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Roxtec will showcase its latest cutting-edge naval sector technology at this year’s Combined Naval Event (CNE). The Roxtec UK team will be on hand at the premier gathering of the naval community to demonstrate how its industry-leading safety seals deliver critical protection to vessels. CNE will run from May 21-23 in Farnborough and Roxtec can be found at stand C10.
Roxtec is the global leader in the manufacture of innovative cable and pipe transit systems, supplying many of the world’s biggest firms. One of Roxtec’s biggest sectors is marine, and the company supplies cable and pipe transits for multiple demands to many of the leading navies around the globe. Its seals are used to protect from electromagnetic pulses (EMP) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) – key concerns aboard naval ships. EMI is a prime issue because of the highly sensitive and advanced nature of the technology onboard naval craft, which means a higher risk of problems.
Electromagnetic shielding
The Roxtec ES sealing solution ensures vessels can be protected against both EMP and EMI. The system is approved by the major classification societies. There are versions available for both conventional shielded cables and fibre optic cables. Roxtec ES seals provide electromagnetic shielding as well as certified protection against fire, gas and water. Areas of naval vessels where Roxtec cable transits are installed include the command control room, where they ensure electromagnetic shielding and the protection of equipment. Roxtec seals are also used in the communication area, covering crypto and sonar. Its cable and pipe transits ensure electromagnetic shielding, both inside and around the rooms.
Protecting equipment and information
The Roxtec ES solutions work by protecting equipment and creating an internal barrier for sensitive information. Mikael Grudd, Manager of the department of Electromagnetics at Roxtec, explains: “Our shielding solution is concerned with two prime areas. Firstly, you want to reduce the self-generated electromagnetic noise. There could be several reasons but minimising the ship’s signature is essential. Also, for signal intelligence ships it is very important as they are listening to signals far away and you need to be able to differentiate them from the background noise. It means your own disturbances must be kept to a minimum, which is what Roxtec seals do.
“Secondly, you want to ensure your sensitive electronics are not disturbed or in worst case permanently destroyed. This would be catastrophic for the ship’s ability to operate and defend itself. In the instance of an electromagnetic weapon or nuclear explosion, you do not want your control systems to go down with a very strong EMI pulse. We encapsulate the electronics in a shielded area with a metallic or highly electrically conductive barrier surrounding it on all sides.”
Electromagnetic compatibility
The shielding works by reducing electromagnetic signals and blocking the field with barriers made of electrically conductive materials. The electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) capability of Roxtec’s transit seals was a crucial consideration in the construction of four vessels belonging for the Swedish Coast Guard. The transits for single and multiple cables and pipes were used to ensure electromagnetic compatibility on the vessels, which are carrying sophisticated electronic equipment.
The German shipyard, P+S, selected Roxtec SRC transits with rounded corners for the vessels. The transits were equipped with Roxtec ES modules. The rounded corners reduce stress concentration around exposed bulkheads and minimise the risk of damage to the structure. This enables the Roxtec ES system to protect the radar and antennas on upper deck against electromagnetic interference.
