Q2 2016 Cell Failures

Summary

During Q2 2016, a batch of six combined conductivity-temperature (“CT”) OSP cells was manufactured at RBR. These had a design flaw which, coupled with the effects of hydrocarbons used in the manufacturing and assembly process, resulted in water ingress through the seal at the base of the CT cell stem. The oversight was corrected in subsequent batches, prior to understanding that a failure would occur. During Q2-Q4 2017, a number of these cells were deployed on Teledyne Webb APEX floats and leaked, resulting in the loss of the float. Investigations in Q4 isolated the root cause, and verified that other batches of cells were not susceptible to the same problem. There are no cells currently deployed which are vulnerable to this issue, and no further action is required at this time.