WTC 3.5, true crush depth?

[ruskiemlotek]

Theres a deep, clear lake near me where divers regularly train but the problem is it is deep. The lake has a massive stone decline up to 15-20 meters. If my sub was to go down, would the WTC withstand 20 meters of cold water? It wouldnt be down there for more than a day, as divers go there all the time.

I had it down to 5 meters one time for 4 days, with almost no water inside. How would it stand up to 20 meters?

[himszy]

You need to tell us

You need to tell us what the wtc is made of, how thick the walls are, and how it is sealed. Also remember that with things like the prop shaft, that seal has to also stand up to the pressure.

[ruskiemlotek]

The actual WTC walls are

The actual WTC walls are not the concern, it is the O-Ring that were supplied with the kit that worry me. I put heave grease on all of them. There are is one shaft o-ring, two servo exit orings, and 3 more connecting the other three halves of the WTC. Does anybody have any experience when these will fail?

[anonymous]

The 'O' rings if snug,

The 'O' rings if snug, the hull seals if properly made should in theory tighten as the water pressure increases with depth.

Learn the calculations to learn this academicly.

But then make another identical WTC 3.5 without the contents inside as a test rig or ginny pig. Add lead weight OUTSIDE the WTC to make the WTC sink. Don't put the lead weight inside. The weights could shift around and slam against the bulkhead and the water could burst in. The lead weight might also put torsional stress to the cylinder and not be an accurate simulation. The WTC would be suspended over the weights like an underwater balloon. Use strong enough safety lines that will safely lower and raise the WTC either with the added bouyancy that the WTC provides, or able to handle the weight should the WTC become water logged. Then lower the test hull and see what happens. Keep the surfaces where the seals come in contact emaculate free of scratches. This should be standard practice anyways. You could even mark the safety line so you know how deep your test hull will go. Remember, you are only as strong as your weakest link. For example, the Skipjack SSN's actually used HY-80 hulls, but this design's seals and other hull penetrations were only good to a test depth of 600 or so feet. The Permits also used HY-80 (but was completely HY-80 through out), but had redesigned hull penetrations so these boats could go (before SubSafe) to 1250 ft.

Steve



Edited By Dolphin on 1119412434