Submersible load pins

Our standard load pin model (5300) and custom-made models (5000 and 5600) are suitable for Ingress Protection IP65 to 67, with specifics for marine and offshore environments for the IP67 version.

As soon as these Clevis pins are submerged for a longer duration or permanently, any corresponding challenges are addressed with our model 5050. This design is based on internal bonding to reach IP68 protection.

However, without more information, Ingress Protection IP68 does not allow for a load pin to be designed according to required specifications. Indeed, a one-hour submersion at one meter cannot compare with submerging the sensor at -5000 metres for 20 years. Therefore, it is essential to define the submersion specifications when requesting a quote. The information required includes:

• Capacity
• Submersion depth
• Submersion duration
• (required dimensions)

Although the submersion depth allows for plenty of solutions in terms of cable entry (cable gland, connector “wet-mate” or not, etc.), a longer period of submersion reduces the possibilities – voiding cable gland entry – of the connector types that can be used. Short (a few weeks/a month) to medium duration (one to five years) enables the use of connector types known as “Wetcon”; any duration longer than one to five years implies selecting connectors with bodies made from marine bronze, stainless steel or titanium.

External pressure induced by submersion generates a noticeable offset of the load pin signal, which implies a lower limit in terms of the sensor’s minimal nominal capacity. It is difficult to design a load pin with a capacity lower than 1t for a -5000m submersion. This also implies limitations in terms of the pin’s minimum diameter (±28mm) at the operating part of the load pin, and even more so at the connection housing (69mm), to ensure sufficient tightness of the pin cover.

As for the other load pins in the SENSY production range, model 5050 can be equipped with a broad range of options for output signal (analogue, digital), hazardous zone certification, temperature range, connectors, etc.

Submersion in a liquid (water, oil) is not the only possibility of using model 5050; it can also be integrated in systems with a high-pressure environment (pressure vessels, oil or gas wells, for example). This type of application leads to pressure of up to 700 bars, for which no connector solution is available. The design is based on cable entry through a metal pipe directly entering the load pin, with an intermediate level to separate the load pin instrumentation from the tube connection chamber.