Re: HP, weight and visability

[Jon@huv.com (Jon Hylands)]

On Fri, 24 Apr 1998 23:56:12 -0600, "Sean Walinga"
<swalinga@telusplanet.net> wrote:

> It would be interesting to hear what type of limitations you have encountered for this "flier" type of psub. What rules and limitations are there? I think minimum speed is the only one I can think of offhand. This speed limit can be offset somewhat by a larger set of planes...

Well, the main one is as you mention, speed. You must maintain a minimum
speed, which means stopping to examine something is out of the question.

You need a more powerful motor to drive this type of sub, since it would
typically need to go faster than a ballast sub. You have to be much more
conscious of where you are, and what orientation the sub is in, since flier
subs have full freedom of motion.

Of course, the benefits are a safer sub (less mechanical systems to go
wrong), no arbitrary depth limit (compared to compressed-air ballast subs),
and the ability to "fly" underwater.

The depth issue is not an issue for personal subs (unless you have a VERY
large budget for your psub...).

Later,
Jon

--------------------------------------------------------------
   Jon Hylands      Jon@huv.com      http://www.huv.com/jon

  Project: Micro Seeker (Micro Autonomous Underwater Vehicle)
           http://www.huv.com