VITROVEX® Floatation Spheres
Vitrovex flotation (floatation) Spheres
Reliable for Deep-Sea Deployment
VITROVEX® floatation spheres are precision-engineered glass enclosures designed to provide long-term buoyancy for oceanographic equipment operating at significant depths. Each floatation sphere consists of two mated hemispheres, sealed together under vacuum conditions and secured with a sealant and protective tape.
Once sealed, the spheres are held together by:
- Atmospheric pressure on land
- Hydrostatic pressure from the surrounding water column during deployment.
VITROVEX floatation spheres are sealed permanently during fabrication in a vacuum chamber and are intended to remain sealed for their entire operational lifetime.
Manufacturing Excellence
Each sphere is manufactured using precision-molded borosilicate glass. produced with:
- Triple-stage surfacing finishing: diamond milling, manual smoothing, and polishing
- Strict quality control to minimize imperfections
- Exacting standards for parting plane sealing faces to ensure optimal flatness and durability under pressure
Despite their exceptional strength and durability, Nautilus Marine Service recommends inspecting floatation spheres before and after deployment for any sign of chipping, cracking, or surface damage that could compromise pressure integrity.
Overview of VITROVEX® Floatation Sphere Models
Below is a selection guide featuring key specifications for the most commonly used VITROVEX floatation spheres. If your preferred configuration is not listed, please contact Nautilus Marine Service or Ocean Innovations to discuss additional options or custom solutions.
| Model Series | Depth Rating (m) | Outer Diameter (in) | Wall Size (mm) | Approx. Net Buoyancy (kg/lbs) |
Approx. Weight in Air (kg/lbs) |
Protective Shell Options | Vacuum Port Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NMS-FS-6700-17 | 6700 | 17 | 14 | 26 / 57 | 23 / 51 | None, S, RO | VP, VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-7000-13 | 7000 | 13 | 12 | 11 / 24 | 11 / 24 | None, RO | VP, VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-9000-17 | 6700 | 17 | 14 | 21 / 46 | 27 / 60 | None, S, RO | VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-10000-10 | 10000 | 10 | 9 | 4 / 9 | 5 / 11 | None, RO | VP, VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-12000-7.5 | 12000 | 7.5 | 14 | 0.5 / 1 | 3 / 7 | None | VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-12000-17 | 12000 | 17 | 21 | 18 / 40 | 30 / 66 | None, S, RO | VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-12000-13 | 12000 | 13 | 16 | 8 / 18 | 11 / 24 | None, RO | VPL, VPS, VPR |
| NMS-FS-6000-20 | 6000 | 20 | 16 | 41 / 90 | 28 / 62 | None | VPL, VPS, VPR |
Additional Information
Buoyancy Calculations
The buoyancy values listed are based on VITROVEX glass density and typical seawater densities (1.02-1.03 kg/L)
When used with protective shells (which are slightly buoyant), these values are reliable. Without protective shells, reduce buoyancy estimates by approximately 5N.
Best Practice Tip
Always factor in a safety margin when calculating buoyancy to accommodate:
-
- Environmental factors (currents, temperature variations)
- Seawater density fluctuations
- Equipment weight tolerances
