Hi Joe.
I understand totally. You want a boat that is
primarily a surface boat but very low in the water like a David, but unlike a
David one which can
briefly submerge to shallow depths for short
periods. I am glad this design works for you Joe. Keep us updated on the
progress.
Bill Akins.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 8:37
AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Ambient /
1ATM Q?
Hi Bill,
It's mainly about where I will be using the boat. Biscayne Bay is a large
mostly shallow body. There are some areas in the south which are outside
of the channel where I could test her in about 15' but, the bay would be
surfaced running for sure, too shallow and too much traffic.
It's Hawke's channel just off shore where I plan to dive, miles wide,
follows the Keys south and 15 to 50' depth. Lot's of clear water,
relatively light traffic, and nice bottom topography.
The very simple constant flow system I
chose is for those times I may want to bottom the boat briefly to take a look
at something interesting. My boats control profile will not have
station keeping capability like say a nice stable K-350 or an
ambient Sportsub with thier electronic auto hover system
(too easy to break in my opinion). Two steel 100cf cylinders are
going to be a lot, four of them and I would need to take my shaving kit
with me. :)
Another reason for operating at snorkel depth is traffic. This boat will be
independent of surface support and traffic avoidance is squarely on my
shoulders. Submarines do not have the right of way. In fact, this
boat will have a very simple directional hydrophone to take bearings on prop
noises for those times I do bottom the boat. I already bought plans for a
simple unit. I do the same thing with my ears when I'm diving, if it sounds
too close, I stay down.
The boat will make it's biggest impact on the surface, mean and military
complete with kill silhouettes, where the question will always no doubt
be...Doe's it really dive? The answer will be yes.
I am not familiar with the David's (Iv'e heard of them) but know nothing
about them, I will have to take a look.
I hope this clears up what I'm up to.
Joe
From: "Akins" <lakins1@tampabay.rr.com> Reply-To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org To:
<personal_submersibles@psubs.org> Subject: Re:
[PSUBS-MAILIST] Ambient / 1ATM Q? Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2006 03:44:35
-0500
Hi Joe.
Good ideas on making the snorkel do all it can
do Joe. But what about your air loss from your constant flow system when you
are below snorkel depth?
Are you saying that you intend to remain at
snorkel depth MOST OF THE TIME and intend to only dive deeper
for short intervals so as not to deplete your
constant flow air tanks as quickly? If that is
the case then it sounds like you are designing a boat that will live most of
its life near the surface barely submerged with only short
periods of diving deeper. It sounds similiar in
concept to a civil war confederate David boat, except for short periods of
going deeper. I do wonder why you selected the
constant air flow system instead of using an
equalization system that would activate only when there was pressure
differentials and thus save more air. Why did you?
Bill Akins.
. .
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2006 8:11
PM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Ambient
/ 1ATM Q?
Bill, Patrick, & Chip
Yes, a lot of ways to skin that cat. Mine is only one way and as I have
chosen it, I neglected to mention the others. That's your job Patrick or
anyone else, to gather information from various sources and independently
verify the validility of that information. (The fork in your eye
ethos).
I came up with a way to minimize that waste of air you mentioned Bill.
I will use a 12v centrifucal blower at snorkel depth for air flow and save
the tanks. I stole (ah...borrowed) the idea from two places. The
10 psi blower system on the fleet boats, and I believe the Aquasub pontoon
semi-submersible uses a blower in the ventilation system on the port
float. The 12v blower may be able to blow ballast as well, I don't know
yet. I have to look into the blowers specs.
There was a discussion some months back regarding the use of LP air at
the surface for blowing ballast. That discussion caused me to think about,
how many things can I get the snorkel to do? So far,... cabin
ventilation / compensation at snorkel depth, engine air induction /
ventilation, and surfacing the boat.
I am (borrowing) Ricks use of the second stage regulators for
use in the engine compartment only to feed the diesel a little air
should the flapper valve close on the snorkel intermitenly from say, wave
action or sloppy depth keeping. Otherwise, your eardrums become that
membrane you mentioned Chip.
Someone said to me not long ago, why bother, that I would end up
with a deep draft boat. Well, it's a facsimile of a military sub which is
designed to simply appraoch it's target by stealth. Simply submerging does
that. Besides, bouyancy and rate control in an ambient are a bit dicey at
depth. This way keeps me out of trouble.
Joe
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