Overview
- The research vessel Haiyang Dizhi 2 ran a cutting test at 3,500 meters during a monthlong mission led by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, and state reports said the device worked.
- The electro-hydrostatic actuator is a compact unit that merges a motor, hydraulics, and a control module into one sealed housing to eliminate external oil lines.
- Pressure compensation and corrosion hardening let the tool deliver high force with precise control in deep water, which could speed pipeline repair work.
- Chinese outlets highlighted civilian tasks such as building and fixing deep-sea oil and gas pipelines, while prior reports noted the same design can cut subsea cables.
- China Science Daily called the trial the “last mile” to real-world use, and Zhejiang University’s team says the upgrade pushes domestic cutting depth from about 2,000 to 3,500 meters.