Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] VBT positioning

["Sean T. Stevenson" <ststev@uniserve.com>]

Pat, could you elaborate a bit on the way your ballast system is plumbed?

-Sean


On Sun, 15 Jul 2001 20:35:43 -0000, Captain Nemo wrote:

>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Carsten Standfuá" <MerlinSub@t-online.de>
>To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
>Sent: Monday, July 16, 2001 5:57 AM
>Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] VBT positioning
>
>
>> There are much more combinations. For the reason that with
>> just one hard regulator you can not change the trim angle
>
>
>That's true, Harry; and here's another combination.
>
>My NAUTILUS MINISUB has four external ballast tanks: they comprise most of
>the exterior pressure hull you see in the picture, and are situated around
>and on either side of the pressure hull: port and starboard, two forward and
>two aft of the Hydrostatic C/G.
>
>The reason for this came from my R&D with ballast systems:  I discovered
>designs where, if the boat got pitched too far up or down, the system would
>cease to work.  I wanted to avoid that, so I built my system so it would
>work at any angle; even vertical (on end) or inverted (upside down).  The
>neat thing about it is that I ended up with a boat that is "hydrobatic", and
>can be operated intentionally at extremely unusual attitudes, and recover
>reliably every time.
>
>I've heard some decry the fact that there's a lot of valves involved in my
>system, but it's really not a problem because I usually only have to operate
>one,  or occasionally two,  at any given time to get the boat to do what I
>want it to.  And that only takes a second or two.  It's really no problem at
>all.
>
>So, what started out as a safety precaution turned out to provide additional
>functionality.  It adds a lot to the everyday operations of the sub; and
>it's comforting to know it's there as a backup if I get into a situation
>where I might need it.
>
>Ballast systems are, in my opinion, one of the most important and frequently
>misunderstood systems of a submarine.  There's a lot to the way they work
>that might not meet the eye.  I think it's something that everyone should
>really study and understand if he's going to build a submarine.
>
>Anyway, E-mail me a pic or drawing of your design.  I've got four boats in
>the shop at various stages of renovation  or construction right now, so I
>promise I won't even have time to steal your ideas.  I'd just like to take a
>look at it.
>
>Pat
>