James,
Permanently mounted exterior solar
panels for subs rated for a range of depths, is a very big challenge I've only
begun to explore. There are all sorts of new solar panels designs coming out
these days, and it's tough to keep track of them all, whether they work, and
whether they are in mass production yet. The designs are getting more
and more efficient as well. So to begin to answer your question, I would say
you should have as much square footage of the most efficient panels you can
acquire, that can be submerged to the depth specs of your sub and that don't
cause to much drag or to much of an entanglement hazard. I've heard
about a couple different designs that you can walk on and that can
conform to the surface shape of the subs hull.
Your idea of a retractable deck gave me
all sorts of ideas for how that could work. I'm a big proponent of
having allot of deck space on a large recreational submarine. So that is one
of the reasons I like a trimaran design. For retractable designs you
could start with some sort of slide out design of the top area of the sub.
Much like on a motor home. This would of course effect stability in a
single hull sub, so that will have to be planned for.
The German Type 212A is a interesting
design. What if you tweaked it a bit and made the bow into a plumb bow, like a
wave piercing boat design. This way you have more control while submerged, and
learn the lesson Peter learned with Kraka.
Regards,
Brent
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 2:19
PM
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Millennium
Cell HydroPak
Some questions. As far as using solar cells to help recharge the
batteries, what would be a good size to do that with? The other idea,
is thanks to my sister, whom does not like the idea of a steel tube w/o
winows, and likes the open air. How about a retractable deck? I
am not sure how that would work out, but I do think that it would be
interesting. Just some thoughts. As of current, my submarine
design is roughly based on that of the German Type 212A. Using a
diesel/electric propulsion, as well as the ocean current/flow generator to
help recharge batteries while siting on the bottom. Just some
thoughts.
James
Brent Hartwig <brenthartwig@hotmail.com>
wrote:
Ian,
Interesting
information. From the looks of the data on there PDF file, they have
larger units planned as well. Also there is a note about it being safe for
indoor use with zero harmful emissions claimed. I'm still not sure if the
cartridges take O2 out of the air, but it doesn't look like you have to
provide any from a tank. I'm not sure what your talking about with regards
to water vapor collection. It sounds like you just pour some water into
the unit of which goes into the cartridge starting a chemical reaction. I
wouldn't expect all that much water vapor to come out of it. But if there
was you could have it's vent going directly into your air circulation
system that has water absorption cartridges inline.
Regards,
Brent
Hartwig
> Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008
15:54:05 -0500
> From: irox@ix.netcom.com
> To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
> Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST]
Millennium Cell HydroPak
>
>
> Hi,
>
>
seems a company called Millenniunm Cell are releasing (or
demonstrating)
> a customer fuel cell at CES in Las Vagas next
week:
>
>
http://gizmodo.com/340275/hydropak-fuel-cell-to-debut-at-ces-2008
>
http://www.millenniumcell.com/fw/main/MCEL_in_the_News-69.html
>
> Seems their approach is to have a generator unit with
replaceable
> cartridges containing H2 (in some form).
>
> Is anybody on the list attending CES this year and could check it
out?
> I'm wondering about the suitability for use in psubs, either
for AIP
> or as an emergency power option.
>
> How safe
is it for non-ventilated spaces?
> Is water vapor collection going
to be difficult to implement?
> Specifics about power output (claims
25Watt continuous at 100V AC).
> What chemical is the hydrogen
stored in?
> Does it provide it's own O2 (I'm guessing we supply
that)?
>
> Nice to see these products making their way to
market.
>
> Cheers,
> Ian.
>
>
>
>