Re: Pressure Testing

[Ray Keefer <Ray.Keefer@eng.Sun.COM>]

Hi,


> Suppose that one wants to test their pressure hull.  One has the option of
> sending it down, unmanned, for safety.  How about testing in the shop?  What
> does everyone think of the following?
> 
> At 100 feet we know that we are encountering about 50 PSI.  Make a block,
> one inch by one inch, then balance 50 pounds on top of it while resting the
> block on random spots on the pressure hull.  If the hull holds up, then ok,
> move on.
> 

As a first step in a series of tests you might want to do this for a warm 
and fuzzy. Or it's a rainy day. :)

The second step in the series would be an unmanned full pressure test. 
Whether tethered or in a pressure chamber it doesn't matter. Just don't 
trust your life in your hull until it has been tested under realistically
pressure loaded conditions.

> Is there a better way to "shop test" a design?
> 
> Paul
> 

Kittredge build a pressure chamber to test his earlier designs (K-250).
Rolled it out of simular material he made his hull out of, just larger.
Put the sub in, bolted it closed, filled with water, and then pressurised
it.

For small designs the home builder can go that route.

On his larger subs, like the K-600, Kittredge use some Naval pressure test
chamber that was both big enough and could attain the pressure he wanted.

Regards,
Ray