Our long-standing customer, Caley Ocean Systems, has designed and manufactured offshore handling systems for over 50 years. In the past we have manufactured power units to support their operations and have a strong partnership with them, providing full technical support on all hydraulics.

One of the most recent projects required a hydraulic system to power an A-frame to launch and recover large submarines for rescue operations across the globe. Our challenge was to ensure that the unit could be globally transportable for MoD requirements and deployable within 24 hours, whilst ensuring the power generated by the system would be sufficient to perform the launch and recovery of large submarines.

Following our initial calculations, our engineers developed a conceptual power unit design that would fit within the confines of a 20-foot container and weigh below the specified limits for transportation. The concept would allow the unit to be easily placed into a container and shipped anywhere in the world and would be capable of generating extreme power with the ability to store up to 3,000 litres of oil.

Our design engineers set to work and produced a 3D model, allowing the technical team at Caley to check whether the product specifications complied with their design and sufficient power could be generated. Our experienced fabrications team built and assembled a robust structure within precise parameters, allowing sufficient space for the integration of hydraulic components and sophisticated electronic controls.

As safety was paramount, the HPU was manufactured using premium components including Eaton valves, two 160kW IE3 electric motors, each driving a Hydrokraft 250cc pump with electronic flow and pressure control. The final design of the power unit was 5.9m x 2.3m x 2.3m, with the capability of generating 320kW power.

• As a result of the technical support provided, and our ability to supply a complete tested hydraulic system, the customer has been able to significantly reduce labour costs
• Value added through consultation and advice on hydraulic circuit design, saving costs and improving operating efficiencies
• Caley Ocean Systems were able to focus on the design of their products with confidence that they have a supplier who will ensure the hydraulics work effectively
• This solution has given Caley Ocean Systems the ability to power submersible lighting of weights up to 46,000kgs and depths over 800m, whilst being relocatable within 24 hours