James,
".... I know totally encapsulating( mostly.....the top hatch could never be totally surrounded) the crew compartment within a ballast area...."
This is one of several viable design considerations for soft tanks as specified by the text "Concepts in Submarine Design", (highly recommended). It also happens to be my choice for my own design...http://www.frappr.com/?a=viewphoto&id=269116&pid=7063561
My suggestion for someone new, is to read...read...read and then...read again. Did I mention read! :)
Besides the online Busby manual on the PSUBS web site, I highly recommend and have found a gold mine of information in the NAVPERS fleet boat manuals...http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/index.htm
As you are an electronics expert, perhaps I may ask you a thing or two regarding systems integration when the time comes...not quite yet as I am far from it at this point.
Joe
From: "Lil Brother LLC" <lil_brother_llc@bellsouth.net>
Reply-To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Some thoughts on construction (I'm new so my research is not that thorough)
Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2007 17:05:24 -0500
>First I would like to thank everyone for a warm welcome. It is nice
>to see a group of people that openly accepts the new guy to the
>group.
>
>I have a question or two that can be broken up into various
>departments:
>
>1. If the ballast tanks were to totally surround the crew
>compartment, could the ballast area be used structurally?
>
> I mean if the air were purged, then the ballast area totally
>sealed (with valves). Would this enhance the structure to help with
>the pressure at depth?
>
> I figure since this area would be totally filled with water
>(which doesn't compress easily) it would add pressure resistance of
>the hull. (I'm only guessing at this......so anyone could point out
>the error in my view)
>
> I know totally encapsulating( mostly.....the top hatch could
>never be totally surrounded) the crew compartment within a ballast
>area would be a major pain, and would be hard to up keep over a long
> period of time, but it may be worth the while if the design is
>possible.
>
>2. I've noticed a very strange item on the X300( nice fiberglass
>single place, dolphin shaped sub) aft end. I'm very curious what the
>item is. I would also like to know what type of propulsion the sub
>uses.
>
>3. Are there any electronic valves out there that are pressure rated
>for our uses. I would like some companies to checkout to see if I
>can use them for ballast control.
>
>4. What is the typical way of actuating bow and stern control
>planes?
>
>Any other things you would like to point out.....would be
>appreciated. I do not have any materials to read regarding the
>design and construction of a sub. My area is very rural and the
>library is much to be desired.
>
>
>James Long
>Owner/Designer
>Lil Brother LLC (Instrument Division)
>
>
>
>
>
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