Re[2]: sub design

[btran@fr.com (BQT)]

     This is in the group's web link address 
     frenetweb.com/bd/pictures/rippleFull.jpg
     Here's the description from psub's web page.  The pictures look cool, 
     but I wonder about cost and safety.
     
A high performance, one man submersible of streamlined
                fiberglass construction. Looks much like a dolphin.

                Here is some Bionic Dolphin (VASH) information.
 
                - about 12' long
                - 600 lbs (very positively buoyant)
                - carbon/kevlar/spectra outer shell
                - fiberglass inner shell around pilot
                - closed cell hard foam filler (sprayed in)
                - kevlar/foam composite bulkheads
                - partial F-16 canopy
                - 200 HP two-stroke V6
                - cut-off tail flat, which created a vortex while 
                  moving submerged to helped to draw out the exhaust
                - builder has had it down to 50 feet
                - could stay down for two minutes because the engine 
                  had a compressed air supply
                - did not have any type of scrubber, cockpit air just got stale
                - hydroplaned on surface at 85 mph, submerged up to 35 mph
 
                The project was a success from a mechanical standpoint, 
                but they were not able to market it. The Coast Guard requires 
                certification of any dry one-atmosphere submersible being 
                sold to the public, and they will not certify anything 
                that has a fiberglass inner hull. It has to be steel,
                aluminum, titanium, etc.
                 
                The VASH prototype is currently owned by a company 
                'Planet Hydrosphere' (the original investers) in Florida.
 
                It was designed by Thomas Rowe, and the prototype was built 
                by Dennis Kaiser .
     
     ______________________________ Reply Separator 
     _________________________________
     Subject: Re: sub design
     Author:  Paul Anderson <hacker@geeky1.ebtech.net> at Internet
     Date:    12/9/98 3:37 AM
     
     
     On Tue, 8 Dec 1998, BQT wrote:
     
     >      Hello everyone.  I am Bao Tran, a new novice member. >      I 
     am interested in the Bionic Dolphin style.
     >
     Never heard of that style before - care to elaborate?  TTYL!
     
     
     ---
     Paul Anderson
     hacker@geeky1.ebtech.net
     "This is Maurice, our sheep-hearding carrot." http://www.hpv.on.ca sys 
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