Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Re: Your sealed wetsub idea...

[William Alford <walford@dbtech.net>]

At 10:29 AM 12/11/2003 -1000, Michael Edwards wrote: 
>
> What happens to a 1 atm "wet" sub when you open the valve at 10 atm? We have
> all been told water doesn't compress. An yet you have 
> a container of un-pressurized water, surrounded by "pressurized" water. Will
> the pressurized water say outside even with the valve open?


I have not been following this thread very closely, so may be missing some
point, but do not confuse "compression" with "pressure". This is the focal
principle of hydraulics-- force is transmitted best by uncompressible confined
fluids. See -- http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/5-499/toc.htm
(online Army Hydraulics Manual) and in particular,
http://www.adtdl.army.mil/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/5-499/chap1.htm#996942. Assuming
that one is discussing an occupied submarine, it will not be entirely filled
with incompressible fluid since various parts/bladders of the human body are
quite compressible. Stability of a fluid-filled occupied submarine will be
achived at great depth when internal and external "pressure" are equalized,
only when hull movement stabilizes, and perhaps to the detriment of the
occupant.

William Alford