The problem with airing them out is one of geometry. Assume that one of
the annular hatch o-rings was leaking (which was case in both incidents of my
experience). Where is it leaking? Top, sides, bottom? If you pressurize
the pod, the risk will be of lifting the hatch off its seat, or dislodging it
entirely. That would fall under the heading of bad ju-ju, especially if said
pod was only partly flooded when you started. The issue is that you are not
venting or blowing something with a top and bottom seal, but rather end cap
seals on a horizontal fixture. It won't work and might worsen the problem
dramatically. In fact, we could almost certainly categorize it in advance as
an 'oh, shit' moment.
That said, I am describing a standard (to my way of thinking) battery
pod; ie, Perry, Aquarius, Deepworker style. Some other unit might
differ.
One that has interested me for a long time is a very simple 1000' design
that George K and I collaborated loosely on--a 5' spherical pressure hull with
a single vertical pod mounted to the hull aft (20"X60"). In that instance, if
the hatch were secure enough, then you could have a bottom vent and pressurize
it from INSIDE the sub to slow the leak. George of course thought that whole
thing was stupid and dismissed it out of hand. The blueprint I have of the
final(ish) design, which was never built, had a single pod welded into the
pressure hull on the centerline with some floatation to hold it up and the
thrusters mounted on the aft end.
Vance
-----Original
Message-----
From: ShellyDalg@aol.com
To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Sent: Wed, Mar 24, 2010 6:08 pm
Subject:
Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] diesel electric propulsion module
In a message dated 3/24/2010 12:35:59 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
vbra676539@aol.com writes:
All
part of the service, Frank.
Hi Vance. Although some of us newbies like to dream, your perspectives
and experience are invaluable. Your advice is always listened to very closely.
Thanks. Frank D.
On Hugh's question of a flooded compartment.....Would it be possible or
desirable to have an exterior air line connection for battery pods so if one
got flooded and the sub came up crooked, the surface crew could blow the
flooded pod dry and stabilize the sub long enough to get the people out. It
wouldn't take very high pressure at or near the surface. Maybe just
a compressor hose from the surface boat at 40 psi.
Frank D.