Automated Vacuum Connector

Purpose and goal

The objective for Cavotec is to develop a technical solution for automatic charging of electrical ferries.The overall objective with the project is to develop a technical solution that can be integrated into Cavotec’s existing Moormaster system to achieve combined mooring and charging operations. Cavotec has showed through this basic design, development, test and verification project that it is possible to transfer high current through a vacuum connector in a safe and reliable way.

Expected results and effects

Through the achievement of this result Cavotec is now in a position to approach next step to integrate the vacuum connector technology into the Cavotecs MoorMaster system. During the execution of this project the market for electrical charging of electric ferries in the Scandinavian countries has developed very rapidly, so the effects of this project has strengthens Cavotec market positions.

Planned approach and implementation

The project started in a good way with an early delivery of the first work package related to the concept for the technology of the vacuum connector. During the design phase the some different technical solution were developed in order to optimize the overall performance and mitigate some of the technical risks that were identified in the project description. In the test and verification phase a test plan with criteria was developed, but due to the absence of technical standard in this area and lack of capacity of high current testing, the project was delayed approximately 5 months.