Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] tank periscope optics

[Dan h <machine@epix.net>]

Carl, I must say, for that hidden swimming hole your referring to, I might
also be looking for a set of prisms to build a periscope.  ;-)  Better yet,
I'm building a two place sub, you navigate to the destination and I'll
provide the periscope!

Seriously though,  Yes a periscope would be fun but as far as surfacing
safely, a small view port in the hatch and your ears should let you know
what's top side before you get there.  Granted, you won't know exactly, but
to have a five or ten foot piece of pipe get whacked off the top of your sub
by a passing boat wouldn't be fun.  The volume of the average PSUB is to
small compared to a navy sub where periscopes are common.  Taking on ten or
twenty gallons of water in a periscope accident would sink most PSUB's, but
in a full size navy sub, it only calls for a mop and pail.  Like driving
your car with your arms sticking out of the window.  It might be fun but not
worth the risk in my opinion.

Dan H.

Coalbunny wrote:

> Dan, I have interest in the periscope issue as well.  I think it'd be
> kinda nice to be 5-10 feet under and see what's on top.  large subs
> aren't the only ones that could have surface boat problems.  You may
> hear the prop wash off those that are moving, but what if they ain't?
> What if they're sitting there in the water and the engine's off?
> Liability problem.  Not cool.  Besides, I remember some of the swimmin'
> holes the college girls had at Lake Powell, and they're well hidden....
> :D
> Carl
>
> Dan h wrote:
> >
> > Why would you want to use periscope optics in a sub?  I don't
> > understand the advantage in using prisms to look around corners with
> > when all you need is a piece of acrylic to keep the water out.  Even
> > using cameras seems like over kill.  If the view ports are kept to a
> > small diameter there not expensive.  Say, keep them to the size of
> > plasma TV monitor and forget the electronics!
> > One thing about acrylic, as long as you use the proper thickness for
> > the depth your diving to, it always works.  No matter if you have a
> > power failure, an equipment failure or an operator failure.  It's
> > almost fool proof!  Isn't that one of the most important criteria in
> > designing anything like a sub.  When life and limb could be hanging in
> > the balance, simplicity and safety are usually the number issues in a
> > good design.  Cameras and optics are fine as extras, but a hole in the
> > hull filled with an acrylic disk as the main way to see out makes good
> > sense to me.
> >
> > I spent many years designing mechanical systems. Several rules of
> > thumb that kept me out of trouble (most of the time) were:
> > Be efficient. Do many functions with one part rather than one function
> > with many parts.
> > Keep it simple.
> > Where safety is a consideration, cover all the bases and take no
> > chances.  Design in redundancies, if allowable.
> > And lastly, design in some "wiggle room" to accommodate revisions and
> > up dates.
> >
> > Remember K. I. S. S. !!!!!!
> >
> > Dan H.
> >
> > AndrePevestorf@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > I yust remember the special periscope optic in a tank (BMP-1 or
> > > T-55)
> > > my recollection says that this prism are very heavy but also easy to
> > > change... so I wondering if it could be possible to use some of that
> > > for a sub...
> > >
> > > but the first question is:
> > >
> > > are there any legal ways to get such army stuff second hand ?
> > > ( I know in former times it was possible to get a russian gun for a
> > > bottle of wisky but thats not the kind of deals I´m looking for..)
> > >
> > > A.
>
> --
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