineering, manufacturing, operating and piloting a wide range of manned submersibles. While the battery’s fabrication method and full specifications are currently closely guarded to protect the proprietary rights, ICTINEU and Triton report the unit is currently undergoing DNV-GL Type-Approval, in addition to the ICTINEU Submarins extensive validation program. Named ITHACA (Ictineu-Triton Hadal Ambient-Compensated Accumulator), the module is a maintenance-free, 4,000 cycle capable plug-and-play battery, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety in design, manufacturing and performance. Full production of ITHACA is on schedule for the coming months with the first units being available to the market in the summer of 2018.
Pressure testing on the battery unit has been undertaken at the ICTINEU facility in Barcelona, utilizing the largest high-pressure hyperbaric chamber in Western Europe, acquired and installed by Triton in 2017. The chamber, measuring 1,000mm deep by 550mm in diameter has the ability to produce a remarkable 1,400 bar-the equivalent pressure asserted by water 14km deep. As such it is one of few in the world with the ability to repetitively and accurately replicate and exceed the conditions of the ocean’s deepest extremes. The module’s importance for both the commercial and private sectors is wide ranging, from AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) application in the oil, gas, salvage and communications industries, to MUV (Manned Underwater Vehicles) on scientific research, exploration and private missions.
Releasing information on the battery cell for the first time at the Underwater Intervention currently being held in New Orleans, ICTINEU’s COO and co-founder, Mss. Carme Parareda, commented:
“This is a great milestone achievement in our company. This new generation battery will position us as clear leaders in pressure tolerant battery solutions for the underwater industry, being that ITHACA is the first commercial Li-Po battery capable of supplying power at any depth in the ocean. This will allow us to keep improving our service and product performance for our clients, who continually demand improved features and capabilities to better satisfy their needs. The partnership with Triton in this endeavour has been totally positive and our companies envision a great future challenging new hi-tech developments.”
Patrick Lahey, Co-Founder and President of Triton Submarines, headquartered in Vero Beach, Fl. USA, commented:
“To be involved in the development of a product capable of operating reliably in the most extreme conditions conceivable to man is obviously a source of great pride for both Triton Submarines and ICTINEU. The successful delivery of ITHACA is vindication of the mutual faith and respect the two companies share in the partner’s expertise, and of course the significant investment we’ve made in expanding our research, test, service facilities and infrastructure in Barcelona, serving our clients in Europe and beyond. From this first collaboration I am confident further great things will be produced by these two remarkable companies.”
Further enquiries for information and sales of ITHACA are invited through Triton Submarines, ICTINEU Submarins or ICTINEU’s dealer in the USA, Hydrospace Group Inc.
About ICTINEU
Ictineu Submarins was founded in 2007 in Barcelona to develop and build the deepest private submersible in operation, the ICTINEU3. This new generation of manned submersible, with a powerful state-of-the-art battery package, can navigate up to 20-nautical miles underwater. The ICTINEU 3 is an excellent tool for underwater exploration, scientific research and underwater intervention. ICTINEU Submarins has developed and applied cutting-edge innovations to the industry of manned submersibles, such as exacting hydrodynamics, an extensive use of smart composites and high-density high-power fully submersible lithium batteries. These and other innovations position ICTINEU as a leading manufacturer of highly efficient, robust, and almost unlimited power range vehicles, as well as underwater power solutions.
About Triton
Triton Submarines of Vero Beach, Florida is the most experienced civil submarine producer in the world today, and the only contemporary manufacturer of acrylic pressure hull equipped personal submersibles to deliver multiple classed and certified vessels capable of diving to 3,300 feet or 1,000 meters. Triton Submarines senior staff have over 350 years of combined experience with more than 80 different submersibles, and their operations team have together logged over 25,000 dives. Triton clients also enjoy superlative after-sales service and technical support from a company dedicated to their total satisfaction.
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