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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] External frames



Once again,
Thanks Big Dave and Vance. I will look further into the ASME codes and their application into what I'm thinking of. Eventually I will have some concept drawings to show you, but mostly the project is just restricted to research as painfully, when my computer had to be reset up, I lost my CAD program, and the disc to reload it is in New Zealand......
 
I wasn't going to say much at this early stage, but at the risk of some skepticism, I'll tell you a little bit about what I'm thinking of. My last project was a 60ft steel yacht I designed, built and lived on for 10 years, so this idea, although challenging, I'm sure could be achieved !
What I would like to build is a look alike autonomous sub of an Orca about 12M long. Why should Pat have all the fun with 'unusual' sub concepts ! Meant in the best way Pat.
The tail would swing (with sealed attached motors) in two directions to give up/down and sideways thrust.
The hatch would be flush mounted ahead of the sail and also be the diver exit with an internal and external hatch. The reasons for this are, although I would have some kind of shield to protect the opening from waves when surfaced, which would have to fold or slide up and down, just in case a wave did inevitably go down, it could be pumped out of the diver chamber.I have always liked the idea of being able to leave and return from the sub under the water, and in particular, to be able to free the sub from any entanglements, which, I feel in the long term will eventually happen.
The weight can't exceed about 40 tons due to the limitations of  a particular yacht travel lift I want to use.
The sail, would be just like the shape of a normal Orca fin and contain air intakes, aerials, video camera, lights and be made of fiber glass.
The dome bow acrylic dome would be shaped to be of no disturbance to the laminar flow, so would have an internal facing flange, as I mentioned in an earlier post. The pilot would be situated directly behind it.
Ballast tanks, four of which would be centrally located and incorporated into the 'between hulls' location, as also would be the bottles. I never liked the idea of being sealed in with a large volume of compressed gas.
 
Look guys, I would really like to hear your thoughts and any ideas you can contribute to this. I agree with the what seems to be a consensus, philosophy of not doing anything too radical and within proven safety margins. No flywheels Gary and Alex :-)
Carsten has already been very constructively helpful with ideas and drawings, as busy as he is ! Many thanks Carsten.
 
Many times in NZ I've spent many rewarding hours with dolphins and whales in the water myself. Sometimes, hanging off a rope while being towed, eyeball to eyeball with a 50ft Brydes whale, hard to beat. I've whistled a tune to a dolphin while hanging off the bow of my yacht, and the dolphin whistled it back ! I want some more of these experiences and also to study our ocean friends.
 
Many thanks and Regards,
Karl.
 
----- Original Message -----
From: D. Blake
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2000 2:50 AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] External frames

Hello Karl:
Stiffening rings can be placed on the inside or on the outside of the vessel.  The only difference according to ASME Code (UG 30) is in the attachment of the rings to the shell in terms of an intermittent weld. For outside rings, the weld should not be no less than 1/2 the outside circumference on 6" centers.  For inside rings, the weld should be not less than 1/3 the circumference on 6" centers.
The fillet weld size shall be the smallest of the following: 1/4", the thickness of the vessel wall, or the thickness of the stiffener at the joint  In terms of material for rings, the preference is toward using rings flame-cut from plate as opposed to rolled material because of possible gaps between the ring and shell from out-of-round rolled rings.  Of course here they are probably referring to vessels with a big O.D. as they refer to 1-2" possible gaps.  No such problem with our pityful small vessels(Carsten excluded).
TTYL,
Big Dave 
-----Original Message-----
From: Karl Fuller <fullerk@voyager.co.nz>
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Date: Friday, August 04, 2000 11:20 PM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] External frames

Hi Guys,
In contemplating the practicality of a design concept I am thinking of, I need to know or be pointed in the right direction, concerning the pro's & con's of external frames versus internal.
No doubt, there are some structural advantages for internal frames, hull welds are under compression versus tension, and the external frames may need to be heavier for external application. Maybe even a combination could work. External frames and internal bulkheads, for example.
My intention is to create maximum internal space for minimum volume and a double skin to create ballast pockets, bottle storage and above all else, a streamlined hull, from a simple cylindrical pressure hull. The outer skin, would be glass fiber.
 
I'd also like to congratulate Carsten and Dale on their progress. It is very encouraging to read about and view the progress.
Thanks also for all the great scrubber info Paul and the rest.
 
Regards, Karl.