|
In a message dated 10/23/2009 7:30:44 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
bottomgun@mindspring.com writes:
From a historical point, how many saucer-shaped submersibles were operational Hi Jay. Skepticism is a VERY good thing. I agree there aren't many saucer
shaped subs out there. I think some of the reasons may be that a
saucer by itself isn't very stable. Nor is a full sphere stable.
The shapes just don't travel through water well.
There is however compelling reasons as it relates to pressure resistance.
The biggest benefit (for me ) is the space inside. It really makes a big
difference in the "feel" of the inside.
The Aquarius sub we dove in......really nice.....but my sub is more
comfortable. Now if I had that big dome window.......WOW!
I'm pretty sure I have the stability problem solved. It's not as sleek as a
tubular design, and I expect a little instability on the surface. Mostly
side-to-side wobble.
The scale model tests that I ran showed some flaws early on. My
friend has one of those "swimming" pools that have a big pump making the water
flow so you can swim laps without moving. I used it for flow testing with many
modifications to fairing design, ballast tank shape and placement, dive plane
size and location, etc.
That's the reason I have that big "fin" on the back. The models as they
progressed were weighted and balanced just as close to the full size as
possible. By adding the big "fin" I eliminated the "wobble" that was
driving me nuts. I had the model set for neutral buoyancy and tied it with a
string in the water flow. We used many different "speeds" by adjusting the pump
speed and it tracks real straight. Now remember, that's tied with a string which
really equates more to being towed than moving under it's own power. We took it
up to over 40 knots......still tracked straight.
On the surface, it wobbles a bit side-to-side. The only way to change that
is with saddle tanks. Still, with the large amount of lead ballast on center,
I'm pretty sure it can't tip enough to get the hatch near the water even with
200 LBS hanging off one side. ( one man's weight standing on the dive plane.)
Submerged, I tested the model with empty ballast tanks, held it underwater
upside down, and let it go.
It immediately rolled over before it floated up. I calculate that the
surfaced water line will be 24 inches from the hatch. With the scale weight of
the 200 pound man sitting on the dive plane, it tilted to about 18 degrees from
level. Again, these are just models, so the "real deal" may be quite
different.
Front-to-back it's like a rock! I'm putting in a sliding weight under the
floor to adjust balance because the rear bolt-on section ( frame, ballast tank,
motors, rudders, scuba tank and finned fairing ) weigh more than the front
bolt-on section.
The rear ballast tank is larger to "float" the extra weight but submerged
I'll need to add weight to the front so it balances.
AS I said, the saucer shape is very roomy, and all the stuff inside is real
easy to get at. I just hope I can get it to float level.
Frank D.
|