----- Original Message -----From: Dan hSent: Monday, June 24, 2002 7:56 AMSubject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Reply to SUBSAFEBob,Get a copy of ASTM's, PVHO, Pressure Vessel for Human Occupation. In it, you will find some details and design parameters for view ports, flat and hemis. It doesn't have actual working drawings but design guidelines.
On another subject, I too agree with the group about Psub safety. How I got started in my adventure was from an airline magazine that ran an article about the mini subs Captain George Kittredge was building in Maine. That was about sixteen years ago. I knew I could build one but wasn't confident about designing one with enough safety and performance to suit me. I visited the Kittredge factory and bought plans for a K-250 back then. As most plans sold, they sat around for years. Fifteen years later, a year and a half ago, I decided it was time to build. This time a K-350. Right now I'm about two thirds through the project.
I used a proven design and followed it to the letter for the hull and anything safety related. There are plenty of other parts of a sub that can be customized to make it personal. I'm sure this approach isn't for everyone but it's a way to get a good working design, be relatively safe, and end up with a sub you can enjoy.
My two cents worth, Dan H
Bob Teufel wrote:
Hi Harry, I'm with you! It's look, listen, learn and draw for now. I did post some very primative design ideas at http:www.compustyle.net/psub/ , but, I have already decided to put those on hold until I learn more - much more, and then start with an ambient pressure sub first. Speaking of learning, anyone out there got a picture of an Acrylic Hemispherical Viewport and how it is designed. I am trying to picture the seal structure in my mind and on paper, and a pic of a manufactured Hemi would help a lot. Bob T.----- Original Message -----From: Harry SpillettSent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 8:22 PMSubject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Reply to SUBSAFEBob,I think your experience with the world of submersibles is similar to mine. I have always liked them them from an early age, however I didn't even realize people built them for private use until I stumbled across a web page one day. Like you I immediately designed by own sub which would revolutionise the world of private submersibles, it would be much cheaper and twice as efficient as any other deign. However, as I begun to expand my "fag packet" blue print I began to realise just why people designed their craft the way they did!By the very nature of this area of engineering it is very much a DIY enterprise. Needles to say my "ultimate design" has yet to slip gracefully into the water (or get off the drawing board in the near future!).As far as I am concerned the process of teaching myself the ins and outs of submarine design and operation is as much fun as the prospect of finally being confident enough to go and blow my "hard earned" on a mountain of steel.This discussion group is a great resource, both for inspiration and advise. I have been a silent member for some time now, just chipping in with the odd page of questions here and there! I have learnt a lot in a short time. however I don't think you can ever learn "enough" in this area. My (much) more modest design is on hold at present until I receive a copy of the Busby book which will be a big help. One day I hope to join the list of people who have put up examples of their designs to ask for comments / suggestions etc.until this happy day I am more than happy to keep reworking my ideas and design based on tips and suggestions from you guys. Words like implosion and catastrophic failure send a cold shiver down my spine! Well that's my bit! As you can gather from this I am on the lower rungs of the ladder but hopefully by drawing on the expertise of other people "higher up" I can help myself to learn more rather than be told what to do, there is a big difference!Harry PS I am glad I didn't sell my old school physics books![Harry Spillett] -----Original Message-----
From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org]On Behalf Of Bob Teufel
Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2002 4:39 AM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Reply to SUBSAFE
Hi Pat and all! I totally agree with Pat when he says that we beginners (And I fully admit that I am one) shoud not begin with a Deep-Diving Sub as a first project. I am a Christian, which means that I belive I know where I am going when this life is over, but, I'd like to go there when it's time and even have a little fun along the way. I'd rather not speed up the process by attempting dreams that are beyond my capability. One wise person I knew once told me that the "I Know what I Know", and the "I Know What I don't Know," aren't a problem. It's the "I Don't Know What I Don't Know," that can get you in big trouble. When I first discovered PSUBS.ORG I immediately designed a 6 person 37 foot sub and was thinking that I would like to figure out how to get it to about 400 meters fsw. Now, after reading and listening to you guys, I'd be happy to construct an ambient pressure sub for use in shallow lakes as a first project, and that only after I re-learn everything I once knew about scuba-diving and spend much more time listening-reseaching and learning. Maybe we could all come up with a basic-skills/knowledge recommendation for those who find themselves desiring to do what so many of you veterans have done before. Without some knowledge of Physics, Mathmatics, Electronics, Plumbing, Pneumatics, Hydraulics, and materials, it would seem like a fools quest to go out and try to begin at the top. For What it's Worth, Bob Teufel