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Yah, the more I dig into composite sub construction
the more I realize how cutting edge it is. Hell, the Navy is BARELY
scratching the surface with this stuff. There ARE autoclaves big enough to
anneal a pretty large submarine (I think the biggest U.S. autoclave is like 30ft
x 75feet). The biggest expense here seems to me in transporting the
vessel and fabricating a jig. Having something sit inside a
pressure-cooker cant be all that expensive can it? Also, everything would
have to be pre-designed before you lay the CF, that is, anything that's going to
lie outside the normal geometry of the pressure hull. Very complex, just
in the design phase... but once designed, it's conceivable the construction
wouldnt be too difficult - MUCH easier then working 1/2" steel. In
reality, it IS wrapping a pressure vessel in CF; namely a 1/4" D.O.T. vaccuum
tank; another option is chemical storage tanks. Without the wrapping or
going to 1/2" steel it's just not worth it designing anything that big and
expensive, as you cant go very deep, even with stringers every
foot.
So like said before, getting the voids out of the
CF is the "sticky" part... hehe Laying up the CF is tough too and
you'd probably need laser guidance and multiple bakings.
This pressure hull would be fitted inside an
ambient outer hull/frame able to hold its weight + lead ballast. This
makes it super strong and sturdy, as well you're not attaching anything directly
to the pressure hull later on in life. Areas of acrylic could be used
to transfer EM through the hull, as well as a solid slab of steel in one section
of the pressure hull void of CF. Otherwise your standard electrical
through-hulls would be pre-installed.
BTW, if you're wondering why I'm referring to 1/2"
steel, it's because the boat I'm drawing up is 9 feet x 45+ (havent decided
length yet).
All this is fascinating to me... 'course,
anything can be done if u throw enough money at it. :)
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