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Considering the cost of design and construction for
the ability to dock as you describe, and since you list the only reason for
doing so
is to just show it can be done, I question the
need. You can be Edmund Hillary if you want to, but two psubs docking is not the
same
as being the first to climb mount everest. I'm
sorry if I seem critical to this idea, but unless whoever wants to do this
docking is wealthy and money is
no object in order to simply say "we did this", I
think the money and effort could be better spent on other psub endeavors.Just to
say "we did it"
is not sufficient to answer "WHY?". As to the
applications useful to psubs down the line you spoke of, what would those be? A
psub does not stay
down long enough to need resupplying underwater via
docking of another psub. Sorry but I see no possible need for this other than to
deliver a pizza.
This would be basically the same as Swede
Momsen's escape bell hookup concept for stranded submariners that saved the crew
of the Squalus This has already been done so there
is no need to prove it can be done. Just my opinion
for whatever that is worth. Sorry, didn't mean to rain on your
parade.
Bill Akins.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 11:03
PM
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Docking ?
Hello,
Wondering if anyone in the group has an answer to
this question, or would like
to talk about the idea further....
Have
any two, manned 1-atm submersibles ever docked? And I mean more in
the
space, Apollo-Soyuz manner, where you could transfer people/supplies
from one
vessel to the next. I've seen designs for underwater habitats that
speak of
docking, however not vessel to vessel docking (unless a rescue
dive for a downed
submarine - where a somewhat different concept is being
applied).
In theory it seems like a relatively *simple* procedure, even
for 1-atm subs,
being an extension of the level of technology used in many
of your ballast
system designs, or more so in some of the diver entry
systems in place on a few
PSUBS. From an engineering perspective, I think
it would be very interesting to
see two PSUBS demonstrate a docking
capability while submerged, even if only
while at a shallow depth.
What would be the gain in attempting such a procedure? As an engineer,
I'd say
simply to show it could be done. Not that there would be a lack of
applications
down the line, however :)
~
Daniel
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