Has anybody
considered encasing a thruster motor in re-enforced concrete as a way of
isolating the motor from the seawater and pressure? If you could first
seal all of the openings where you don't want cement with silicone or equivalent
and then route your electrical wires thru an epoxy potted section I think it
could work. The motor shaft would have to be a good ceramic
seal.
Since the cement would be in contact
with the motor housing you would probably get good heat transfer to the cold
seawater also. After the cement has cured coat it with an
epoxy.
If you had a malfunction, like a leak, or
some other problem you could cut open the cement with a carbide blade, take the
motor out, and then just pour a new concrete encasement very
cheaply.
Brian Cox
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